New Zealand South Island
Discussion
We are off in a couple of weeks in the camper.
We are doing both islands but the North is planned with Hotels but the South is a blank canvas.
Our rough day to day itinerary looks something like this:
Christchurch (to get over jet lag & rest before getting the van)
Christchurch
Greymouth
Franz Josef
Franz Josef
Wanaka
Wanaka
Queenstown
Te Anau
Te Anau
Queenstown
Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo
Christchurch.
I know the distances are quite long hence the 2 night stops in most places. Anything wrong with that above (Is there anywhere on there which doesnt warrant a 2 night stop where others need 3 nights?)
I'm going for the views and the adrenaline buzz. The missus isnt an adrenaline junkie so have to have a good balance.
Got a load of ideas for stuff we want to do, just working out where to do them and where to ditch the van each night.
We are doing both islands but the North is planned with Hotels but the South is a blank canvas.
Our rough day to day itinerary looks something like this:
Christchurch (to get over jet lag & rest before getting the van)
Christchurch
Greymouth
Franz Josef
Franz Josef
Wanaka
Wanaka
Queenstown
Te Anau
Te Anau
Queenstown
Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo
Christchurch.
I know the distances are quite long hence the 2 night stops in most places. Anything wrong with that above (Is there anywhere on there which doesnt warrant a 2 night stop where others need 3 nights?)
I'm going for the views and the adrenaline buzz. The missus isnt an adrenaline junkie so have to have a good balance.
Got a load of ideas for stuff we want to do, just working out where to do them and where to ditch the van each night.
I really liked Wanaka, infact i'd stay there longer than Queenstown if i went again.
I would strongly recommend you stay a night in Mt Cook village rather than Lake Tekapo (you will drive past Lake Tekapo when you go from Mt Cook to Christchurch.
I did a very similar route to you so ask any questions you have
http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthoulb/collections...
Maybe try a route like this:
- Christchurch
- Christchurch (visit the Banks Peninsula)
- Greymouth (via Arthurs Pass)
- Franz Josef
- Franz Josef (there are loads of waterfalls to see through Haast)
- Wanaka
- Wanaka (a good place for skydiving. climb Roys Peak. take a heli tour around Mt Aspiring)
- Te Anau
- Te Anau (Milford/Doubtful Sound)
- Queenstown
- Queenstown (marvel at how everyone is English
)
- Mt Cook (via Lindis Pass. do the Hooker Valley walk)
- Lake Tekapo
- Christchurch
I would strongly recommend you stay a night in Mt Cook village rather than Lake Tekapo (you will drive past Lake Tekapo when you go from Mt Cook to Christchurch.
I did a very similar route to you so ask any questions you have
http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthoulb/collections...
Maybe try a route like this:
- Christchurch
- Christchurch (visit the Banks Peninsula)
- Greymouth (via Arthurs Pass)
- Franz Josef
- Franz Josef (there are loads of waterfalls to see through Haast)
- Wanaka
- Wanaka (a good place for skydiving. climb Roys Peak. take a heli tour around Mt Aspiring)
- Te Anau
- Te Anau (Milford/Doubtful Sound)
- Queenstown
- Queenstown (marvel at how everyone is English
)- Mt Cook (via Lindis Pass. do the Hooker Valley walk)
- Lake Tekapo
- Christchurch
Edited by Matt.. on Sunday 7th November 19:45
Matt.. said:
I really liked Wanaka, infact i'd stay there longer than Queenstown if i went again.
I would strongly recommend you stay a night in Mt Cook village rather than Lake Tekapo (you will drive past Lake Tekapo when you go from Mt Cook to Christchurch.
I did a very similar route to you so ask any questions you have
http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthoulb/collections...
