New Zealand - South Island

[Driver8]

I'm very envious Mr 8. I did the same a couple of years ago and it was without doubt the best trip I've ever had. 4 weeks on my own in a hired camper van I met some of the most friendly people in the world and saw some of the most beautiful things in the world.
I would add, staying at http://www.moerakivillageholidaypark.co.nz/ with a pitch that overlooks the ocean . Waking up to the sound of the day fishing fleet chugging out towards the rising sun then eating their catch at the fantastic http://www.fleursplace.com/ in the evening.
Try and do a flight with this lot http://www.classicflights.co.nz/wanaka-scenic-flights/. Absolutely fantastic.
But mainly just open your eyes and get dizzy from the sights you'll see.
Have a splendid time (you will) , lucky fella.

Moeraki. That's how you spell it. I was typing on my phone and couldn't remember.

If you get a chance to do the day trip from Christcurch to Greymouth and back on the TranzAlpine train it's worth it. Not exactly cheap but the train ride through the mountain is very enjoyable.

Thanks both!

 

[Driver8]

I'm very envious Mr 8. I did the same a couple of years ago and it was without doubt the best trip I've ever had. 4 weeks on my own in a hired camper van I met some of the most friendly people in the world and saw some of the most beautiful things in the world.
I would add, staying at http://www.moerakivillageholidaypark.co.nz/ with a pitch that overlooks the ocean . Waking up to the sound of the day fishing fleet chugging out towards the rising sun then eating their catch at the fantastic http://www.fleursplace.com/ in the evening.
Try and do a flight with this lot http://www.classicflights.co.nz/wanaka-scenic-flights/. Absolutely fantastic.
But mainly just open your eyes and get dizzy from the sights you'll see.
Have a splendid time (you will) , lucky fella.

Just booked the scenic flight!

 

[Lankyseagull]

My wife and I Honeymooned there in 2013 taking a camper van round both north and south islands.

Loved the south and have many personal highlights.

Kaikoura - Whale watching and swimming with Dolphins (freezing cold, but when you're out there with around 200 Dolphins it doesn't matter!) http://www.dolphinencounter.co.nz/

Franz Josef - Helicopter flight up to the glacier, snow landing and around Mount Cook. Breathtaking. http://www.glacierhelicopters.co.nz/franz-josef-glacier/

Queenstown - If you like your adrenaline sports, home of Bungee. We opted for Zip-wiring which was great fun and Jet Boating up the Shotover River. http://www.ziptrek.com/en/queenstown-new-zealand http://www.shotoverjet.com/

Milford Sound - Take the cruise. Just stunning on a sunny day. http://www.milford-sound.co.nz/

Invercargill - Just about as South as you can go, obligatory signpost photo at Bluff and home to "The World's Fastest Indian" (Burt Monroe) & his bike is is on display in a DIY/Autopart Store - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burt_Munro http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0412080/

Dunedin - Home of the only castle in NZ and Penguin Place where you can see Yellow Eyed Penguins - http://www.penguinplace.co.nz/

Oamaru - Very Victorian and has the wonderful Whitestone Cheese Makers, well worth a visit if you love cheese and are hungry - http://www.whitestonecheese.com/

Akaroa - As has been said before a lovely place. Take a cruise in the natural volcanic harbour and for something quirky, visit http://www.thegiantshouse.co.nz/

Loads of places to stop at and explore in between. Stunning scenery, just when you thought it couldn't get any better, you turn a corner and it does!

Enjoy every minute - I'm well jealous!

 

[Driver8]

My wife and I Honeymooned there in 2013 taking a camper van round both north and south islands.

Loved the south and have many personal highlights.

Kaikoura - Whale watching and swimming with Dolphins (freezing cold, but when you're out there with around 200 Dolphins it doesn't matter!) http://www.dolphinencounter.co.nz/

Franz Josef - Helicopter flight up to the glacier, snow landing and around Mount Cook. Breathtaking. http://www.glacierhelicopters.co.nz/franz-josef-glacier/

Queenstown - If you like your adrenaline sports, home of Bungee. We opted for Zip-wiring which was great fun and Jet Boating up the Shotover River. http://www.ziptrek.com/en/queenstown-new-zealand http://www.shotoverjet.com/

Milford Sound - Take the cruise. Just stunning on a sunny day. http://www.milford-sound.co.nz/

