Intro from a Newbie (JHolmes)

[Swoop]

Welcome Jay!

My friend wants to go back to the Sth Island to do some hiking, mountains I think she said

Luckily the South Island has a couple of those...
Horrible place. Full of bendy roads and bugger all traffic.

[Bardman]

Weastcoast sth island is fantastic riding country, weather can be a bit dodgy tho.
Im up in nelson, we have some great roads in the area, the takaka hill is just magic, tight twisty corners.
The weather aint bad either, got some great tramping tracks too

[quickbuck]

As said... It is better to see the South Island (Main Land) by (motor)bike rather than foot....
Walking in the Alps is Really dangerous stuff!!!

Motorcycling is much safer.... and you are a little less likely to get a ride in a Helicopter (you really don't want to ride in them!)

As Sparky said too, try and get in on a Track Day. No Farmer Jones around the blind corner on his Massey Ferguson.....

Have a good trip over here.... Might see you around.