Route & other advice for a 7 day ride in South Island

[clintnz]

Personally, based on Peet's route above, I would add in a run up the west coast from Greymouth to Karamea & loop back via the Buller Gorge before I would bother going all the way out to the Catlins. Or, if you are going to Nelson add in a trip to Golden Bay & back instead. Both these will give you much more scenery & curvy roads per mile than a big loop down to the Catlins.

Cheers
Clint

[Haroon]

Thanks Clint for the nice suggestions. Will take that into account.

BTW, in general is Wi-Fi internet available in all B&Bs/Accommodations located along the routes we are discussing. Is it normally included in the B&B price or do we pay extra.

[glitch_oz]

Originally Posted by Haroon

Thanks Clint for the nice suggestions. Will take that into account.

BTW, in general is Wi-Fi internet available in all B&Bs/Accommodations located along the routes we are discussing. Is it normally included in the B&B price or do we pay extra.

Most places have WiFi and offer it as part of the deal. If not, it's a one or 2 Dollar extra.


For some pics of a lap of the South Island incl. most of the places mentioned here, you might like to browse through this.(sealed roads only).

[Haroon]

Thanks Pete for the link to some really mouth watering pics. The excitement is building up fast...

[NordieBoy]

Give your wife a GPS loaded with Geocaches along the route.

[Haroon]

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

Give your wife a GPS loaded with Geocaches along the route.

Thanks for enlightening me on this. I had to look up the meaning on wikipedia....!!
Looks interesting and hope we have the time for it.

[Whale Rider]

Have a look at these taken by some Italians on there honeymoon. Maps are at the bottom.

https://plus.google.com/photos/10406...81669790753409

WR

[Haroon]

Thanks Whale Rider for the link. Indeed, the pics & map give a very good insight.

[Haroon]

Hi Folks.

Preparations under way and slowly getting closer to the ride this December.

I have 2 question for the present:

1) If I were to select 1 destination out of the following 2, which would be best & WHY?

-Kaikoura
-Punakaiki

2) Is Hanmer Springs the best place in South Island for the Hot Water Springs and is it only the hot water springs there?
If there is a better place in South Island (I mean which has springs as well as something else to see & do)??

Thanks
Haroon

[glitch_oz]

Originally Posted by Haroon

Hi Folks.

Preparations under way and slowly getting closer to the ride this December.

I have 2 question for the present:

1) If I were to select 1 destination out of the following 2, which would be best & WHY?

-Kaikoura
-Punakaiki

2) Is Hanmer Springs the best place in South Island for the Hot Water Springs and is it only the hot water springs there?
If there is a better place in South Island (I mean which has springs as well as something else to see & do)??

Thanks
Haroon

1) Kaikoura.
Because the likelyhood of half-decent weather at that time of year is bigger than on the West Coast

2) Hanmer is the most commercial and developed facility on the South Island.

Maruia Springs is just up Lewis Pass, which has a smaller pool (covered) and a couple of outside pools, if I remember correctly.
http://goo.gl/maps/0iz8o



Here are a few other spots.
http://www.holidays-in-newzealand.co...t-springs.html


Can't beat the North Island for thermal springs though....

[Haroon]

Thanks Pete. I will consider your suggestions.

[Haroon]

I & wife would like to say a big thanks from the bottom of our hearts to all the wonderful inmates on this thread that gave us some fantastic pointers and suggestions. We had an absolute blast in NZ and what a trip it was. The country's beauty is even more magnified by the warmth and friendliness of its people and New Zealand really stands out in every aspect. Thank you New Zealand.

So here you can follow our story, pics (lots of em!) and few videos.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=865659