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Daizy 
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Joined: 19 July 2007
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 Topic: Visiting the South Island
Posted: 26 August 2009 at 3:23pm |
So I have never been before (ok I lie - I once went to picton for an hour and came back  ) We have just booked ferry tickets to go across the last week of October. We are going down to Christchurch one weekend and have the rest of the time to do what ever we want.
Now what I would love to know are where are some good place a first time down south-er has to visit? (Preferably somewhere not too hard to get to with young children) What must we do? Where to stay?
I am really excited, it is something I have been meaning to do for a long time now. I just dont know where to start.
TIA 
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Flutterby
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Location: West Auckland
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Posted: 26 August 2009 at 4:19pm |
I am jealous. I miss the South Island.
Milford Sound is a must do if they kids can put up with the 2 hr drive in from Te Anau. The drive there is beautiful and at that time of year there should still be some snow around. They will get to see the Keas if you stop at the Homer Tunnel and you can do a boat trip which on average last for 2hrs. There are at least 4 companies to choose from all with different size boats. They will get to see seals and maybe penguins and dolphins. You would also have the option of stopping off at the underwater observatory which is fantastic. Here is a website.
Fiordland
I lived and worked in Milford Sound for a year so am a bit biased about it You could stay in TeAnau or even at the Milford Lodge.
another great place is the Pancake Rocks on the west coast. Oh and Central Otago is pretty neat. There is also Queenstown of course and you could take the girls on a cruise on Lake Wakatipu.
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VioletStar
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Location: Nelson
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Posted: 26 August 2009 at 5:50pm |
Nelson is fab 
Also 2nd the Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki, the west coast is awesome!
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flakesitchyfeet
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Posted: 26 August 2009 at 8:25pm |
Tekapo and Twizel.
Wow!
Just wow
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hannibal
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Posted: 26 August 2009 at 9:25pm |
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My pick would be Queenstown - it is a stunning place its like you have reached the end of nowhere - even though its bustling.
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james
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Posted: 27 August 2009 at 6:37am |
Def centrel oatgo soo pretty down there and heaps to do that way as well
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surfergirl
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Posted: 27 August 2009 at 12:06pm |
Oh, I love all of NZ and travel heaps for work and pleasure...my top South Island picks, in no order would be:
Golden Bay - for beaches and cafes and summer-like weather
Kaikoura - for the wildlife, ocean and awesome mountain/sea proximity
Akaroa - we have a holiday house here, so I'm biased...
Moeraki (and Oamaru) - both the rocks and the fishing village and Fleur's cafe
Dunedin - awesome art gallery, clothing shops, cafes and peninsula, Aramoana is one of my fav beaches in NZ.
Catlins - wilderness and history
Fiordland - wow factor
West Coast - the whole thing - taking a few days and driving the road from Haast north - if you have time so worth going up to Karemea - awesome, easy walks and scenery
Wanaka - better than Q-town I think. More like the 'old' central.
Central Goldmining towns - amazing history and abandoned gold mines to poke around in.
There's so much to see if you have time and a car! I hope you come back and tell us what you've decided to do.
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kiwisj
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Posted: 27 August 2009 at 1:53pm |
Lucky you guys! If you're driving and only have a week I wouldn't think you'd want to go all the way down to Central Otago (as amazing as it is, it's one of my favourite parts of NZ too).
I would suggest maybe going to Nelson and Golden Bay and then down the West Coast to Chch and seeing Punakaiki etc, it's very different scenery down that way. The Swingbridge at Buller Gorge is fun and there's a nice walk too.
Then on the way back go up the East Coast and see Kaikoura, have fish n chips at the beach and maybe go for a walk to see the seals. It's a really nice drive up that way through Blenheim and then back to Picton
That's basically the first half of the route we did when we travelled around the South Island for 4 weeks before we came overseas Can't wait to do it again!
Def let us know what you decide to do. So exciting 
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SJ
Callum - Dec 2008
Daniel - Oct 2010
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Daizy
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Posted: 27 August 2009 at 6:42pm |
Oh it all sounds so fun! I wish I could do it all.
I am a wee bit unsure trvelling right down South. I am thinking we may only go as far as Christchurch. Maybe save the rest for another time .
I do like the sound of your trip kiwisj. Kaikoura is one place we really want to go.
And I have just found out DH's Aunty has a batch near Akaroa which way may go spend a few nights.
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IVFGirl1111
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Posted: 28 August 2009 at 11:19am |
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Akaroa is beautiful a really romantic spot.
Also Hanmer Springs is great, only an hours drive from Christchurch.
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TTC 6 years
IVF it is
IVF/ICSI round one
10 eggs, 8 mature, 3 fertilised BFN
IVF/ICSI #2 = 22 eggs!
20 mature, 15 fertilised, 1 fresh transfer and 2 frosties
BFN
2 Frosties still in freezer thank god
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Peanut
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Posted: 28 August 2009 at 12:09pm |
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I personally wouldn't drive past Christchurch with kids and only doing a short route.
I would recommend Picton, Blenheim, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Greymouth, Hoki and up to Picton again.
Hoki has a wicked aquarium that the kids will love. You can feed eels etc. Shanty town is great for kids. I personally think the coast is an awesome place for kids with lots of inexpensive things to do. Kaikoura is awesome with the seals etc although our 19 month old isn't overly fussed with the places so usually only spend a night.
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CuriousG
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Posted: 28 August 2009 at 12:49pm |
Here are some ideas for when in Chch (I love it there)
I adore Ferrymead and the kids will love it too:
Link
The Gondola gives you great views and is a cool ride:
Gondola
The Arts Centre is pretty fun too:
Arts Centre
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JAFAjaffa
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Posted: 31 August 2009 at 9:59pm |
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Nelson and Golden Bay are my favourites (I'm from the Soth Island, born in Dunedin, but my parents live in Nelson now).
I just don't think you can go wrong in the Nelson area. But if you're heading further south then Akaroa and Hanmer Springs are great too.
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Babe
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Posted: 01 September 2009 at 12:22pm |
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Lol Jake regularly cartrips down south and has a ball. If you're organised then its no biggy. We make sure we stop regularly, have lots of snacks and that we get where we're headed in time for him to have a normal bedtime.
Wheres Kelly Tarltons?? I'm sure theres one down south and its primo! The aquarium in Hokitika is awesome too Jake loves going there when we're down to visit DPs folks. I'm just being nosey really lol I don't have any suggestions that the other guys haven't said. I did love Pancake rocks as a kid (we were on a constant roadtrip round the south island for a couple of years) though Jake found it abit overwhelming.
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my2angels
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Posted: 01 September 2009 at 1:26pm |
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If your coming to chch then you should definately head to Hanmer Springs on the way its beautiful and you can play in the pools, do the maze and mini golf etc...
Akaroa is beautiful too.
If you come down via the coast you can see the seals in Kaikoura or you could come down the other side and go round marlborough and nelson then through stop in hanmer springs and then onto chch
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Visiting the South Island
