[willsken]

I have a camper van booked for 10 days in January. We are taking mum and dad on a tour of the SI. Any must see/do things that you recommend would be gratefully received. 10 days isn't long and I want them to be full to bursting of fabulous memories for them to take home with them. We have 2 kids to entertain as well so I will be trying to get a good balance. :D

[Moorf]

Are you flying to Chch and picking up a van or coming across on ferry?

[willsken]

We are coming on the ferry and the camper van people will meet us from there. I was so late booking it, that was all I could find!! :D

[Carey]

In Nelson go to the 'Middle of NZ', a fairly gentle walk up a hillside with great views from the top, not stunning but just good to go there!
Abel Tasman, even just a short way down the track to first beach is just glorious. Fascinating wood carvers garden at start on left before entering info. covered area.
Kaikora, swimming with dolphins, my 11 yr old still raves about it.

[Moorf]

Having just done a whirlwind tour (8 days) round just the bottom of the SI from our position near Christchurch down to Bluff via Tekapo/Wanaka/Cromwell/Te Anau/Invercargill/Dunedin/Oamaru, I can honestly say that you will be rushing from pillar to post if you want to "do" the whole of the South Island in 10 days.

I'll sort out a list of must-see suggestions for ya, but you might want to consider doing the top or bottom and having a nice relaxing holiday rather than rushing round and coming back (as we did) knackered and whizzing past stuff you'd quite-like-to-do-but-haven't-got-time! :D i.e a top of the island tour could consist of:

Abel Tasman/Nelson/Marlborough/Hurunui/Canterbury (incl Tekapo/Mount Cook), West Coast/Akaroa/Christchurch/Kaikoura - all great destinations for summer touring and touching on Tekapo and Mount Cook will give them a "taste" of the Alps and lake districts.

You could then save the Southern Lakes (Otago etc) incl Queenstown/Wanaka/Arrowtown/Alexandra etc for an autumn/winter tour :)

[willsken]

mmm sounds like a plan!! :nice1 They'll be back next year I'm sure! Just that at $300 a day I want my moneys worth!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D

[Sam B]

We're planning to go to the SI at the same time (14 days) camping in our camper van. I was thinking of doing just one side - maybe west or east - would this work?

[Moorf]

Hmmmm, I think you'll get good value for money :D In the top of the SI alone you can find gorgeous beaches, mountain vistas, kayaking, whale watching, vineyards galore, wild west coast beaches and rainforests, alpine resorts, hot springs, dolphin watching, whale watching, seal watching, surfer watching (oh no, that's just my fetish :D), see the highest mountain in NZ, traverse the Southern Alps via Arthurs Pass, picnic beside the braided rivers of Canterbury, punt on the River Avon, ride the Chch gondola, visit the first French colony in NZ, discover Banks Peninsula, jetboat down the Rakaia or Waimakariri, skim stones on a number of lakes such as Coleridge, Rotoiti or Lyndon, ride quadbikes, horse treks, Shantytown, pancake rocks, 4x4 tours, experience an artic snow storm in summer, play golf in the mountains or.. or... well, u get my gist :)

[Moorf]

We're planning to go to the SI at the same time (14 days) camping in our camper van. I was thinking of doing just one side - maybe west or east - would this work?

I guess it could work, if you look at the road systems on the South Island you can get down the East or West Coast and back up the "middle" i.e via Tekapo / Methven / Darfield / Oxford / Amberley then up via Kaikoura or Punakaiki.

Otherwise, you'll see from road maps that there are almost two "loops" - one in the north and one in the south - and they tend to make good touring routes.

We met quite a few travellers on our whirlwind tour and many who were on 2 week tours said they needed at least 3 weeks to "do" the South Island at a relatively comfortable pace.

That's the nice thing about living here - you can do it in leisurely chunks!

[willsken]

surfer watching (oh no, that's just my fetish :D)

I'll give it a good go!! :laugh :laugh :laugh

[nippa&pippa]

Don't forgot to visit Pancake rock, awesomes! If you are going there, ensure you find out when is right time of day to visit, need to be have right sea tide for this...

[wiki]

I'd also suggest splitting the south island in half as it's a lot of driving to get from top to bottom.

I grew up in Fiordland and would recommend Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown and Wanaka ... but in January you're going to be hard pressed to find campervan parks unless you book now. those places go mad over summer. The best bet for Christchurch south is Sept/Oct or March/April - still decent weather, but fewer crowds

[willsken]

I'd also suggest splitting the south island in half as it's a lot of driving to get from top to bottom.

I grew up in Fiordland and would recommend Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown and Wanaka ... but in January you're going to be hard pressed to find campervan parks unless you book now. those places go mad over summer. The best bet for Christchurch south is Sept/Oct or March/April - still decent weather, but fewer crowds

I'll get booking! Mum and dad will be here only at this time so we are limited to when we go.:)