Invercargill - Just about as South as you can go, obligatory signpost photo at Bluff and home to "The World's Fastest Indian" (Burt Monroe) & his bike is is on display in a DIY/Autopart Store - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burt_Munro http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0412080/

Dunedin - Home of the only castle in NZ and Penguin Place where you can see Yellow Eyed Penguins - http://www.penguinplace.co.nz/

Oamaru - Very Victorian and has the wonderful Whitestone Cheese Makers, well worth a visit if you love cheese and are hungry - http://www.whitestonecheese.com/

Akaroa - As has been said before a lovely place. Take a cruise in the natural volcanic harbour and for something quirky, visit http://www.thegiantshouse.co.nz/

Loads of places to stop at and explore in between. Stunning scenery, just when you thought it couldn't get any better, you turn a corner and it does!

Enjoy every minute - I'm well jealous!

Thanks for taking the time to do all that. All very useful info. Not sure how I am going to fit all this in in three weeks!!

 

[Franks Wild Years]

Just booked the scenic flight!

That is bloody brilliant. Have a ball mate.

 

[Lankyseagull]

Thanks for taking the time to do all that. All very useful info. Not sure how I am going to fit all this in in three weeks!!

We only had 3 weeks and we hadn't planned our itinerary!

Most of our driving was done late afternoon into the night to get from one camping site to another - if you use Top 10 Holiday Parks get yourself one of their Members Cards for a few NZ$. It gives you discounts at their camp sites and also for (some) attractions. You can also book any tours etc you want to do through them at their reception - the staff are only too willing to help! https://www.top10.co.nz/

Don't be afraid of speaking to the locals and ask for recommendations. We found some of the best places doing this. In Franz Josef there is a restaurant/bar that does the best ribs I've ever had ( http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restau...ark_Te_Wahipounamu_West_Coast_Region_Sou.html ) and also nearby is a natural hot springs baths which is a must if you've frozen you're b*lls off on the glacier! http://www.glacierhotpools.co.nz/

Donig this has brought back some really good memories!

 

[Fungus]

OK well travelled people of NSC, assuming the world doesn't end tonight, I am off to New Zealand next Saturday for three weeks to celebrate my 50th birthday.

I have planned most of my itinerary (have hired a camper van) but does anyone have a "must do" or any tips for when I am there? Any Albion bars to find for example?

Thanks!

Happy 53rd birthday, sometime around now!

We're looking at an NZ holiday in Feb/March, and are so overwhelmed by how much there is to see and do, that we're thinking of just doing the south island (as you did), and saving the north for a future trip.

How did it go? Did you wish you had longer? Anything to avoid?

There's probably already enough suggestions to fill a four-week motor-home trip on the one island, but further suggestions gratefully devoured.

Or should we try to do both islands in one trip? I have dreadful memories of chasing all around south-west USA, seeing nothing properly, and having to go back several times!

TIA

 

[Driver8]

Happy 53rd birthday, sometime around now!

We're looking at an NZ holiday in Feb/March, and are so overwhelmed by how much there is to see and do, that we're thinking of just doing the south island (as you did), and saving the north for a future trip.

How did it go? Did you wish you had longer? Anything to avoid?

There's probably already enough suggestions to fill a four-week motor-home trip on the one island, but further suggestions gratefully devoured.

Or should we try to do both islands in one trip? I have dreadful memories of chasing all around south-west USA, seeing nothing properly, and having to go back several times!

TIA

I liked it so much I went back last year! I’ll put together a proper reply over the next few days.

 

[dannyboy]

I think I need to start a new thread about new Zealand rather than hijack the op's thread. were looking to emigrate to NZ so will follow this thread with interest

Weird seeing my own post from 3 years ago. About a year after my original post we moved here . When I posted that I didn't actually think wed make it .

 

[Fungus]

Weird seeing my own post from 3 years ago. About a year after my original post we moved here . When I posted that I didn't actually think wed make it .

How's it going?

 

[colinz]

Happy 53rd birthday, sometime around now!

We're looking at an NZ holiday in Feb/March, and are so overwhelmed by how much there is to see and do, that we're thinking of just doing the south island (as you did), and saving the north for a future trip.

How did it go? Did you wish you had longer? Anything to avoid?

There's probably already enough suggestions to fill a four-week motor-home trip on the one island, but further suggestions gratefully devoured.

