Back from South island New Zealand

[darklighter]

South Island.. Is it easy to find towns to eat at? Seems like you guys cook your own

 

[Dontmessme2016]

Hi, I have come up my itinerary from end Oct to mid Nov. need some opinion. e.g. any excessive stay in any of the location? Initially I have included route to kaikoura, blenheim, nelson and Abel Tasman, but was dropped because I am afraid that the overall trip may ended up too rush. Several drives seems to be quite long and not sure how to avoid. e.g. Milford Sound to Kaka Point. Appreciate anything recommended to do in any of the places too Thanks.

Roughly,

day1 - arrive noon - Christchurch -> Akaroa (alpaca farm, explore surrondings)
day1 - overnight - Akaroa

day2 - arrive noon - Castle rock -> Arthur's Pass (choose 1 track to do)
day2 - overnight - Arthur's Pass

day3 - arrive morning - Greymouth (short stopover) -> Punakaiki (Pancake rocks)
day3 - spend remaining hours - Hokitika (explore surroundings)
day3 - overnight - Hokitika

day4 - arrive morning - Hokitika Gorge
day4 - arrive noon - Franz Josef (try1: heli hike, explore surroundings)
day4 - overnight (1st) - Franz Josef

day5 - spend hours - Franz Josef (try2 if try1 fails: heli hike, explore surroundings)
day5 - overnight (2nd) - Franz Josef

day6 - spend hours - driving and stops along Haast Pass
day6 - arrive before sunset - Wanaka
day6 - overnight (1st) - Wanaka

day7 - spend hours - Wanaka (try1: sky diving, otherwise Roys peak track)
day7 - overnight (2nd) - Wanaka

day8 - spend hours - Wanaka (try2 if try1 fails: sky diving, otherwise Roys peak track)
day8 - overnight (3rd) - Wanaka

day9 - arrive morning - Queenstown (bungee jump, explore surroundings) -> Arrowtown (explore surroundings)
day9 - overnight - Arrowtown

day10 - spend hours - Queenstown (find something to do) -> Glenorchy (horse trekking)
day10 - overnight - Glenorchy

day11 - spend hours - Queenstown (find something to do)
day11 - overnight - Queenstown

day12 - spend hours - Queenstown (find something to do)
day12 - arrive before sunset - Te Anau (explore surroundings)
day12 - overnight - Te Anau

day13 - arrive morning - Milford Sound (cruise, find something to do)
day13 - overnight - Milford Sound in cruise

day14 - spend hours - driving
day14 - arrive before sunset - Kaka Point
day14 - overnight - Kaka Point

day15 - arrive before sunrise - Nugget Point Lighthouse -> Purakaunui Falls Walk
day15 - arrive noon - Dunedin (tunnel beach track, explore surroundings)
day15 - overnight (1st) - Dunedin

day16 - arrive before sunrise - Moreaki Boulders
day16 - spend remaining hours - Dunedin (otago peninsula, explore surroundings)
day16 - overnight (2nd) - Dunedin

day17 - arrive noon - Cromwell (short stopover)-> Pukaki (short stopover)
day17 - arrive afternoon - Mount Cook (find something to do)
day17 - overnight (1st) - Mount Cook

day18 - spend hours - Mount Cook (hooker valley track)
day18 - overnight (2nd) - Mount Cook

day19 - arrive afternoon - Tekapo (find something to do)
day19 - overnight (1st) - Tekapo

day20 - spend hours - Tekapo (find something to do)
day20 - overnight (2nd) - Tekapo

day21 - arrive afternoon - Hanmer Springs
day21 - overnight - Hanmer Springs

day22 - spend hours - Hanmer Springs
day22 - arrive afternoon - Christchurch (explore surroundings)
day22 - overnight - Christchurch

day23 - morning - Christchurch (do nothing)
day23 - noon - Depart to Singapore

 

[angcsbenny]

Any idea whether can we bring instant cup noodle over ? Seems like their customs is very strict ...

