Thank you all for your advice and opinions and suggestions. After much thought and debate, we’ve decided to go to Christchurch!

Here’s my new question, what should we do when we’re there??

We’re limited by time constraints and will have 2, maybe 3 full days there so that doesn’t give us much time I know. If all goes well we will arrive on Monday March 27, 2006 in the afternoon and depart either Thursday afternoon or Friday afternoon for MEL. I have a NZ book and had some ideas.

International Antarctic Centre
Christchurch Cathedral
Christchurch Gondola
A punt ride on the Avon
Jet-boat ride

These were just a few thoughts. One thing I really want to do is go into the Alps and see the countryside. We will probably have a car so that wouldn’t be a problem, but I was considering a ride on the TranzAlpine either to Arthurs Pass and back, or all the way to Greymouth and back. One thing that’s keeping me from considering this is that its an ALL DAY thing, whereas if we did a drive we could come and go as we please and wouldn't be limited by the train schedule. Suggestions??

Any other ideas for something for 3 Americans who have never been to NZ to do would be terrific!!