South Island- New Zealand

[irv]

I am thinking about this for next year, trying to work out how long to do the south island justice. Is 2 weeks too short or expand to 4 weeks, thinking October 2016.

Any recommendations appreciated.

Regards

 

[civi_joe]

I just came back from a quick week in the south island. We hired a car in Christchurch (didn't go into the city), then drove to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo, Mt. Cook, Wanaka and Milford Sound (not really on the way). That seemed about the right amount of time for those places although we didn't do any "adventure" stuff in Queenstown which you could fill many days with if you are so inclined.

Lake Tekapo and Mt. Cook were the standouts for me from a scenery perspective, Milford Sound was fogged in so I'm not so sure about it.

 

[Meggsy]

I am thinking about this for next year, trying to work out how long to do the south island justice. Is 2 weeks too short or expand to 4 weeks, thinking October 2016.

Any recommendations appreciated.

Regards

it depends a lot on the type of travelling you do and your budget. I have driven motor homes around the South Island a number of times in two week blocks and I could not see it all in 1 trip with side trips and tours thrown in. I would suggest 4 weeks to do it justice as there is so much to see and do and travel times can be quite slow depending on the time of year and roads used.

 

[JohnM]

In general, the winding roads make travel considerably slower than distance alone would indicate - especially the W coast, so I suggest allow for that. Two weeks would allow good coverage, but moving a lot. Four would be pretty cruisy IMO.

 

[GarrettM]

I just came back from a quick week in the south island. We hired a car in Christchurch (didn't go into the city), then drove to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo, Mt. Cook, Wanaka and Milford Sound (not really on the way). That seemed about the right amount of time for those places although we didn't do any "adventure" stuff in Queenstown which you could fill many days with if you are so inclined.

Lake Tekapo and Mt. Cook were the standouts for me from a scenery perspective, Milford Sound was fogged in so I'm not so sure about it.

We did similar on our honeymoon last year. Christchurch/Cass Bay - Lake Tekapo - Wanaka - Queenstown. Three or four days in each spot. All good in their own way. Tekapo is very nice but not a lot to do. Wanaka and Queenstown more lively. I would love to go back for a longer stay in those two places and do some more fishing. You can keep the adventure activities for the most part.

OP - anything between two to four weeks should be fine. You'll just need to plan where you want to go and figure it out from there. I would have liked to see Dunedin but we couldn't quite work it in.
My only recommendations are food related. In Christchurch you MUST go to Pedro's House of Lamb, and in Queenstown you MUST eat at Fergberger at least once.

 

[mel-world]

Don't miss Dunedin, Invercargill, Doubtfull Sound and the West coast road towards Greymouth. All good places to see and relax with excellent scenery everywhere. I have not even seen the wine country in the north of The South Island yet.

 

[JohnM]

I'd suggest that the wine country in the Queenstown/Cromwell/Alexandra/Wanaka orbit is the real go-to place if you're into wine.

 

[Deleted member]

I am thinking about this for next year, trying to work out how long to do the south island justice. Is 2 weeks too short or expand to 4 weeks, thinking October 2016.

Any recommendations appreciated.

Regards

You may consider the ZQN food and wine weekend planned for late October 2016
there is a thread in meetings and social events

 

[burmans]

I just came back from a quick week in the south island. We hired a car in Christchurch (didn't go into the city), then drove to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo, Mt. Cook, Wanaka and Milford Sound (not really on the way). That seemed about the right amount of time for those places although we didn't do any "adventure" stuff in Queenstown which you could fill many days with if you are so inclined.

Lake Tekapo and Mt. Cook were the standouts for me from a scenery perspective, Milford Sound was fogged in so I'm not so sure about it.

Milford Sound is beautiful but fog and bad weather is far from unusual and as you will have found it's a fair trek!

 

[burmans]

I'd suggest that the wine country in the Queenstown/Cromwell/Alexandra/Wanaka orbit is the real go-to place if you're into wine.

My wife is from around here (Alexandra), it's a beautiful part of the world. In my view Bannockburn is the best for wineries, Mt Difficulty, Felton Road, Carrick would be amongst my recommendations. NZ wine is not cheap but man, its good.

I also think one day of the rail trail is a good day activity.

How long, 2 weeks you'll see it, 4 weeks you'll really enjoy it.

 

[RB]

You would certainly have no trouble filling in 4 weeks. One region I always suggest is Golden Bay.
There was another similar thread earlier this year ( I think)

 

[PaulST]

Check out my thread from earlier this year: http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../nz-south-island-wanaka-queenstown-70826.html

NZ's south island is amazing and I can't wait to get back there!