Lesser known stops on the South Island

Hi everyone,

I know this is yet another itinerary question but we already have a direction and route idea, just need some advice on actual stops or special local knowledge.

We are travelling the South Island for two weeks at the end of February with our 8 month old and 22 month old, and looking for some advice on places to stop/stay along the way. As much as possible we would like to avoid the bigger cities and wondering if there are any little gems along the way we can spend some time in or stay??? We will be travelling by car.

The route we are planning is completely flexible and the places listed are only as a guide for the direction we are going..... We have 16 nights to play with and the places below are just a rough idea of the areas we were thinking.

Christchurch
Lake Tekapo
Queenstown
Te anau (we'd really like to see Milford Sound)
Wanaka
Franz Josef
Westport
Kaiteriteri
Blenheim
Christchurch

We are travelling for the love of the landscape, the food, and the locals.....not so much the adrenalin, tourist bus route and big city activities. So any lesser known, local secrets, or must see location and photo opportunity ideas, would be much appreciated :)

Of course any great family fun ideas you have would be very much welcome :)

Anyway, we really look forward to hearing any suggestions and advice you have.

Regards
Elisha and Ben

As I understand it, you will arrive on Day 1, which, depending on the hour, may allow useful time in Chch. You will then stay a further 15 nights and depart after your 16th night, that is, on Day 17. Have I got it right!?

I am a great enthusiast for less publicised places, but sometimes they may include walking. How does this go with your children? Also, what sort of car travellers are they - get fretful quickly?

One of the premier, lesser known gems .

But please, if you're going to contribute with some of your own intimate apparel make it a cleaned pair.

That us correct, in on Day 1 out on Day 17.

We're definately keen on some shorter walks, couple of hours maximum. We have backpacks to carry the kids in. They are great car travellers but we plan to do longer drives early in the morning.

Thanks for any ideas you have for us.

We have just stayed at Omahau Downs, Twizel, a great little town, 1 hour south of Mt Cook. Its a farm stay, kids can see sheep up close. Gives a bit more space with living area for kids to move around than just a bedroom. There is a choice of room type, all beautiful, and you can have kitchen and bbq on deck looking straight up at Mt Cook. Magic!! I think Twizel was much better than staying at Mt Cook(expensive) or Tekapo(a bit smaller). Buy fresh salmon at the salmon farm and cook on bbq. Fabulous!!

Apart from Chch, the only place on your list that is busy/ touristy, although not a "city" is Queenstown. You could avoid it by staying at Arrowtown or Cromwell instead, or just driving stragiht through.
Instead of Westport, consider Punakaiki.

If I were a first-time visitor to the South Island and I had 15 days to travel round, and I definitely wanted to see Milford Sound, and besides that, to see as many other scenic places as is sensibly possible, this is what I’d do. Your opinion may be entirely different.

My itinerary may not satisfy other contributors, but I’m familiar enough with the South Island, and in the last 11 years I’ve done every leg of the suggested route. Have a look at Google Images for the places you haven’t heard of. The regions I missed are Golden Bay; Nelson Lakes; Marlborough Sounds; Canterbury High-country including Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki: Banks Peninsula: Catlins Coast, and Invercargill/Bluff. However, I think I’ve managed a representative cross section.

I’ve deleted Lake Tekapo from the OP’s list. Tekapo, like Mt Cook, is a casualty of limited time. You’ll see plenty of lakes. I have taken your children into account. The longest drive is 5:15, on your 1st day from Christchurch. The next day is a “non travel”. The average is 3:40. There are 10 travel days and 5 “non travel”. Here goes:

Day 1 – Arrive, get rental vehicle, mooch around Chch as much as time allows.

Day 2 – Chch to Dunedin via Highway 1.
Driving time 5:15

Day 3 – in Dunedin.

Day 4 – Dunedin to Balclutha to Gore to Te Anau. Consider excursion from Balclutha to Nugget Point.
Driving time 4:15 (+excursion 0:35 each way)

Day 5 – Te Anau to Milford Sound. The journey is at least as good as the destination. There are many little green signs with yellow writing pointing to interesting sights you can walk to. The driving time doesn’t take these into account.
Driving time 1:40

Day 6 – Milford Sound to Queenstown
Driving time 4:15

Day 7 – In Queenstown

Day 8 – in Queenstown.

Day 9 – Queenstown to Cardrona to Wanaka/Hawea to Haast. Excursion, if not raining, to end of road at Jackson’s Bay. Stay night in Haast
Driving time 3:10 (+excursion 0:35 each way)

Day 10 – Haast to Fox Glacier/Franz Josef Glacier to Hokitika. One glacier is enough.
Driving time 4:00

Day 11 – Hokitika to Greymouth to Punakaiki to Westport to Karamea to end of road at Kohaihai River. Return to Karamea for night.
Driving time 3:30 (+ 0:20 each way to Kohaihai)

Day 12 – Karamea to Westport to Murchison to Motueka.
Driving time 5:00

Day 13 – Around Motueka (Kaiteriteri, Marahau, Abel Tasman NP etc.)

Day 14 – Motueka to Nelson to Havelock to Blenheim to Kaikoura.
Driving time 4:00

Day 15 – In Kaikoura

Day 16 – Kaikoura to Christchurch.
Driving time 2:45

Day 17 – Depart.

I’m happy to answer questions, discuss adjustments, and suggest specific things to see. I take no responsibility for bad weather or earthquakes.

I was going to mention Haast, and see post above has also included this.
Some really nice short walks nearby. Would also recommend the drive to Jacksons Bay, about 30kms south of Haast. Very scenic, with awesome fish and chips right beside the water. Just love this area for photography - sea, forest, rivers, mountains - no crowds.