Originally Posted by
txflyer77
Way too much.
Abel Tasman, back to Nelson and then on to Greymouth is an exceptionally long day. Assuming you're with a tour you won't be back in Nelson until late afternoon. It's a good four hours from Nelson to Greymouth so at best you're rolling in around 10pm, and that's after a long day trekking.
That route is windy and you'll be tired. That would be a dangerous day. I strongly recommend spending that night in Nelson.
I would cut the West Coast and Queenstown entirely. Fly from Nelson to ZQN, pick up a car and head to Wanaka. Base yourself there before heading to Te Anau. Skip the night in Christchurch.
A lot depends on the time back to Nelson. But agree if after mid day 9 Sept will be a long day. Just to Murchison may be possible.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murchison,_New_Zealand
G map link -->
https://goo.gl/maps/3asZ6ojNA4XYr7CV8
I would not cut out the coast, but have less activities.
Need a float day somewhere.
Definitely do not need an extra day in Chc (Still a lot of open spaces - wrecked buildings from the Feb 2011 quake)
Flying into CHC and then out on an international flight on the same day is a risk. Well worth staying the the night in Christchurch.