What to see on South Island of New Zealand??

Question

We are visiting the South Island of NZ for ten days, driving from Christchurch to Dundedin to Te Anau to Milford Sound to Queenstown to Haast to Greymouth to Kaikoura and back to Christchurch. What things should we see in those places and along the way? Thanks!

Answer 1

http://www.aatravel.co.nz is running a feature at the moment on must-do things for Kiwis - tourists from anywhere are, of course, encouraged to check them out too!
- In Chch, go to the Antarctic Centre for a taste of the Southern Continent without the arduous flight!
- On the way south to Dunners from Chch, Oamaru has a colony of Little Blue Penguins which can be seen coming ashore at twilight. Also stop at Moeraki to see the famous Boulders.
- In Dunedin, you might be interested to tour Speight's Brewery - best to book in advance. Dunedin Aquarium's feeding times are 2:00pm Wednesday and Saturday - a highlight, apparently; catch it if you're in town on one of those days. Taiaroa Heads has a famous albatross colony, but even if the birds aren't in town, they have penguins and seals too (try to stay upwind, 'cos seals STINK!). Catch the Taieri Gorge Railway from Dunedin Railway Station (reputedly the most photographed building in the country) for a gorgeous scenic experience (and a rest from driving yourself!)
- The road through the Catlins is infinitely preferable to the inland route, if it's scenery you're after.
- Take heavy-duty insect repellant to Milford Sound - scenery is stunning, but the sandflies are almost the size of sparrows, and vicious!
- Definitely check out the glaciers on the way up the West Coast.
- From Greymouth, try to pop north up the Coast to Punakaiki to see the Pancake Rocks and Paparoa National Park.
- Hanmer Springs has thermal pools for a relaxing soak on the way back to the east coast.
- Kaikoura - of course, whale watching. Also, buy a crayfish (or 2) from a roadside stand - that's what the place is named for (kai = food, or to eat; koura = crayfish)!

Check out these sites too, for more ideas:
http://www.tourism.net.nz
http://www.newzealand.com
http://www.nz.com
http://www.greatnewzealand.co.nz


Haere mai (usually translated as “welcome”, also means “come here”) and kia ora (often used in greeting, conveys wishes of good health).

Answer 2

Drive from Dunedin to Te Anau along the Southern Scenic Route. It's much more interesting than the main road. It takes you around the coast through Kaka Point, the Catlins, Curio Bay where there's a petrified forest, Cathedral Caves, the Waituna wetlands, Invercargill, Riverton, Tuatapere and Manapouri, all of which are worth a visit. There's a good chance you'll see Hector's dolphins, yellow-eyed penguins and seals. We live in Tuatapere. email me a couple of days before you arrive and I'll give you more information. There's a bushmans museum here and walking tracks. A boat trip on Lake Manapouri to the power station at West Arm followed by a bus trip from there to Deep Cove is good value.

Answer 3

That is a great trip. You will not be disappointed.

A couple of my favourite things are walking on the Franz Josef glacier, and taking a jet boat tour up the Dart River (real Lord of the Rings scenery). The Dart jetboat is longer, and much more interesting than the short trips on the Shotover. It leaves from Queenstown.

The mailboat tour on the Marlborough sounds near Picton is also pretty good.

Do not go to Westport, under any circumstances.

Answer 4

apparently icebergs are entering the waters there....that would be super cool to see.