Maybe try a route like this:
- Christchurch
- Christchurch (visit the Banks Peninsula)
- Greymouth (via Arthurs Pass)
- Franz Josef
- Franz Josef (there are loads of waterfalls to see through Haast)
- Wanaka
- Wanaka (a good place for skydiving. climb Roys Peak. take a heli tour around Mt Aspiring)
- Te Anau
- Te Anau (Milford/Doubtful Sound)
- Queenstown
- Queenstown (marvel at how everyone is English)
- Mt Cook (via Lindis Pass. do the Hooker Valley walk)
- Lake Tekapo
- Christchurch
- Christchurch (Get there in the afternoon from the plane and go punting)I would strongly recommend you stay a night in Mt Cook village rather than Lake Tekapo (you will drive past Lake Tekapo when you go from Mt Cook to Christchurch.
I did a very similar route to you so ask any questions you have
http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthoulb/collections...
Maybe try a route like this:
- Christchurch
- Christchurch (visit the Banks Peninsula)
- Greymouth (via Arthurs Pass)
- Franz Josef
- Franz Josef (there are loads of waterfalls to see through Haast)
- Wanaka
- Wanaka (a good place for skydiving. climb Roys Peak. take a heli tour around Mt Aspiring)
- Te Anau
- Te Anau (Milford/Doubtful Sound)
- Queenstown
- Queenstown (marvel at how everyone is English
)- Mt Cook (via Lindis Pass. do the Hooker Valley walk)
- Lake Tekapo
- Christchurch
Edited by Matt.. on Sunday 7th November 19:45
- Christchurch (Gondola, Paramotoring)
- Greymouth (via Arthurs Pass - we do plan to go this route, maybe Quad bike)
- Franz Josef (Heli-hike on Franz or Fox depending on which looks best)
- Franz Josef (do something here)
- Wanaka (possibly stop along way for Mount Aspiring NP so late afternoon arrival)
- Wanaka (Lake Wanaka for kayak? some sight seeing photo's etc.)
- Te Anau (Glow worm caves,
- Te Anau (Milford/Doubtful Sound - possibly Doubtful as we've heard its immense)
- Queenstown (bungee, jet boat, luge anything else to raise the heart rate)
- Queenstown (marvel at how everyone is English
)- Mt Cook (via Lindis Pass. do the Hooker Valley walk)
- Lake Tekapo
- Christchurch
I want somewhere for Quad biking or Off Road riding, somewhere for kayaking which doesnt have to be pulse raising but rather scenic spectacular.
We have horse riding planned for North Island, Zorbing in Rotorua etc. but if there's anything I happen to have forgotten about, then please make me aware.
One thing to remember is it rains a lot. You may well end up missing certain things due to this, so it's a good idea to build in some flexibility if you can. The glacier walks are one of the more weather affected activities unfortunately (especially the heli hikes).
I would do the Roy's Peak walk in Wanaka rather than kayaking (though its very hard work!). You can kayak at Mt Cook which looks amazing
I would do the Roy's Peak walk in Wanaka rather than kayaking (though its very hard work!). You can kayak at Mt Cook which looks amazing
Christchurch (to get over jet lag & rest before getting the van) - wise choice. Get out into hagley park and get AS MUCH sun as you can in daylight this helps reset your body clock.
See hagley park, river avon, gondola ride up the port hills (or drive it) & prehaps sumner/taylors mistake or new brighton - other ideas = Ricarton house & bush, cathedral square, mona vale. But Def get onto the port hils if you dont do Akaroa.
Christchurch - Go to Akaroa!
its a nice place but a spectacular drive. Its 'French' so has some nice cafe's and shops, good boat trip to swim with dolphins. Go via Dyers pass & gebbies pass rather than on the main roads, stopp of in little river and make sure you go to some of the bays over that way (
I normaly would say stop off at Diamond Harbour on the way back for lunch at Godley house but its stuffed from the quake. Stop in at Lyttelton instead its small but funky.
Greymouth - place is a dump but it gets you to on west coast via Arthurs pass. Probably best to stay over at arthurs pass somewhere instead IMO and skip greymouth and go straight to franz.
