[Nienke]

Hi guys,
Some advice needed! We're going on a 3 week camping trip to the south island, crossing with the ferry on the sunday before christmas.
We thought about driving to Greymouth from picton to stay there until after christmas, as it looks on the map to be centrally located to some sightseeing in the area.
But searching this forum have found people saying not to bother with Greymouth?
Problem is that we want to drive to a good location on the west coast from Picton on that sunday, and stay there for a couple of days until after christmas and then move on.
Any suggestions on which place we are able to reach in one day and which is a good place to stay for a couple of days? Or should we just go to Greymouth for 1 day and then move on to the glaciers?

[Moorf]

Hi

How about stopping at Punakaiki on the way down the West Coast, then you could leave there and head for glaciers - "visiting" Greymouth on the way ;) . You could then stay at Hokitika - imo a much nicer and more happening place than Greymouth, and which is nearer glaciers.

Moorf

[thezorbster]

You could try Hokitika - only slightly further south but supposed to be more attractive. Or Westport further North - you're then about 1 1/2 hrs from Karamea which is supposed to be stunning - nice walks, caves & rock formations if you're into that sort of thing. You've got the seal colony, Buller gorge etc too around there

Guess who's also planning a route down south and has been talking to a very nice Coaster from the local i-site office.

May bump into you en-route!

[ruthyroo]

Third vote for Hokitika over Greymouth - we stayed 2 nights in Greymouth, which was frankly two nights too many! Didn't stop in Hokitika for more than an hour but am told that it has much more of a vibe than Greymouth.

R

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

We stayed in Greymouth and visited Hokitika next day. wish we'd missed out Greymouth and spent longer in Hokitika.

Kids were fascinated watching the glass blowing in Hokitika, and we spent too much money buying glass stuff and greenstone jewellery.

Ah well, you only live once...

Heading soth from Hokitika is a long straight road. there aren't many in the south - watch out for speed traps :o

[Andy-Dee]

Loved Punakaiki, treat yourself to a night in the hotel on the beach there, one of my all time favourite places I have ever been. Watch the stars by night and wake up to the crashing waves on the beach outside your door - magical.

[SharpBlade]

Punakaiki is a beautiful place, very quiet, beautiful beach and rain forest and there are some lovely walks/activities to do there. I wouldn`t bother with Greymouth at all.

[Xaviera]

I was born and bred in Hokitika so it gets my vote. However don't forget your sandfly repellant (especially if you visit the lake), or your raincoats! :)

[Tanya]

I was born and bred in Hokitika so it gets my vote. However don't forget your sandfly repellant (especially if you visit the lake), or your raincoats! :)

I was born in Greymouth but agree with you all - Hoki (as its affectionately known) does have something more going for it!

Tanya

[Nienke]

Thanks for all the advice! Think we'll be travelling through Greymouth then....
Is it possible to reach Hokitika in half a day from Picton? We'll be arriving at 11.35 hrs in Picton.

[Moorf]

It's almost possible - but do you want to race and miss all the scenery and stop offs? Picton to Punakaiki would be a nice drive - then next day on to Hokitika with time to stop at Shantytown and Lake Brunner en-route?

[Xaviera]

I was born in Greymouth but agree with you all - Hoki (as its affectionately known) does have something more going for it!

Tanya

Another coaster :clap

[Xaviera]

It's almost possible - but do you want to race and miss all the scenery and stop offs? Picton to Punakaiki would be a nice drive - then next day on to Hokitika with time to stop at Shantytown and Lake Brunner en-route?

Have to agree with Moorf - Punakaiki, Shantytown, Lake Brunner and I would include some of Hoki's attractions on the way south. If the weather is good watch for some spectacular sunsets. :)

[DMcG]

Stay the night at Blackball!

It's inland a bit from Greymouth and while the town is almost non-existent - (Formerly) The Blackball Hilton (http://blackballhilton.co.nz) is worth a detour on it's own. A fantastic old hotel with every room in a different theme.
http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/101474/108691/DSC_2747_scaled4944_S.jpg

It's one of my favourite "character" hotels in the South Island.


Dougie

[Nienke]

We're camping! Got a big tent as well, so we don't favour stopping at places for just 1 night. We are bringing a small tent just in case though. Or might rent a cabin on a campsite, just thought of that :D
So, we might do a one night in Punakaiki, then continue on monday to Hokitika and stay there for Christmas and continue to the glaciers on thursday.
Sounds like a plan!
Do you think we need to make reservations for that week christmas-new year?
Oooh, I'm so looking forward to this trip! :raebanana

[tigerlily]

Are you doing Nelson?

[thezorbster]

Do you think we need to make reservations for that week christmas-new year?
:raebanana

I've been calling campsites down the west coast to see if we need to book over the Xmas period and they have all said no need at all if you just have a tent. We're therefore just going to drive and stop where we fancy for as long as we fancy.

[Nienke]

Are you doing Nelson?
I think we'll be driving through Nelson on the way to the west coast. We do plan to end our holiday in the Abel Tasman for a couple of days.

It's good to know there's plenty of camping space without needing reservations!

[thezorbster]

If you're planning on camping in Golden Bay over Christmas/New Year I would definitely book those sites We were going to spend Christmas there but were warned off as it gets so crowded, hence our decision to do the quieter West Coast which isn't such a tourist mecca.

[Anita & Marco]

Heya Nienke,

We are going on the ferry as well on the Sunday before Xmas - we might catch up on the ferry? We take the 10:30am one.

By the way, we will be having our bicycles with us, since we are going to make a trip on the bicycles.

Cheers
Anita

[NoelMC]

I vote for Hoki, and Punakaiki
At Punakaiki we stayed at Hydrangea cottages, just above the hotel on the beach, if the weathers is good you can join the locals swimming in the river just behind the stable, about 500yrds south of the hotel. The river slows right down, and if the weather is sunny the water is quite warm after running over the rocks upstream.

[Nienke]

Heya Nienke,
We are going on the ferry as well on the Sunday before Xmas - we might catch up on the ferry? We take the 10:30am one.
Cheers
Anita

Helaas! We are taking the 8.25 am one! We are staying at the top 10 hutt park in Wellington saturday-sunday night as we're driving down on saturday. We might catch up there? When will you be in Wellington?

[Nienke]

The nice campsite in Hokitika was fully booked and I didn't really fancy the other one, so we're going to do Westport first for 2 nights, and then stay 4 nights at the Franz Josef glacier. After that we'll just go where we want to.
Just 4,5 weeks and we're off!