Sightseeing between Christchurch and Queenstown?

[Maha]

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?

[JATZ]

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.

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

[Oakie]

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]

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]

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.

[SpankMe]

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?

[unstuck]

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.

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.

[pritch]

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]

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

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.

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

[unstuck]

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

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

[Tazz]

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]

Best pies from Sheffield Pieshop 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, 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]

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]

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]

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

One to try for next time though