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tallguyshortgirl07:10 UTC22 Jan 2014

We have a 7 day stay at our disposal anywhere in NZ, both islands...suggestions on best locale to post up for a week? (Cannot spit time between different properties.)

This will be part of a roughly 14 day stay in the country, leaning towards South Island only.

1st thought was Queenstown, as I did not make it there on my first visit to NZ...good choice? We are definitely open to a few touristy things, like falling off bridges, jetboats, or ?, but do not want to spend an entire week zorbing...QTown offer enough diversity to justify a full week? Any other regions preferable?

Our initial checklist...

Milford- think I would kick myself if I went home after 2nd trip to NZ and still had not been there
walk in, flight, cruise, kayak...your thoughts?

Doubtful? unique enough to do if Milford on agenda?

Routeburn -better to include this walk and visit Milford without the walk (air, cruise, couch instead...)

Glaciers - worth it, right? best way to experience?

Work our way up west coast and take Trans-Alpine back to ChCh

Couple days around ChCh...been there 1x before, but not surrounding area...suggestions?

anything else down south that I would be remiss to skip?

Drive from ChCh to QTown or fly?

March or October?

neverwinter15:37 UTC22 Jan 2014

There's no one hub to do it all - glaciers are six hours from Queenstown.

how about Te Anau? Big enough to do stuff, small enough not to be rowdy. Kepler track on the doorstep,, best starting point for Milford and Doubtful (and both are worth it if you get the weather). Also not as wet as Milford!

Don't visit Milford from Queenstown by road; 5 hours each way.

mitchlou8404:44 UTC23 Jan 2014

Can you combine Queenstown and Wanaka? Queenstown is fab, but we loved Wanaka too and I reckon a 52 split of a 43 would be amazing. They aren't particularly far apart

kereru02:16 UTC25 Jan 2014

Sounds like the OP is talking about a timeshare property - they say they can't split the 7 days. I would recommend Te Anau for a walking holiday; Wanaka if you want somewhere a little quieter or Qtn for restaurants, winerises & full on activities.
In the other 7 days you could pop over to Akaroa, then drive from Chch to the glaciers & finally visit whichever of the 3 above places you didn't pick for the full week.

Best spot to use as hub for 1 week in NZ? Country forums / Australia, New Zealand & Antarctica / New Zealand
tallguyshortgirl07:10 UTC22 Jan 2014	We have a 7 day stay at our disposal anywhere in NZ, both islands...suggestions on best locale to post up for a week? (Cannot spit time between different properties.) This will be part of a roughly 14 day stay in the country, leaning towards South Island only. 1st thought was Queenstown, as I did not make it there on my first visit to NZ...good choice? We are definitely open to a few touristy things, like falling off bridges, jetboats, or ?, but do not want to spend an entire week zorbing...QTown offer enough diversity to justify a full week? Any other regions preferable? Our initial checklist... Milford- think I would kick myself if I went home after 2nd trip to NZ and still had not been there walk in, flight, cruise, kayak...your thoughts? Doubtful? unique enough to do if Milford on agenda? Routeburn -better to include this walk and visit Milford without the walk (air, cruise, couch instead...) Glaciers - worth it, right? best way to experience? Work our way up west coast and take Trans-Alpine back to ChCh Couple days around ChCh...been there 1x before, but not surrounding area...suggestions? anything else down south that I would be remiss to skip? Drive from ChCh to QTown or fly? March or October?
neverwinter15:37 UTC22 Jan 2014	There's no one hub to do it all - glaciers are six hours from Queenstown. how about Te Anau? Big enough to do stuff, small enough not to be rowdy. Kepler track on the doorstep,, best starting point for Milford and Doubtful (and both are worth it if you get the weather). Also not as wet as Milford! Don't visit Milford from Queenstown by road; 5 hours each way.	1
mitchlou8404:44 UTC23 Jan 2014	Can you combine Queenstown and Wanaka? Queenstown is fab, but we loved Wanaka too and I reckon a 52 split of a 43 would be amazing. They aren't particularly far apart	2
kereru02:16 UTC25 Jan 2014	Sounds like the OP is talking about a timeshare property - they say they can't split the 7 days. I would recommend Te Anau for a walking holiday; Wanaka if you want somewhere a little quieter or Qtn for restaurants, winerises & full on activities. In the other 7 days you could pop over to Akaroa, then drive from Chch to the glaciers & finally visit whichever of the 3 above places you didn't pick for the full week.	3

Best spot to use as hub for 1 week in NZ?