Sightseeing between Christchurch and Queenstown? [Archive]

FJRider

15th June 2014, 22:18

The Hermitage at Mount Cook village. Follow the Canals (stop at the Salmon farm) from Tekapo to Lake Pukaki and then up the western side of the lake ... it's well sign posted.

The Canterbury plains are a little boring ... go Darfield-Geraldine for the scenic mountain views.

From Tarras go to (Lake) Wanaka ... and then over the Crown range via the Cadrona valley.

From Omarama to Queenstown .. you will wish you were on a motorcycle.

Back to Christchurch the better way ... via the Haast Pass.

Enjoy the trip.

Daffyd

15th June 2014, 22:20

Yup, that'd be about right.

FJRider

15th June 2014, 22:32

Sightseeing flights over Mount Cook from Tekapo airport (next to the main highway a few km's west of Tekapo) is well worth it for a GOOD look at the tallest hill in NZ. If the cloud isn't blocking the views.

As is the sightseeing flights into Milford Sound from Queenstown.

The Genorchy road is a nice drive to kill a few hours ... as is the drive down to Kingston. (check out the Kingston Flyer steam train)

Jantar

15th June 2014, 23:07

The Hermitage at Mount Cook village. Follow the Canals (stop at the Salmon farm) from Tekapo to Lake Pukaki and then up the western side of the lake ... it's well sign posted.

....
Genisis have closed the canal road off to through traffic. It is still open as far as the salmon farm, but I'm not sure from which end.

neels

15th June 2014, 23:19

Genisis have closed the canal road off to through traffic. It is still open as far as the salmon farm, but I'm not sure from which end.
Open from the lake pukaki end, no shop at the farm any more.

Sent from my electric telephone

ellipsis

15th June 2014, 23:47

...don't make plans and deviate from any made...:2thumbsup

JATZ

16th June 2014, 07:10

Genisis have closed the canal road off to through traffic. It is still open as far as the salmon farm, but I'm not sure from which end.

Take the Braemar rd instead :D. Next right after Mt. John observatory.

unstuck

16th June 2014, 07:16

. you will wish you were on a motorcycle.

Back to Christchurch the better way ... via the Haast Pass.

Enjoy the trip.

This.:2thumbsup

Grumph

16th June 2014, 07:18

Kickaha

16th June 2014, 18:14

Flying into Christchurch and driving to Queenstown
DRIVING? How far the mighty have fallen :whistle:

You all know that I only ride bikes. Always have, always will. Doing so in a cage driver world is a lifestyle choice for me. A lifestyle I will defend to my dying breath.

AllanB

16th June 2014, 18:29

The Tourists love the openness of the run up to and a bit beyond Tekapo - I find it somewhat ...... boring. THe lakes themselves are impressive as is the Mt Cook view on a good day.

In Omarama there is a cool nick-nack shop I always stop at and they have a catch your own Salmon farm now and they will smoke it for you. Yum. Also hot spas there.

I'd doing the trip next week, fairly long haul and if you don't have to be in Queenstown the same day do a stop on the way. There's not really a defined halfway point. Tekapo is OK but most stop there for petrol! They do have a ice rink down by the lake end. Twizel is prob the good mid-point but not a standout town. Omaramara is cool and has the above features. Wanaka is down the road and one of my fav South Isl towns.

unstuck

16th June 2014, 18:42

Luggate is a fairly happening little town on a friday night, so I hear.:killingme

If you do decide to do it in a couple of days instead of 1, a side trip to lake hawea for some garlic wedges for lunch is the go. :2thumbsup

Berries

16th June 2014, 19:06

I'd give Mount Cook a miss, long drive there and back to look at the base of a hill and then some cloud. I have been four times and still don't believe there is a mountain there. If you have not done the Crown Range then it is worth going via Wanaka to give it a go although you will wish you were on a bike so maybe it is a bad idea, especially when stuck being a rental car doing 70.