Franz Josef - go see the glacier(s) there spectacular, one place int he world where its utterly worth a helecopter ride.
Franz Josef - if you've seen the glaciers on day 1 then day 2 is spent swatting sandflies or bushwalking or staring at the local cat.
Wanaka - Ace. Good food, great scenery, great walking and bike riding. Explore. Cinema and museums are great.
Wanaka - Rob roy glacier and mt aspiring national park fo sho bro.
Wanaka -> Qt via the crown range and past the Cadrona hotel , this is a MUST.
Queenstown - probably worth 2 days here at least.
I'm not a fan of QT itself but the area is orsome.
I wouldnt miss Arrowtown or Glenorchy. Stacks more to see and do here.
Te Anau - I assume a fjord cruise here, do an overnighter
Te Anau - if your into walking then do some of the kepler track orsome forest/mountains depending on how far you get. can do it all in 3 days.
Queenstown - avoid in sausagefest week. Buy expensive outdoor stuff and a fergburger. Realise mistake go out eat at the botswana butchery instead. So much to do depends on adrenalin levels. Shotover jet, hacket bungy, dart river jetboat, luge, paragliding etc. Also can go ouit on the Enslaw for a more sedate cruise.
QT -> Tekapo via Lindis pass :mmm dreamy:
Lake Tekapo - beutiful spot worth a day stop, s
te places to eat. Has (un_natural hotpools)
Make sure you take in Ohau on the way past, Mt Cook village and Mt johns observatory.
Mt Cook village has an ace resteraunt/pub and some superb alpine walking + an EASY glacier to walk to.
Lake Tekapo - only have an extra day here if the drive over took ages or you want to get ouyt and do a lot of walking
Christchurch.
Its tough on a schedule, your missing out Lewis pass, nelson lakes, golden bay , Abel tasmen, dunedin, catlins etc. But overall a good plan.
See hagley park, river avon, gondola ride up the port hills (or drive it) & prehaps sumner/taylors mistake or new brighton - other ideas = Ricarton house & bush, cathedral square, mona vale. But Def get onto the port hils if you dont do Akaroa.
Christchurch - Go to Akaroa!
its a nice place but a spectacular drive. Its 'French' so has some nice cafe's and shops, good boat trip to swim with dolphins. Go via Dyers pass & gebbies pass rather than on the main roads, stopp of in little river and make sure you go to some of the bays over that way (I normaly would say stop off at Diamond Harbour on the way back for lunch at Godley house but its stuffed from the quake. Stop in at Lyttelton instead its small but funky.
Greymouth - place is a dump but it gets you to on west coast via Arthurs pass. Probably best to stay over at arthurs pass somewhere instead IMO and skip greymouth and go straight to franz.
Franz Josef - go see the glacier(s) there spectacular, one place int he world where its utterly worth a helecopter ride.
Franz Josef - if you've seen the glaciers on day 1 then day 2 is spent swatting sandflies or bushwalking or staring at the local cat.
Wanaka - Ace. Good food, great scenery, great walking and bike riding. Explore. Cinema and museums are great.
Wanaka - Rob roy glacier and mt aspiring national park fo sho bro.
Wanaka -> Qt via the crown range and past the Cadrona hotel , this is a MUST.
Queenstown - probably worth 2 days here at least.
I'm not a fan of QT itself but the area is orsome.
I wouldnt miss Arrowtown or Glenorchy. Stacks more to see and do here.
Te Anau - I assume a fjord cruise here, do an overnighter
Te Anau - if your into walking then do some of the kepler track orsome forest/mountains depending on how far you get. can do it all in 3 days.
Queenstown - avoid in sausagefest week. Buy expensive outdoor stuff and a fergburger. Realise mistake go out eat at the botswana butchery instead. So much to do depends on adrenalin levels. Shotover jet, hacket bungy, dart river jetboat, luge, paragliding etc. Also can go ouit on the Enslaw for a more sedate cruise.
