New Zealand in March
 

Hi All,

My wife and I will be touring the South Island for the first 2 weeks of March 2011. We're doing a counterclockwise route starting in Christchurch, north to Nelson, down the west side to Invercargill and then work our way back to Christchurch. It's not much time but this is our first visit and figured a quick look of would be best.

Anyone riding in the area? Would love to meet up for a drink and compare notes.

Australia / New Zealand Topics specific to Australia and New Zealand only.
 

Hi Jeff,
We stay 2 times in New Zealand (each time six weeks) :innocent: First time from Feb. to the end of March. (not with a bike but it was geate)
2 weeks are very short to visit South Islands. The absolute highlights are Milford Sound and Abel Tasman Park.
We also do a Daytrip from Queenstown, via airplane, to Milford Sound and back .. absolute greate!!!
In the Abel Tasman Park we stay three day and do a long walk for a day in the park, fabulos!!!
You must cross Arthur's Pass and stop near the Devil's Punchbowl water fall, and take a look the KEA parrots. It's so funny. But take a look at your stuff. This birds are very clever!!!
If you need more fun try jetboat on te shotover river in Queenstown. We do this two times with different shops, Shotover - Jet Boating Queenstown New Zealand, was the best.
Visit the Glaciers, I prever Franz Josef Glaciers.

If you need more Infos feel free to sent a PM .

Enjoy your trip and good Luck
Nightalp

Two weeks will be adequate to give you an overview, but as you acknowledge it is a quick look.

NightAlp has correctly identified some of the highlights of the south island. Milford Sound is definitely worth a look. The ride is spectacular but it's a time-consuming side trip. The flight described is simply stunning but weather can be a big issue.

In fact, be prepared for cool and wet weather at any time on the west coast. The east coast is usually drier and today it's especially hot!

Cheers guys bier We've been looking at the kayak trips in Abel Tasman :Beach: That could be fun if the weather is good. I owned a plane when I lived in Alaska and know how fabulous flighing in the mountains can be. I'll bet the flight out of Franz Josef or Queenstown would outstanding. :D

Sure wish I had more time! These US companies just don't understand traveling - it's all about the one week vacation here :( I have done a little more planning for this trip than normal due to the short time. Trouble is, the more I read about New Zealand the more I realize I need more time :laugh:

We did New Zealand last year and absolutly loved it.

Do the heli flight over Mt Cook and we did the overnight cruise on miford sound which was fantastc.

Check out my blog if you want to see what we did.

CHASING THE HORIZON: NEW ZEALAND TOUR

Able Tasman
 

Hi

TBH you could spend your entire time up in the Tasman Bay and still have a great time (you might want to actually, you'll be in the Kiwi autumn/winter and the Able Tasman has the best weather in NZ)

The highlights have to be the Takaka Hill road between Tasman Bay and Golden Bay. Boat and kayak trips into the national park, as well as walking the coastal track are always good.

Kaiteriteri is probably your best bet for accommodation, there's a motor camp there, as well as a rather nice backpacker's hostel and if you're fed up of slumming it there's holiday cottages for rent that won't be too expensive in the off season. It offers the best access into the park as well (no roads!)

If you fancy some fish & chips go to the restaurant on the wharf at Mapua, they have the best in the southern hemisphere (it's right next to the nudist colony :eek3:). Nelson is a really nice city too, be sure to stop by Pingu's ice cream parlour, being there takes me back to my childhood.

Enjoy yourself

Jim