Originally Posted by rankourabu

I think we have a different definition of close... Milford Sound is at least a 10 hour drive (750+ km)
If one is heading really south, it makes to difference to arrive via CHC or AKL to ZQN.

I lived in Christchurch for a year before the earthquake and may have agreed with you back then that it was worth a couple days. We did a 4 week NZ roadtrip in January, and Christchurch is nothing of its former self, quite a disappointment, and glad it was only a couple days at the end. Although Arthur's Pass and Akaroa are great close trips to the city.