Air New Zealand Air Points - Onward within NZ on Star Alliance award.

I am booking a F award into the Australia / New Zealand zone. I would like a onward destination within NZ. I have been to Christchurch. If I want to go into Milford sound can someone give me some suggestions or itin ideas? Much appreciated. Regards

I would suggest to fly to Queenstown. Flying to Te Anau would be an alternative, but I don't think that there are regular flights into this small town at the entrance to Fjordland National Parc.

Have fun!

ZQN (Queenstown) is the obvious place to start. NZ has regular non-stop flights there from AKL, and occasional flights non-stop from SYD. There are also flights from CHC to ZQN.

NZ domestic is one class. Trans Tasman (ie from BNE, SYD or MEL) has business and economy.

From ZQN to Milford Sound, you have option of bus (a long day), driving, or taking small plane - there are a number of charters based at Queenstown airport. Of course by land you could overnight at Te Anau on the way there or back. Note that the road between Te Anau and Milford Sound crosses an avalanche zone so may be closed certain times of the year (usually not for too long, but may be an issue if your schedule is tight and inflexible).

Both routes are impressive. The drive has to be some of the very best scenery (rainforest, lakes, cliffs etc), while the flight passes close to massive mountains and huge waterfalls. At Milford you can take a cruise down the fiord - see dolphins, penguins, etc. Take plenty of insect repellant as the sandflys (kinda like a mosquito) get really bad here, and if doing outdoors stuff (eg hiking) then take a good raincoat as it can really pour down here (annual rainfall 6.5 metres!).

Queenstown has plenty to see and do - easily enough for a couple of weeks stay. Eg see this website (http://www.purenz.com)

Thank you. What do you believe is the minumum amount of nights/days I need once I get to Queenstown. Thanks

The minimum time is 2 days/1 night. You can't really overnight at Milford Sound (without booking a cruise). Arrowtown is a nice place to stay (small gold mining town about 20 miles from ZQN, a bit spoiled by tourism now but still excellent and much nicer than ZQN itself). You should get a car and drive (the drive to Milford Sound is an outstanding adventure, be sure to stop along the way, there are some remarkable sights such as The Boulders). Te Anau is worth spending the day if you have the time.

Did Milford Sound a few days ago (it is fabulous). We did it from Te Annua (I'm on a tour from Christchurch to Aukcland via lots of places see http://www.flyingkiwi.com).

Milford is nearer Te Annua than Queenstown but not too far from Queenstown.

When we came through the tunnel on our way to Milford we were in a blizzard - so much for the New Zealand summer!

Have agreat trip it's a fab country.

Stephen