Wise ones down south. questions.

[martybabe]

Hiya guys and Gals

In November 2008, I shall be embarking on my first ever trip around the south Island, It's gonna be in the car sadly but it's a holiday woohoo. I will be accompanied by a couple of friends from the UK and it will also be their first time, I am sooo looking forward to it.

There is of course touristy info available to me but nothing, nothing, compares to local knowledge and nobody knows a place better than bikers, so......

My biggest concern is accommodation, lets face it it's a money vacuum, can any of you nice peeps recommend a decent but reasonably priced, motel/hotel chain.

Secondly, what and where are the must do's, I doubt they'll be back again, so I'd love to show them the best of the country I love.

They are my oldest and dearest friends but it has to be said, unlike me they act their age so bungee jumping, camping and stuff is right out. I'm looking more at scenic drives, boat rides, small walks, animals, Defo Animals.

Any info you can send my way would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx, Martybabe and the old fart possie. x

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Any info you can send my way would be greatly appreciated.

Central Otago will give all the above... Southern Scenic Route... Milford Sound...

The list is endless...

[Taz]

When I did the south Island in Feb we mainly stayed in camp ground cabins. Cheap at 20-25 bucks a night with all camp amenities. Never booked in anywhere just turned up. We took our tents but the weather was too cold and wet for the 2 weeks we were down there. Or go thirds in a motorhome hire?

[Winston001]

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.

[Blackbird]

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

[blairh]

Bring some warm clothes! Dunedin is a great spot, make sure you spend a night or two here. If they're in to the scenic stuff, the Albatross colony here is pretty cool. Plenty of seals, penguins etc too.

DEFINITELY go down through the Catlins, there's really nothing like it.. and if you have time I'd spend a day or two on Stewart Island.. most people forget about it, but it's an awesome spot especially if you're in to a bit of outdoor life and tramping. If they're into birds etc you can't really beat it (or so my mum says!!)

Have an awesome trip, there's some great places down here.

[martybabe]

Central Otago will give all the above... Southern Scenic Route... Milford Sound...

The list is endless...

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

When I did the south Island in Feb we mainly stayed in camp ground cabins. Cheap at 20-25 bucks a night with all camp amenities. Never booked in anywhere just turned up. We took our tents but the weather was too cold and wet for the 2 weeks we were down there. Or go thirds in a motorhome hire?

That is defo the way I will be going, we've been looking at $300 pn, for 4 peeps.

Get arrested by Scummy at Balclutha (just a bit of local colour to tell their kids about),

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

Hi Martin



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

Just Awesome Geoff, exactly what I needed. Thanx Mate.

Have an awesome trip,

I will, thank you mate.

[Murray]

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.

[southernmike]

Spend the whole time in Oamaru. It rocks!

[nodrog:Me]

Spend the whole time in Oamaru. It rocks!

is that the place with the concrete sheep?

[southernmike]

is that the place with the concrete sheep?

Oamaru stone - we're still inventing cement

[nodrog:Me]

Oamaru stone - we're still inventing cement

nearly stayed there in '06, until we spotted the sheep, fucked if i was going to spend the night in a tent when even the sheep were petrified.

[martybabe]

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.

Excellent, thanks.

Oamaru stone - we're still inventing cement

love it

nearly stayed there in '06, until we spotted the sheep, fucked if i was going to spend the night in a tent when even the sheep were petrified.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Excellent, thanks

I would do the inland route to ChCh the canterbury plains can be a bit Beee Or Ring

[Murray]

I would do the inland route to ChCh the canterbury plains can be a bit Beee Or Ring

Depends on whether you go over to Dunedin or not. If you go to Dundin you can go back up north through Oamaru (Blue penguins and boulder rocks) and yes it can be a bit boring from there through to ChCh