Get a photo of you both doing a brown eye next to the fruit in Cromwell if you go that way, it is compulsory. As is vomiting on the footpath outside the Lone Star, starting a fight at Ferg Burger and the new adrenaline fueled craze - Pissing in your own mouth in Queenstown. (http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/10160924/Nightlife-behaviour-labelled-abysmal)

Luggate is a fairly happening little town on a friday night, so I hear.:killingme
The Luggate pub is ace.

unstuck

16th June 2014, 19:13

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The Luggate pub is ace.

I thought it burnt down for some reason.:scratch: I bypass Luggate as much as possible by detouring through Hawea flat.:2thumbsup

Maha

16th June 2014, 19:18

Taking the misses to see the snow for the first time next month. Flying into Christchurch and driving to Queenstown. What's worth stopping to take a gander at on the way?

Come on Spanke, a car? seriously? :whistle:

JATZ

16th June 2014, 19:33

I'd give Mount Cook a miss, long drive there and back to look at the base of a hill and then some cloud. I have been four times and still don't believe there is a mountain there. If you have not done the Crown Range then it is worth going via Wanaka to give it a go although you will wish you were on a bike so maybe it is a bad idea, especially when stuck being a rental car doing 70.

Get a photo of you both doing a brown eye next to the fruit in Cromwell if you go that way, it is compulsory. As is vomiting on the footpath outside the Lone Star, starting a fight at Ferg Burger and the new adrenaline fueled craze - Pissing in your own mouth in Queenstown. (http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/10160924/Nightlife-behaviour-labelled-abysmal)

Taken from the article.....
Other incidents included a 25-year-old Australian man being arrested for urinating on a shop window and into his own mouth. He was charged with offensive behaviour

'nuff said :lol:

Oakie

16th June 2014, 19:40

Pretty much agree with what has been described. To be honest though, the best view of Mt Cook is from the end of Lake Pukaki on the dam (sorry, 'Control Structure'). Oddly, the closer to Mt Cook you get, the less of it you can see. (Trust me, I travelled there from Twizel to work there daily for 7.5 years.) If you do go to the Hermitage though, take lots of money. And say hi to the old girl for me.

Also, as you crest the final rise coming from Tekapo and Lake Pukaki comes into sight, you'll see the road winding before you around the lake shore and you WILL wish you were on a bike. You ain't human if you don't. I lived there for 15 years without a bike and always loved the look of that piece of road. When I finally got to ride it for the first time about 7 years ago, it nearly reduced me to tears. Nearest to heaven I'll ever get.

Apart from that, yeah, Geraldine - Farlie - Tekapo - Pukaki High Dam - Omarama - Tarras - Wanaka - Queenstown ... although Omarama - Cromwell - Queenstown is pretty good too. From Q/t, Milford Sound is a great trip but it does take a whole day there and back with boat trip in the middle.

Things to see? Cheesery shop in Geraldine (magnificent cheese and ice-cream)
Tekapo, Church of the Good Shepherd and the Mt John observatory (huge views of the MacKenzie Basin)
View of Mt Cook from the Pukaki High Dam

... and really apart from that, it's all great scenery (if you don't mind long stretches of dry scrubby land)

Virago

16th June 2014, 23:24

I'd give Mount Cook a miss, long drive there and back to look at the base of a hill and then some cloud. I have been four times and still don't believe there is a mountain there...

Pretty much agree with what has been described. To be honest though, the best view of Mt Cook is from the end of Lake Pukaki on the dam (sorry, 'Control Structure'). Oddly, the closer to Mt Cook you get, the less of it you can see...

Nah, you've just got to be there on the right day, especially this time of year...

unstuck

17th June 2014, 07:08

To be honest though, the best view of Mt Cook is from the end of Lake Pukaki on the dam (sorry, 'Control Structure').

Nah, helicopter from the from the coast is the way to go.:2thumbsup

SpankMe

17th June 2014, 09:16

unstuck

17th June 2014, 09:27

Where are the best pies sold?

Also I'm renting one of these. Never driven a 4x4, anything I should know?

