Touring SI with Dream Girl. Need advice

[3L4NS1R]

So I'm heading back down south (someone, please make a joke of that?) for the second time this year, this time with 4 wheels, and the girl of my dreams as company (she's back in NZ on holiday from Aussie).

What I need is advice from locals or people with specific knowledge of a few key areas as to where to stay each night/take her each day.

In particular, I need advice for the Nelson/Hanmer region, as I have only been there as a clueless 5 year old, and know nothing of it.

We are planning on camping/car camping most nights, to keep the prices down, so nice pretty places to wake up in would be an excellent plus (you know how girls get mushy when they wake up to that sorta stuff.)

Like most girls she likes sunrises/sunsets, scenic stuff, cute little animals, and heaps of money (planning on impressing with the first 2-3 items, 'cause the 4th is currently not viable).

Any suggestions? We have 7 days in the South Island.

[Tank]

Before we can offer fair, impartial and helpful advise - we need a pic of said missus.

[EJK]

Could hedgehogs be considered "cute little animals"? There are heaps of em in my backyard.

Sorry can't really help you but good luck and have fun

[yod]

Arthurs Pass -> (Devils) Punchbowl Falls

luvverly wee spot

[Virago]

As a "campaphobic", anything I could suggest will probably be over your budget.

However, a really extravagence in the Upper South Island area is a night at Maruia Springs. See posts 7 & 8 in this thread:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...52#post2005652

It ain't cheap, but I think it is well worth it.

[jim.cox]

Go camp on a west coast beach, light a bonfire and watch the sun go down...

[Beemer]

As a "campaphobic", anything I could suggest will probably be over your budget.

Yay, someone else who hates camping! Everyone thinks I'm odd because I've NEVER been camping (sleeping in a caravan at Sweetwaters is the closest I've ever got) but I know I won't like it so why bother!

Hanmer Springs is lovely - we stayed at a reasonably priced motel there - not all are hideously expensive.

Good luck, hopefully she'll be blown away by the scenery and you'll be sweet!

[Laava]

pretty places to wake up in would be an excellent plus (you know how girls get mushy when they wake up to that sorta stuff.).

I thought they only liked 5 star?
On 2nd thoughts, you better hang onto that one!

[Anarkist]

Put it in her pooper

[Laava]

Errr! Wrong forum? Did you mean to go here?http://dr1.com/forums/clown-bin/6732....html:buggerd:

[Goblin]

Yay, someone else who hates camping! Everyone thinks I'm odd because I've NEVER been camping (sleeping in a caravan at Sweetwaters is the closest I've ever got) but I know I won't like it so why bother!

I reckon you must be odd for saying you hate something you've never tried. There's nothing better than finding some out of the way spot where no one else is, setting up ya Taj Mahal (tent) and spending a night in the wilderness. Not everyone's cuppa T but you never know 'til ya try.

Take her over Takaka Hill to the salmon farm for lunch. You get to show her your manly skills at catching one and they smoke it right there in front of you. Yummmm!!

West Coast is always stunning(even when pissing down!). Take her gold panning and go see the glaciers.

I still get mushy when I think of waking up at Haast and Pukekura. There's deer and thar at Pukekura and you can hand feed them and eat them.

The only downside to touring the South is the ferry from Picton.

[sunhuntin]

if you can, go to wanaka and see if theres anywhere on the lake where you can camp. i really love the lakeside there, just picture perfect... its like a postcard you can actually touch and feel.

enjoy your trip matey... in the south island, its damn near impossible to go wrong scenic wise.

[Laxi]

Put it in her pooper

kb is full of helpful sugestions the best way to do this is the oops wrong hole routine, her reaction will have you amsed for hours

[RantyDave]

So I'm heading back down south ... with the girl of my dreams as company

Any suggestions?

Do exactly whatever the fuck it is you want to do. If you hit it off, sweet, it was obviously "meant to be"(tm). Otherwise, well, find a girl with an Aprilia.

Dave

[AllanB]

Take her over Takaka Hill to the salmon farm for lunch. You get to show her your manly skills at catching one and they smoke it right there in front of you. Yummmm!!

Yes sir - great set-up and oh soooo yummmy. I'll be back then in Jan with the family

Nelson way - Motuekua has a nice camp site, if it's fine Kaiteriteri Motorcamp is excellent - on the beach with Takaka a hour or so over the hill. north of Takaka is Pupu Springs - worth the short walk in.
These are fairly small towns but full of character.
While up that far go all the way to the top of the South Island (which is further north than the bottom of the North Island) If you have the time you can pay to go on a ride out to Farewell Spit - by all accounts well worth it and on my 'to-do-list'.

Of course the big smoke up there is Nelson and well serviced with motorcamps.

Weather can be dodgey at this time of year - take warm clothing.