[Smiler]

Ok folks, say we have 5-7 days to spend on the SI.

Where are all those little hidden gems to see? ;)
What's a must see?
Where's the best places to stay with a proper bed?
Where can we go whale watching or swim with dolphins?:D

We've not been to SI yet and would appreciate some help please, so that we can plan our trip rather than doing the usual 'wing it' job.:exit

No time for answers on a post card though as I need to get booking.

Thanks in advance. for all your help.

[Moorf]

I'll catch you on MSN. :D

[sizzlingbadger]

My in laws had three weeks recently touring the SI.

Kaikoura for the whale watching is a must. Trip to Doubtful Sound rather than Milford Sound.

If you fancy a bungy jump then the highest one in the world can be found in Queenstown. My father in law at 58 had the courage to jump, I think, 140 metres :exit No way I would do that.

The glaciers are another must see but the better vantage point would be a helicopter ride over them.

A meal at the top of the gondola in Queenstown is apparently the top thing to do, I think they said it was about $30 each for a buffet meal and you get a fantastic view of Queenstown at night.

[Singel]

A meal at the top of the gondola in Queenstown is apparently the top thing to do, I think they said it was about $30 each for a buffet meal and you get a fantastic view of Queenstown at night.
Gondola & Buffet Lunch = $50 per adult, $24 per child

Gondola & Buffet Dinner = $64 per adult, $31 per child

[Avalon]

I just loved Wanaka - about an hour north of queenstown over the hill (though not as daunting a hill as the Rimutakas if I remember rightly). Theres actually quite a bit to do there - it offers a lot of the same things that queenstown does without the "touristy" bit. But I have to say we spent most of our time there chilling by the lake.

Mum and dad are raving about Abel Tasman near Nelson. They absolutely adored thier 4 days and have recommended we go ourselves. They stayed at Kina Kolada which they dont recommend (mum still has the bites from that) and I think it was Paratane lodge which they loved (I can check if you need it).

Swimming with dolphins is something i would really recommend. We did it at Akaroa near Christchurch - but the water is murky there and its hard to see - so If I did it again - id definately go to Kaikoura.

Im also hoping to get to Hamner Springs and try the hot spa stuff there - Im a real fan of the Polynesian Spa in Rotorua and would love to try other places - but ive no idea whats it like. But I hear thats the place on SI for some pampering!

Hope you enjoy your trip!

[Bean]

Really liked the Catlins - quiet place, great beaches, off the beaten track.... and Stewart Island - kiwi spotting and very laid back........
Marlborough Sounds, water taxi out to a luxury hotel, out canoeing with dolphins playing around and eagle rays swimming below.........ahhh memories.......driving up the track to Mt Aspiring (from Glen Dubh outside Wanaka) through alpine meadows and then swimming under a waterfall (and then locking the keys to the car into the glove compartment....don't even ask).....

[sizzlingbadger]

Thanks for that Singel, I think I may have switched off at that point as they'd gone through their entire 3 weeks in about 2 hours :D

[k-k]

Hi Smiler

I took an unplanned trip to Hanmer Springs on my first trip here, when the weather was too bad for whale watching in Kaikoura. (the weather was the same as we're getting here at the moment and all the trips were cancelled). Sitting in the lovely hot spa pools looking out at the mountains, it was bliss. It's similar to the Polynesian Spa but the views are better.
Queenstown was good aswell and there's plenty to do there. I did the jet boat, helicopter to the top of the gondola and the gondola back down package, no bungy jumping though. A helicopter flight up to the top of the Franz Josef glacier was also memorable. Standing on pristine snow at the top enjoying the views.
I travelled around by bus and remember that some of the journeys were quite long so it depends how far you want to travel and how long you want in any place.
When are you planning to go? I was there around the end of March time and I just managed to stay ahead of the colder weather that was arriving. (until kaikoura that is).
We've also discovered that there are flights from Paraparam airport daily to Nelson and Blenheim for $215 return, so we might consider a quick trip over to SI sometime.

Karen

[lisa]

Akaroa is worth a visit, great views. penguin spotting and dolphin swims.
The tranzalpine train is also well worth a day of your time - the package from Christchurch to Lake Brunner and back is best - you dont miss much by avoiding Greymouth.
I would also say Wanaka is a must

[mossum]

Hi


Lisa - I'd agree totally about stopping at brunner - we did the tranzalpine in 1996 & My husband still rants about greymouth - lol .

My favourite place to go as a child was kaiteriteri , near nelson - We always used to go in march as it was cheeper & more quiet, I remember feeding eels by hand & visiting a beautiful natural although cold spring . Oh maruia springs(thermal ) near the lewis pass is cool too . Google maruia springs for the details .

vic