Rare mr walker Posted December 6, 2017 #1 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Keen to have some input from the friendly knowledgeable people here on the Aus/NZ board. We are cruising AKL to SYD (where we live) Jan 2019 on Radiance [10N] - yes a while away but it comes around fast, and also want to lock-in air [syd to NZ] asap, which will be next month. DW and I love NZ but decided we would spend some time pre-cruise to see parts of the country not really accessible when cruising. We have previously visited on port stops Auckland/BOI/Tauranga/Wellington/Akaroa/Dunedin/Sounds previously & we will again do these same ports on this cruise, plus Napier. I prefer not to drive when on holiday. So, initial idea is - fly Syd to ChCh 7-10 days before departure in AKL (24-Jan) & spend a day or two there - take the Tranz Alpine train to Greymouth & back to ChCh (either as one-day return, or stay o'nite (or longer? in Greymouth) - take the Coastal Pacific train (should be back running by next summer) ChCh to Picton & spend a day or two there - take the Inter-islander ferry Picton to Wellington - pickup rental car in Wellington and make our way via Taupo & Waitomo to be in Auckland day before the cruise & stay downtown AKL that night Am I crazy? Thoughts, ideas, suggestions, comments please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted December 6, 2017 #2 Share Posted December 6, 2017 If you stayed overnight on Greymouth you could go down to Shantytown for a few hours.It's a recreated gold rush town and quite interesting. https://www.shantytown.co.nz/ Unless you particularly want to go to Taupo, I would suggest going from Wellington to Mt Ruapehu and staying the night at the Chateau Tongariro. Then go up through Taumaranui and through to Waitomo. You might like to stay a night in that area as well so you have time to explore the caves. For a completely different suggestion, fly into Christchurch and pick up a rental car. Drive to Mt Cook and stay a night. Then drive down to Queenstown and stay a few nights. There are heaps of things to see in and around Queenstown. Fly direct to Auckland, or to Wellington and proceed as above from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mr walker Posted December 6, 2017 Author #3 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Thanks OzKiwiJJ, some great info there for us to consider. Maybe we will need a few extra days! I can see some real planning required, but sometimes that's half the fun :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted December 6, 2017 #4 Share Posted December 6, 2017 A few extra days? Make that weeks! :D:D:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted December 6, 2017 #5 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Just another thought - Qantas flies direct into Queenstown so why not start there, drive up to Christchurch via Mt Cook, then do the trains etc as you originally stated. It really is worth seeing the South Island high country, it's spectacular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mr walker Posted December 7, 2017 Author #6 Share Posted December 7, 2017 Wow, you are really giving me food for thought now. Never thought of going in thru Queenstown, but that would really provide a good option. Now I'm thinking to do that & look around that area & then travel up the West Coast via Shantytown to Greymouth & then take the Tranz Alpine train to ChCh - I really think that train ride would be great, but doing it one-way may be the best option. I also looked now at your option to do Wellington/Mt Ruapehu/Taumaranui/Waitomo & it looks good also. Thankyou. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted December 7, 2017 #7 Share Posted December 7, 2017 It's a tough call which is best, going up the West Coast or through the middle of the South Island via Mt Cook. If you do decide to go up the West Coast I'd recommend staying a night in Wanaka, and go to Wanaka from Queenstown via the Crown Ranges. The Haast Pass from Wanaka to the West Coast is very scenic so allow time to enjoy the drive. Stay a night in Franz Joseph and (if affordable) do a helicopter trip up onto the glacier. Then spend a night in Hokitika or Greymouth, depending on what time the train leaves - I think it's early afternoon. The TranzAlpine is definitely worth doing, we did it about 10 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mr walker Posted December 7, 2017 Author #8 Share Posted December 7, 2017 OK, your input led me to do some research, which has now created a heap more options for us. I had to look at a roadmap to understand about your point about Mt Cook or West Coast. Now i have a dilemma but you have certainly helped me to decide we should start in Queenstown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted December 8, 2017 #9 Share Posted December 8, 2017 The way out of the dilemma is to start in Christchurch as originally planned, drive down to Queenstown via Mt Cook and back up the West Coast. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted December 8, 2017 #10 Share Posted December 8, 2017 You can have it all .Start in Queenstown , spend a few days, drive via Mt Cook to Christchurch, spend a few days , then do Tranz Alpine one way and pick up another rental in Greymouth . Day on the West Coast then drive via Reefton up through Nelson to Picton. Cross to Wellington on the InterIslander and pick up another rental for the North Island.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mr walker Posted December 8, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted December 8, 2017 Thanks guys - I have some homework to do! This is looking to be a great experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted December 8, 2017 #12 Share Posted December 8, 2017 David, just a slight detour off the topic - how are they going with restoring the road and rail links through Kaikoura that were destroyed in the earthquake? I haven't heard much about it recently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted December 8, 2017 #13 Share Posted December 8, 2017 David, just a slight detour off the topic - how are they going with restoring the road and rail links through Kaikoura that were destroyed in the earthquake? I haven't heard much about it recently. Opens next week. They have moved mountains . A township of porta homes was set up to house an army of men and machines , and they have really gone for it. The rail link is open and the road will be ready for Christmas. http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2017/10/kaikoura-highway-should-be-open-by-xmas-nzta.