Back from South island New Zealand

TVaddict

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Hi, I have a plan to go NZ south islands during Oct next year for road trip. Current SQ air ticket is about 1.3-1.4k (2 way) per pax. any idea when is the promotion period for the air ticket?

That's a good price already. My Qantas /BA flight was $1.5k last time.

Oct is spring. About 16 to 19 deg C in the day. Second coldest season after winter.. Not too bad though.
 

JinHockie

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Seem like $1.3k is a good deal for SG-Christchurch 2 ways direct flight. Will book in these few days. Thx for the advice
 

NoTimeToWaitAr

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Hi guys, for hiring campervan, do you pay extra for additional driver?

And is there any campervan company to recommend?

Thanks in advance!
 

tewem

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Seem like $1.3k is a good deal for SG-Christchurch 2 ways direct flight. Will book in these few days. Thx for the advice

I just checked, the cheapest is at least S$1,7k during Oct to Nov period.
Sg-Christchurch . . 2 ways direct flights.
 
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Hi
Just back from 2 weeks' South Island trip, did not feel any earthquake. Fabulous trip and amazing scenery.

Have prepaid Vodafone SIM card balance with 0.9GB 4G data, about 190 min of calls (can call NZ and S'pore) and about 190 SMS (can SMS NZ and S'pore) to sell. Data valid till 1 Feb 2017, calls and SMS valid till 26 Jan 2017. I will give free a petrol voucher which gives discount of 6 cents off every litre of petrol (claimable in 2 specified Mobil stations in Christchurch), valid till 27 Dec 2016. Buy now and you will know your NZ no. before you fly, so that you can inform whoever necessary. Prepaid SIM card is Iphone 6 size. If keen, kindly PM me.

Thanks.
 
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megafortress

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Hi, I have a plan to go NZ south islands during Oct next year for road trip. Current SQ air ticket is about 1.3-1.4k (2 way) per pax. any idea when is the promotion period for the air ticket?

I saw the SQ promo also. My friends and i trying to see if there are other ways to save money on the air tix so thinking of flying to australia first then change to another flight to christchurch. Anyone else tried this method before?

Anyone can advice what's the temperature like in April/May?
 

Arcanell

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I saw the SQ promo also. My friends and i trying to see if there are other ways to save money on the air tix so thinking of flying to australia first then change to another flight to christchurch. Anyone else tried this method before?

Anyone can advice what's the temperature like in April/May?

technically you can fly LCC to Australia like scoot and fly another LCC to NZ. But that will take up more than half a day.
 

sindy82

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Can someone advise on my itinerary?

(11)Day 1: (Reached 2:30pm) Christchurch to Kaikoura (2h 25m)
(12)Day 2: Kaikoura to Franz Josef (too long driving time, where should I stop to rest?)
(13)Day 3: Franz Josef to Wanaka
(14)Day 4: Wanaka to Queenstown
(15)Day 5: Queenstown to Te Anau - Day trip to Milford Sound
(16)Day 6: Queenstown
(17)Day 7: Queenstown
(18)Day 8: Queenstown
(19)Day 9: Queenstown to Mount Cook
(20)Day 10: Mount Cook to Lake Tekapo
(21)Day 11: Lake Tekapo
(22)Day 12: Depart from Christchurch

or

(1) Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
(2) Lake Tekapo to Queentown
(3) Queentown - Milford Sound
(4) Queenstown
(5) Queenstown - Glenorchy
(6) Queenstown to Wanaka
(7) Wanaka
(8) Wanaka to Franz Josef
(9) Franz Josef to Punakaki
(10) Punakaki to Kaikoura
(11) Kakikoura to Christchurch
(12) Depart from Christchurch


Is it possible to rent car for some days and camper van for some days as would also like to experience the camper van.

