Let’s start planning my NZ 14 trip!
I know it’s a long way out but I need to keep my mind busy so I’ve started researching and planning my trips for next year.
The first one up is New Zealand. I need to travel during the school holidays which gives me the night of June 27th through until the night of July 13th. In reality I’m probably looking more at 28th-12th so I have at least a day before heading back to work.
I understand this is far from optimal snow wise but I’m happy to consider this a tourist/sightseeing holiday with a bit of snowboarding if the weather permits.
I’ve just finished reading through the entire NZ 13 thread here and got a lot of great information out of it. From this I’ve kind of built an outline of what the trip could look like but I’m very much open for advice on spectacular places to visit and how to fill my days if the snow does or doesn’t turn it on.
The first thing I learnt from the thread was the option to fly to Christchurch and then do the scenic drive to Queenstown with stops along the way before flying out from Queenstown. From what I gathered Christchurch>Methven>Wanaka>Queenstown is a popular route. I’ve considered tagging on Dunedin if the snow is non existent. What’s people’s thought on this keeping in mind I want to see as much of NZ’s natural wonders (with the occasional soak in hot springs) as possible?
From what I’ve read Wanaka might be a good place for me to base myself for the majority of the time with less of a party vibe than Queenstown whilst still having the option to drive in there. Any thoughts on this?
I will likely be doing this trip alone so need to keep that in mind with the driving/petrol I was surprised to find such an affordable campervan option in the Jucy Cabana for something like $30/day (Would use travel insurance to avoid paying the rental car excess insurance) This seems like a fantastic option allowing me to stop at van parks (with facilities) along the way as well as letting me adjust my itinerary on the fly depending on conditions/places I like. One downside I can think of is I’ll need to do a quick dash to the shops upon arrival to buy some form of pillow/blanket (presuming there’s the equivalent of a kmart/bigw in between christchurch/methven) Are there any other major negatives to this other than it not being a 4WD?
Speaking of 4WD’s if I don’t have one am I going to be able to get to the ski fields? (both major and club fields along the way) I’m not a terrible driver but haven’t ever driven on snow. I understand the basics i.e slow everything and gtfo of the way of better drivers but I imagine driving off a cliff to a fiery death would put a bit of a downer on the trip.
If the snow does turn it on what mountains are the must visits for each of my stops?
Flight wise, does anyone know if sales are likely to come up for that travel period? (being school holidays I’m presuming no) At the moment doing Christchurch>Queenstown rather than flying directly into QT is around $150 cheaper. Other than that everything else appears to be full price. I’m certainly not ruling out a QT arrival if the road trip idea isn’t so great.
Any and all advice on this sightseeing/snowboarding holiday is appreciated.
Mate, although the only place that I’ve been in NZ is the Queenstown area, I reckon I’d do your itinerary in reverse maybe?????
Fling into Queenstown (Weather Dependent) the view is pretty spectacular!!!!! A real buzz!!!!! (It will still be good on the return flight, but I just reckon it’s a great starter)
I’d also base myself in Queenstown as opposed to Wanaka!!!!! While Wanaka is a beautiful place, Queenstown will keep you busy as it’s more of a Central Hub than Wanaka is!!!!!
You don’t have to let it be a Party Town either, as there’s soooo much you can see and do otherwise!!!!!
Drivin a 2WD is no drama, but just remember to grab chains to not only avoid a fine, but to keep ya on track, so to speak!!!!! There’s heaps of 2WD Vans usin the roads!!!!! Just give yaself plenty of time to travel up/down the mountain and don’t rush it, or let anyone rush you, as there’s tons of room to let the local rally drivers pass!!!!!
As for places to see that I’d recommend, I’ll add them later as I’m gonna go and watch Never Not Part 2 right now!!!!!
Thanks mate that’s some great starting information.
I guess having the flexibility of the campervan means I can easily switch stuff around like you have suggested and base myself in a park in QT. I’m not totally adverse to a party but much prefer a couple of quite drinks and a nice meal. Once again having a set of wheels will allow me to do these little side trips i nwhatever region I end up in.
Yeah I’m really looking forward some breathtaking views and the one from the plane is definitely a popular one going by instagram!
I might even work out cheaper to buy chains over a 14 day period? Good to know that driving to the ski fields is and option though.
Once I get the general outline locked in I think I’ll only need to sort flights and the car hire out the rest I can book as I travel.
Looking forward to hearing about your experiences and recommendations. Obviously no rush June/July is some time away! 
Enjoy never not 2!
Dependent on how many times you’ll drive up the hill, you might be better off hirin chains when ya need them????? Unless Juicy have a great rate for the fortnight?????
Talkin about flights, I highly recommend a Chopper Flight from Queenstown, as it has to be one of the best things that I’ve ever done!!!!! We did a flight with Glacier Southern Lakes (I teed it up via email prehand, and asked what specials they had, got a reply that they’d knock of 10%), cause they had great feedback on Trip Advisor!!!!! We did the Milford Fly/Cruise, and they threw in a Beach Landing too!!!!! Flyin through the mountains, and landin near a Glacier was pretty epic!!!!!