Just declare if you have anything that needs to be declared on the customs form. I brought some instant noodle and biscuits. According to their website as long as the food has stable shelf life(expiry more than 30days I think and does not need to be refrigerated) it is fine.

I forgot to declare my hiking boots and almost got into trouble.

Sent from OPPO X9076 using GAGT

 

[angcsbenny]

Hi, I have come up my itinerary from end Oct to mid Nov. need some opinion. e.g. any excessive stay in any of the location? Initially I have included route to kaikoura, blenheim, nelson and Abel Tasman, but was dropped because I am afraid that the overall trip may ended up too rush. Several drives seems to be quite long and not sure how to avoid. e.g. Milford Sound to Kaka Point. Appreciate anything recommended to do in any of the places too Thanks.

Roughly,

day1 - arrive noon - Christchurch -> Akaroa (alpaca farm, explore surrondings)
day1 - overnight - Akaroa

day2 - arrive noon - Castle rock -> Arthur's Pass (choose 1 track to do)
day2 - overnight - Arthur's Pass

day3 - arrive morning - Greymouth (short stopover) -> Punakaiki (Pancake rocks)
day3 - spend remaining hours - Hokitika (explore surroundings)
day3 - overnight - Hokitika

day4 - arrive morning - Hokitika Gorge
day4 - arrive noon - Franz Josef (try1: heli hike, explore surroundings)
day4 - overnight (1st) - Franz Josef

day5 - spend hours - Franz Josef (try2 if try1 fails: heli hike, explore surroundings)
day5 - overnight (2nd) - Franz Josef

day6 - spend hours - driving and stops along Haast Pass
day6 - arrive before sunset - Wanaka
day6 - overnight (1st) - Wanaka

day7 - spend hours - Wanaka (try1: sky diving, otherwise Roys peak track)
day7 - overnight (2nd) - Wanaka

day8 - spend hours - Wanaka (try2 if try1 fails: sky diving, otherwise Roys peak track)
day8 - overnight (3rd) - Wanaka

day9 - arrive morning - Queenstown (bungee jump, explore surroundings) -> Arrowtown (explore surroundings)
day9 - overnight - Arrowtown

day10 - spend hours - Queenstown (find something to do) -> Glenorchy (horse trekking)
day10 - overnight - Glenorchy

day11 - spend hours - Queenstown (find something to do)
day11 - overnight - Queenstown

day12 - spend hours - Queenstown (find something to do)
day12 - arrive before sunset - Te Anau (explore surroundings)
day12 - overnight - Te Anau

day13 - arrive morning - Milford Sound (cruise, find something to do)
day13 - overnight - Milford Sound in cruise

day14 - spend hours - driving
day14 - arrive before sunset - Kaka Point
day14 - overnight - Kaka Point

day15 - arrive before sunrise - Nugget Point Lighthouse -> Purakaunui Falls Walk
day15 - arrive noon - Dunedin (tunnel beach track, explore surroundings)
day15 - overnight (1st) - Dunedin

day16 - arrive before sunrise - Moreaki Boulders
day16 - spend remaining hours - Dunedin (otago peninsula, explore surroundings)
day16 - overnight (2nd) - Dunedin

day17 - arrive noon - Cromwell (short stopover)-> Pukaki (short stopover)
day17 - arrive afternoon - Mount Cook (find something to do)
day17 - overnight (1st) - Mount Cook

day18 - spend hours - Mount Cook (hooker valley track)
day18 - overnight (2nd) - Mount Cook

day19 - arrive afternoon - Tekapo (find something to do)
day19 - overnight (1st) - Tekapo

day20 - spend hours - Tekapo (find something to do)
day20 - overnight (2nd) - Tekapo

day21 - arrive afternoon - Hanmer Springs
day21 - overnight - Hanmer Springs

day22 - spend hours - Hanmer Springs
day22 - arrive afternoon - Christchurch (explore surroundings)
day22 - overnight - Christchurch

day23 - morning - Christchurch (do nothing)
day23 - noon - Depart to Singapore

I like ur itinerary is pretty relaxed.

