Which city for a week in New Zealand ? Winter time

[mrsterryn]

We are considering a family trip to New Zealand. Probable five to seven days.
Would like it to be winter so younger members can enjoy the snow
Husband and I don't ski we have hot chocolate
Any suggestions for where to go in New Zealand ?
Flying into CHC or Auckland or Wellington

 

[offshore171]

Taupo

Love Taupō | Taupō Tourism Official Site

Find inspiration on what to see and do in Taupō, the heart of Aotearoa New Zealand’s beautiful North Island.

www.lovetaupo.com

 

[Major]

Wanaka or Queenstown. You have access to the Southern ski fields as well as the wine areas of Central Otago

 

[opusman]

Whakapapa?

 

[cambriamarsh]

Whakapapa?

Queenstown or Wanaka. Great views from the top and a number of fields to choose from. Also lots of day trips such as Milford Sound, Te Anau or Cromwell and lots of wineries. Enjoy!

 

[Denali]

Having just spent 5 days in Wanaka, I'm going to say Queenstown.

There's no attraction to come to Wanaka really, Queenstown gives you more options if you want to do something (younger ones) or nothing.

At least Queenstown have some foodie, easy to do things if you want to venture out.

 

[amaroo]

NZ lodges are stunning, depending on the age of the young ones they offer something for everyone.

 

[jb747]

Wanaka is scenic, and nice for a couple of nights, but that’s about it. Queenstown has much more to offer. I wouldn’t see much value in flying to either Wellington or Auckland. I haven’t been there for a long time, but Christchurch and surrounds were nice, and not too far from the snow.

 

[jase05]

Christchurch and the surrounds are superb, some very decent snowfields in close proximity. Added bonus of flying EK F or J on the A380 aswell into CHC
Queenstown is beautiful aswell and is closer to many other attractions as others have said albeit the prices reflect that it’s a Mecca for tourists

 

[tgh]

A differing view.. Queenstown is now a busy bustling scruffy tourist trap , the beauty is all long gone.
Once outside the urban ugliness , serenity and beauty return.. but for how long ?

 

[mrsterryn]

Thank you all. Son has decided they want Queenstown . So looks like we will fly into Christchurch and drive lesiurely down to Queenstown

 

[cambriamarsh]

It's a nice drive, on a clear day you can see Aorangi / Mt Cook and the drive through the Lindis Pass cam be spectacular. Just be aware of ice on the road, especially in the shadows!

 

[Denali]

Thank you all. Son has decided they want Queenstown . So looks like we will fly into Christchurch and drive lesiurely down to Queenstown

Stop by Twizel salmon farm High Country Salmon - Twizel fresh salmon for fresh sashimi (and other salmon delights like burgers, soup, tacos ect).

Or if youre going via Wanaka, Hook salmon lake to plate is fun (catch your own/pay by the kilo, take with you or eat there). Hubby still talking about the platter he had (edit, but you dont have to fish, they have a restaurant for walk ins)

 

[jase05]

I’d thoroughly recommend stopping at Lake Tekapo along the way. If you arrive in CHC on the EK flight you will have plenty of time to pick up your hire car and take a leisurely drive Lake Tekapo. The Peppers Bluewater retreat was awesome and this is a few views from October

 

[mrsterryn]

Thanks @jase05 that looks gorgeous.
This willbe a rare relaxing holiday. His and and I tend to try and do a lot on our holidays overseas
Son and family are a tad tired with a toddler so having a relaxing one sounds great
We will have separate cars lol

 

[Denali]

(Dec 2019) Lake Tekapo from the top of Mt John (pay a couple of dollars to drive to the top, theres a cafe up there so let the kids go for a walk while you enjoy)



Between Lake Tekapo and Twizel (dont stop here for the Salmon, do stop for the view)

 

[Denali]

Oh, and Pedros House of Lamb!

They have a shop in Queenstown now and soon re-opening a Tapas restaurant in Christchurch but the lamb shoulder and potato take away is what you want. Grab some bread rolls ect, go home or to a park with the family and enjoy. I dont cook lamb so this is a must for my greek hubby. The original Pedro lost his restaurant and son in the earthquakes and slowly rebuilt, starting with a container in a liquorland carpark in Christchurch. Its now run by various family members as he died last year.

 

[Ktan89]

If you have 1 week to spend, definitely fly to Christchurch and drive to Queenstown. Did this a couple of years ago and it was a beautiful drive, once you turn a bend and the rows of trees disappear/open up to mountain peaks and lakes is a great sight. Take your time driving down, i think we stayed the night at Mt Sommers & Omarama.

Sample itinerary could be something like this:

Day 1 Arrive - checkout Christchurch
Day 2 Drive to Mt Sommers find something to do during the day, we did this Off Road Dirt Bike Quad Bike Tour South Island NZ | Adventure Trail Rides (for the kids?)
Day 3 Visit Lake Tekapo + Mt Cook. Stay at Omarama
Day 4 Head to Queenstown via Lake Wanaka. On the way, we stumble on this which was really cool (i dont have photos on me)
- National Transport & Toy Museum Wanaka, NZ – One of the world's largest private collections of aircraft, vehicles and toys. (HUGE collections of toys, cars, planes, etc)
- Warbirds and Wheels Museum Wanaka - Warbirds and Wheels Museum & Diner (there's a 1950's style diner here for lunch? )
- There's also a brewery but i forgot the name.
Day 5 Queenstown
Day 6 Queenstown
Day 7 Queenstown
Fly home ...or extend your trip and go to Auckland+Rotorua

Multiple snowfields within 1hour of queenstown. There's plenty to do here and take in the scenery from your hotel by the lake.

 

[Denali]

There are hot pools (Onsen) about 15mins outside of QUeenstown and a good pub meal at the Home - Cardrona Hotel on the way to Queenstown

 

[Ktan89]

@mrsterryn do the Milford Sounds tour and fly in from Queenstown. It's a beautiful scenic flight and boat ride.
If you're lucky, you can be co-pilot.