[Spooky]

We were originally planning to spend our 10-day recce trip to NZ exploring the North, namely Auckland/ Bay of Plenty/ Rotorua and Waikato. But after seeing all these beautiful pictures of Christchurch, we told ourselves we HAVE to spend at least 1-2 days sampling the scenic side of NZ.

Looking for suggestions on the fastest way to get to the South from Hamilton/ Rotorua area, and also the quickest way to sample the South. I know it does little justice to Southerners (blush) but we only have 10 days in total.

We'll be there in March 2009. *help help*

[Moorf]

I guess the quickest way would be to fly... you could drive it but would take you (I'm guessing) around 1.5 days to drive Welly, get across on ferry and drive to Chch without being completely knackered and flying past loads of places en route that you simply can't miss (Marlborough Sounds/Kaikoura for instance).

So, if you flew down, you could take the Tranzalpine from Chch to Arthur's Pass on day one and then chill out in Chch on day two... unless you hire a car and go to Akaroa on day two... that's also a beautiful spot you just can't miss!!

You could also take the train from the ferry to Chch if you don't want to drive all the way...

[Spooky]

If there was an award for the *fastest fingers*, you'll win it a thousand times over :nice1. Thanks, Moorf, for always being ready to help.

Are domestic flights cheap? I reckon we could fly from Hamilton to Christchurch.

[lockstock]

If there was an award for the *fastest fingers*, you'll win it a thousand times over :nice1. Thanks, Moorf, for always being ready to help.

Are domestic flights cheap? I reckon we could fly from Hamilton to Christchurch.


Hamilton to Christchurch isn't cheap, I'm afraid. Auckland to Chch is $107 and upwards with Air New Zealand. Qantas isn't much better. But I have to say, i wish I'd invested in such a flight when i came here on my 10 day reccie last year.

[Spooky]

I'm only now worrying that I will be so smitten by the South that it becomes so much more difficult to decide where to settle down! Like what's happening to you now, lockstock ;).

I am now asking myself - can I make another recce trip to explore the South? Yes, I can. Can I afford it? Noooo....

[Moorf]

A quick squizz on Air New Zealand site and a search for flights from Hamilton to Chch (I used dates in March - midweek) comes in at $105 each way... that's not toooo bad. :cool:

The ferry from Wellington to Picton isn't terribly cheap either - it's about $150 each way with a car (from memory via online booking)...

[M-Squared]

If you can afford it and could spare the time, I'd take the Overlander train from Hamilton to Wellington. You see a ton of the scenery, then you get in at 7.25 at night, so crash there for the night and hop on the Interislander the next day.

I'm biased as we spent the time on the Overlander one day to get down from Auckland. Saw, of course, SO much of the scenery, don't regret taking that time at all. Only thing I regret was that (early April) it was dark by the time we got down to the Kapiti Coast. :(

Otherwise... just jump on a plane. :)

[BkyMonster]

We took the Tranzcoastal from ChCh to welly and I think it was only about 100 for each of us one way? it was about 8 hours of travel though. 5 on the train and 3+ on the ferry.
I feel a bit bad saying this but we weren't wowed by the scenery--not that it isn't gorgeous, but rather we hail from quite scenic parts and the south island looks fairly similar to Oregon in ways. I thought the Aussies on the plane pointing video cameras out the window at the pine trees were silly, but I guess if you aren't used to them they are nice.
Taking the train and ferry was a nice experience but i don't know that we will do it again. We plan to take the Tranzalpine someday though. As you'll be renting a car see if you can get another car for free with your agency on the other side of the ferry. Cheaper than paying to take it across!

We got decently priced domestic flights from Pacific Blue from Auckland to ChCh and Welly to ChCh and back again. One way GO! flights start around 60 I think?

[Andy-Dee]

You could fly into Auckland and out of Christchurch - the ticket price with Singapore Airlines is the same price as in and out of the same airport. You could drive / train / fly between the 2.

Also a friend of mine got a deal with AIR NZ who offer a free internal flight with a return flight from UK - dunno if its still available or if they also do other destinations.

[Flutterby]

i heard they do some fantastic helicopter tours, probably really expensive though!

[mylesdw]

We took the Tranzcoastal from ChCh to welly...

I feel a bit bad saying this but we weren't wowed by the scenery


That's fair comment; the east coast scenery is nice but not spectacular.

[Spooky]

You could fly into Auckland and out of Christchurch - the ticket price with Singapore Airlines is the same price as in and out of the same airport.

Our international flights can't be changed, unfortunately, as we got them at a special price.

But thanks all for your suggestions. Looks like this might be a plan (crazy as it looks)

Day 1: Auckland, Northshore Beaches (and meet friends)
Day 2: Auckland City
Day 3: Auckland, Drive to West Coast
Day 4: Drive to Coromandel
Day 5: Drive to Bay of Plenty
Day 6: Drive to Rotorua
Day 7: Explore Rotorua and drive to Hamilton
Day 8: Fly from Hamilton to Christchurch
Day 9: Explore Christchurch (Tranzalpine)
Day 10: Fly to Auckland

Day 11 onwards: recover from crazy itinerary. ;)

[benandclare]

Our international flights can't be changed, unfortunately, as we got them at a special price.

But thanks all for your suggestions. Looks like this might be a plan (crazy as it looks)

Day 1: Auckland, Northshore Beaches (and meet friends)
Day 2: Auckland City
Day 3: Auckland, Drive to West Coast
Day 4: Drive to Coromandel
Day 5: Drive to Bay of Plenty
Day 6: Drive to Rotorua
Day 7: Explore Rotorua and drive to Hamilton
Day 8: Fly from Hamilton to Christchurch
Day 9: Explore Christchurch (Tranzalpine)
Day 10: Fly to Auckland

Day 11 onwards: recover from crazy itinerary. ;)

Looking good and whilst you're in CHCH we could try and organise a drinks night if you like :cheers

[Moorf]

If I were you'd I'd also make an alternative list of those places you "could" drop off the list as it looks like a helluva itinerary, just one hiccup and you could be well out of kilter. Just a thought...