New Zealand

[HarpyHibby]

I’m heading to the South Island for a 4 week holiday in November, primarily to visit family but also planning on doing a bit of travelling around as well. I’m travelling solo and will mostly be based in Christchurch but should have access to a car.

Does anyone have any recommendations on things to do and places to see? I know I won’t be stuck for stuff to do but trying to make the most out of my 4 weeks there. Any suggestions and advice would be much appreciated.

I’ll be there for the league cup final...

[Jones28]

Glow worm caves on the west coast on the South Island are amazing, worth going to see. We tried to do a fly drive in 4 weeks and spent more time driving than we would have liked. Have you got anything planned?

[Steve-O]

I’m heading to the South Island for a 4 week holiday in November, primarily to visit family but also planning on doing a bit of travelling around as well. I’m travelling solo and will mostly be based in Christchurch but should have access to a car.

Does anyone have any recommendations on things to do and places to see? I know I won’t be stuck for stuff to do but trying to make the most out of my 4 weeks there. Any suggestions and advice would be much appreciated.

I’ll be there for the league cup final...

Queenstown is a must visit.

Train from Christchurch to Greymouth also good. Then you could potentially drive from there down the west coast to Queenstown. Spectacular drive.

Wellington worth a visit too of course! Domestic flights can usually be had a lot cheaper than equivalent flights in the U.K.

[HarpyHibby]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

I don’t have any solid plans yet. I arrive on the Monday morning so I think my first week will be spent recovering from jet lag and catching up with family so I’ll probably spend time in Christchurch and possibly day trips out of the city. I have a cousin who lives in between Lakes Wanaka and Hawea which looks absolutely stunning.

I was thinking about a week long road trip - keen to visit Abel Tasman national park, Milford Sound, Queenstown... 9 hour drive from Christchurch to Milford Sound though so I’ll have to break that up somehow.

I’ve registered my interest for tickets to New Zealand v Argentina/Peru which will be in Wellington. That would be pretty good going to watch that.

Jones28, how did you find spending money over there? I’m hoping to take £3000. I’ll have free accommodation for that most part and hostels thereafter.

[Johnny_Leith]

I've just finished touring the south island over 2 weeks. There's some great spots for you to visit.

As for your road trip: if you're going from Christchurch to milford sound (which is a spectacular spot of the world, both MS itself and the drive to it) I would recommend staying in both Wanaka and Queenstown on your way through.

Around Christchurch, about 2 hours east, is akaroa which has a great dolphin tour and some nice local hikes, would recommend a visit.

Lake tepako is on the way and is one of the best spots in the world for viewing the night sky. Had an observatory tour booked but the weather cancelled that one.

Aspiring helicopters do a great airntour of the scenery around Wanaka and it's pretty breathtaking. Wanaka is a great place.

Queenstown is the hub for tourism in the south island, great venues for food and drink, quality nights out and if you're looking at a hostel I'd recommend adventure Q2 (cheap, friendly and lots of good spots within walking distance). If you're feeling adventurous go for the Nevis bungy jump - biggest bungy in the southern hemisphere!

Nelson wasn't up to much in my opinion, but Abel Tasman is worth a visit.

A word of advice, if you're looking at doing a fair bit of driving check which roads are open, as we didn't and were scunnered by not checking the status of some of the roads (kaikoura to Nelson road has been shut for a couple years and coat us a good 8 hours driving).

Finances : probably spent around £4-£5k but we didn't hold back on what we wanted to do and ate out every night, booked up all the tours and adventures, and the less said about how much was spent on alcohol the better haha.

You'll have a great trip, it's a good spot of the world. Anything else I can help with, just shout 👍

[lyonhibs]

I'm so unbelievably jealous of you. Spent around 3 weeks on the South Island in January of this year. Best holiday of my life.

Check out the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. Okarito Lagoon and the beach nearby were a hidden gem near Franz Jozef Glacier. The rainforest more or less literally reaches the sea.

We did an overnight Kayak trip in Doubtful Sound, the "less popular" but no less incredibly of the Sounds and never made it as far as Milford.

See the wee blue penguins on the Otago Peninsula near Dunedin. Dunedin itself is great, the Edinburgh of the Southern Hemisphere and you've got to get yourself tucked into some Speights beer.

Moeraki Boulders about an hour north of Dunedin are awesome and really weird at the same time. Like big marble conkers that have just fallen from the sky.

I could go on for about a week about that part of the world. The drive along the Haast Road to Wanaka and the awesome waterfalls that crop up as soon as you cut inland are stunning.

Again, you spawny git

[Steve-O]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

I don’t have any solid plans yet. I arrive on the Monday morning so I think my first week will be spent recovering from jet lag and catching up with family so I’ll probably spend time in Christchurch and possibly day trips out of the city. I have a cousin who lives in between Lakes Wanaka and Hawea which looks absolutely stunning.

