Wise ones down south. questions.

[Winston001]

Head down the West Coast, visit the pancake rocks, Greymouth, Holitika through the Haast Pass to Wanaka, over to Te Anau do the road to Milford (the most scenic road in NZ) either do the milford boat trip or the Doubtful sound one (thats better as it also takes in Manapouri and the Hydro Station)........

Mmmm..... tourists rank Milford Sound as one of the world's best experiences and maybe its just because we live here but to me its only nice. Helleva long way from Te Anau - 150km plus return. Time is always a problem and I think driving down the West Coast gives a Milford-like experience. Do either/or.

The way to look at this is to consider what your friends like, and what will be new to them. Europe has lots of beautiful mountains. But open landscapes like the Mackenzie Country and the Maniototo can only be found in Spain. Also scenery can get boring. Experiences such as short walks, being on a farm, fishing boat, simply watching bungy jumping, these are much more fun than sitting in a car.

[scumdog]

The list is endless isn't it, thank you so much for your help.

Amazing info Winston, I think I love you. My friends are so straight laced, I feel a Scummy visit would possibly kill them.

Hey, c'mon dude, I'll wear clothes and everything!!!

But yeah, anywhere down here is worth a look, drop in and I'll give you a list of 'must see' places

[paulmac:Me]

Mate, bring a map to the gathering on the 20th and I'll point a few good routes out. Can bring photos if you want ! Not many parts of the south I haven't had a look at !

[martybabe]

Hey, c'mon dude, I'll wear clothes and everything!!!

But yeah, anywhere down here is worth a look, drop in and I'll give you a list of 'must see' places

Phew, good news about the clothes mate. never quite worked out where your bit of down there is.

Mate, bring a map to the gathering on the 20th and I'll point a few good routes out. Can bring photos if you want ! Not many parts of the south I haven't had a look at !

your on mate, of course my memory processes are infamous, so don't be surprised if I turn up with a Pak and save receipt instead,

[Bren]

Dont forget to visit Gore....just remember ya gotta squeal like a pig there

[FJRider]

Go online to Jasons Budget Accommodation. They list most of the cheaper places to stay. Most of the Backpackers have 2/4 person rooms available. The Southern Senic Route is a must...start to finish... in either direction. This means passing through "The Riveria of The South" (Balclutha). Milford Sound is also a must (take a rain coat). Everything in Queenstown is expensive, but worth a visit. The Glaciers on the west coast are worth a look. As is the Buller gorge, Lewis pass, Arthurs pass. Hamner springs, Kaikoura coast, Marlbrough sounds, Nelson/Motuaka, Golden bay area.

[kiwi cowboy]

Head down the West Coast, visit the pancake rocks, Greymouth, Holitika through the Haast Pass to Wanaka, over to Te Anau do the road to Milford (the most scenic road in NZ) either do the milford boat trip or the Doubtful sound one (thats better as it also takes in Manapouri and the Hydro Station) Back to Queenstown, Over to Dunedin and up the Coast to Christchurch, Go to Hamner Springs and back to nelson through the Lewis pass. If you have extra time go TeAnaua to Invercargill and Bluff and then up to Queenstown. OK you miss the central part of the island but you see the most beatiful areas.

hate to piss on your parade here murry but have you been through central? and if you have its only your opinion its not beutifull.
personaly i dont agree at all and theres nothing like say driving up the old dunstan road along the old great moss swamp witch is now a lake on a nice day

[FJRider]

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hate to piss on your parade here murry but have you been through central? and if you have its only your opinion its not beutifull.
personaly i dont agree at all and theres nothing like say driving up the old dunstan road along the old great moss swamp witch is now a lake on a nice day

And the really choice people that live here in Central ehh !!!!!
Makes it worth a visit...

[kiwi cowboy]

And the really choice people that live here in Central ehh !!!!!
Makes it worth a visit...

were on the same side for onceshhhh i wont tell anyone.
but i agree and i would offer a trip around a farm but not sure exactly how bizzy i will be

[TimeOut]

Ok Marty, it's a big place to visit. Some back-packers accommodation is pretty good with all age groups so don't be put off that - good way to meet other people too.

If you are starting in Picton then I'd suggest heading for Nelson and then the West Coast. Down to Queenstown, ride on the Earnslaw, drive up the Remarkables Ski Field road for a picnic and a walk at 6000ft. Might see some keas .

Take the ferry from Bluff across to Stewart Island, visitors enjoy going there. Take a tourist fishing boat trip - half day, simple, and enjoyable. These boats are modern and built for tourism.

Southern Scenic Route, nice drive through farmland, coast, and bush. Check out the petrified forest at Curio Bay - even more fun if there is a storm You might see penguins on the way.

