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