If ya don’t do a flight, maybe well worth the journey out to Milford via the Tunnel, and stay there o’night in the van????? Pretty area with some awesome chunks of rock!!!!!
Check out - Moke Lake (Good place to camp), The Road to Glenorchy (Plus Silvan Lakes reserve), as while there’s bugger all out there, the drive to Glenorchy is listed as one of the Top 10 Drives in the World!!!!! I reckon it is!!!!! (Plus there’s a few Walking Tracks out in that area, if that interests ya)
Drive The Crown Range!!!!! (The Road that takes ya directly across the mountain to Wanaka, via Cardrona) * This requires Chains, so do it as part of a day on the snow maybe?????
Arrowtown, via Arthurs Point you will see a few things, and a quick browse in Arrowtown is all you’ll need!!!!! A pretty little Gold Mining Town with pretty much Bugger All, bar an old piccy theatre that’s pretty cool!!!!! Pub’s OK, but a drink while ya watchin a flick is the better option!!!!!
If Cheese, Wine, Bread is an interest, go to the Cheesery in the Gibston Valley, and a drive that’s worth doin for a couple of nice views out to Cromwell!!!!! (It’s the road that leads around the valley to Wanaka, so this is an option for when you’re without chains)
Def hit Fergberger in Queenstown, even though it’s kinds corny touristy feelin thing to do, the burgers really are better than Hungry Jacks!!!!!
You’ll also like the food in Hikari, Japanese Restaurant in Queenstown!!!!! (Although t ain’t at Japanese Prices)
Atlas Beer Cafe is also a great spot to eat, but is so damn small, you will find yaself eatin shoulder to shoulder with others!!!!!
If I think of more, I’ll repost!!!!!
There’s so much to do in the area, but just be ready to dip into ya pocket every time ya wanna do somethin!!!!!
Ohhh, and Never Not was pretty good too!!!!! 
If I think of more, I’ll repost!!!!!
There’s so much to do in the area, but just be ready to dip into ya pocket every time ya wanna do somethin!!!!!
Thanks mate, lots of gold in there! I’m not at the stage of knowing places by their name yet so am I correct in presuming these are all activities in the general Queenstown area? Not knowing the size of the place yet are these things I should be setting large amounts of time aside for or is everything in a pretty close vacinity?
I wonder how I’ll go if it’s snowing (I suspect a NZ pow day would get preference) but good to know I’ve got options if it’s dry/warm. If all goes to plan and I like the place as much as I suspect to, I very much doubt it will be my last visit to NZ but I’d love to get a good grasp of what’s out there during this trip.
Will definitely look into the chopper ride. I’m actually in the beginning stages of planning my USA/Canada 14 trip as well (thread to come when I’m better informed) and had a chopper ride through the grand canyon pencilled in as well!
Ohhh, and Never Not was pretty good too!!!!!
Good to hear! I had both parts loaded up on my tablet for the Japan trip in case I ever got bored. Goes without saying I never got around to watching them!
Yeah, there’s heaps of stuff to do in the immediate area if ya have a car (Which you will), if ya stayin in Queenstown!!!!!
And the snowline rarely (As I’ve read), falls down to Town Level in Queenstown, Glenorchy, & Wanaka, so there’ll be plenty to do even if there’s a dusting up top!!!!!
Milford might not be accessible if there’s a good dump, as they can/do close the access road due to avalanche control!!!!!
If ya get a Warm Bluebird Day with no Cloud or Wind, that’s when a Heli Flight is in order!!!!! Maybe even take ya board and do a Heli Board Event!!!!!
I definitely had the thoughts runnin through my veins once up in the air and could visualize the fun that would ensue!!!!! Just that I was at the end of the season, and nature wasn’t gonna see that happen no matter what my enthusiasm level was at!!!!! Hopefully they get an early start to the season like this one, while you’re there?????
Just about to read your latest post but letting you know I just hit submit on a bunch of edits to my last post, you beat me to it 
I definitely had the thoughts runnin through my veins once up in the air and could visualize the fun that would ensue!!!!! Just that I was at the end of the season, and nature wasn’t gonna see that happen no matter what my enthusiasm level was at!!!!! Hopefully they get an early start to the season like this one, while you’re there?????
Maybe a silly question but was this your 1st trip to NZ? If not have you boarded there before?
Yeah I’m not going to lie I’ll be pretty sad if I don’t get a bunch of riding in but I have a feeling from the photos I’ve seen that it’s the kind of place I’ll enjoy as a “touristy holiday” if I can’t ride. I enjoyed Hakone a hell of a lot more than I expected and that was basically a day admiring natural wonders. I suspect NZ will have the edge in this department.