Get arrested by Scummy at Balclutha (just a bit of local colour to tell their kids about), visit the albatross colony at Otago Peninsula, and drive through Middlemarch, Naseby and over the Dansey's Pass. The point of this is that the South Island has some vast empty landscapes which come as a surprise to people from large populations. Quite striking. Carry on through the Mackenzie Country to Christchurch and maybe check out Akaroa just for a nice spot to visit.

There are penguins in the Antartica Centre in Christchurch and for more exotic animals, Orana Park.

Over and above all of this, I'd recommend visiting a sheep farm if you can. Maybe somebody here can help. Mountains and landscapes are beautiful but many visitors seem to remember farm visits most strongly. Take them into a cowshed at milking time.

Hi
If you're going past Moeraki PM me and come and visit, we got Yellow eyed Penguins (better than the blues) both public viewing and a reserve set up on the farm. Plenty of sheep, fishing charters (heaps of blue cod) and the Moeraki bolders.

Hi Martin

You can't look past the Top 10 cabins dotted all round the south island - see http://www.top10.co.nz/. We always use them as they're immaculate and very sharp priced. You can either use sleeping bags or they will provide linen at a modest charge. Their website shows you the variety and location of their accomodation.

Not sure whether you've seen my south island tour report: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=52569 from last year, but that should help you with a few things to see and do. It's a paradise down there.

Cheers for now.

Geoff

If you get a Top 10 club card ($30) you get 10% off.

[martybabe]

Go online to Jasons Budget Accommodation. They list most of the cheaper places to stay. Most of the Backpackers have 2/4 person rooms available. The Southern Senic Route is a must...start to finish... in either direction. This means passing through "The Riveria of The South" (Balclutha). Milford Sound is also a must (take a rain coat). Everything in Queenstown is expensive, but worth a visit. The Glaciers on the west coast are worth a look. As is the Buller gorge, Lewis pass, Arthurs pass. Hamner springs, Kaikoura coast, Marlbrough sounds, Nelson/Motuaka, Golden bay area.

Loadsa useful stuff, thanks FJ, looks like I'm spoilt for choice, never a bad thing.

Hi
If you're going past Moeraki PM me and come and visit, we got Yellow eyed Penguins (better than the blues) both public viewing and a reserve set up on the farm. Plenty of sheep, fishing charters (heaps of blue cod) and the Moeraki bolders.



If you get a Top 10 club card ($30) you get 10% off.

Sounds like a good place. Thanx for the tip about the discount.

[FJRider]

Watch out for those little pubs on the south island west coast. There is a trick to getting past them without stopping... one I NEVER learned...bugger eh.
Wherer ever you go, there will be places you wont like. There will be places you will like. Such is the south. Enjoy your trip in the company of people, whose company you enjoy.
If you don't see it on this trip....it will be be there...still... on the next... HAVE FUN.

[Winston001]

And don't try to do too much. Many visitors find themselves driving fast from one place to another, to keep up with a timetable of "must do". That becomes exhausting and places begin to blur in the memory.

That is why I suggest Milford Sound might be just too far to be worthwhile - but hey, people love it too. An alternative is to drive into Skippers Canyon at Queenstown. You get mountain views, a scary 130yr old road, high country, remote but people around, really worth doing. Warning - rental cars not allowed on this road, but its well travelled every day.

Far better to concentrate your time in a few spots.

Timeout's suggestion of Moeraki is excellent - fishing trip, farm, penguins, nice spot right beside SH1......

[Murray]

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hate to piss on your parade here murry but have you been through central? and if you have its only your opinion its not beutifull.
personaly i dont agree at all and theres nothing like say driving up the old dunstan road along the old great moss swamp witch is now a lake on a nice day

Not lately, but have done the trip oh about a dozen times, love the roads into and past Tekapo. Geraldine and Fairlie are also favourite towns of mine. I agree with you BUT it all depends on timing and time constraints. If you don't want to do Dunedin and Oamaru then yes take the central road through the south island from Queenstown to Christchurch through the Lindis pass, Omarama and Twizel. It all comes down to whether you want to do Alexandra, Dunedin etc. God its all so beautiful down there and the roads are so good. Apart from the skippers canyon road (and thats another must see)which was pretty hairy scarey when I was down there.

[Winston001]

God its all so beautiful down there and the roads are so good. Apart from the skippers canyon road (and thats another must see)which was pretty hairy scarey when I was down there.

Yeah thats the point - the Skippers road is both beautiful and scary. Its well used though so even being remote, its safe - plenty of people around. And its only a few minutes from Queenstown.