But arrowtown and queenstown is really close by so if you can find cheap accommodations in queenstown probably not much point to stay in arrowtown.

Sent from OPPO X9076 using GAGT

 

[evilerniex]

Arrowtown can be a day trip from Queenstown. Glenorchy i personally find nothing much, can be a day trip also.

 

[evilerniex]

South Island.. Is it easy to find towns to eat at? Seems like you guys cook your own

So far the towns i have been to, all can easily find places to eat.
But i end up cooking a lot to save money, and also coz the food get boring after awhile

 

[evilerniex]

Any idea whether can we bring instant cup noodle over ? Seems like their customs is very strict ...

Need to declare.
Anyway, can get buy from there also. Can easily get indomee, both cup and package version from their supermarket, as well as many other instant noodles

 

[BlackCube]

Why hiking boots needs to be declared ah? Don't understand.

 

[evilerniex]

Why hiking boots needs to be declared ah? Don't understand.

They check for soil /mud in hiking boots and equipments. Coz tt is a potential source of contamination from organisms and bacteria in the soil. Australia also same.

 

[Dontmessme2016]

But arrowtown and queenstown is really close by so if you can find cheap accommodations in queenstown probably not much point to stay in arrowtown.

Great. Will stay in Queenstown if able to get a good price.

 

[jeglims]

Hi,
How to travel around South of New Zealand? What is the best mode of transport? I plan for a travel into South of New Zealand.

 

[mata_hippo]

Hi, I have come up my itinerary from end Oct to mid Nov. need some opinion. e.g. any excessive stay in any of the location? Initially I have included route to kaikoura, blenheim, nelson and Abel Tasman, but was dropped because I am afraid that the overall trip may ended up too rush. Several drives seems to be quite long and not sure how to avoid. e.g. Milford Sound to Kaka Point. Appreciate anything recommended to do in any of the places too Thanks.

Roughly,

day1 - arrive noon - Christchurch -> Akaroa (alpaca farm, explore surrondings)
day1 - overnight - Akaroa

day2 - arrive noon - Castle rock -> Arthur's Pass (choose 1 track to do)
day2 - overnight - Arthur's Pass

day3 - arrive morning - Greymouth (short stopover) -> Punakaiki (Pancake rocks)
day3 - spend remaining hours - Hokitika (explore surroundings)
day3 - overnight - Hokitika

day4 - arrive morning - Hokitika Gorge
day4 - arrive noon - Franz Josef (try1: heli hike, explore surroundings)
day4 - overnight (1st) - Franz Josef

day5 - spend hours - Franz Josef (try2 if try1 fails: heli hike, explore surroundings)
day5 - overnight (2nd) - Franz Josef

day6 - spend hours - driving and stops along Haast Pass
day6 - arrive before sunset - Wanaka
day6 - overnight (1st) - Wanaka

day7 - spend hours - Wanaka (try1: sky diving, otherwise Roys peak track)
day7 - overnight (2nd) - Wanaka

day8 - spend hours - Wanaka (try2 if try1 fails: sky diving, otherwise Roys peak track)
day8 - overnight (3rd) - Wanaka

day9 - arrive morning - Queenstown (bungee jump, explore surroundings) -> Arrowtown (explore surroundings)
day9 - overnight - Arrowtown

day10 - spend hours - Queenstown (find something to do) -> Glenorchy (horse trekking)
day10 - overnight - Glenorchy

day11 - spend hours - Queenstown (find something to do)
day11 - overnight - Queenstown

day12 - spend hours - Queenstown (find something to do)
day12 - arrive before sunset - Te Anau (explore surroundings)
day12 - overnight - Te Anau

day13 - arrive morning - Milford Sound (cruise, find something to do)
day13 - overnight - Milford Sound in cruise

day14 - spend hours - driving
day14 - arrive before sunset - Kaka Point
day14 - overnight - Kaka Point