I was thinking about a week long road trip - keen to visit Abel Tasman national park, Milford Sound, Queenstown... 9 hour drive from Christchurch to Milford Sound though so I’ll have to break that up somehow.

I’ve registered my interest for tickets to New Zealand v Argentina/Peru which will be in Wellington. That would be pretty good going to watch that.

Jones28, how did you find spending money over there? I’m hoping to take £3000. I’ll have free accommodation for that most part and hostels thereafter.

£3k for spending should more than do you. I think...!

Based on what you want to do, I’d probably fly Chch to Queenstown (amazing flight into Queenstown), day trip to Milford from there, and then hire a car and drive all the way up the west coast to Abel Tasman over 2-3 days.

As noted, State Highway 1 down the top half of the east coast should be checked if you’re planning on driving there - earthquake in November last year fairly trashed the roads around Kaikoura. Not sure if the railway is fixed either.

[ano hibby]

Was in QT earlier in year. Outstanding place, possibly my favourite place in world I’ve ever visited.
Wee tip..if you do a day trip to Milford Sound you have choice of road (think c.4 hours each way) & a small seater plane. Plane obviously more expensive but the views/experience etc of taking a 4/6 seater aeroplane into the Sound was mind blowing just how stunning the scenery is. Well worth it..from memory the difference between £200 & £400 & worth every penny & more.
Milford Sound = 8th wonder of the world.

Also need to try Fergburger in QT as well as eat in the Botswana Butchery.
You have to do the Shotover Jet too.
Luge up the gondola is fun also.

Queenstown- what a place. Stunning & great fun part of the world.

[Mr White]

Was in QT earlier in year. Outstanding place, possibly my favourite place in world I’ve ever visited.
Wee tip..if you do a day trip to Milford Sound you have choice of road (think c.4 hours each way) & a small seater plane. Plane obviously more expensive but the views/experience etc of taking a 4/6 seater aeroplane into the Sound was mind blowing just how stunning the scenery is. Well worth it..from memory the difference between £200 & £400 & worth every penny & more.
Milford Sound = 8th wonder of the world.

Also need to try Fergburger in QT as well as eat in the Botswana Butchery.
You have to do the Shotover Jet too.
Luge up the gondola is fun also.

Queenstown- what a place. Stunning & great fun part of the world.

I lived in Queenstown for 3 months and did my first NZ ski season there in 2005. While it is a great place to visit I was fully over it by the time I left and it was possibly the best decision I've ever made when I packed my job in early and moved to Christchurch as I met my future wife there a few weeks later :greengrin

I'd echo most of the stuff already advised here on this thread and wish the OP the trip of a lifetime. It truly is a wonderful country with stunning variety of climate and geography and on the whole the people are mostly fantastic.

[ano hibby]

I lived in Queenstown for 3 months and did my first NZ ski season there in 2005. While it is a great place to visit I was fully over it by the time I left and it was possibly the best decision I've ever made when I packed my job in early and moved to Christchurch as I met my future wife there a few weeks later :greengrin

I'd echo most of the stuff already advised here on this thread and wish the OP the trip of a lifetime. It truly is a wonderful country with stunning variety of climate and geography and on the whole the people are mostly fantastic.

Skied the Remarkables one day we were there. Was pretty early in the season so not all runs were open. Good snow but vshort runs compared to Europe.
Had our breakfast every morning in Mary’s (can’t remember cafe name), but she was hilarious dropping F bombs left right & centre.

[Mr White]

Skied the Remarkables one day we were there. Was pretty early in the season so not all runs were open. Good snow but vshort runs compared to Europe.
Had our breakfast every morning in Mary’s (can’t remember cafe name), but she was hilarious dropping F bombs left right & centre.
Yeah it's not really comparable to Europe but some of the ski areas are fantastic when in condition. 05 was one of the worst snow years on record but I hung around for 06 and it was epic. Spent it in Methven mostly riding mt hutt and the club operated ski areas in the craigieburn range. Powder days a couple of times a week for all of june July and August. Happy happy days... some of the best snowboarding and happiest times of my life topped off with hiking and riding down mt Taranaki in late November. I miss being mid-20's and being in good physical condition :greengrin

[BullsCloseHibs]

Andy from St Pats branch lives in NZ........HUGE Hibee Irishman!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[HarpyHibby]

Thanks for all the responses folks. Still don't have many set in stone plans but I managed to get a ticket for the NZ v Peru World Cup play off in Wellington. Flights cost me £175 (normally ~£45) but I have a couple of mates there on gap years so it'll be worth it! Mon the All Whites!!

The main debate I still have is whether or not to go a solo road trip or book onto the Kiwi Experience bus tour. Quite happy driving around on my own and would enjoy the freedom of doing as I please. However, i'm leaning towards the bus tour as it'll be far more sociable. As I'm tight for time, the bus tour would be quite rushed and going by reviews, I'd be spending approx 5 hours on a bus every day...I've joined a couple of Facebook groups where people look for 'travel buddies' to go on road trips etc. which sounds a good idea but for every tidy bird theres's 5 or 6 weirdos. :greengrin




I've just finished touring the south island over 2 weeks. There's some great spots for you to visit.

