I’ve been browsing through great trip reports and posts about New Zealand on the forum, and I’d love to get some feedback about our tentative itinerary. This is our first trip to NZ. We arrive mid-February and have 23 days on the South Island.

My husband and I are in our 70s, and we like being outdoors, walking, seeing wildlife, and getting a sense of different cultures and peoples. So far, I think we’ve come up with a typical first-timer circuit that begins and ends in Christchurch. I know we’re in for lots driving—but I’m not sure how to pare down without missing something spectacular.

Here are my questions:

· Does the itinerary make sense?

· We have two 2-night stays—one in Picton and the other in Franz Joseph—along with a one-night stay in Punakaikai to break up the trip down the West Coast. I can’t see how to avoid those short stays unless we skip something else. Any thoughts?

· I’ve included some possible things to explore in each place. Any suggestions about what to do/see and what to skip?

· Also, has anyone used Discover Car? They have good prices, but I’m wondering if people recommend them.

Here’s the itinerary:

Christchurch 2 nights

(Tram tour; Quake City Visitor Centre? Suggestions?)

Picton 2 nights

(On the way, visit Kaikoura: Peninsula Walkway; the Store at Kekerengu for lunch? maybe Albatross Encounter (2 ½ hrs)?)

(In Picton, Marlborough Sounds cruise/walk combo with drop off for short Queen Charlotte walk; or Mailboat Cruise; or Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary trip?)

Abel Tasman 3 nights

(On the way—Havelock for Greenshell Mussel Cruise; Nelson and perhaps Tahunanui Beach?

(In AT, Bark Bay to Torrent Bay hike with water taxi pickup or Awaroa to Torrent Bay? Anchorage Beach; Maybe a Moutere Hills winery? Other ideas?)

Panakaiki 1 night

(On the way, Murchison for lunch; Cape Foulwind for views; Denniston Mine near Westport?)

(Near Panakaiki: coastal track to collapsed sea caverns; Porari River Trail? Truman Track north of Panakaiki (2 m.); where to go to hunt for greenstone? Perhaps Barrytown Beach?)

Franz Joseph 2 nights

(On the way, boat tour of Okarito Lagoon to birdwatch and see kiwis; visit Hokitika and take West Coast Treetop Walk?)

(Near glaciers, Lake Matheson walk; Franz Joseph viewpoint?)

Queenstown 3 nights

(On the way, Blue Pools in Mt. Aspiring National Park? Or possibly do this as a day trip from Wanaka?)

(In Queenstown, possibly Glenorchy and day hike on Routeburn Track or Glenorchy Lagoon Walk?; Earnslaw steamship cruise; gondola ride to see Kiwi Birdlife Park; Onsen Hot Pools outside town; Gibbstown Valley winery? Antarctic Centre; Remarkables Market.)

Te Anau 3 nights

(Overnight on Doubtful Sound; 1 day exploring areas along Milford Road—which stops to make?)

Wanaka 3 nights

(On the way, visit Arrowtown. In Wanaka, Ridgeline Wanaka safari; Mt Rosa or Rippon vineyard?; hike to Blue Pools in Mt. Aspiring National Park—2 mi/1 hour—if not done already? Thunder Creek Falls (easy walk); maybe Secret Sauna after a hike)

Mt Cook 3 nights

(Hooker Valley Track; Kea Track; others?; visit Mt John Observatory one evening?; Tasman Glacier—boat trip with Glacier Explorers?)

Christchurch Airport 1 night

(On the way, visit Lake Tekapo: Tekapo Hot Pools?; Astro Café at the summit for lunch? Stop in Geraldine—pies at Fairlie Bunkhouse, Susan Badcock Gallery)