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted December 8, 2017 #14 Share Posted December 8, 2017 Opens next week.They have moved mountains . A township of porta homes was set up to house an army of men and machines , and they have really gone for it. The rail link is open and the road will be ready for Christmas. http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2017/10/kaikoura-highway-should-be-open-by-xmas-nzta.html That's fantastic! What a job that must have been. :eek: Thanks, David. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherri3802 Posted December 8, 2017 #15 Share Posted December 8, 2017 Some of the places like Queenstown were the absolute highlights of our first trip to NZ. If I were you, I would consider a coach trip starting in Christchurch. Many of those will have the Tranz Alpine train trip option available. Our coach trip did & nearly everyone went on it. You can take a coach trip which only takes you through to Wellington or get one that goes all the way to Auckland. The great thing about a coach trip is there is a guide so you get to know a lot about each area you pass through. You get to see a lot, you travel in comfort, never having to worry about driving, and you never have to carry your luggage. The other unseen benefit I found was that they get the timing right. They know how long it will take to get places and you arrive with time to see things. I have a friend who organised her own driving trip & pre booked accommodation but she & her husband sometimes arrived as things were shutting & then had to be on the move the next day. By the time you factor in accommodation, hire car, petrol, Inter islander ferry & entry into tourist attractions as well as all meals etc when you do it yourself, some coach trips are not that much dearer as the price is inclusive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tb4 Posted December 8, 2017 #16 Share Posted December 8, 2017 Hi. Hope you have a great holiday. January is peak tourist season plus us kiwis are on holiday so be sure to book accomodation in advance, especially Queenstown. Sent from my SM-G920I using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beanb41 Posted December 8, 2017 #17 Share Posted December 8, 2017 If you are booking the Tranzalpine train trip book it in NZ or if you know someone in NZ get them to book it for you. Transrail charge a premium for their train trips if the booking is made outside NZ. For full details go to Trip Advisor NZ forums and at the top right hand corner seek out the Top question regarding transalpine train Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Korimako Posted December 8, 2017 #18 Share Posted December 8, 2017 If you decide to do a DIY driving trip, do NOT use Google Maps for timings as they are usually over-optimistic! The only one to use is the AA Time and Distance calculator, which does take our twisty scenic roads into consideration! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mr walker Posted December 10, 2017 Author #19 Share Posted December 10, 2017 Thanks to all for your added info. 'tb4' yes it will be peak season, so we will need to bear that in mind. 'sherri3802' - your comments re coach tour are interesting. We have always dodged these types of tours, but it is good to know of your good experience. Something to keep in mind. Does anyone have any knowledge of the 'Kruse' GPS Travel Guide http://www.krusenz.com/index.php We used something that sounds similar to this on our Canadian Rockies self-drive tour & found it great. One question - is Mt Cook a must-see, taking into account to do so we will need to either drive ChCh to Queenstown or vice versa (as per David's suggestion), or take a day trip from Queentown, or do the coach tour. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted December 10, 2017 #20 Share Posted December 10, 2017 It's not just Mt Cook per se, but the scenery along the way as well. It's very different to the coastal regions, and there are some incredibly beautiful lakes as well as the high country scenery. The West Coast is also very beautiful but in a very different way, you still see the mountains but from a different perspective. IMHO the best parts of the West Coast are south of Greymouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mr walker Posted December 11, 2017 Author #21 Share Posted December 11, 2017 Thanks again. Yes i am now thinking fly into ChCh & then travel via Mt Cook to Queenstown & then up the west coast to Greymouth & then the Tranz Alpine train to ChCh. It all looks fantastic. I now need to start working backwards from arriving into Auckland on Jan 23 (for cruise on 24th) to calculate arrival date into ChCh :) I think it's going to a little earlier than original thoughts! Ah, well, we only live once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mr walker Posted February 6, 2018 Author #22 Share Posted February 6, 2018 UPDATE to our pre-cruise land portion before Radiance OTS Auckland to Sydney (24thJan - 3rdFeb 2019) OK we have worked on this plan, taking into account all your input. I am working with a company who arranges these types of tours (with an overall package deal (accom/car/rail/ferry) & have added their input. Current plan: 12th fly into ChCh - 2 nights 14th drive to Mt Cook - 1 night 15th drive to Queenstown - 2 nights 17th drive to Franz Josef - 1 night 18th drive to Greymouth & take TranzAlpine to ChCh - 1 night 19th Coastal Pacific Train to Picton - 1 night 20th Interislander to Wellington - 1 night 21st drive to Ruapehu - 1 night 22nd drive to Waitomo - 1 night (or in Hamilton) 23rd drive to Auckland - 1 night 24th embark Radiance Would appreciate input please as changes can still be made. All up cost of this package (12N accom, car, 2 x train, ferry) is around $A5K for the 2 of us. Ideas? Thoughts? Suggestions? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted February 6, 2018 #23 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Fantastic tour. Sounds ideal with all bases covered.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted February 6, 2018 #24 Share Posted February 6, 2018 That looks like an ideal itinerary in that time frame. Have a great trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elorac123 Posted February 6, 2018 #25 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Hi, I booked our Picton to Christchurch and Chr to Grey online here in Australia and even got a pensioner discount,booked it ahead of time for discount,I would spend more time in Picton and pass through Grey Greymouth although I must say the “pancake rocks”were well worth a look. Do go to Queenstown would be a shame to miss it,,, don’t know if the Magic Bus is still going, kinda hop on bus long distance lots of fun Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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