Plan your New Zealand South Island independent tourist itinerary

When you start to plan your New Zealand holiday it throws up some difficult questions. I have often been asked which I like best, the North Island or the South Island. That is quite a difficult question, as living in a location is different to seeing it as a tourist. Scenically they are very different and both lovely.

However, if you have limited time for your New Zealand holiday I would definitely recommend the South Island as your choice. To really do justice to the South Island, you need 4-5 weeks. This allows you to take time to enjoy the many activities. You could spend a lot more time, if you are intending to do some of the long hikes such as the Milford Track, Heaphy Track, or go to some of the remoter areas. But usually choices have to be made.

The Best of the South Island Independent Tour Route

Some people may adapt this and manage a rushed New Zealand holiday in two weeks, but will have to reduce the suggested route further, or have quicker stops in some areas. This is itineray will take about 3 weeks , travelling time.

The route I would suggest that gives you the best overall coverage of the South Island, would start from Christchurch, the only international airport. This semi circular route can of course be driven in the opposite direction.

o Drive north to Kaikoura, for whale watching, swimming with dolphins and great crayfish!

o Hanmer Springs will make a nice break for a swim in the thermal hot pools.

o Carry Nelson. Take 2-3 days here to enjoy the beaches - do not miss the beautiful golden Kaiteriteri, check out some wineries, arts and crafts, and hiking or kayaking Abel Tasman National Park.

O Blenheim, Marlborough, the center of wine - where our famous New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc grows best.

Or Nelson Lakes - are very scenic, with day trips, many in the region.

Pass or Murchison on the West Coast.

O Karamea - worth at the northern tip of RiveIf you have time - it will double again.

O Greymouth - Shanty Town is an excitement to children with its gold mining town replica.

O Punakaiki Pancake Rocks - are a unique spectacle. The stratified rocks are spectacular with the sea pounding and blowholes. Nikau forest is also an unusual spectacle, what a touch of the tropical zone.

O Hokitika - has glass bubbles, green stone carving, crafts, and is located directly on the beach.

Or for the Shrine Whataroa Kotuku - NewNew Zealand white heron - a good travel season in the only white heron in New Zealand.

Or Gillespie's Beach, 25 km north of Fox Glacier is a good beach walk to see the seals. There are about 1500 which is a show of smell - and! But worth it! You must allow several hours.

Or Fox Glacier

or Franz Joseph Glacier - you want to spend a couple of days in this area glaciers really a good experience. You can make excursions on the ice creamglaciers, and enjoy the beautiful landscape.

O Haast Pass to Lake Wanaka, beautiful sleep.

From Wanaka or across the range Crown if it were a challenging but very scenic drive around Lake Dunstan or to go beyond Queenstown

O Te Anau - From here you can go to

Or Milford Sound

Or doubts Sounds - this is a great boat tour of the wildlife

O-Alternative Base in Queenstown and take a ride to Milford Sound

O Queenstown - If you only a very limited time for your vacation then New Zealand Queenstown is the place to go. Voted one of World's Top 10 destinations for 2008, it is necessary, the day plans to do a lot of time travel - The Lord of visits Rings, Arrowtown try some extreme sports - bungee jumping, Shotover Jet Boat, 4WD, old city mining of gold, Skippers Canyon, Jet Boating, heli-skiing, take the historic Earnslaw "Boot to Walter Peak Sheep Station Lake Wakatipu .. The choices are fertile.> Adventure activities are an important area, the scenery breathtaking. There is something for everyone in this fabulous part of the country.

Options or - Mount Cook Twizel when time is short, and then to Dunedin to Mount Cook.

O Twizel - once a city built for workers of the power plant construction has become a popular center for those who do many outdoor activities in the surrounding mountains.

O Queenstown to Dunedin. I have to go a day in the Otago Peninsula inAlbatross Colony and Larnaca visit the Castle. You can even penguins.

East Coast road trip or the Moeraki Boulders Moeraki visit the seafood restaurant on the roadside on the way to

O Mt Cook - Aoraki or - the highest mountain in New Zealand. Attracts many climbers - but must be lived. Unfortunately, claimed many lives. Hiking and outdoor activities can be occupied for several days, if you're interested. On the way to Christchurch

Or Lake Tekapo - see the little stone churchShepherd and monument overlooking Lake Tekapo in the middle of the MacKenzie country.

Arriving in Christchurch.

This path may be proposed as a route will be brought south of Invercargill, where a week or two to have. But the road above will be packaged in a stunning landscape, Active holidays. You can also customize the best in the North Island and the beginning of the circuit in Nelson.