Yeah, a Chopper through the Canyon is a must for me when/if I get to the States one year!!!!!
If ya do consider it, just fire off an email/ring Glacier Southern Lakes as those guys have got their act sorted!!!!! Nice Crew too!!!!!
Hey mate,
Disclaimer: I haven’t read this whole thread.
But I see you’re thinking about staying in Wanaka.
I stayed in Wanaka for two weeks and it was just awesome! I would highly recommend staying there if you want a bit more of a laid back scene. When I go to New Zealand again, that’s where I will base myself most of, if not all the time. It’s such an incredible town!
I chose Wanaka for two reasons: more relaxed and less touristy vibe, and it’s close proximity to Treble Cone, which I believe has some of the best in-bounds freeriding terrain out of all the major snowfields. A powder day at TC is as good as it gets!
We did visit Queenstown, and don’t get me wrong, it’s absolutely beautiful. I’m sure you would have a great time there too! My suggestion would be to research the mountains a bit more, and base yourself in relation to where you want to ride.
But I see you’re thinking about staying in Wanaka.
I stayed in Wanaka for two weeks and it was just awesome! I would highly recommend staying there if you want a bit more of a laid back scene. When I go to New Zealand again, that’s where I will base myself most of, if not all the time. It’s such an incredible town!
Hey mate,
Thanks for the input. Yep certainly have Wanaka pencilled in as a place to base myself for a fair chunk of the trip. Unless the idea get’s shot down by others I was thinking of hiring a campervan which will allow me to adjust what area/campground I am staying at on the fly. From your description it sounds like my kind of place.
and it’s close proximity to Treble Cone, which I believe has some of the best in-bounds freeriding terrain out of all the major snowfields. A powder day at TC is as good as it gets!
This is the kind of stuff that gets me excited! I know very little about the snowfields in NZ at this stage especially when you bring the club fields along the way into play.
So how did you go about getting to Wanaka? Did you fly directly into Queenstown or do the trek from Christchurch.
Yeah, a Chopper through the Canyon is a must for me when/if I get to the States one year!!!!!
If ya do consider it, just fire off an email/ring Glacier Southern Lakes as those guys have got their act sorted!!!!! Nice Crew too!!!!!
Sat down and had a proper crunch of the numbers for the USA/Canada trip last night. Gees I hadn’t realised how good I’ve had it with Japan pricing as it didn’t take long for this planned trip to blow out to pretty big figures. Starting to look into places I may be able to trim some fat.
Checked out the Glacier southern lakes site as well as the tripadvisor reviews. You weren’t kidding it looks bloody nice!
Saw this and thought it may convince you to fly into Queenstown 
Ive done it and its even better when that low cloud isnt there 
Yeah, when we flew in there wasn’t a single cloud over the mountains!!!!!
Then the same when we did the Chopper!!!!!
And sorry Dave, for some reason I missed your other questions?????
Yeah, it was my first time there, and while I easily could’ve gone ridin, I had already reserved my plans to use my time as a Cruisy Look See around the place, so I wasn’t fussed!!!!! Plus I had a great pow sesh in Feb so I was quite content on lookin at the “Aussie” Type Conditions up at Cardrona, without the need to try it on!!!!!
Ohhhh, and be ready for the Culture Shock of comin from Japan!!!!!
You will have to pay for everythin you do in the Southern Lakes District!!!!! But happily in a weird kinda way!!!!!
Saw this and thought it may convince you to fly into Queenstown
Absolutely stunning mate!
Dilemma I’m currently having is flying into Queenstown is significantly more expensive on top of already pricey school holidays flights.
I can currently get Syd>Chr - Que-Syd flying Qantas/Emirates direct with 30kg luggage for $574 which is pretty tempting.
And sorry Dave, for some reason I missed your other questions?????
No worries mate I’ve been appreciating your input.
I grabbed a travel brochure for NZ the other day and can see how you were quite content even without the snow. Once I’ve read up on the places I want to see I’ll hit you guys up for more specific info.
Yeah I think these upcoming trips will confirm how good I’ve had it in Japan. The fact that the travel agents keep suggesting Japan as a place I should consider isn’t helping! I just think I’m selling myself short if I don’t at least try some other places before heading back there again.
NZ is shaping up ok at this stage mainly because of the campervan option which still seems too cheap to believe but it sounds like I’ll get stung when it comes to eating as I eat like a horse.
Struggling more with the price shock in early USA/Canada plans. Just slashed an entire week off the itinerary to make it a little more palatable.
There’s a big Supermarket right near the Airport in Queenstown too, so you can stock up on cheap food items that’ll keep ya budget lookin better!!!!!
Not sure about grocery prices/options in Wanaka though????? Jez can answer that one!!!!!
As for eating out/fast food, there would have to be 20 times the options in Queenstown as opposed to Wanaka, so there’s bound to be quite a few cheaper options there as well!!!!!
Is the quote for ya flights the same of ya swap the arrival/departure around?????