I went to qtown and absolutely love it. Stayed there for 4 nights. A living proof that god is unfair.

Lake Tekapo is another wonders. I was having a bowl of Maggi noodles overlooking the lake a week after the polar blast. The best bowl noodle I have ever had. I wish there were outdoor steamboat.

I think one of the most overlook

Don’t underestimate the drive from CHC to Franz Glacier even though it is Summer. Stock some Red Bulls for the driver(s). The drive to Te Anau and Milford Sound is challenging.

You only have 7 full days to tour South Island. That’s pretty tight.

[quote=youngman28,Sep 4 2013, 09:48 AM]
Hi, I would advise as below:

Day 1 (3rd) - Arrive CHC at 5am, Pickup car rental and start driving to Franz Glacier
Day 2 (4th) - Stay @ Franz Glacier
Day 3 (5th) - Drive to Lake Wanaka and explore surroundings (overnight)
Day 4 (6th) - Drive to Te Anau (overnight) , visit surounding area, ON@Te Anau
Day 5 (7th) - Te Anau- Milford Sound-Haftday Cruise-QT (overnight @ QT)
Day 6 (8th) - Day trip to Glenorchy (overnight@QT)
Day 7 (9th) - Drive to Mt Cook, on the way can visit Arrowtown and wineyard, ON@Mt Cook
Day 8 (10th) - Drive to Lake Tekapo (ON@L. Tekapo)
Day 9 (11th) - Drive to CHC (flight @ 845pm), try to depart Lake Tekapo before 2pm, it take 4-5 hr to reach CHC

If thats the case, is 2 days enough in Queenstown ?
It subjective, it depend whether you like QT or not?, but the scenery surrounding QT was amongst the best in SI.

I love QT. Initially plan to stopover for 3 days before heading to Invercargill. Love the place so much that I extended the stay for 5 days. Put up next to Lake Wakatipu (Lakeside Motel). The scenery kept me in admiration to stay longer. I was there during Winter 2010, few days after the “Big Dump” – record snow in a day. Went skiing at the Remarkables, all played many adventurous sports. So many things to do, so little time.

Still remember I purchased AA for RM1k (all inclusive) for 2 pax!.

This post has been edited by keelim: Sep 4 2013, 10:48 AM

Note: I am a wanderlust, and Lake Tekapo still remains the most beautiful place I have ever seen (Winter-Not sure about other seasons though).

This post has been edited by keelim: Sep 4 2013, 10:52 AM

Tours are dropping Kaikoura, Franz Josef, and the northern part of SI.

Thanks foxxy for sharing. Bringing back my old memories.

I think the last thing you should do is pre-booking your accommodation. New Zealand is a place full of unpredictability (sceneries just keep getting better as you explore) and best discovered at your own phase. Any "urgency" to reach your next stop may destroy the whole experience of peace and thrill.

This post has been edited by keelim: Feb 13 2014, 09:39 PM

Wow...that is a long break.

In fact, you can tour both islands and slot in Fiji Island / Tahiti for 3 days.