14 Days around the South Island
Day 1
Picton / Abel Tasman National Park
Marlborough sounds, Perlorus bridge. Nelson
Day 2
Sea kayak or walk in Abel Tasman National Park
Day 3
Abel Tasman National Park - Karamea
Earthquake central'! Buller gorge, moody westcoast, superb podocarp forest, lime stone caves, birdlife galore.
Day 4
Karamea - Franz Josef / Fox Glacier
Rugged, wild west coast, pancake rocks, Hokitika gorge! bush walks, beach walks.
Day 5
Franz Josef Glacier
Big lumps of ice and awesome rainforest.
Day 6
Franz Josef - Wanaka
Superb rainforest vistas, massive mountains, mountain streams and pristine alpine pools, ancient trees, fall out of a plane!
Day 7
Wanaka - Queenstown
More lakes, mountains, rivers and stunning alpine scenery, jump off bungy bridge!
Day 8
Queenstown
Shotover Jet, party at altitude bar! fly to Milford sound, party at altitude bar, ski, party at altitude bar.
Day 9
Queenstown - Te Anau
Milford sound red boat cruise or overnight in Milford or Doubtful Sound. Highly recommended.
Day 10
Te Anau - Invercargill
Southern scenic route, more huge forested mountains, NZ's deepest lake, massive southern ocean
Day 11
Invercargill - Dunedin
Petrified forest, penguins, seals, sea lions, dolphins, 'Natures Wonderland' Otago peninsular absolute must do!
Day 12
Dunedin - Christchurch
More penguins, old Oamaru, Cathedral square.
Day 13
Christchurch - Kaikoura
Whales, dolphins, stunning coastal scenery.
Day 14
Christchurch - Kaikoura / Picton.
If you are starting in Christchurch, start at day 13.
Te Waipounamu
TE WAIPOUNAMU - is the Maori name for the South Island, it translates to the greenstone waters. Pounamu or Greenstone is a much prized treasure or taonga of the Maori. It was used for making tools, weapons and adornments. The pounamu was formed when serpentine rock was subjected to extreme heat deep in the heart of the earth, the fault line of the west coast coughing it back up to the surface where giant boulders are washed down rivers.