Thank you!
 

hawkwind

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Frankly I would suggest you forget about the Franz/Fox glacier area since its quite far to the north. Consider instead a night or two at Mt Cook so you will stay to the south of the mountains all the way and cut down on travel time. If you are willing to do short day walks, Mt Cook actually has the better views (see pics of Hooker Valley walk) IMO although you can't actually see the terminal face of a glacier there if that's your intent.

cook%202_zps2urdgkkv.jpg


cook_zpsglcqcq1s.jpg
 

sindy82

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This is so nice! I wanted to experience the heli-hike in franz josef so is a must go for me. I will be staying at Mount Cook for one day though
 

WWH123

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Just back from AKL.
Got a Vodafone SIM with 700MB left valid till 12-Jan
Letting go at S$15.
 

angy

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sindy82

when are you flying? you do know that road to Kiakorua is pretty bad after the earthquake.

What about going to Milford Sound instead of back tracking to Kiakorua on the second option?
 

sindy82

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Hi,

going in march. Read about the earthquake but found out some of the routes are already open so hopefully by March will be alright. If not we will change to go to Akaroa.

Anybody can recommend a good helicopter operator departing from mount cook. Might skip franz josef and do the heli-ride from mount cook instead.

Thanks
 

_Dave_

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I saw the SQ promo also. My friends and i trying to see if there are other ways to save money on the air tix so thinking of flying to australia first then change to another flight to christchurch. Anyone else tried this method before?

Anyone can advice what's the temperature like in April/May?
April/may in chch should be somewhat cold, but not unbearably so. Just prepare 2 layers can liao. Depends also la. If you're going up mountain peaks, bring yet another layer.

Sent from ~ using GAGT
 

_Dave_

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Hi,

going in march. Read about the earthquake but found out some of the routes are already open so hopefully by March will be alright. If not we will change to go to Akaroa.

Anybody can recommend a good helicopter operator departing from mount cook. Might skip franz josef and do the heli-ride from mount cook instead.

Thanks
From what I remember, the alternate road up sh1 from chch to kaikoura is open to public, but the normal roads (which had the rock slide) is gonna be closed for the foreseeable future. So you need to really plan your driving.

Most towns along the way have cafes for you to stop and lim kopi before continuing. :)

Sent from ~ using GAGT
 

MissyL

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All gurus welcome to give advise; basically copy and paste from above

Day 1 - Arrive Christchurch
*Check in accommodation in Christchurch
*Do grocery shopping

Day 2 - Towards Maruia springs
*Check out 0900
*Drive towards Maruia Springs
*Check in

Day 3 - Towards Hokitika
*Check out Maruia Springs @ 1000
*Drive to Punakaiki or straight to Hokitika
*Check in Accommodation @ Hokitika
*Drive to Lake Kaniere

Day 4 - Towards Fox Glacier (Part 1)
*Check in accommodation @ Fox Glacier
Day 5 - Towards Fox Glacier (Part 2)
(Activities over 2 days)
*Sky Dive
*Visit Glacier
*Drive to Lake Matheson

Day 6 - Towards Queenstown (Part 1)
*Check out accommodation @ Fox Glacier
*Blue Pools Walk
*Wanaka Town
*Check in accommodation in Queenstown (Fernhill)

Day 7 - Towards Queenstown (Part 2)
*Arrow Town
*Skyline Gondola or Hike
*Luge Ride

Day 8 - Towards Te Anau
*Check out from accomdation in Queenstown @ 0800
*Glenorchy - Lake front (Kill off if too rush)
*Devil's Staircase - Kingston - Te Anau
*Check in accommodation at Te Anau
*Drive to Mirror Lakes and Knob Flat

Day 9 - Towards The Catlins
*Check out accommodation at Te Anau @ 0900
* Towards the Catlins - Bluff, Stirling Point
*Check in accommodation @ the Catlins


Day 10 - Towards The Kaka Point
* Check out accomdation @ The Catilins @ 0900
* Visit Mclean Falls
* Check in accommodation at Kaka Point

Day 11 - Towards Dunedin
*Check out accommodation @ Kaka Point @ 0900
*Check in accommodation at Dunedin
* Visit Larnach Castle
* Taiaroa Head, Otago Peninsula, Dunedin ( 8-wheel Argos tour)
* Baldwin Street

Day 12 - Towards Mt Cook
*Check out accommodation at Dunedin 0900
*Drive to Moeraki Boulders
*Drive to High Country Salmon Farm
*Drive to Twizel Town (Stock up on Groceries)
*Check in at Mt Cook Village Accommodation

Day 13 - Towards Christchurch (Part 1)

Check out from Mt Cook Village Accomdation
*Towards Lake Tekapo - Turn off to Godley Peaks Road towards Mount John Observatory (5 fee per car)
*Lake Tekapo
*Pleasant Point (Denheath Custard Squares - Legends Cafe)
*Check in Accommodation at Christchurch

Day 14 - Towards Christchurch (Part 2)
*Drive to:
- Port Hills (Sunrise)
- Sign of the Kiwi Café

*Return Car ?

