just came back from NZ south island 1 week ago. went for 13days. 10nights there after minus flying time. Amazing country! travelled by campervan, amazing road trip! Flew there by jetstar, return trip without luggage cost us $800 per pax.
Hi I Just came back from south NZ trip one month ago. Took the alpine route and west coast of south NZ. Travelled on SQ direct flight to Christchurch. The alpine and west coast was very scenic and a must visit if you can. The weather is bearable if you can bring layering - 3 layers.
We climbed like 200 m above sea level on Fran Joseph glacier. Comparably easier climb than our bukit timah hill. But still strenuous, and out of breadth when we reach the 200 m. More siong than running 2.4 km.
Went to Milfred Sound too, not advisable to self drive to milfred sound, cos of the long long long journey. We were lucky. Spotted dolphins and fur seals. Bring along your packed sandwich and fruits if you don't want to spend NZD30 for a simple bento in the cruise ship.
Lake Tekapo is very beautiful. The Peppers Blue Resort near lake Tekapo is very nice accommodation and the food in the restaurant is the best of all my days stayed in NZ. Considering that the area used to glaciers a long time ago.
Sien and Sellun
Thanks for advice, still pondering whether should I drive. Female with teenage daughter, just worried in case anything happens on the road alone with no help in sight.
I have done many solo trips but so far did not drive.
Anyone with advice for driving during winter? (Ie. This period)
i just came back this june. what kind of advice are you looking for??? some places you might need snow chains. just follow the traffic rules and you'll be fine
Ya mainly with regards to snow chains, black ice, all that. How does the handling of the car compare to roads here, for example.
I'm heading there next week for a semester, thinking of driving around to the nearer towns and sights
As long as you don't drive early in the morning i'm sure you will not have black ice problem. Its recommended to start your drive after 10am. Handling of car? The cars there should be exactly like here, same goes for the traffic rules.. We drove a huge 6 berth camper and have no problem at all. If you're driving around town only, I believe you will not need snow chains. Normally you'll need snow chains only at some passes... It really depends on where you're travelling. any plans yet?
What I meant was if braking all that will be affected by the condition of the roads during winter, but I suppose if no black ice should be fine since there won't really be snow right?
Will be staying in Wellington, probably will plan a drive up to Auckland by a coastal route, haven't really made fixed plans yet because we will be there for a few months haha.
Will be visiting South Island probably in spring (nov) so road conditions shouldn't be much of a problem by then?
Hi,
We'll be going to explore North & South Islands soon .
Below is our self-drive itineraries, kindly give your criticisms/comments/suggestions
1) 26 Jul: Reach Auckland, stays 2 nights
2) 28 Jul: pick-up car, go Rotorua (Waitomo Caves, Hobbiton), stays 2 nights
3) 29 Jul: go Thermal Valley, try to visit Lake Taupo.
4) 30 Jul: (leave at 08:00?) drive back to Auckland, take 14:40 flight to Nelson. Pick-up car @Nelson Airport & stay 1 night.
5) 31 Jul: long drive to Frans Josef, stays 2 nights (heli ride)
6) 2 Aug: FJ to Q'town, stays 2 nights (gondola, jetboat, bungy, Coronet Peak)
7) 4 Aug: Q'town to Te Anau (drive to Milford Sound ?), stay 1 night.
8) 5 Aug: Te Anau to Dunedin (Monarch Widlife Cruises, Larnach Castle), stay 1 night
9) 6 Aug: Dunedin to Mt. Cook (Lake Tekapo, salmon ?), stay 1 night
10) 7 Aug: Mt. Cook to Christchurch, stay 2 nights.
Return car on the 8th.
11) 9 Aug: 06:30 flight to Sydney then to Sgp
Wondering....
- likelihood to use snow chain at areas from no.5 to no. 9 ?
- any road closure from FJ to Q'Town ? Or other places ?
Thanks!