This is an itinerary for a two-week trip to the South Island of New Zealand.

Understand

Prepare

Get in

  • The starting point is at Christchurch, which has the major airport on the South Island
  • Go/Drive

  • Visit '''vineyards''' near Blenheim.
  • Go '''whale watching''' in Kaikoura.
  • Kaikoura accommodation: [http://www.kaikouratop10.co.nz Kaikoura Top 10 Holiday Park] [http://www.thefairways.co.nz Luxury Accommodation at The Fairways] [http://www.alpine-pacific.co.nz Alpine Pacific Holiday Park]
  • Backtrack to the beaches of Nelson and Golden Bay. In Nelson, visit the galeries, take part in a creative workshop, learn about the local gourmet products: wines, oils, fruit and seafood.
  • Travel down the west side of the Southern Alps to Greymouth and Hokitika for greenstone (jade). Stop off and watch the blowholes spout at Punakaiki if the tides and sea are right.
  • Travel further south down the West Coast to Franz Josef and Fox '''glaciers'''.
  • Continue past '''primeval forests''' to Haast.
  • Cross the Southern Alps via the Gates of Haast or, for the hardier types, the Hollyford track.
  • Do all the adventure activities and skiing in Wanaka and Queenstown.
  • Or perhaps take a day trip to cruise on Milford Sound - take the bus and enjoy the scenery - or fly there if you are in a hurry.
  • A quick trip to Te Anau is in order and visit the underground Manapouri power station that any Bond villain would love. ("Sound of Silence".)
  • Drive to Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula to meet seals, sea lions, penguins and albatross.
  • Make a short stop at Moeraki and take a walk up the beach to see big round boulders emerging from the cliff.
  • Pass through Oamaru and detour inland past the dams and man-made lakes to Omarama and through the Mackenzie country to Twizel to see Mount Cook. Press on to Lake Tekapo and the '''Church of the Good Shepherd''', then on through Fairlie to Timaru.
  • Stay safe

    Get out

  • Travel up to the Canterbury Plains for souvenir shopping in Christchurch and catch your flight home. If you can bring yourself to leave, of course.