Day 15 - Towards Singapore
Check out accommodation @ 0200 - Cab / Transport to Airport?
Check in Airport @ 0400
Leave NZ @ 0600
 

hawkwind

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All gurus welcome to give advise; basically copy and paste from above

Day 1 - Arrive Christchurch
*Check in accommodation in Christchurch
*Do grocery shopping

Day 2 - Towards Maruia springs
*Check out 0900
*Drive towards Maruia Springs
*Check in

Day 3 - Towards Hokitika
*Check out Maruia Springs @ 1000
*Drive to Punakaiki or straight to Hokitika
*Check in Accommodation @ Hokitika
*Drive to Lake Kaniere

Day 4 - Towards Fox Glacier (Part 1)
*Check in accommodation @ Fox Glacier
Day 5 - Towards Fox Glacier (Part 2)
(Activities over 2 days)
*Sky Dive
*Visit Glacier
*Drive to Lake Matheson

Day 6 - Towards Queenstown (Part 1)
*Check out accommodation @ Fox Glacier
*Blue Pools Walk
*Wanaka Town
*Check in accommodation in Queenstown (Fernhill)

Day 7 - Towards Queenstown (Part 2)
*Arrow Town
*Skyline Gondola or Hike
*Luge Ride

Day 8 - Towards Te Anau
*Check out from accomdation in Queenstown @ 0800
*Glenorchy - Lake front (Kill off if too rush)
*Devil's Staircase - Kingston - Te Anau
*Check in accommodation at Te Anau
*Drive to Mirror Lakes and Knob Flat

Day 9 - Towards The Catlins
*Check out accommodation at Te Anau @ 0900
* Towards the Catlins - Bluff, Stirling Point
*Check in accommodation @ the Catlins


Day 10 - Towards The Kaka Point
* Check out accomdation @ The Catilins @ 0900
* Visit Mclean Falls
* Check in accommodation at Kaka Point

Day 11 - Towards Dunedin
*Check out accommodation @ Kaka Point @ 0900
*Check in accommodation at Dunedin
* Visit Larnach Castle
* Taiaroa Head, Otago Peninsula, Dunedin ( 8-wheel Argos tour)
* Baldwin Street

Day 12 - Towards Mt Cook
*Check out accommodation at Dunedin 0900
*Drive to Moeraki Boulders
*Drive to High Country Salmon Farm
*Drive to Twizel Town (Stock up on Groceries)
*Check in at Mt Cook Village Accommodation

Day 13 - Towards Christchurch (Part 1)

Check out from Mt Cook Village Accomdation
*Towards Lake Tekapo - Turn off to Godley Peaks Road towards Mount John Observatory (5 fee per car)
*Lake Tekapo
*Pleasant Point (Denheath Custard Squares - Legends Cafe)
*Check in Accommodation at Christchurch

Day 14 - Towards Christchurch (Part 2)
*Drive to:
- Port Hills (Sunrise)
- Sign of the Kiwi Café

*Return Car ?

Day 15 - Towards Singapore
Check out accommodation @ 0200 - Cab / Transport to Airport?
Check in Airport @ 0400
Leave NZ @ 0600


Are you not visiting Milford Sound when at Te Anau? It's probably the highlight in that area. You can chose to stay at the lodge at Milford itself instead of Te Anau if you want to do more walks along the Milford Road.

Do go to Nuggets Point Lighthouse when staying at Kaka Point. I hear the sunset there is very nice but I only visited in the daytime which is very nice also.

For things like skydive, I suggest you check out various places that have that like Fox, Franz, Wanaka, etc. Just do the first one you come to when the weather is good. Often activities like this and glacier hike are cancelled due to weather so strike while the iron is hot.
 
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