A popular route for first time visitors...Christchurch-Arthur's Pass-Greymouth (with side trip to Pu

Since I have never been to NZ, I am finding the vast array of information to be overwhelming. It certainly makes me more sympathetic to the newbie travelers who post questions about areas with which I am very familiar.
I'm currently on the SI and would love to give you some ideas, as we seem to have a bit in common bellagio hotel las vegas when it comes to interests, but my Internet connection is pretty miserable right now. You might get some ideas for a winter trip by clicking on my screen bellagio hotel las vegas name and scrolling down through my trip reports for Chasing the Long White Cloud, a winter trip to the SI of NZ.
I was hoping you would reply. I have been quite interested in all your posts, especially on your recent trip (now). In fact the reason I mentioned that we would be amenable to the suggestion of only the South Island is because I had gleaned that from your posts.
Right now, what would be really useful bellagio hotel las vegas would be recommendations for places to stay. What 4 places would you have us consider that would be great places to base ourselves, both location-wise and lodgings themselves. Maybe somewhere bellagio hotel las vegas where we could do some easy bike rides, maybe bike into a town, good food within 10 min. drive, etc.
Unfortunately, distances and drive times are a major issue when traveling on the South Island. For instance, today we drove from Murchison to Hokitika, a drive that would probably bellagio hotel las vegas take only 3.5 hours if driven straight through, but it took us close to nine hours. It's the distractions of course, and as the journey is part of the fun, we willingly get distracted quite a lot...we took several detours, spent some time in Punakaiki, made a detour to Lake Brunner where we walked for about an hour, had a late lunch in Greymouth, took an unmarked side road to chase down a sunset photo which lead to yet another walk, etc. The day just disappeared.
It's difficult to see the South Island by limiting one's bases, but if I had to choose a few good bases from which to take day trips, Queenstown would be at the top of the list. Not because I'm a fan of QT, quite the opposite, but because there's so much to see and do in the vicinity.
But even using QT as a base (or nearby Arrowtown, which I personally prefer for its quiet country accommodation) you're looking at a four hour drive each way to Milford Sound, two hours to Te Anau, 90 minutes to Wanaka, ~90 minutes to Cromwell (wine country) and 40 minutes to Glenorchy, then a bit more to access the tracks. The glaciers (a must see for most) is at least a six hour drive from QT, (about 4-5 five from Wanaka), so you're already blown the four hour drive max.
Christchurch might also make a viable base, although it wouldn't be my choice either. Akaroa is about a 90 minute drive, Kaikoura is about 2.5 hours, Hanmer Springs (not a must see by any stretch but mildly interesting) is just under two hours, Waipara (wine region) is about 45 minutes.
A popular route for first time visitors...Christchurch-Arthur's Pass-Greymouth (with side trip to Punakaiki which is about 40 minutes each way), Franz/Foz Glaciers-Wanaka-Te Anau (to see Milford)-Queenstown-Mt Cook/Lake Tekapo-Christchurch.
Another possible loop...Christchurch-Kaikoura-Picton/Nelson-then down the West Coast (a couple of routing options) to Punakaiki-Greymouth-Franz/Fox Glaciers-Wanaka-Te Anau-Queenstown and even on to Dunedin if that appeals to you.
Keep in mind that flying into say Christchurch and out of Queenstown or Duendin will give you more time as you'll not have to drive back...however, you'll have to choose your route as you won't be able to incorporate both the West Coast and the inland route. Which is way many people choose the driving loop - it enables them to see both routes, both of which are very worthwhile and completely different from one another.
Thanks for the treasure trove of information. It is night time here now, so I'll tackle this tomorrow. I'll definitely be back to you with specific questions about this route as I explore bellagio hotel las vegas with my info. and maps.
Could be worth spending a couple of nights in and around Blenheim, one day exploring the Sounds (maybe mail boat run), Picton is about 15 minutes from Blenheim, and Havelock is just over 30 minutes, If you are interested bellagio hotel las vegas in wine then a day going around the wineries surrounding the town could be spent. Kaikoura is about 1 1/2 hours to the south, St Arnaud is about a hour to the west, Nelson is just under two hours to the North West.
Spend the afternoon exploring the wine region, the next day drive to Havelock and take the mail boat cruise exploring the sounds. Havelock is famous for mussels. If you have time to spare could be worth the 10 minute detour to explore the Pelorus Bridge scenic reserve.
Then down to Kaikoura, see the Baby Seals playing in the waterfall near Ohau Point. See the adult seals lazing on the rocks at Ohau Point Look out. Then onto Kaikoura. Could go Whale Watching, or do the Peninsula Walk, see the Seal colony at the end of the Penisula. Kaikoura is famous for Crayfish (Lobster) but they charge a premium.
