South Island driving route
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The family and I are planning to drive from QT to PN when our self iso is over. Looks like we have 2 options to Picton, via ChCh (10hrs), or via the west coast (closer to 12hrs).
Is it worth the extra couple of hours to take in the glaciers and rugged beaches of the west? We will be doing the whole thing in c. 2 days, so not much time for sightseeing.
Family has seen none of either route previously
Any advice and/or must-see towns/landmarks would be appreciated
Cheers
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@voodoo said in South Island driving route:
Is it worth the extra couple of hours to take in the glaciers and rugged beaches of the west? We will be doing the whole thing in c. 2 days, so not much time for sightseeing.
Hell yes! Some of the best driving in the world.
The pass from QT over to the west coast is amazing - the mountains; Punakaiki, etc. Definitely go and see it, loads of great mountains.
East cost is good, but canterbury plains are flat and boring, and Kaikoura road is probably still a bit smashed
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@nzzp said in South Island driving route:
@voodoo said in South Island driving route:
Is it worth the extra couple of hours to take in the glaciers and rugged beaches of the west? We will be doing the whole thing in c. 2 days, so not much time for sightseeing.
Hell yes! Some of the best driving in the world.
The pass from QT over to the west coast is amazing - the mountains; Punakaiki, etc. Definitely go and see it, loads of great mountains.
East cost is good, but canterbury plains are flat and boring, and Kaikoura road is probably still a bit smashed
A hundy this. There is no question that the West Coast route is one of the most spectacular drives anywhere!! If you have the opportunity, try and incorporate Arthurs Pass. That is simply breath-taking.
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I agree with @nzzp and @Hooroo in principle but not if you intend to do it in 2 days.
Go up via Lewis Pass inland route to Christchurch. Weather permitting you still get great views all the way to Tekapo then up the Kaikoura coast.
It may not be quite as spectacular as the West Coast but its still pretty impressive and you wont arrive in Palmie exhausted
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@dogmeat fair call, but that Wanaka to Haast drive is just hnnnngh.
Wanaka to the West Coast: The Best Places to Stop - Jonistravelling
The best thing about a trip to New Zealand, assuming you’re travelling by car, is the abundance of scenic drives on offer. From curvy coastline roads to mountain framed passes, there’s a perfect road trip for every kind of traveller. Driving yourself, whether in a car or a campervan, allows you to...
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@dogmeat said in South Island driving route:
I agree with @nzzp and @Hooroo in principle but not if you intend to do it in 2 days.
Go up via Lewis Pass inland route to Christchurch. Weather permitting you still get great views all the way to Tekapo then up the Kaikoura coast.
It may not be quite as spectacular as the West Coast but its still pretty impressive and you wont arrive in Palmie exhausted
You meant Lindis Pass rather than Lewis Pass, perhaps?
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@nzzp said in South Island driving route:
@dogmeat fair call, but that Wanaka to Haast drive is just hnnnngh.
Wanaka to the West Coast: The Best Places to Stop - Jonistravelling
The best thing about a trip to New Zealand, assuming you’re travelling by car, is the abundance of scenic drives on offer. From curvy coastline roads to mountain framed passes, there’s a perfect road trip for every kind of traveller. Driving yourself, whether in a car or a campervan, allows you to...
Is "hnnnngh" good or bad?!!
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@voodoo said in South Island driving route:
@Bovidae that puts me at about 14 hours though?
Yes, but I was suggesting stopping in Chch for the night to break up the journey. The next day you drive to Picton to arrive for whatever ferry you have booked, have a rest on the ferry before the final drive from Wellington to PN (based on your 2-day timetable).
It really depends on what you want to see on the SI drive (glaciers/West Coast/Arthurs Pass vs Mt Cook/Tekapo). The latter would be an inland route via Lindis Pass.
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@voodoo sorry bro, but I had to laugh at that!!
Find some humour where you can at the moment!
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@taniwharugby absolutely! 🤣
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6hr max driving time? You need to train your clan if you want to see things.
Here’s the pros and cons of the two routes
Via Mackenzie country:
Pros: Kawarau Gorge, Lindis Pass, Aoraki ( if weather good), Kaikoura coast.
Cons: Need to break trip in Canterbury (Geraldine is an option), Cantab plains ( for ages and ages), boring once you leave the coast Through to Picton.Via West Coast
Pros: Crown range, Wanaka, Haast Pass,
Glaciers, coast drive, Buller Gorge.
Cons: need to find somewhere interesting to stay, boring once you get through Buller. -
@Crucial thanks for this. On the basis tjat we can leave home and the ferry is operating, I think we will go West. Stay in Greymouth (I know) as it's just over halfway. We will need to be on the ferry at 2pm on Day 2 as it's sold out after that
