Wise ones down south. questions.

**Ripperjon** · 19th September 2008, 20:44

Skippers is a great drive. Awesome scenery. Don't go after the rain though cos it turns into a bloody nightmare of mud trenches from four by fours ferrying mountain bikers and rafters down there and back up every day. You're not supposed to take rental cars in there, but so long as it's dry (and you're not a shit driver!) it's fine. It's steep, narrow and gravely... but fine.

Go out to Glenorchy while you are in the Queenstown area. So many people miss it out and it's an awesome drive and a nice little town. You'll wish you were on your bike though. You can do a jetboat safari out there which is not like the shotover jet in town but more of a tame site-seeing trip with a bit of a gentle guided walk into the forest as well. Also, the horse-riding trips are awesome out there. You don't need any experience to do them. My folks are prob. in the old fart category and they loved it.

As for other 'animals'. Deer park heights is a nice short drive up one of the hills just outside queenstown where there is an animal reserve and one of the best views you'll get of the Wakatipu. It's $20 per car to go up there which goes straight back to DOC. It's worth it.

There is a nice place to stay in Queenstown called Turner Lodge. Which is like a cross between a hostel and a motel. They don't let young goups stay there so it is nice and quiet and relaxed and right in town. It's where recommended my folks stay when they came over from the UK on holiday.
They've re-booked there twice since.

I would agree with coming down (or going up) the west coast. It's amazing. Plan to stay the night at one of the glaciers. Both are worth a look. And make the effort to see LAke Matheson just slightly out of the way at Fox glacier for one of the best views you'll see.
Get a quesadilla from the saloon at Fox, or one of their massive steaks.

That said, the inland scenic route is not to be missed. Lake Tekapo and Pukaki being some of the places you'll stop for about 6 million photos.

I'll have a brainstorm and post some more stuff when i think of it.

**puddytat** · 19th September 2008, 21:17

When your heading down the Buller Gorge keep an eye out for the Buller Gorge swingbridge,its the longest in N.Z.
Just tell the office folk youR a friend of mine (Clynt), from up Nth & they'll let you thru for free & "may" give ya's a free ride on the flying fox....
Its a pretty cool place.

**martybabe** · 21st September 2008, 22:12

Originally Posted by Ripperton

I'll have a brainstorm and post some more stuff when i think of it.

Crikey, ya put some work in there, thanx for all the info.I'm gonna print off this thread and take it with me, I'll never remember all this good advice.

It's beginning to sound like I'll need six months to do it properly.

**FJRider** · 21st September 2008, 22:26

I've been down here 15 years... still haven't done it all... it'll be here for a while, no rush...

**martybabe** · 21st September 2008, 23:17

Originally Posted by FJRider

I've been down here 15 years... still haven't done it all... it'll be here for a while, no rush...

It will be mate but I'm not sure how much longer I've got.

**pritch** · 22nd September 2008, 10:57

Marty

I mainly used the Top 10 holday parks when I went around last year. Hanmer and Franz Joseph are highly recommended. The only one I didn't totally like was Oamaru. There is a map on the website www.top10.co.nz but you can pick up a free map from the Princes St Top 10 in Fitzroy. There isn't much detail but it's OK for planning a trip.

You're gonna be pissed off at not being on a bike when you see the roads down there but at least you'll be able to check out the scenery properly...

**martybabe** · 22nd September 2008, 11:14

Originally Posted by pritch008

Marty

I mainly used the Top 10 holiday parks when I went around last year. Hanmer and Franz Joseph are highly recommended. The only one I didn't totally like was Oamaru. There is a map on the website www.top10.co.nz but you can pick up a free map from the Princes St Top 10 in Fitzroy. There isn't much detail but it's OK for planning a trip.

You're gonna be pissed off at not being on a bike when you see the roads down there but at least you'll be able to check out the scenery properly...

Thanks mate, I will indeed miss the bike but the compensation is, I'll be with my best pal and if the bride likes it, which I'm sure she will, we'll go down on the bike next year.

Top ten sure seems like the way to go eh.

Cheers.

**helenoftroy** · 22nd September 2008, 21:44

When in Christchurch hope you lot can come visit me,would be great if you could......

Akaroa is definitely a nice drive from here,and you, dear martybabe will buy me coffee.....right???

How many of yous are there?

**martybabe** · 22nd September 2008, 22:41

Originally Posted by helenoftroy

When in Christchurch hope you lot can come visit me,would be great if you could......

Akaroa is definitely a nice drive from here,and you, dear martybabe will buy me coffee.....right???

How many of yous are there?

Aw honey, youz gonna get the bestest coffee money can buy, might even stretch to cake if you can make the weather behave. There's me and the bride and my mate and his bride, or I could just have said 4 couldn't I.

Can't wait.

**ynot slow** · 25th September 2008, 21:43

Enjoy the trip,call in when passing either to or from the trip,Palmy is a good stop from New Plymouth and slightly off main route to Wellington if going on the early ferry sailing,likewise on the return journey a good stop if leaving Wellington around 7.00pm,only 2&3/4 hour(235km)to NP the next day.

**martybabe** · 27th September 2008, 23:17

Originally Posted by ynot slow

Enjoy the trip,call in when passing either to or from the trip,Palmy is a good stop from New Plymouth and slightly off main route to Wellington if going on the early ferry sailing,likewise on the return journey a good stop if leaving Wellington around 7.00pm,only 2&3/4 hour(235km)to NP the next day.

Will try to Tony, thanx for the offer, more likely on the way back mate.

**martybabe** · 3rd October 2008, 17:36

Does any one know of a good campervan hire company that works out of Blenheim, I keep hitting a brick wall on the interweb.

I put in, campervan hire in Blenheim and all the responses come back 'campervan hire Blenheim to Blenheim' where would you like to pick up your van Aukland or Christchurch?

Please help before I go even more insane.