NZ South Island Itinerary Help
Jun 24, 2018, 2:54 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 23
NZ South Island Itinerary Help
Hi,
I am currently spending about 3 months in SYD for work and I'm planning to make a trip to NZ. Unfortunately due to my work schedule I can only go for 4 days, I've never been before but plan to do a full couple of week trip at some later point.
Currently my plan is to fly into Christchurch and out of Queenstown four days later. I plan on renting a car and driving in between, hopefully stopping at good hiking or other nature related stops in between.
For starters, does this seem like reasonable plan? What stops would you recommend making on my drive? Also, I'm 20 years old and it looks like I will have to pay extra fees to rent a car, anyone know any ways around that?
Thanks for all your help.
I am currently spending about 3 months in SYD for work and I'm planning to make a trip to NZ. Unfortunately due to my work schedule I can only go for 4 days, I've never been before but plan to do a full couple of week trip at some later point.
Currently my plan is to fly into Christchurch and out of Queenstown four days later. I plan on renting a car and driving in between, hopefully stopping at good hiking or other nature related stops in between.
For starters, does this seem like reasonable plan? What stops would you recommend making on my drive? Also, I'm 20 years old and it looks like I will have to pay extra fees to rent a car, anyone know any ways around that?
Thanks for all your help.
Jun 24, 2018, 5:03 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 6,338
Just one piece of advice..... when you look at the road distances, remember many roads in NZ are one lane each way and winding.... you will NOT average the sort of road speed you are used to..so give yourself extra time!
Jun 24, 2018, 8:13 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO, OAK, SJC
Posts: 242
For 4 days, I would fly in and out of ZQN and spend your time between Queenstown and Wanaka. Plenty of nice hikes between the two. Ben Lomond, Roys Peak, Rocky Mountain Summit, Hooker Valley (although it's a 2.5-3 hour ow trip from Wanaka)...
Jun 24, 2018, 9:48 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,009
Agreed. The drive from CHC to ZQN is not that interesting. About ~50% is on the flat Canterbury plains. Queenstown and Wanaka area is what is interesting - scenic.
Jun 28, 2018, 9:23 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1
Jul 1, 2018, 5:51 am
#7
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
Agree with the others. This is do-able but not much point. I've done this drive and it is beautiful, but tiring. There are drives around ZQN that are easier and even more spectacular. Fly in and out of ZQN and tour that area, you'll fill 4 days easily.
Jul 3, 2018, 6:24 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 81
Might be quite challenging to go on road trip from Queenstown to Christchurch. Driving between them in 1 day is not advisable and if you need to add 1 night stay in between, you will not have much time to explore the areas around. You might want to consider focusing in 1 area.
Hi,
I am currently spending about 3 months in SYD for work and I'm planning to make a trip to NZ. Unfortunately due to my work schedule I can only go for 4 days, I've never been before but plan to do a full couple of week trip at some later point.
Currently my plan is to fly into Christchurch and out of Queenstown four days later. I plan on renting a car and driving in between, hopefully stopping at good hiking or other nature related stops in between.
For starters, does this seem like reasonable plan? What stops would you recommend making on my drive? Also, I'm 20 years old and it looks like I will have to pay extra fees to rent a car, anyone know any ways around that?
Thanks for all your help.
I am currently spending about 3 months in SYD for work and I'm planning to make a trip to NZ. Unfortunately due to my work schedule I can only go for 4 days, I've never been before but plan to do a full couple of week trip at some later point.
Currently my plan is to fly into Christchurch and out of Queenstown four days later. I plan on renting a car and driving in between, hopefully stopping at good hiking or other nature related stops in between.
For starters, does this seem like reasonable plan? What stops would you recommend making on my drive? Also, I'm 20 years old and it looks like I will have to pay extra fees to rent a car, anyone know any ways around that?
Thanks for all your help.
Jul 3, 2018, 7:26 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,009
Might be quite challenging to go on road trip from Queenstown to Christchurch. Driving between them in 1 day is not advisable and if you need to add 1 night stay in between, you will not have much time to explore the areas around. You might want to consider focusing in 1 area.
Jul 4, 2018, 8:14 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Frensham, Lincolnshire
Programs: RFC
Posts: 5,083
Fly into CHC, rent a car (I *think* Omega will rent to under 21's) drive over Arthur's Pass and down the West Coast, through to Queenstown. Good drive, good walks/day tramps available along the way, comfortable distance for 4 days with frequent stops.
Jul 4, 2018, 10:05 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
So much failure to consider options.
Fly into CHC, rent a car (I *think* Omega will rent to under 21's) drive over Arthur's Pass and down the West Coast, through to Queenstown. Good drive, good walks/day tramps available along the way, comfortable distance for 4 days with frequent stops.
Fly into CHC, rent a car (I *think* Omega will rent to under 21's) drive over Arthur's Pass and down the West Coast, through to Queenstown. Good drive, good walks/day tramps available along the way, comfortable distance for 4 days with frequent stops.
EDIT: I haven't done this exact drive. It is worth considering, especially if the OP enjoys touring. But still, I think if you have 5 days it isn't ideal.
Last edited by CPMaverick; Jul 5, 2018 at 5:59 am
Jul 4, 2018, 10:11 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,009
In post 1 sfoflyer747 does not state when he wants to travel.
Jul 8, 2018, 9:36 am
#13
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO, OAK, SJC
Posts: 242
So much failure to consider options.
Fly into CHC, rent a car (I *think* Omega will rent to under 21's) drive over Arthur's Pass and down the West Coast, through to Queenstown. Good drive, good walks/day tramps available along the way, comfortable distance for 4 days with frequent stops.
Fly into CHC, rent a car (I *think* Omega will rent to under 21's) drive over Arthur's Pass and down the West Coast, through to Queenstown. Good drive, good walks/day tramps available along the way, comfortable distance for 4 days with frequent stops.
Jul 11, 2018, 6:35 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,002
I would only do Christchurch to Queenstown by car if you are really interested in driving through Arthur's Pass and seeing the glaciers. Otherwise, I second the opinion of others - fly into ZQN and enjoy the surrounding area for a few days. You are going to be killing a lot of time doing this drive...having done it, some parts of it can be quite scenic, but others can be rather dull.
Jul 19, 2018, 3:54 pm
#15
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If you want to fly into CHC and out of ZQN in about 4 days, my suggestion would be Aoraki/Mt. Cook Village for a few days of hiking.