QT -> Tekapo via Lindis pass :mmm dreamy:
Lake Tekapo - beutiful spot worth a day stop, s
te places to eat. Has (un_natural hotpools)Make sure you take in Ohau on the way past, Mt Cook village and Mt johns observatory.
Mt Cook village has an ace resteraunt/pub and some superb alpine walking + an EASY glacier to walk to.
Lake Tekapo - only have an extra day here if the drive over took ages or you want to get ouyt and do a lot of walking
Christchurch.
Its tough on a schedule, your missing out Lewis pass, nelson lakes, golden bay , Abel tasmen, dunedin, catlins etc. But overall a good plan.
Not strictly a true kayak, but similar:
http://www.dartriver.co.nz/dartriver/FunYakSafari/
I did this trip at Queenstown, and it was great fun (I was rubbish steering these funyaks!) and the scenery is pretty decent too.
I did Quad biking, but it was at Hamner Springs and went with Backtrax (did the 3 hours trip). Full on 3 hours riding across muddy terrains and crossing several rivers! Excellent fun!!
http://www.backtrax.co.nz/trips.htm
Re: Wanaka. Personally, I prefer Wanaka compared to Queenstown which is too busy for my liking. There are loads to do at Wanaka and we wished we stayed a bit longer there. However, we did this brilliant day (introductory) rock climbing which suits complete novice like us!
http://www.wanakarock.co.nz/rockclimbing/introduct...
http://www.dartriver.co.nz/dartriver/FunYakSafari/
I did this trip at Queenstown, and it was great fun (I was rubbish steering these funyaks!) and the scenery is pretty decent too.
I did Quad biking, but it was at Hamner Springs and went with Backtrax (did the 3 hours trip). Full on 3 hours riding across muddy terrains and crossing several rivers! Excellent fun!!
http://www.backtrax.co.nz/trips.htm
Re: Wanaka. Personally, I prefer Wanaka compared to Queenstown which is too busy for my liking. There are loads to do at Wanaka and we wished we stayed a bit longer there. However, we did this brilliant day (introductory) rock climbing which suits complete novice like us!
http://www.wanakarock.co.nz/rockclimbing/introduct...
Since you staying in Christchurch twice, maybe worth checking out water rafting at Rangitata Raft on your return date.
http://www.rafts.co.nz/
IIRC, it's 1.5-2 hours hour away from Christchurch with the option to stay overnight. They have 1 trip per day so not like rushed / conveyer belt like compared to other rafting trips I've done. Also, the lodge is at a much better setting + scenery compared to Christchurch (just another city centre in my view)
http://www.rafts.co.nz/
IIRC, it's 1.5-2 hours hour away from Christchurch with the option to stay overnight. They have 1 trip per day so not like rushed / conveyer belt like compared to other rafting trips I've done. Also, the lodge is at a much better setting + scenery compared to Christchurch (just another city centre in my view)
I much prefer Wanaka to Queenstown too, in fact for next time I've only booked one night in Queenstown just to break up a drive from Fox to Invercargill, but have five nights in Wanaka. Crown Range is a nice drive.
The Hermitage in Mt Cook is only an hour's drive from Tekapo, I prefer to stay there for the hiking. If you do stay in Tekapo and the weather is clear at night, try and book a tour up to Mt John Observatory, their office is on the main drag in Tekapo and you can look through one of their telescopes.
Be careful of gravel roads, your camper insurance won't be valid on them. Don't leave anything valuable in it either just in case
The Hermitage in Mt Cook is only an hour's drive from Tekapo, I prefer to stay there for the hiking. If you do stay in Tekapo and the weather is clear at night, try and book a tour up to Mt John Observatory, their office is on the main drag in Tekapo and you can look through one of their telescopes.
Be careful of gravel roads, your camper insurance won't be valid on them. Don't leave anything valuable in it either just in case
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