Plan Your New Zealand South Island Independent Holiday Itinerary

When you start to plan your New Zealand holiday it throws up some difficult questions. I have often been asked which I like best, the North Island or the South Island. That is quite a difficult question, as living in a location is different to seeing it as a tourist. Scenically they are very different and both lovely.

However, if you have limited time for your New Zealand holiday I would definitely recommend the South Island as your choice. To really do justice to the South Island, you need 4-5 weeks. This allows you to take time to enjoy the many activities. You could spend a lot more time, if you are intending to do some of the long hikes such as the Milford Track, Heaphy Track, or go to some of the remoter areas. But usually choices have to be made.

The Best of the South Island Independent Tour Route

Some people may adapt this and manage a rushed New Zealand holiday in two weeks, but will have to reduce the suggested route further, or have quicker stops in some areas. This is itineray will take about 3 weeks , travelling time.

The route I would suggest that gives you the best overall coverage of the South Island, would start from Christchurch, the only international airport. This semi circular route can of course be driven in the opposite direction.

o Drive north to Kaikoura, for whale watching, swimming with dolphins and great crayfish!

o Hanmer Springs will make a nice break for a swim in the thermal hot pools.

o Carry on to Nelson. Take 2-3 days here to enjoy the beaches - don't miss beautiful golden Kaiteriteri beach, check out some wineries, arts and crafts, and walk or kayak in Abel Tasman National Park.

o Blenheim, Marlborough, is the wine center - where our famous New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc grows best.

o Nelson Lakes - are very scenic, with plenty of day walks in the area.

o Drive through Murchison to the West Coast.

o Karamea - at the northen most tip is worth the rive if you have time - you will be doubling back.

o Greymouth - Shanty town will give the children a thrill with its replica goldmining town.

o Punakaiki Pancake Rocks - are a unique sight. The layered rocks, with pounding seas and blowholes are spectacular. The nikau forest is an unusual sight too, giving a tropical feel to the area.

o Hokitika - has glass blowing, greenstone carving, arts and crafts, and is right on the beach.

o Whataroa Sanctuary for the kotuku - New Zealand white heron - is a good trip in the season, to view New Zealand's only white herons.

o Gillespie's Beach, 25 kilometers north of Fox Glacier is a good beach walk to see the seals. There are about 1500 so it is quite a sight - and smell! But worth it! You need to allow several hours.

o Fox Glacier

o Franz Joseph Glacier - You will want to spend at least a couple of days in this glacier area to really have a good experience. You can do guided walks on the ice, fly over the glaciers, and enjoy the magnificent scenery.

o Haast Pass through to Lake Wanaka, which is a beautiful stop.

o From Wanaka you would go over the Crown Range a challenging but very scenic drive, or round Lake Dunstan , past Queenstown to

o Te Anau - From here you can go to

o Milford Sound

o Doubtful Sounds - this is an excellent wilderness boat trip

o Alternatively, base yourself in Queenstown and do a tour to Milford Sound

o Queenstown - If you have only a very limited time for your New Zealand holiday then Queenstown is the place to go. Voted one of the world's top 10 destinations for 2008, you need to allow plenty of time to do day trips - Lord of the Rings tours, Arrowtown, try some of the extreme sports - bungee jumping, Shotover jet boat, 4WD to old goldmining towns, Skippers Canyon, jet boating, heli skiing, take the historic "Earnslaw" boat to Walter Peak sheep station across Lake Wakatipu.. The choices are prolific. Adventure activities are a major industry, the scenery stunning. There is something for everyone in this fabulous part of the country.

o Options - Twizel to Mt Cook if time is short, or to Dunedin then to Mt Cook.

o Twizel - once a town built for the workers building the power station, it has become a popular center for those wanting to do the many outdoor mountain activities in the area.

o Queenstown to Dunedin. Take a day to go out on the Otago Peninsula to the Albatross Colony and visit Larnach Castle. You can also see penguins.

o Travel up the East Coast via Moeraki Boulders- visit the Moeraki Fish Restaurant on the wharf, en route to

o Mt Cook - or Aoraki - New Zealand's highest mountain. It tempts many climbers - but they do need to be experienced. Sadly it has claimed many lives. The walks and outdoor activities could keep you busy for a few days if you are keen. On to Christchurch via

o Lake Tekapo - see the little stone church with the sheep dog monument overlooking Lake Tekapo in the middle of the MacKenzie country.

o Arrive Christchurch.

This suggested itinerary could be increased by taking a route south via Invercargill, if you have an extra week or two. But the route above will give you an amazing scenic, activity packed holiday. You can also adapt it incorporating the best of the North Island and starting the circuit at Nelson.