Or should we try to do both islands in one trip? I have dreadful memories of chasing all around south-west USA, seeing nothing properly, and having to go back several times!

TIA

I think you can see both Islands in 3 weeks at a reasonable leisurely pace. I would fly into Christchurch spend the best part of 2 weeks exploring the South Island then a week or so in the North Island. Then fly out of Auckland.
You could hedge your bets by having the option of being able to fly out of Christchurch, if you're really enjoying the South Island's activities.

When I first came to NZ I relocated a Camper Van (brand new) from Christchurch to Auckland I had to do it in 2 days. Drove from Christchurch to Picton. Then drove Wellington to Napier then Taupo before driving to Auckland to drop off the Campervan. ,

 

[colinz]

Happy 53rd birthday, sometime around now!

We're looking at an NZ holiday in Feb/March, and are so overwhelmed by how much there is to see and do, that we're thinking of just doing the south island (as you did), and saving the north for a future trip.

How did it go? Did you wish you had longer? Anything to avoid?

There's probably already enough suggestions to fill a four-week motor-home trip on the one island, but further suggestions gratefully devoured.

Or should we try to do both islands in one trip? I have dreadful memories of chasing all around south-west USA, seeing nothing properly, and having to go back several times!

TIA

I think you can see both Islands in 3 weeks at a reasonable leisurely pace. I would fly into Christchurch spend the best part of 2 weeks exploring the South Island then a week or so in the North Island. Then fly out of Auckland.
You could hedge your bets by having the option of being able to fly out of Christchurch, if you're really enjoying the South Island's activities.

When I first came to NZ I relocated a Camper Van from Christchurch to Auckland I had to deliver it in 2 days. Drove from Christchurch to Picton. Then drove Wellington to Napier then Taupo before driving to Auckland to drop off the Campervan. ,

 

[T.G]

Anyone mentioned Stanley Island. Great for endemic birds and a beautiful Island.

 

[Fungus]

I think you can see both Islands in 3 weeks at a reasonable leisurely pace. I would fly into Christchurch spend the best part of 2 weeks exploring the South Island then a week or so in the North Island. Then fly out of Auckland.
You could hedge your bets by having the option of being able to fly out of Christchurch, if you're really enjoying the South Island's activities.

When I first came to NZ I relocated a Camper Van from Christchurch to Auckland I had to deliver it in 2 days. Drove from Christchurch to Picton. Then drove Wellington to Napier then Taupo before driving to Auckland to drop off the Campervan. ,

Both islands in three weeks? NZ is larger than the UK, and has a lot more interesting places to visit...

Anyway, we've just booked flights into and out of Christchurch, and a motor-home for 26 days.

 

[Fungus]

Anyone mentioned Stanley Island. Great for endemic birds and a beautiful Island.

<cough> Stewart Island.

 

[Insel affe]

OK well travelled people of NSC, assuming the world doesn't end tonight, I am off to New Zealand next Saturday for three weeks to celebrate my 50th birthday.

I have planned most of my itinerary (have hired a camper van) but does anyone have a "must do" or any tips for when I am there? Any Albion bars to find for example?

Thanks!

Have a fantastic time, I am sure you will, we hired one of these...

Tip, every time you see a petrol station, stop and fill up, a few times we misjudged distances and how much fuel we used, had to coast down some hills...

 

[Lankyseagull]

Both islands in three weeks? NZ is larger than the UK, and has a lot more interesting places to visit...

Anyway, we've just booked flights into and out of Christchurch, and a motor-home for 26 days.

While it does sound as if 3 weeks is nowhere near enough time, we did both islands in that time (admittedly some parts were not visited), but we did everything and more than we originally set out to - see my two earlier posts.

It's a brilliant country to visit, you'll enjoy every minute!

 

[Leekbrookgull]

Actually fly out to NZ in Auckland from Manchester at 15.10 tomorrow.

 

[colinz]

Both islands in three weeks? NZ is larger than the UK, and has a lot more interesting places to visit...

Anyway, we've just booked flights into and out of Christchurch, and a motor-home for 26 days.

NZ is about the same size as the UK. Driving times are a lot less per mile because of little or no congestion. Unless you have the misfortune of experiencing Auckland traffic.

 

[Fungus]

Actually fly out to NZ in Auckland from Manchester at 15.10 tomorrow.

Who are you flying with? Would be interested in how you get on with the long-haul flight. Have fun!