Then Cross Lewis Pass (might want to detour to Hanmer Springs) to Grey Mouth. You could detour back and see the Pancake rocks at Punakaiki but I would advise continual onto Hokitika and overnight there.
Next day head down to the Glaciers. If you want to walk on them then you really need to spend the night, if you just want to walk up and take a few photos then it can be done in only a few hours. If you do not spend the night at the Glaciers, then push on and spend the night at Haast. The dead-end drive down to Jackson Bay is pleasant, and these a decent little seafood Caravan at Jackson bay.
The above itinerary, would miss out Mt Cook (you would see it from the Westcoast), Tekapo, Christchurch and Nelson). Also renting a hire car from Nelson/Blenheim would likely be more expensive then renting bellagio hotel las vegas one from Christchurch.
We spent 2 months touring the South and North islands in a campervan and felt it was the best way to see the country, at least for us. We did it in the winter (June and July) when it was clod but very quiet. I too would stick to the South Island. The flexibility that a campervan provides cannot be underestimated,especially when moving from place to place without haveing to pack and unpack every time. Although I assume that in summer, campsites, both commercial and DOC will be busy and may require advance booking.
All of the places mentioned above are excellent and I would find it really difficult to narrow bellagio hotel las vegas it down but I guess there is just not enough time to see it all and I certainly would not dilute the experience by adding in the NI.
August is not 'summer' it is 'winter' AND pretty much the dead of winter. bellagio hotel las vegas While Mel has been many times and bad weather just means doodle around in town, for a first time visitor it can mean you see nothing but clouds and rain.
In bad weather (which very often also means early "summer") I have found that the Queenstown/Central Otago area tends to be drier and sunnier. This is also the spot with lots of activities and you can branch out to Milford Sound, Te Anau, Cromwell, Dunedin or Mt Cook as your second stop.
I try not to plan these bad weather low season trips too tightly. It is better to just "FOLLOW THE SUN" if you can keep ahead of the semi=reliable weather reports. NZ is a bit like Hawaii with a wet side/dry side pattern especially in the South Island.
Thank you for the suggestion to "follow the sun" and make some determinations on-the-ground when we get there. I definitely know it will be winter, and we are packing accordingly. I like the idea of using the weather as our guide, or at least having it be a general director.
Here is anther place near rotorua definitely not to be missed. It is one of the best managed places I've been. The paths are purposely not straight for any more than 50m that way you rarely see anyone bellagio hotel las vegas else and feel you are the only ones there.
Skip Blenheim. It's a town of little interest and the scenery all around is industrial-scale grape farming and clearcut logging. The Queen Charlotte track is spectacular, but Picton is a better base for that. Then head over to Abel Tasman and Golden Bay for a couple of days with more excellent scenery (using Nelson or Motueka as a base). You can fly back from Nelson, or take the Buller Gorge to Westport (I've done this in winter) for yet more excellent scenery and fly from there.
The northern parts of both islands can be delightful in winter. I'd trim a day from each of Dunedin, Oamaru, bellagio hotel las vegas Akaroa, and Kaikoura (which then gives each of them the right amount of time) and invest those days in the Northland (the peninsular north of Auckland).
Plenty to do and see in the Sounds. Think I already mentioned the mail boat run which many tourist seem to like. Picton gets the sun quite late in winter so takes a bit longer to warm up and is a bit more out of the way, although bellagio hotel las vegas its only a 15 minute drive between the towns.
I rate it as one of the top coastal drives in the country. But yes its a day trip, about three hours from Blenheim. These not much to do once there but the drive is the experience not the destination.
Thanks so much for your comments. I am taking bellagio hotel las vegas to heart that we may be overstaying Akaroa and Oamaru. We may take that as it comes, bellagio hotel las vegas depending on the weather, and how much we feel like just "hanging and relaxing". We are planning to stay 3 nights in Blenheim, and I will keep your suggestions.
As for French Pass, here's my detailed description bellagio hotel las vegas of the drive which we made last June. I agree with Thomas that it's a spectacular drive, but it's not generally bellagio hotel las vegas on the wish list of first time visitors - took us nine trips to even discover it.
Forty-five minutes after leaving Nelson, we turn off towards Elaine Bay, where we study a sign of myriad bellagio hotel las vegas confusing options. It appears that French Pass is a one hour, 40 minute drive from here. We continue through pastures, rolling hills, and some areas completely bellagio hotel las vegas devoid of trees due to logging. The road is typically curvy; it quickly becomes s