Plan your New Zealand South Island Holiday Independent Route

If you are planning your New Zealand holiday raises some difficult questions. I have often wondered who, like me the best, the North Island and South Island. This is a very difficult question of how life is able to see that it is not a tourist. Landscape, are very different and both beautiful.

However, if you have limited time for your holiday I would definitely recommend New Zealand as the South Island of your choice. Really do justice to the island in the south,You need 4-5 weeks. So you can enjoy the time to explore the many activities. You could do much more if you think some of the long walks, like the Milford Track, Heaphy Track, or go to some of the more remote areas. But generally, decisions must be made.

The Best of the South Iceland Independent Tour Route

Some people can customize and manage a holiday in New Zealand fell by two weeks, but his proposed route to reduce further, or have less time to completeareas. This route will take about 3 weeks, time to go.

The route I would suggest to you would be the best overall coverage of the South Island, from Christchurch, restart the only international airport. The semi-circular path, can of course also be driven in the opposite direction.

• Drive north to Kaikoura to see the whales, swim with dolphins and crabs big!

• Hanmer Springs will make a nice break for a refreshing dip in the hot thermalPools.

• Continue to Nelson. Take 2-3 days here to enjoy the beaches of losing - you Kaiteriteri beautiful golden beach, check out some wineries, arts and crafts, and foot, by kayak in Abel Tasman National Park.

• Blenheim, Marlborough, the center of wine - where we grow the most famous New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

• Nelson Lakes - are very scenic, with many days of trekking in the area.

• Go through Murchison on the West Coast.

• Karamea - onRive northern tip is when you have time - there will be doubling back.

• Greymouth - Shanty Town are children shiver with his gold mine town of replication.

• Punakaiki Pancake Rocks - are a unique attraction. The layered rocks are spectacular, with the weight seas and blowholes. Nikau forest is a sight unusual, so that a tropical feeling in the area.

• Hokitika - has blown glass, Greenstone sculpture, arts and crafts, and is located directly onBeach.

• Sanctuary for the Kotuku Whataroa - New Zealand great white - is a good lap in the season, look to New Zealand only white heron.

• beach Gillespie, 25 km north of Fox Glacier is a good beach walk to see the seals. There are about 1500 so it's a sight - and smell! But worth it! It is necessary to allow several hours.

• Fox Glacier

• Franz Josef Glacier - you want to spend at least a couple of days in the area of glaciers in order to have its owngood experience. You can do guided walks on the ice, flying over glaciers and enjoy the magnificent scenery.

• Haast Pass to Lake Wanaka, the arrest of a fine.

• From Wanaka you go over the Range A crown disk challenging but very suggestive, or around Lake Dunstan, Queenstown past

• Te Anau - From here you can to

• Milford Sound

• Doubtful Sounds - this is an excellent wildlife cruise

• Alternatively, you can get by --Queenstown and visit Milford Sound

• Queenstown - If you have only a very limited time for your vacation then New Zealand Queenstown is the place to himself. Were among the top 10 countries in the world for 2008, not allowing time for day trips - The Lord of the Rings tour, Arrowtown, try some extreme sports - bungee jumping, jet boat Shotover, 4WD, old gold mining towns , Skippers Canyon jet boat, heli, take the historic Earnslaw "BootWalter Peak sheep station in Lake Wakatipu .. The activities selected are fertile. Adventure is an important area, the scenery breathtaking. There is something for everyone in this beautiful part of the country.

• Options - Mount Cook, Twizel, when time is short, and then to Dunedin to Mount Cook.

• Twizel - once a city for construction workers the plant was built, has become an important center for those outdoor activities in the mountains in the non --Range.

• Queenstown to Dunedin. Go one day on the Otago Peninsula Albatross in Cologne and visit Larnach Castle. You can also penguins.

• Travel along the east coast of Moeraki Boulders Moeraki visit to the fish restaurant on the wharf on the way to

• Mt Cook - Aoraki or - the highest mountain in New Zealand. Attracts many mountaineers - but must be lived. Unfortunately, he caused many casualties. Trekking and outdoor activities may be waiting for you for a fewDay, if you're interested. In Christchurch

• Lake Tekapo - see the little stone church with the sheep dog monument overlooking Lake Tekapo in the middle of the country MacKenzie.

• Arrival in Christchurch.

This pathway could be proposed to be raised from the south road through Invercargill, if you have one or two weeks. But the road ahead of you an incredible landscape, activity packed holiday. You can also customize the integration of best in the North Island andBeginning of the shift to Nelson.