Have questions about how to best spend 16 days on the south island of new zealand?

Question

Planning a 16 day vacation touring the south island in April of 2008. Is this a good time to travel to New Zealand? Starting with 7 days in Queenstown, what would be the best day trips to make around Queenstown? Any special tours. Then planning a car tour up north. Maybe over to Haast for 1 night. Up to the Greymouth area. Eventually up to the Nelson area. Abel Tasmen is a must for us. 2 or 3 days there? Open to suggestions. Thinking of either flying back home out of Christchurch or Wellington? Possible wine country drive. Marborough sound trip? So many possibilities but would like to narrow it down to the best highlights, but have it be a relaxing pace and not extremely pricey. Open to a day or night here or there along the way. Not sure when we will be back so just want to make the most of our time there.

Help!

Answer 1

Take a trip to Australia instead....it seems that a good portion of New Zealanders are already here anyway!!

Answer 2

Nelson is a great choice after Queenstown.  Abel Tasman is in my opinion alot nicer than the Marlborough sounds .  2-3 days down there, walk one way and take a Aqua taxi back, then you see things from both sides of the track!  .. or if you are into the water sea kakaying in the Abel Tasman.

Answer 3

My simple answer I have is for one to have focus, be inspired to achieve something at least in life. Journey/travelling I say is good but the best things one should know is arrival is the best. Dont travel because you want to travel but have focus.

Answer 4

have you considered milford sound?, it might be quite cold.

stewart Island has great wildlife watching.

go to www.aatravel .co.nz

or destination nz.com

Answer 5

From Queenstown, visit Glenorchy and do the Dart River Safari trip, plus definitely include Wanaka.  Mt Cook is a must if you like mountains, plus make time for a stop at one of the glaciers on the west coast.  If you fly out of Christchurch, try and fit in Kaikoura, but otherwise the Marlborough Sounds are beautiful, so a boat trip and possibly a walk on part of the Queen Charlotte Track would be a good option.