As for your road trip: if you're going from Christchurch to milford sound (which is a spectacular spot of the world, both MS itself and the drive to it) I would recommend staying in both Wanaka and Queenstown on your way through.

Around Christchurch, about 2 hours east, is akaroa which has a great dolphin tour and some nice local hikes, would recommend a visit.

Lake tepako is on the way and is one of the best spots in the world for viewing the night sky. Had an observatory tour booked but the weather cancelled that one.

Aspiring helicopters do a great airntour of the scenery around Wanaka and it's pretty breathtaking. Wanaka is a great place.

Queenstown is the hub for tourism in the south island, great venues for food and drink, quality nights out and if you're looking at a hostel I'd recommend adventure Q2 (cheap, friendly and lots of good spots within walking distance). If you're feeling adventurous go for the Nevis bungy jump - biggest bungy in the southern hemisphere!

Nelson wasn't up to much in my opinion, but Abel Tasman is worth a visit.

A word of advice, if you're looking at doing a fair bit of driving check which roads are open, as we didn't and were scunnered by not checking the status of some of the roads (kaikoura to Nelson road has been shut for a couple years and coat us a good 8 hours driving).

Finances : probably spent around £4-£5k but we didn't hold back on what we wanted to do and ate out every night, booked up all the tours and adventures, and the less said about how much was spent on alcohol the better haha.

You'll have a great trip, it's a good spot of the world. Anything else I can help with, just shout ��

Sounds amazing, mate! One of the family live by Lake Hawea so I'll be crashing with them for a couple of nights. Going by Google earth, it looks stunning. Hoping to do some salmon fishing there and spend a bit time in Wanaka as well. Hadn't heard of Akaroa so thanks for the heads up, I'll probably do a day trip from Christchurch and visit other places along the way. One of my mates has said the night skies are stunning, apparently you can make out the Milky Way etc...


I'm so unbelievably jealous of you. Spent around 3 weeks on the South Island in January of this year. Best holiday of my life.

Check out the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. Okarito Lagoon and the beach nearby were a hidden gem near Franz Jozef Glacier. The rainforest more or less literally reaches the sea.

We did an overnight Kayak trip in Doubtful Sound, the "less popular" but no less incredibly of the Sounds and never made it as far as Milford.

See the wee blue penguins on the Otago Peninsula near Dunedin. Dunedin itself is great, the Edinburgh of the Southern Hemisphere and you've got to get yourself tucked into some Speights beer.

Moeraki Boulders about an hour north of Dunedin are awesome and really weird at the same time. Like big marble conkers that have just fallen from the sky.

I could go on for about a week about that part of the world. The drive along the Haast Road to Wanaka and the awesome waterfalls that crop up as soon as you cut inland are stunning.

Again, you spawny git

Thanks mate! I haven't come across most of the places you've mentioned while researching so that's great. One of my mates is on a rugby scholarship in Dunedin so I'll definitely be in the area.


£3k for spending should more than do you. I think...!

Based on what you want to do, I’d probably fly Chch to Queenstown (amazing flight into Queenstown), day trip to Milford from there, and then hire a car and drive all the way up the west coast to Abel Tasman over 2-3 days.

As noted, State Highway 1 down the top half of the east coast should be checked if you’re planning on driving there - earthquake in November last year fairly trashed the roads around Kaikoura. Not sure if the railway is fixed either.

Appreciate the advice about the roads, it's not something that would have crossed my mind. Been looking at flights into Milford Sound tonight - not as pricey as I would have thought.


Was in QT earlier in year. Outstanding place, possibly my favourite place in world I’ve ever visited.
Wee tip..if you do a day trip to Milford Sound you have choice of road (think c.4 hours each way) & a small seater plane. Plane obviously more expensive but the views/experience etc of taking a 4/6 seater aeroplane into the Sound was mind blowing just how stunning the scenery is. Well worth it..from memory the difference between £200 & £400 & worth every penny & more.
Milford Sound = 8th wonder of the world.

Also need to try Fergburger in QT as well as eat in the Botswana Butchery.
You have to do the Shotover Jet too.
Luge up the gondola is fun also.

Queenstown- what a place. Stunning & great fun part of the world.

My mate was talking about the burger place last night - apparently queues out the door every night! I'll definitely stay in Queenestown a few nights. Hoping to climb Ben Lomond when I'm there. Shotover jet looks minted!


Andy from St Pats branch lives in NZ........HUGE Hibee Irishman!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

My old man is a member of St pats. Where about does Andy live?

[lyonhibs]

Also do the Roy's Peak hike by Wanaka if the weather is playing ball.