Sightseeing between Christchurch and Queenstown?

[FJRider]

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?

1. Keep an eye out for Bakery's in the small towns you pass through.

2. Find out HOW you put it into 4 wheel drive. Not all are all time four wheel drive.

3. You might like to check out Mount Hutt ski field (Darfield Geraldine) highway passes the entrance. It may not be open .. but they will have some snow to play in.

[Gremlin]

2. Find out HOW you put it into 4 wheel drive. Not all are all time four wheel drive.

In Spank's case, the Rav4 is all wheel drive and no switchable modes.

[Big Dog]

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?

Contrary to most cars awd means under steer on the gas over steer off it.

The comparatively short wheel base should compensate for this a fair bit but if unfamiliar I would take her to a gravel car park or road and get accustomed to how it handles before you are 3 days walk from cellphone coverage.



Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[DMNTD:Me]

3. You might like to check out Mount Hutt ski field (Darfield Geraldine) highway passes the entrance. It may not be open .. but they will have some snow to play in.

Went skiing there last Saturday....absolutely mint. No chains were needed for the 4wds but if there's a serious dumping there are chains for rent on the access road

[Robbo]

[QUOTE=SpankMe;1130734409]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?


Yep, watch out for campervans coming around corners towards you on your side of the road.
Otherwise have a great trip. South Island is awesome.

[unstuck]

In Spank's case, the Rav4 is all wheel drive and no switchable modes.

Thats why it is not a proper 4x4.
Real 4x4,s have a stubby lever and MANUAL locking hubs.

[jim.cox]

Thats why it is not a proper 4x4.
Real 4x4,s have a stubby lever and MANUAL locking hubs.

Bull shit - that's only a part timer.
Real four wheel drives are full-time with stubby lever to lock the centre diff...

[unstuck]

Bull shit - that's only a part timer.
Real four wheel drives are full-time with stubby lever to lock the centre diff...

Seen plenty of them getting towed out by nissans and toyotas.

Full time is fine if you have shares in a fuel company, if you plan to do a lot of touring.

[FJRider]

Bull shit - that's only a part timer.
Real four wheel drives are full-time with stubby lever to lock the centre diff...

That's OK .. but with only Highway tyres fitted ...

It's not even as posh as a Range rover ...

Supermarket (and school) car parks are notoriously difficult to get into and out of though ...

[mada]

If you get spare time after exploring the deep south go to Hanmer Springs about 1 1/2hrs north of Chch - the hot pools should be nice in the chilly weather.

[FJRider]

If you get spare time after exploring the deep south go to Hanmer Springs about 1 1/2hrs north of Chch - the hot pools should be nice in the chilly weather.

The Hot pools at Maruia Springs on the north side of the Lewis Pass are of better quality ... and not so busy.

[AllanB]

The Hot pools at Maruia Springs on the north side of the Lewis Pass are of better quality ... and not so busy.

Bloody sand flies though .......

[FJRider]

Bloody sand flies though .......

They can't swim well though ...

[merv]

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?

I've hired a few of these and they are actually pretty good in the rough and have good grip. They have a centre diff lock button but you will find it doesn't work over about 40km/hr so if you are on snow and want decent traction just don't go too fast. You'll know when it drops out because the indicator light for it goes out.

In Spank's case, the Rav4 is all wheel drive and no switchable modes.

See comment above, all the ones I've hired have been full time 4x4 with a centre diff lock button. What the RAV4 doesn't have is low range lever or button.

[merv]

The Genorchy road is a nice drive to kill a few hours ... as is the drive down to Kingston. (check out the Kingston Flyer steam train)

If you do the Glenorchy Road I always reckon its worth the drive to Kinloch and then along the Greenstone Station road if its the countryside you want to see, and also go around to where the Routeburn track starts - good views of mountains around there.

Don't worry about the Kingston Flyer it hasn't run for a while, unless you are keen to see parked up steam engines slowly deteriorating. The whole thing is for sale if you have a few spare mil.

Also on the way home do what all bikers do and go via St Bathans and the Vulcan pub and then over the Danseys Pass.