Hello all, going to NZ this coming July (25/7 till 6/8) *O* , seek your advice if the below itinerary sounds doable?

A bit worried about going to Mount Cook cos it may be snowing / i dunno how to put on snow chains etc but the Hooker Valley track looks so pretty! I'm also going to be renting a camper (I KNOW. in the middle of the dead winter).

My original plan was to take the Tranz Alpine from Christchurch to Greymouth, rent a car and drop it off at Queenstown then rent a camper to come back to Christchurch. But because it is one way, the rentals are crazy expensive and i can't find anyone who would rent me a camper for 3 nights Therefore, we've decided to brave the winter, wear layers and layers and be in a camper instead haha. RIP Tranz Alpine. Too expensive to take return too cos individually would cost 400+NZD. (same price as the heli hike @ Franz T__T)

I've been reading up a lot about self contained / non contained campers and still in the midst of figuring out which one i should take. There's only going to be just the two of us so i don't wanna be driving a super huge vehicle up and down NZ when the days are so short. the wind conditions / weather worries me too.

Also, what are oil fin heaters? Do they need to be plugged in? Upon arrival just dropping by to Warehouse to pickup one and then use in the car? Never been in a caravan so i have no clue how things work.

The van does come with a heater but only can use when it is plugged in. and because it's so expensive have plug-in at campsites.. Im not even sure if there is any alternatives for heat haha.

Day 1 - Arrival 1600hours at Christchurch, chill around and only depart next day
Day 2 - 3 hr drive : Leave Christchurch for Lake Tekapo (Stay at : Lake Tekapo- Shoreline Freedom Campsite (not sure if i'm taking which kind of camper yet) OR Lake Tekapo Motels & Holiday Park - more $$)
Day 3 - Spend time at Lake Tekapo / surroundings (Church of the Good Shepherd / Gaze and chill at the skies/stars)
Day 4 - 2 hr drive : Leave Lake Tekapo and explore Pukaki before going to Mt Cook (Stay at : DOC Whitehorse)
Day 5 - Mt Cook (Hooker Valley Trek / Lake Poaka) (Stay at DOC Whitehorse)
Day 6 - 3.5 hr drive : Leave Mt Cook and head to Queenstown (Any suggestion where to stay?)
Day 7 - Queenstown (Any suggestion where to stay?) - not sure what to do at Queenstown cos i dont intend to bungee jump / sky dive..
Day 8 - 1.5 hr drive : Leave Queenstown for Wanaka. (Stay at Lake Wanaka- Lake Outlet Holiday Park)
Day 9 - Roys Peak Trek (rougly 6-7 hrs return) - (Stay at Lake Wanaka - Lake Outlet Holiday Park)
Day 10 - 4 hr drive : Leave Wanaka for Franz Josef (try to catch the Heli ride same day)
Day 11 - Backup day in case Heli ride not possible (Any suggestion where to stay?)
Day 12 - 3.5 hr drive : Leave Franz Josef for Arthur Pass (Any suggestion where to stay?) - Franz straight to Christchurch seems too long of a drive, but i dunno where to go liao
Day 13 - 2 hr drive : Leave Arthur Pass for Christchurch & leave Christchurch for KL



Thank you so much sifus in advanced for your feedback!



This post has been edited by huiyin_hsu: May 27 2018, 04:07 PM

hahaha, erm, i estimate the camper would probably cost around $1k, (+Petrol), some camp sites i roughly gauge around $200, the heli hikes would be around $900.. *flying money emoji* hahaa

Thanks for your reply! Yes, i am also considering to remove one extra day in Tekapo and have a spare day for Franz.

I've read in this thread also that it takes approx 6 hours and i'm concerned i may not be able to make it for the heli-hike. (highlight of my trip!)

you recommend Fox Glacier / Franz Josef? I heard that Fox has a nicer village / more localized whereas Franz is pretty happening (not really my kind of thing) - but not sure which glacier would be better? haha!

Amended itinerary :

Day 1 - Arrival 1600hours at Christchurch, chill around and only depart next day
Day 2 - 3 hr drive : Leave Christchurch for Lake Tekapo (Stay at : Lake Tekapo- Shoreline Freedom Campsite (not sure if i'm taking which kind of camper yet) OR Lake Tekapo Motels & Holiday Park - more $$)
Day 3 - 2 hr drive : Leave Lake Tekapo and explore Pukaki before going to Mt Cook (Stay at : DOC Whitehorse)
Day 4 - Mt Cook (Hooker Valley Trek / Lake Poaka) (Stay at DOC Whitehorse)
Day 5 - 3.5 hr drive : Leave Mt Cook and head to Queenstown (Any suggestion where to stay?)
Day 6 - Queenstown (Any suggestion where to stay?) - probably go take a look at some hikes / onsen
Day 7 -1.5 hr drive : Leave Queenstown for Wanaka. (Stay at Lake Wanaka- Lake Outlet Holiday Park)
Day 8 - Roys Peak Trek (rougly 6-7 hrs return) - (Stay at Lake Wanaka - Lake Outlet Holiday Park)
Day 9 - 4 hr drive : Leave Wanaka for Franz Josef / Fox
Day 10 - Heli ride!!
Day 11 - Backup day for heli ride, if done the night before, will leave franz josef for either Hokitika, Greymouth or Arthurs Pass
Day 12 - 3.5 hr drive : Chill / head back to Christchurch.
Day 13 - Saying goodbye Flight at 1050hrs.