my wife and i are going to NZ for IMNZ in March. we are going to extend our trip for 10 days after the IM. I need a bit of advise as far as WHERE we should travel to on the S. Island. We have decided to venture to the S. Island for 10 days afterward. Where should we go? What towns are ‘not to be missed’. We are going to rent a car and travel to B&B’s. We like driving…so a bunch of ideas of different town/attractions would be great. And, any other advise would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thank you!
-Michael
One hint–driving on the So. Island is not speedy. You’ll average around 40-50 mph, a lot slower in the mountains or if the farmers are heading sheep. Also, are you flying Auckland to Christchurch?
I loved the West Coast–Greymouth down to Fox Glacier. It was pretty much a full day’s drive from ChCh, over Arthur’s Pass to the West Coast to Hotitika. We then went down to Fox Glacer and I did a hike out onto the Glacier. The area around Lake Matheson is nice. We then went back up the West Coast to Greymouth and the Punakaki Rocks. There is a great B&B–The Breakers outside of Greymouth. Nice place and the host is a gourmet cook and will cook you dinner. We lucked out as their good friend, a wine maker from the Gibson winery was also there and had a car full of gold medal wines that he shared. It’s right on the Tasman Sea with beautiful sunsets. The northern part of the South Island is wine country.
We never got down to Queenstown and further south but I hear it’s stunning. Milford Sound and the trek around there.
One thing to watch out for…SAND FLIES! We had bites, itching and scars for a couple of months.
I’m a kiwi and have travelled extensively throughout the Mainland (that’s what the South Islanders call the South Island) and I can go on for hours about what to see.
email me at m.perry@ndy.com for more details than you ever wanted!
TriDork
My husband and I are doing the same thing – I’m racing, then we’re flying down to the South Island for about ten days. And I, too, have yet to make any plans. Maybe we’ll bump into each other down there!
Queenstown is a very pleasant place - stunning scenery and lots to do - I spent Christmas there a few years back.
You must try the Bungee jumping - a massive high - you can even do a tandem jump with your wife
You can drive down to Milford Sound for the day and take a boat trip which is also very good.
I was over there snowboarding in August. Stayed in Wanaka which is situated on a lake about 45mins drive from Queenstown. Beautiful scenery, and make sure you sample Brewski in the Wanaka Beer Works. Delicious beer!!
In Queenstown, make sure you try a Fergburger. Simply the BEST burgers you will ever taste. Take a drive down beside the lake to Glenorchy. Again, scenery is amazing.
Also, Milford Sound looks spectacular. I haven’t actually been there, but plan to go and have heard nothing but good things about it. I’ve heard there are good walks/treks in the area.
Nelson’s nice, drive over to Golden Bay along Queen Charlotte road. Kayak or hike a day or two in Abel Tasman Park. Try to get to a few wineries. Christchurch is lovely. Queenstown is brilliant as a jumping off place for all sorts of stuff. Do the helicopter up/mountain bike down trip, it’s brilliant. Good rock climbing. Drive up to the Remarkables (it’s a rental car, right?! :~)). Wanaka is also excellent, a little out of the way, really good climbing.
You are going to realise as soon as you get there that you’ll never have enough time to do all you could do, plus the driving is slow, tho’ that’s appropriate for the countryside, really, no need to rush. And you may not want to be doing too much in the way of strenuous activity the first few days after IM.
I’ll be arriving March 4, to visit family in Auckland and will have to confine my playing to the North Island this trip (I’d love to think about IMNZ one of these years, not sure whether I have another IM in me). And regardless of the Dork’s contention that the South is the mainland, you can be kept just as entertained on the other island too :~) Still, an excellent trip is guaranteed, the perfect combination of r & r (race and relaxation). E-mail me if I can help with anything - bglading@att.net
Speights beer rules!
Cheers
Barry
The problem is where to begin such a list. A few that pop into my mind
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The west coast is one giant deserted beach, often with spectacular surf pounding in. However, watch out for the sand flies. They can be wicked. Perhaps this is why it’s deserted!
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Trekking/Tramping - Milford sound is the marquee one, but their are MANY other ones that range from day hikes to 4 - 5 day expeditions into the back country. The great thing is that there are huts along the way roughly a day’s walk apart on the multi-day tramps so no need for camping gear. Scenery is always spectacular. Be prepared for ANY weather.
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Stewart Island - this little gem is a small Island off the south tip of the South Island. For many this is as far south as you will ever get. Next stop - the Antarctic!
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Queenstown - Recent host of the ITU World Championships. Birthplace of Bungy jumping and assorted other adrenaline activities. Jumping off point for a number of treks/tramps in the area.
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Dunedin - Head out to Dunedin Heads, the nesting grounds for the Wandering Albatross. These are one of the largest birds in the world that can fly with a wing span of over 3 metres. They look normal from afar, but if you get to see them up close in flight, they are the avian equivilant of a Boeing 747. Spectatcular.
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Mt. Cook - Training ground for many of NZ top mountain climbers. Spectcular Mountain scenery. Great day and over night trekking to alpine huts some above the snow line.
I could go on . . . and on . .
Havelock – The Mussel Boys restaurant – look for the Mussel shells dressed up like rugby players on the roof. Draft Guinness if you are in to that.
If you happen to get close to Dunedin then I highly recommend seeing David Pease at the University – he is an elite swim coach that runs the swim flume there. Probably the best $s that you’ll ever spend on your swim stroke – four camera simultaneous analysis and you get a tape to take home with his comments running over your entire session. Drop me a line and I’ll hook you up if you want.
Akaroa – a small French town that’s about 90K from Christchurch – great drive, on the way back, head up Long Bay Road then take the Summit Road over to Hilltop for some wild scenery. On the way up reflect that Long Bay Road was how we kicked off the final day of Epic Camp last year. Fun, fun, fun! On the way, the best date scones in NZ are to be had at the Little River cafe. In Akaroa, they do a swim-with-the-dolphins thing – I haven’t done it but lots do.
Good wineries around Queenstown and in the north of the Sth Island – lots about that on the net, I bet.
Sumner, Christchurch – The Ruptured Duck – Morrocan Lamb pizza – after an IM, it’s my preferred meal selection.
Kaikoura – they do whale cruises from this town. Also, on the main hwy north of town, west side – there is a nice pizza place run by a couple of hippies – forget the name but it’s open late. I’ve been known to stop in after an IM.
South on Blenheim on Hwy 1 – there is a great cafe that’s on the sea. Always stop there when I am doing one of my monster bike tours – had five coffees there last December, bit of a tough day in the saddle that one.
Maruia Springs or Hanmer Springs – hot pools, nice for a soak if you are in the neighbourhood. Hanmer makes a nice diversion if you are heading between ChCh and Kaikoura.
Weather – expect all types, the forecasts are pretty good and there can be a big difference in the various regions. So a flexible schedule with a keen eye on the longer range forecast can result in better overall weather.
Those are the main things that I can think of. Quite a bit to see.
g