New Zealand - Christchurch or Queenstown?

Question

I am flying into NZ landing in Auckland first. I want to visit the South Island and want to spend around 6 days there. Is it better to fly into Christchurch or Queenstown? I don't mind missing one of those, but want the convenience of daily available flights and a good plan. Help please? Thanks

Answer 1

It depends on what you want to do and where you want to visit while in New Zealand.  Christchurch is a very pretty, English style city.  It is better if you want to visit hot spring pools at Hamner Springs, see seals at Kaikoura or bush walk in the Abel Tasman area.  Queenstown is the action capital, for those who want to bunjy jump etc.  It is also closer if you want to visit Milford Sound or see the glaciers at Franz Josef.

Answer 2

Christchurch is much better. There are so many more attractions and it is easier to get to other places in new zealand

Answer 3

Hamilton!

Answer 4

LOL Hamilton!  No, don't listen to that!  lol, you're bad!

I love Queenstown, but of course I love outdoors stuff, hiking, shotover river jet boating, etc etc.  close to milford sound, etc.

Answer 5

It is definetely alot cheaper flying into Christchurch. I recently got back in the last week. Let me tell you, the whole country is amazing. In 6 days, if you are driving that would be plenty of time to see both of the cities. Its about a 7 hour drive from Christchurch to Queensland, but its imperitave that you stop by Mt. Cook National park, and at a minimum do the Hooker Valley trail.  In all honesty I stayed 2 days in Christchurch, 2 days in Queenstown and saw all the main sites, and embarked on plenty of activities, I really just had to cram everything in, not to much rest during the day, but I didnt stay out late either so I was able to wake up early, and get all the activities done that I wanted to get done. Hope that helps.

Answer 6

You'll probably be able to find a cheaper flight to Christchurch, which is a cool city.  But I wouldn't skip Queenstown either.... it's really neat there.

Any way to give yourself longer than 6 days?  That's not very long for the south island and you'll miss most of the good stuff with so little time.