Our take on things to do in South Island New Zealand

NZ South Island in about 12 days:

I've just had a few people ask and here's what I've told them.

Attached is how we did it (we went counter clockwise from Christchurch, but I reckon you can go in either direction - we wanted Qtown to be a sort of final desination and we also wanted to fly in and fly out of the same city so as to rent a car for the entire duration without paying extra fees.

Below are just things-to-do and eat and drink - does not include what to see and experience.... let's talk about that rather than make me write so much! :)

Some Should-really-do's:

• Wine tasting in Marlborough (Cloudy Bay) and lunch at Allan Scott
• Coastal drive through kaikoura
• Trek in Abel Tasman after a water taxi drop into the national park
• Climb the FranzJosef glacier (must-do) - followed by a free couple hours in the hot tubs [our photos from the climb:
• http://priyankaandankurdownunder.shutterfly.com/pictures/149]..
• Overnight cruise in Doubtful sound (
• http://www.realjourneys.co.nz/Main/DoubtfulSoundOvernightCruise/) - overall 2 days but never was money so worthwhile
• Flight to the Tasman glacier from FranzJosef
• Jet boat ride in skipper canyon (not the other one) in Qtown
• Bungee jump or canyon swing in Qtown -- I could never
• Take the gondola ride up and definitely do the luge (don't bother with the dinner) [http://www.skyline.co.nz/]
• An hour in the Onsen hot pool in Qtown or a few hours at the alpine spa in lake tekapo
• Monteith's brewery in Greymouth

Eat:

• Crayfish at nin-bins in Kaikoura (East coast)
• Otago lamb cutlets (Kiwi lamb is world famous) - we had ours in Qtown, at St. Mortitz restaurant
• Venison (its like a local deer - amazing) - we loved it at 'the landing' in FranzJosef
• Fergburger in Qtown - its a sin to go to Qtown and not pay a visit to this cult des
• Seafood particularly on the East coast or the north
• Try the white baiting patties in Haast on your way
• Stop for lunch in Lake Wanaka
• Fresh fruit from the orchards along Arthur's pass or Kahurangi national park
• NZ green lip mussels (we had them at Allan Scott winery in Marlborough)

Drink!:

• Try the Whites (particularly Sauvignon Blancs and Rieslings) and Pinot Noirs as you drive through Marlborough
• Reds: Pinot Noir from Martinborough and also from Central Otago regions
• Prefer Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah? Try those from the Hawke's Bay region
• Monteith's Beer at the brewery in Greymouth on the west coast