Hi everyone, I'm heading to New Zealand for 3 weeks in June. The first 10 days is planned - seeing the North Island and then hiking Abel Tasman Track. Renting a car in Nelson and want to hit Christchurch, Tekapo, Wanaka, Milford Sound, and end in Queenstown before flying back to Auckland. Wondering who has explored the South Island and how long I should spend in each of those places! I have approx. 10 days for it. Also, is it worth visiting any of the wine regions on the Sout… See more

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Wanaka has wonderful hiking, so I would spend more time there. We toured Blenheim for two days, but I think one day is enough. Great wineries, but so many! Also loved Nelson. Queenstown was so busy and touristy, that I would not go there again.

Nelson was such a lovely surprise! Didn’t expect to enjoy it there so much!

Plan to stay in Kaikoura (Sth Island) for a night. You will be there at a great time for whale watching

tripadvisor has a lot of info. Always my go to.

I did almost an identical trip. Don’t spend any time in Christchurch unless you go to the coast - the city doesn’t offer much. Nelson was a pleasant surprise. Lots of great day hikes around the South Island. Roy’s peak in Wanaka was probably my favourite. I’m glad to see you’re doing Abel Tasman - that was a highlight of my trip for sure.
Milford sound was beautiful but underwhelming - reminded me of the ferry from horseshoe bay to Gibson’s which is nice but... we have that here. I did get a cheap tour to do it to save myself the driving which was good.
I blogged my itinerary and costs here:
http://wanderingsincedawn.com/new-zealand-aotearoa/

Thanks, that’s very helpful! I did think Milford Sound looks a lot like Howe Sound in the photos...

From photos yes, but it's entirely different in person! If you can take a boat tour, the fjords are well worth the afternoon.

Banks Peninsula is only a short drive from Christchurch and the visit to Akaroa well worth the trip over the hill.

The drive from Nelson to Chch is absolutely beautiful

Milford Sound is spectacular. You'll stay in Te Anau - don't miss the Te Anau Glow Worm caves when you're there!

The drive to Akaroa is a beautiful side trip as well

Akaroa is a beautiful little seaside town.

following

Most towns have an ‘isite’ which are a fountain of information as well as providing assistance with finding places to stay along the way.

My son just returned from living there, so he'd highly recommend you go to Blenheim and take a wine tour. He worked at Yealands Winery, an awesome sustainable winery you can tour and taste --- and there are many others to enjoy in that area, called Marlborough. On the north island you'd probably enjoy the Hawkes Bay area, Church Road Winery is excellent (he worked there too). Napier is a great little city to stay for a while. Napier is famous for being an "art deco" town, with very nice architecture and a nice waterfront on the sea. Enjoy your trip! Don't miss touring the sights of the south island. Use tripadvisor.com for great tips on what not to miss!

Yes to all of this. And exploring north of Auckland .. fabulous!

Milford Sound is a must do, so beautiful. Recommend kayaking it on a day trip.

Marlborough wineries are topnotch. Nelson Saturday market is great.

Go to a movie in Wanaka. The wackiest little theatre with unusual items for seats and fresh baked cookies at intermission. Other food also available there.

Don’t do Milford sound. Do doubtful sound instead. It includes an underground power station tour. Better scenery etc too.

Keep in mind that June is the beginning of Winter in NZ. There could be snow in the Sth Island especially the further South you travel. The mountain passes can be quite challenging to drive so check the conditions if you decide to take these routes. Shouldn’t be a problem around Nelson and Blenheim. Days are short too...

Make sure you pack plenty of layers and a good rain jacket. NZ is green for a reason and the weather is coming straight off the Pacific Ocean. It's very changeable. Listen to Crowded House 4 Seasons in one Day and you'll get the idea.

I went to New Zealand in 2007. It was the BEST trip/experience of my life. You can just figure it out as you go along, and you won’t go wrong. I visited the north island and the South Island and it wouldn’t have mattered where I went, everything was perfect. Just go with the flow and let the New Zealanders take care of you, because trust me, they will. BEST. PLACE. EVER.

Ok, yeah I was debating booking my South Island accommodations ahead of time but it makes my itinerary very inflexible and it’s good to hear so many people recommending just going with the flow.

You are travelling off season so you shouldn’t have any problem finding accommodation. It’s good idea to keep your options open

Jessie Holbæk You’ll be fine. The local pubs always have a place to put your head

And also remember that no matter what town you go to, most pubs have rooms for rent above them. They aren’t luxurious or anything like that, but it is a place to rest your head. You will seriously have the best experience of your life.

Just back from NZ's South Island . We used Dunedin as our base for much of the time and loved its spectacular Tunnel Beach. As a university centre the place has a youthful buzz - and lots going on. Wanaka was beautiful but very touristy. Stayed on a farm nearby. Franz Josef Glacier was very expensive and full of tour buses. Hokatika was a cool town with good hiking nearby.

We flew down rented a car in Christchurch drove to Queenstown and up the west coast. The Queen Charlotte highway is amazing took the ferry to Wellington. Queenstown to Milford sound is a full day we took a bus to save driving back in the dark.

Driving anywhere takes longer than you think it will. Just back from a great trip on both islands. Loved Kaikoura, the bicycle trails along the river in Clyde. Queenstown not so much but off season might be better.

Bring warm clothes

No one has mentioned my favourite place - Kura Tawhiti / Castle Hill. Beautiful spot to walk around. Across the road from Flock Hill (most is private property) where some of LOTR and Narnia was filmed. Awesome spot to do some bouldering. Have so much fun! Lived there 10 years ago and miss it heaps.

Whereabouts is this??

West of Chch. There used to be a delicious pie shop in Sheffield* on the way - apparently it is still there!

10 days is not very long for covering this much ground. 2-3 weeks would be less of a rush. I think the Otago wineries are worth visiting, they specialise mostly in Pinot noir in that area, many of these are around Queenstown and can be done as part of a day trip. Wanaka is also an hour away from Queenstown so could be done as a day trip if necessary. There is great skiing in the area. Otago is a region not a place and Dunedin/Invercargill are a few hours drive away from Queenstown so would be more than a day trip away to be able to see them. Blenheim has great wineries, it is a world famous Sauvignon Blanc area, but prob a day tour would be enough. Nelson is also super cool. I would have a look at seeing the Franz Joseph glaciers.