Best pies are at Jimmys in Roxburgh, just a wee side trip.:2thumbsup

And that is not a 4x4, it is an allwheel drive tin can, dont be to tempted to go boulder hopping up any of the rivers. :crazy:

pritch

17th June 2014, 09:43

going up Mt John is a must. Good cafe at the top too.

But don't arrive in need of a pee, there can be seriously long queues.

ellipsis

17th June 2014, 10:10

Best pies are at Jimmys in Roxburgh, just a wee side trip.:2thumbsup

And that is not a 4x4, it is an allwheel drive tin can, dont be to tempted to go boulder hopping up any of the rivers. :crazy:

....it's a hire vehicle innit...;)

unstuck

17th June 2014, 10:23

....it's a hire vehicle innit...;)

True, but you still have to walk to find a willing farmer to tow you back to tarseal.:2thumbsup

Tazz

17th June 2014, 12:25

Thermal pools in Tekapo are noice, and Tekapo itself is pretty sweet scenery wise.

I quite like Arrowtown too for a bit of a wander.

And definitely the cheese shop in Geraldine that was mentioned. I still dream about the apple crumble ice cream.
Barkers have a good wee store there too that I never fail to buy in. There is a vintage machinery museum there or something too I think?

Squiggles

19th June 2014, 20:16

Best pies from Sheffield Pieshop (http://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Restaurant_Review-g657271-d3202885-Reviews-Sheffield_Pie_Shop-Canterbury_Region_South_Island.html) if you take the inland 'Scenic Highway' rather than SH1 via Ashburton on your way down.

We've taken a few visitors up to Erewhon station (http://www.erewhonhorsestud.co.nz/), amazing place. Go for a short trek on the clydesdales etc. Always have to ring in advance though as they might be working the station at the time.

Oakie

19th June 2014, 20:25

Nah, you've just got to be there on the right day, especially this time of year...

Yep. Great view of Mt Sefton (or is it Mt Wakefield?) and just a wee view of the top of Cook.

Oakie

19th June 2014, 20:27

And definitely the cheese shop in Geraldine that was mentioned. I still dream about the apple crumble ice cream. It's the Black Doris Plum flavour for me. I'll see your dream and raise you a wet dream! (Well, not quite,...)

Tazz

19th June 2014, 20:35

It's the Black Doris Plum flavour for me. I'll see your dream and raise you a wet dream! (Well, not quite,...)

Jeeze you could at least buy me a beer first :oi-grr:

One to try for next time though :D

FJRider

19th June 2014, 20:59

Thanks for the recommendations. But missing one bit of important info. Where are the best pies sold?

Also I'm renting one of these. Never driven a 4x4, anything I should know?

1. Keep an eye out for Bakery's in the small towns you pass through.

2. Find out HOW you put it into 4 wheel drive. Not all are all time four wheel drive.

3. You might like to check out Mount Hutt ski field (Darfield Geraldine) highway passes the entrance. It may not be open .. but they will have some snow to play in.

Gremlin

20th June 2014, 00:13

2. Find out HOW you put it into 4 wheel drive. Not all are all time four wheel drive.

In Spank's case, the Rav4 is all wheel drive and no switchable modes.

Big Dog

20th June 2014, 00:59

Thanks for the recommendations. But missing one bit of important info. Where are the best pies sold?

Also I'm renting one of these. Never driven a 4x4, anything I should know?

Contrary to most cars awd means under steer on the gas over steer off it.

The comparatively short wheel base should compensate for this a fair bit but if unfamiliar I would take her to a gravel car park or road and get accustomed to how it handles before you are 3 days walk from cellphone coverage.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

DMNTD

20th June 2014, 07:34

3. You might like to check out Mount Hutt ski field (Darfield Geraldine) highway passes the entrance. It may not be open .. but they will have some snow to play in.

Went skiing there last Saturday....absolutely mint. No chains were needed for the 4wds but if there's a serious dumping there are chains for rent on the access road

Robbo

20th June 2014, 08:03

[QUOTE=SpankMe;1130734409]Thanks for the recommendations. But missing one bit of important info. Where are the best pies sold?

Also I'm renting one of these. Never driven a 4x4, anything I should know?

