Originally Posted by
CPMaverick
Book your accommodation well in advance, NZ sells out completely in some cases in January.
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Someone recently suggested a road trip from Christchurch to Queenstown via Arthur's pass and the west coast. That would be about 10 hours and from the bits I've seen, a glorious drive. My suggestion would be to tour around AKL and the north island for 2-3 days, then fly to CHC and take this drive to Queenstown, giving yourself 5-6 days to do the drive. Spend the balance around Queenstown.
From the OP's post in another thread is flying into NZ first week of Jan
Christchurch to Arthurs Pass to Haast to Queenstown is a solid 10hrs drive (730km - 450 miles), if you do not stop. Better to do over 2 or 3 days
Link--->
https://goo.gl/maps/BXAHtNS4fa32
The Coromandel (near Auckland), Queenstown and the Haast will be very very busy. Accommodation or legal parking for camper van will be hard. Just parking a camper van anywhere (
=freedom camping) is frowned up-illegal in many localities.
Some people from NZ/Aust will go back to work on Monday 7 Jan. More on Monday 14 Jan & others 21 Jan. A lot of commercial business's will be closed until 14 Jan. Touristy type places will be open.