New Zealand South Island

fatbobbutler

I am about to head off to New Zealand for a month and am spending all my time in the South Island.

Has anyone got any tips? I like going to places where not many people know about, so are there any little 'not to be missed' places?

Cheers in advance

Lizalu

Afraid I can't help you - but would love to hear any tips as am heading there myself in February.

How are you travelling around South Island? Campervan?

blocko

South Island is by far the best part of NZ!

I spent a week there travelling from Christchurch, across to Greymouth, then down to the glaciers and Queenstown then on to Milford Sound.

I would recommend the following places that we loved....

Viaduct on the Arthurs Pass road (great little viewpoint and loads of Kea Mountain Parrots that just cracked me up!)

Pancake rocks (just north of Greymouth)

Greymouth Beach (fantastic at sunset.... big pebbled beach)

Franz Joseph Glacier (highly recommend climbing the glacier face ..... unforgetable)

Glow-worm forest in Franz Joseph (on the left just a few hundred metres as you drive south out of the town)

Viewpoint / forest walk just outside of Fox Glacier (marked on maps, best done early in morning)

Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound (the latter is less well known but better)

Enjoy

thecheetah

Did the south island only myself, winter 06. Still dream about it even now!

We found that a car from ACE rentals and using hostels was the cheapest way to do it. The cars aren't the newest though. The hostels are really great, we were very impressed.

My tip for a little known place is Wharariki Beach near Farewell Spit. It's at the very north of the south island down a gravel road but it's incredibly beautiful. Sand dunes, wind sculpted rocks and plenty of seals. Beautiful and free!

blocko

Forgot to add.... we hired a campervan from Britz at Christchurch airport. All done over the phone and internet a few months before. Very easy and helpful. EXCELLENT and CHEAP!!!

Lizalu

I'm going with my OH for about a monthy, we will be visiting north island as well as we both have family there. Have been looking at campervans but my friend recommended http://www.spaceships.tv/ to me - they're a bit cheaper than Britz and drive very easily apparently.
We will be staying in hostels/hotels sometimes too.

[Deleted User]

Hi fatbobbubler,
if you have time to stay in Christchurch for a day or 2 then you should go to Sumner - a little village at the outskirts of Christchurch. Very nice beach, restaurants and general good place to be. A beautiful town on the Peninsula is Akaroa, but its not a secret tip, many people go there. Find the B&B on the hill, you can do a walk there and have a great coffee.

puffinmuffin

I second Doubtful Sound, I went on a kayak trip there and it was so tranquil, it's a lot less accessable than Milford so there are few boats. Te Anau is a good base from which to explore Fiordland. The area around Queenstown is stunning too.

rich_45

thecheetah wrote: »

My tip for a little known place is Wharariki Beach near Farewell Spit. It's at the very north of the south island down a gravel road but it's incredibly beautiful. Sand dunes, wind sculpted rocks and plenty of seals. Beautiful and free!

Yes Golden Bay is a really nice area. I spent a year in NZ a couple of years ago and had an amazing time...the South Island is stunning! Have a look at my journal if you want: www.travelpod.com/members/rich

I recommend doing the Queen Charlotte walk...a short boat journey from Picton will take you to the start. You can then do the full 3/4 day walk and stay in beautiful accommodation en route, or simply do it as a daytrip (the boat will pick you up in the afternoon and return you to Picton).

A month is a nice amount of time to do the South Island. You won't be rushing and you'll still be able to do a big loop and see some beautiful scenery...

Have fun!

davidlizard

Viewpoint / forest walk just outside of Fox Glacier (marked on maps, best done early in morning)

This may be Lake Matheson. You get there at silly o'clock and if lucky, you can catch it for the few minutes after sunrise before the wind picks up just enough to put ripples on the lake. When the water is still, you get some spot on pictures of the lake with Mounts Cook and Tasman reflected in it - see the attached Wiki link. When you arrive, go anticlockwise round the lake - the signs tend to take you clockwise.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Matheson

Another place for a novelty if you go that way: Baldwin Street in Dunedin. Drive up it, walk down it, etc.

And these - between Christchurch and Dunedin:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moeraki_Boulders
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldwin_Street,_Dunedin

katiep_2

We stayed overnight in a "unique" place called Barrytown, just near Greymouth. Nicknamed "Baz Vegas!" Not exactly the centre of civilisation, but very friendly locals! (Watch out for Jimmy on the pool table!) You can also do bone carving and knife making there. well worth it.

Also worth a visit, just south of Queenstown is Glenorchy. It's the most beautiful area. I went on a full day horseride and it has to be one of the highlights of my rtw trip. I also heard a rumour that there is a place further into the wood that is just a log cabin. You get given a bundle of wood and that's about it! Not everyone's cup of tea, but my idea of paradise!!!