Yep, watch out for campervans coming around corners towards you on your side of the road.
Otherwise have a great trip. South Island is awesome.

unstuck

20th June 2014, 08:03

In Spank's case, the Rav4 is all wheel drive and no switchable modes.

Thats why it is not a proper 4x4.:2thumbsup
Real 4x4,s have a stubby lever and MANUAL locking hubs.:whistle:

jim.cox

21st June 2014, 07:37

Thats why it is not a proper 4x4.:2thumbsup
Real 4x4,s have a stubby lever and MANUAL locking hubs.:whistle:

Bull shit - that's only a part timer.
Real four wheel drives are full-time with stubby lever to lock the centre diff...
https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/320390457.jpg

unstuck

21st June 2014, 07:53

Bull shit - that's only a part timer.
Real four wheel drives are full-time with stubby lever to lock the centre diff...

Seen plenty of them getting towed out by nissans and toyotas.:msn-wink:

Full time is fine if you have shares in a fuel company, if you plan to do a lot of touring.:bleh:

FJRider

21st June 2014, 17:56

Bull shit - that's only a part timer.
Real four wheel drives are full-time with stubby lever to lock the centre diff...

That's OK .. but with only Highway tyres fitted ... ;)

It's not even as posh as a Range rover ... :lol:

Supermarket (and school) car parks are notoriously difficult to get into and out of though ... :whistle:

mada

22nd June 2014, 18:10

If you get spare time after exploring the deep south go to Hanmer Springs about 1 1/2hrs north of Chch - the hot pools should be nice in the chilly weather.

FJRider

22nd June 2014, 18:14

If you get spare time after exploring the deep south go to Hanmer Springs about 1 1/2hrs north of Chch - the hot pools should be nice in the chilly weather.

The Hot pools at Maruia Springs on the north side of the Lewis Pass are of better quality ... and not so busy.

AllanB

22nd June 2014, 19:37

The Hot pools at Maruia Springs on the north side of the Lewis Pass are of better quality ... and not so busy.

Bloody sand flies though .......:crazy:

FJRider

22nd June 2014, 19:44

Bloody sand flies though .......:crazy:

They can't swim well though ... <_<

merv

22nd June 2014, 19:44

Thanks for the recommendations. But missing one bit of important info. Where are the best pies sold?

Also I'm renting one of these. Never driven a 4x4, anything I should know?

http://www.gorentals.co.nz/i/cars/GO RENTALS GROUP 6 VEHICLE PHOTO.jpg

I've hired a few of these and they are actually pretty good in the rough and have good grip. They have a centre diff lock button but you will find it doesn't work over about 40km/hr so if you are on snow and want decent traction just don't go too fast. You'll know when it drops out because the indicator light for it goes out.

In Spank's case, the Rav4 is all wheel drive and no switchable modes.

See comment above, all the ones I've hired have been full time 4x4 with a centre diff lock button. What the RAV4 doesn't have is low range lever or button.

merv

22nd June 2014, 19:57

The Genorchy road is a nice drive to kill a few hours ... as is the drive down to Kingston. (check out the Kingston Flyer steam train)

If you do the Glenorchy Road I always reckon its worth the drive to Kinloch and then along the Greenstone Station road if its the countryside you want to see, and also go around to where the Routeburn track starts - good views of mountains around there.

Don't worry about the Kingston Flyer it hasn't run for a while, unless you are keen to see parked up steam engines slowly deteriorating. The whole thing is for sale if you have a few spare mil.

Also on the way home do what all bikers do and go via St Bathans and the Vulcan pub and then over the Danseys Pass.

AllanB

22nd June 2014, 21:57

Don't worry about the Kingston Flyer it hasn't run for a while, unless you are keen to see parked up steam engines slowly deteriorating. The whole thing is for sale if you have a few spare mil.

Shit that's a shame. A few times over the years I've been on a m/cycle riding along next to it bellowing out smoke.

Funny old country - we will spend a fortunate up-keeping some crazy designers public loos but let the flyer rot. :facepalm: