Newzealand in Sept'13 - Christchurch or Queenstown

pyramid on 30/08/2013 - 09:20

Hello experts,

I have decided to visit newzealand for 5-6 days during last week of sepetember'13. I googled some information and got to know that its good to fly from MEL-QUEENSTOWN(QT) and then stay there and visit places around. MEL-QT return flight is costing approx $650 via jetstar. So i thought to fly to Christchurch (MEL-CHCH is ~$240 return) and then drive from CHCH to QT. Google results of CHCH-QT drive suggest that its fantastic drive with lots of scenary on the way. Is it a good idea to fly to CHCH and drive QT.

I'll be travelling with wife and 1.5yo boy.

Any advise on above trip with accomodation will be of great help.

Thanks…

PS: I know its good to post this question in tripadvisor and other forum but I want to have views from my own OZB community as well :).

Travel

Comments

  • Snoop on 30/08/2013 - 11:02
    +1

    It was about 5 years ago now… But the in-laws made the drive down the east coast and loved it. I on the other hand got a cheap flight direct in to Q/town and drove back up the west coast (Fox Glacier / Greymouth) to fly out of Christchurch. I think no matter where you drive in NZ, you're going to love it!

  • YadaYadaYada on 30/08/2013 - 12:50

    Just remember that Christchurch city was hit by a massive earthquake last year so the city is still rebuilding. For 5-6 days I would only recommend a one way drive - fly into Christchurch/QT and fly out the other. Otherwise you will spend a bit too much time driving and ont much time holidaying. I have only done the route that hugs the coast and that is quite scenic - not sure about the inland drive.

    When I went I stayed in hostels, but anything with a 4 star Qualmark standard was of decent quality (this includes hostels). The other ratings you couldn't rely on as much. Otherwise check tripadvisor for places to stay and reviews.

  • Smulder on 30/08/2013 - 13:30

    We went to NZ for a holiday in Oct 2010.

    Flew into Christchurch then connecting flight straight down to Queenstown. We spent 4 full days in Queenstown (including a day-trip to Milford Sound) and loved every second if it… so much to do!

    We then drove north, via Wanaka and through the southern alps to Haast Pass, which is an amazing drive past lakes and waterfalls and mountain views.

    We then doubled back and drove up to Lake Tekapo where we stayed the night… lovely drive including great views of Mt Cook… and Lake Tekapo is quite spectacular too.

    North of Lake Tekapo up to Christchurch isn't a terribly exciting drive, but it is only 3 hours.

    As for Christchurch, we had 3 nights there and wished it would have only been 1. Not much to do that interested us. In addition, we were there during an aftershock measuring 5.7 on the scale, which was quite terrifying. I am not sure how the residents coped with all the quakes and aftershocks… we were glad to fly out later that day to Wellington and to continue our drive north to Auckland.

    Many years ago on another trip to NZ I traveled south via the west coast and Fox Glacier, it is very spectacular but quite remote really compared to the inland drive… might be a bit interesting with a young child.

  • Smulder on 30/08/2013 - 13:44

    Also, check the prices for internal flights within NZ on Air NZ, from my recollection is was only around $100 for a one-way flight from Christchurch to Queenstown… which is probably worth it when you take into account the rental car cost, petrol & time involved in the drive… even though the drive is lovely.

  • kobrien456 on 31/08/2013 - 08:58

    Drive don't fly. Inland route is the pick. Disagree about the first 3 hours not being interesting. Amazing hills blue sky that I will never get sick of. Go inland route there and back if short on time otherwise go west coast on way back. Near queenstown you can take a detour via Cardrona for a scenic change on the way back. A little bit steep, but not too bad. Go to Bannockburn for a day trip from Qtown. Great wineries for lunch and Pinot noir. It is a Desert microclimate and you'd swear you were in Nevada! Try Mt Difficulty for lunch. Booking advised we missed out once. Always popular. Gibbston valley was our favourite meal last trip. It's a winery/cheesery on the way back from Banockburn. Arrow town another lovely day trip. The drive from Qtown to Glenorchy is one of the most beautiful drives in the world.

  • pyramid on 02/09/2013 - 15:43

    Thanks guys for response. Did anyone stay at Lake Tekapo?

    • Smulder on 03/09/2013 - 10:12

      We stayed at The Residence Lake Tekapo and got upgraded to a 2-story 2 bedroom apartment with a full kitchen. Was much more than we needed for the 1 night stay, but it was amazing :)

      Can recommend breakfast at the cafe up on Mt John at the Earth & Sky Observatory too… you get gives spectacular views of the Lake.

  • kobrien456 on 03/09/2013 - 07:30

    Yes. The YHA right on the lake Really old school with a lot of charm and history. Built by volunteers in the fifties. Lots of old photos showing construction. Board games and guitar in the common room. Lots of character. Made you feel like you were a kid again. There's a good pizza place to eat at in town, but not a lot to do. Depending on how tired you are it's a good spot to stay the night.

  • pyramid on 03/09/2013 - 12:32

    Thanks again for your comments. Yeah I m looking for night stay only since i dont want to drive from CHCH to QT in single stretch, so thought to have a break and night at Tekapo. Or should i consider other place for night instead of tekapo so that i can see some places around?

    • YadaYadaYada on 03/09/2013 - 12:40

      Dunedin - bigger town + you can travel around to teh Otago peninsula (great wildlife tours there) and Mt Cook.

    • Snoop on 03/09/2013 - 13:00

      Without wanting to sound negative… Can I advise against Dunedin. The Mrs family went down that way instead and said it's very ordinary. (Parents were in late 40s and 2 other kids with them were 18 and 15 at the time).
      I also lived in London with some Kiwis that come from Dunedin and they're of the same opinion of the place!
      I believe the only 'real' highlight there is the Cadbury factory! :)

      • Smulder on 03/09/2013 - 13:09
        +1

        Not to mention driving from Christchurch to Queenstown via Dunedin adds 2 hours to the driving time… it's not really on the way.

        • YadaYadaYada on 03/09/2013 - 13:34

          Well the town wasn't that interesting but I really liked the wildlife tour on the Otago peninsula I took from Dunedin. Depends on what you want to do really. I didn't visit the cadbury factory when I was there but saw the displays on teh outside only. Maybe not a great idea then.

  • Smulder on 03/09/2013 - 13:09

    .

  • pyramid on 09/09/2013 - 10:13

    Thanks all for your input. I m really dont want to add additional 2 hours of driving for Dunedin. Im planning to fly to QT and spend 4 nights there and drive to Mt Cook/Tekapo and night stay. Next morning drive to CHCH.

    Is it worth visiting Mt Cook and spending night there?

    • Smulder on 10/09/2013 - 09:59

      That's what we did and had a great time! It's a lovely drive :)

      It is only about a 2.5 hour drive, which leaves a lot of time that day to see the sights along the way. I can recommend going via Wanaka which is a great town with lots to do and only 30 mins out of the way.

      We also detoured through the Mt Aspiring National Park which had amazing waterfalls and lake and mountain views, though it adds a bit of time and you do some back-tracking… worth it though, it was one of the highlights of the South Island for me.

      I don't know if you really 'stay' at Mt Cook itself, unless you are skiing. If you have clear weather, you will get pretty good views of the mountain from the road as you are driving along.

  • s12321 on 07/08/2016 - 11:22

    good reference for YHA :D not sure if go this year will be the same or not… :D

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