Thanks for the detailed response, Kiwi Flyer.

CHC-SYD is either ~7a or ~5p.

I do not look forward to driving Mt Cook - ZQN/CHC, but gladly will if Mt Cook is "can't miss." I happen to be accustomed to driving very long legs from national park visitation in the US.

Given seasonal factors (late-Sept weather and services), does anyone care to rank the glaciers Fox/Josef, Mt Cook Village, and Stewart Is. from "can't miss" to "can miss"? I'm certainly willing to fly in/out of ZQN/IVC if I can discern their relative magnificence.

New question:
d) How wise/possible would it be to walk-up with no advance reservation for B&B/motel and activity such as cruise/heli/flight tour of Doubtful Sound, in late-Sept?

Thanks.