day15 - arrive before sunrise - Nugget Point Lighthouse -> Purakaunui Falls Walk
day15 - arrive noon - Dunedin (tunnel beach track, explore surroundings)
day15 - overnight (1st) - Dunedin

day16 - arrive before sunrise - Moreaki Boulders
day16 - spend remaining hours - Dunedin (otago peninsula, explore surroundings)
day16 - overnight (2nd) - Dunedin

day17 - arrive noon - Cromwell (short stopover)-> Pukaki (short stopover)
day17 - arrive afternoon - Mount Cook (find something to do)
day17 - overnight (1st) - Mount Cook

day18 - spend hours - Mount Cook (hooker valley track)
day18 - overnight (2nd) - Mount Cook

day19 - arrive afternoon - Tekapo (find something to do)
day19 - overnight (1st) - Tekapo

day20 - spend hours - Tekapo (find something to do)
day20 - overnight (2nd) - Tekapo

day21 - arrive afternoon - Hanmer Springs
day21 - overnight - Hanmer Springs

day22 - spend hours - Hanmer Springs
day22 - arrive afternoon - Christchurch (explore surroundings)
day22 - overnight - Christchurch

day23 - morning - Christchurch (do nothing)
day23 - noon - Depart to Singapore

wanaka can also consider isthmus peak
queenstown can consider ben lomond
mt cook can consider sealy tarns track
tekapo can consider -1 day and spend that day for the above mt cook track

but need to check if any of the tracks are closed for lambing/lumbering during the period u're there

i was not able to do roy's peak because it was closed for lambing when i was there in october

closed or not u can check the department of conservation brochure for the tracks, they will have one liners below the track name so say smth like "(closed for XXX from when to when)"

 

[evilerniex]

Hi,
How to travel around South of New Zealand? What is the best mode of transport? I plan for a travel into South of New Zealand.

Self drive

 

[jeglims]

Thanks for replying. There is more flexibility for self drive

Self drive

 

[evilerniex]

Thanks for replying. There is more flexibility for self drive

Yup, it is going to be hard, if even possible to go by public transport coz most of the attractions are out of the way

 

[Dontmessme2016]

Arrowtown can be a day trip from Queenstown. Glenorchy i personally find nothing much, can be a day trip also.

Thanks.

wanaka can also consider isthmus peak
queenstown can consider ben lomond
mt cook can consider sealy tarns track
tekapo can consider -1 day and spend that day for the above mt cook track

but need to check if any of the tracks are closed for lambing/lumbering during the period u're there

i was not able to do roy's peak because it was closed for lambing when i was there in october

closed or not u can check the department of conservation brochure for the tracks, they will have one liners below the track name so say smth like "(closed for XXX from when to when)"

Thanks. Just saw the sealy tarns track video in youtube, looks very tough.

 

[Dontmessme2016]

Is star gazing from mount cook the same as tekapo? I probably might have overstayed in both locations: 2N mount cook and 2N tekapo.

 

[mata_hippo]

Thanks.



Thanks. Just saw the sealy tarns track video in youtube, looks very tough.

sealy tarns is essentially a few thousand steps... it's doable... it will be damn shag due to the thousand steps... but it's damn shiok after u reach the top...

 

[mata_hippo]

Is star gazing from mount cook the same as tekapo? I probably might have overstayed in both locations: 2N mount cook and 2N tekapo.

tekapo i feel 1 night can alrdy, but give urself a full day to chill/explore the place, dun jus spend less than a day there...

star gazing at both places are similar, dun have to go on those tours... jus drive out to a dark enough place and enjoy...

 

[fxsgsc]

Hi, I planning 2 weeks south NZ around Dec. Traveling with my wife and our 3yrs old.

First time, it's easy to self drive between Christchurch via lake tekapo to Queenstown? We plan for more relax traveling so we not planning to go glacier or hiking.

Or any recommendation will be much appreciate!