PLACES TO SEE IN NEW ZEALAND SOUTH ISLAND

[Linda51]

We are going to New Zealand and are having 6 days on South Island, our schedule is a bit tight as we are going here there and everywhere, but just wondered where were the best placed to visit.

Thanks.

[buildersmate]

Bit of an intriguing question, this one, because one generally works out the route before one goes, having decided what the best bits to stop at are. This is because the central spine of South Island is so mountainous that most people go in a circle around it, often in an anticlockwise direction. Having started on that route, you can't really change your mind too much - not unless you are going to take little plane journeys here there and everywhere.
So the tourist route, so to speak, is through the Fran Josef glacier to the west coast, down to west coast to Queenstown. Into Milford Sound and Lake Te Anau, then onto Dunedin. Back up the other side to Mt Cook for a diversion inland to see it, then back to Christchurch. Many folks then either fly back from there on take an internal flight to Auckland to pick up the international connections.
Most of what you go to see on South Island is natural beauty - most of the cultural/historical development / Maori stuff is on North Island.
And I haven't even been there (yet).

[jno]

also the whales in Kaikoura north of Christchurch

http://www.telegraph....e-Tourism-Awards.html

Flying in is the usual way to the South Island, but if you can get the ferry from Wellington to Picton the trip through the Marlborough Sounds is lovely.

[Memore]

Abel Tasman - Kaikoura - Milford Sound - Queenstown - Christchurch - you will have to organise this before but 6 days will not be enough - you could drop queenstown unless you want to do some bungee etc - I went to New Zealand and did South Island but was away about 2.5 months just doing the south island- you need to do the treks etc to get a good feel for it -Kaikoura is where you would do the whale watching - but is opposite direction to Abel Tasman which is right at the top of the island and Kaikoura if my memory serves me is the other way - Milford sound is quite far down and it takes a while to travel about you should probably do more of the North Island and do sthe south another time.

[cc1]

Whatever you want to do,look not only at the mileage but the terrain, My daughter managed a hotel in Queenstown and was amazed by the number of people who breezed into reception after breakfast saying they were going to Franz Josef for the day, looking only at the mileage. 6 days is definitely not enough though, we had 7weeks and still left things for "next time". I know I'll be considered sacriligious by many, but we found the wine region around Marlborough over-rated. Sorry

[tamborine]

Don't miss out on a haka.....you must experience the music of the maoris

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7c1deJClMg

[kaikouramotel]

Kaikoura’s Gateway Motor Lodge is just a few minutes walk from the charming seaside town of Kaikoura, the busy hub of eco-tourism ventures and a thriving rural community.

Whether you are a visitor, planning on staying in Kaikoura for a day or two or three, or planning a Kaikoura conference with a difference Kaikoura Gateway Motor Lodge will meet all of your needs with 20 self-contained units from studios to two bedroom units, as well as three wheelchair friendly units. There is also a solar-heated swimming pool, barbecue,a playground is adjacent to the Motor Lodge.

Free fast unlimited and uninterrupted Wireless internet is available throughout our complex.

The Kaikoura Gateway Motor Lodge has a conference facility that can cater for up to 40 people. This poolside facility offers a relaxing ambience and includes: TV, DVD, video player, data projector & screen, free high speed Wi-Fi and fax & photocopying services.
https://www.kaikouragateway.co.nz/