bristolchai

Hello everyone,

I’ve been reading old posts with similar titles and have noted some extremely helpful comments and feedback on those, so I’m hoping to get similar input here. My husband, 2-year-old, and I will be spending 3 weeks on the South Island of New Zealand this January. I know, it’s coming up, and we need to get accommodations now. We just didn’t have the time off approved until now.

A little about us: we love all outdoors activities. My husband and I are experienced hikers and have some trail/ultra running experience as well. Of course, with a toddler in tow, our hiking/trekking looks different now. My husband and I plan to take some turns watching the toddler while we set off on our own runs/longer hikes. With our toddler, we can do shorter hikes, esp as we have a decent Osprey backpack carrier. We’d ideally like to spend at least 3 nights, preferably 4-5 in any given area (just because it’s harder to re-locate with a toddler too often) so want to prioritize places that have lots to do from a decent base.

These are the areas we’d like to visit: Te Anou, Queenstown, Wanaka, Mount Cook Area, Glaciers (eg Fox) - so more west coast and south. I do want to do some day hikes on Routeburn and Kepler tracks (out and back portions) so looking at spending some decent time in Te Anou.

My questions are:
1. Where should we fly into? We’re based in Melbourne right now so not too far away compared to some visitors!
2. What route would you recommend? I’m having trouble figuring out what best driving route (we will rent a car) which I guess depends on where we fly into.3. And then based on the route, how may days would you recommend in each place? E.g. is 5 nights too much for Te Anou or Queenstown? Looks like there’s lots to do (hiking wise) from either or both of these.

Thank you thank you so much!

Melnq8

I suggest you fly into and out of Christchurch, which will enable you to make a quasi loop, covering the areas you're interested in. It's near impossible to fit in both the West Coast and the inland route (Mt Cook) unless making a loop of sorts.

I suggest something like this:

Arrive CHC
Drive to Mt Cook (about four hours)
Drive Mt Cook to Wanaka (about 2.5 hours)
Drive Wanaka to Te Anau (about 3 hours - base for Kepler track)
Drive Te Anau to QT or Glenorchy (access to Routeburn Track)
Drive QT/Glenorchy to Fox/Franz Glaciers (this can take much longer than the advertised four hours, I'd allow the better part of a day to allow for stops enroute).
Drive Fox/Franz to CHC (5-6 hours from Franz)
Depart CHC

Or do it all in reverse - for this you'd drive from CHC to the West Coast via Arthur's Pass and then return to CHC via the inland route (Mt Cook).

No, five nights isn't too much for QT or Te Anau...three nights is probably sufficient for the glaciers, which will give you two full days, one full day each for Franz and Fox, but really how much time you need depends on your travel style and how much hiking you want to to.

bristolchai

Hi Melnq8 - Thank you so much for your response! I have actually been reading and making notes from your comments on other people’s itineraries over the past 10+ years and was hopeful you would respond, so thank you! Could you please take a look at what I’m proposing, in particular:

1. Is there a good place to stay between CHC and Mt Cook area if we want to split that drive up? For instance, I think I remember you suggesting Geraldine?
2. At the end of our trip, driving Fox/Franz to CHC is a long day with a toddler - is there some sort of place to stop midway and spend the night that you can suggest?
3. Would you suggest doing Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound from Te Anau? I might be too late to book…not sure. And would you suggest staying in either of those areas or overnight cruise?

Here’s what I have for now pending my questions above:
Day 1: Fly to Christchurch and spend the night there

Day 2: Drive to Geraldine and stay the night there??

Day 3: Continue the drive to Mount Cook and stay there

Day 4: Stay in Mount Cook

Day 5: Stay in Mount Cook

Day 6: Drive to Wanaka and stay there

Day 7: Stay in Wanaka

Day 8: Stay in Wanaka

Day 9: Stay in Wanaka

Day 10: Drive to Te Anau

Day 11: Stay in Te Anau

Day 12: Stay in Te Anau

Day 13: Stay in Te Anau

Day 14: Drive to QT or Glenorchy

Day 15: Stay in QT/Glenorchy

Day 16: Stay in QT/Glenorchy

Day 17: Stay in QT/Glenorchy

Day 18: Drive to Fox/Franz and stay there

Day 19: Fox/Franz

Day 20: Fox/Franz

Day 21: Stay somewhere between Fox/Franz and CHC?

Day 22: Return to Christchurch and overnight there

Day 23: Depart Christchurch for Melbourne

Thank you again for your feedback!

Melnq8

Yes, I like Geraldine as an overnight option, especially if one is trying to get on their way from Christchurch towards their first 'destination', yet break up the trip for whatever reason. We've often done this.

We've also stayed in Waipara when heading north, and elsewhere when taking the long route west, but that won't apply in your case.

From Franz/Fox to CHC you might consider staying in Hokitika, but it's only about 90 minutes from Franz, so doesn't help much. Greymouth is a possibility - we've done this a few times. Greymouth is about two hours from Franz. Or Arthur's Pass, which is about three hours from Franz. Not much in Arthur's Pass and accommodation is very limited, but we stayed here once for a few nights to check out the hiking.

Another option - and this is a bit of a detour - is to head from Franz to Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks). This is about a three hour drive from Franz, and a good option for an overnight. It'll enable you to squeeze in a bit more sightseeing. The next day the drive from Punakaiki to Christchurch would be about four hours - you could either backtrack to Arthur's Pass then head to CHC from there (about 3:45) or cross over at Lewis Pass (I'll have to check distance).

I absolutely suggest doing Milford or Doubtful from Te Anau, and yes, I strongly suggest at least two nights in Te Anau (we've often spent four). If you're asking me which one to book...you can book a Milford cruise a day or so in advance (we've often turned up without a booking, but in low season), whereas in January, you'd probably need more lead time for Doubtful. We booked Doubtful a day ahead once as we were watching the weather, but it was off season.

Honestly, I wasn't gobsmacked with Doubtful Sound, which is a long day, but part of that might have been due to the crappy weather. I'm glad we did it, but once was definitely enough for us, whereas we've taken Milford cruises many times. I've never taken the overnight cruise, so can't help with that.

I think your itinerary looks good - personally, I'd skip Christchurch and head to Geraldine (unless you get in late from Melb). In any case, I'd do one or the other, not both. Either a night in Christchurch upon arrival or that night in Geraldine.

bristolchai

I thought I replied but I’m not sure if it went through so trying again (but if there are two posts from me, then that’s why!). Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback and advice. We’re going to skip Geraldine and just spend the night in Christchurch and pick up the rental car in the morning. And then I just need to do a little research on the options you suggest for a stopover between the glaciers and CHC. But otherwise, I’m feeling confident in our itinerary and have started to book accommodations/Airbnbs depending on the area. THANK YOU AGAIN!

Melnq8

Happy to help. Have a great trip, and be sure to report back!