Since AirAsia started the KUL-AKL route, I think the number of Malaysian going to NZ increased tremendously. I guess this will be a very helpful post to help you answer the following questions:
1. How long do I need to travel around South Island?
Ideally, you will need at least two weeks to have a decent trip. Honestly, you will need more time if you are into hiking. We did one hike (short/long) every two days and I have to admit that our east coast trip was pretty intense. We tried to fit everything into one week in order to make it to Milford Sound before the stormy week.
2. How much do I need for travelling in New Zealand?
It really depends on what you want to do. Accommodation is the most expensive cost for our trip. We stayed in hostel every day because I insisted on showering everyday. LOL
Use Wikicamps, booking.com and YHA website to look for deals. A YHA/BBH card would be very useful. For Malaysians, I would suggest you to apply for YHA card in Malaysia.
To save even more, you should try to cook everyday especially when you travel in groups. One carbonara dish (~$2/pax) with heaps of bacons can last you for two meals. Besides that, you have to exercise perfect self-control
3. Should I use bus pass (Kiwi Experience/Stray) or drive?
If you are travelling alone/you don't want to drive, you can stick with the bus pass. If you have one friend with you, you can consider renting a car. However, the road can be pretty narrow and winding. We planned our trip in a way that we don't exceed 5 hours of driving every day.
First, let me run through the itinerary with you.
Day 1 to 4 - Christchurch and Springfield
Activities
Christchurch CBD, Botanical Garden, Museum, Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant
Hostel
YHA Christchurch
Day 5 - Christchurch-Lake Tekapo-Omarama
Activities
Lake Pukaki & Good Shepherd Church
Hostel
Omarama Buscot Station BBH
Day 6 - Hooker Valley Track-Lake Benmore-Oamaru
Activities
Hooker Valley Track Hike (3 hrs return), Lake Benmore, Blue penguin watching (FREE)
Hostel
YHA Red Kettle, Oamaru
Day 7 - Oamaru-Moeraki Boulders- Dunedin
Activities
Oamaru Art Gallery
Oamaru self-guided walking tour
Moeraki Boulders (check for tide times- only go during low tides)
Dunedin (Baldwin Street & self-guided walking tour)
Hostel
Manor Backpackers Place
Day 8 - The Catlins- Bluff- Invercargill
Activities
McLean Falls
Nugget Point Lighthouse
Cathedral Cave (check for tide times- only go during low tides)
The Lost Gypsy Caravan (It was closed during winter season)
Bluff
Invercargill
P/s: I would recommend a minimum of two days for this route but we were in a rush as we wanted to be at Milford Sound for the good weather.
Day 9 - Invercargill- Te Anau
Activities
Te Anau & Manapouri Lake
P/s: Best place to do Kepler Track day hike but we didn't have enough time
Hostel
Manapouri Freestone Backpacker
Day 10 - Milford Sound
Activities
Milford Sound Cruise by Go Orange! ($45)
Key Summit Track, The Divide
Mirror Lake
Hostel
Manapouri Freestone Backpacker
Day 11 - Queenstown-Wanaka-Lake Hawea
Activities
Queenstown
Lunch at Fergburger and dessert at Mrs. Ferg
QT Sunday Market & Botanical Garden
Lake Wanaka for Wanaka Tree
P/s: Would do Rob Roy Glacier & Black Diamond Lake Track if we had sufficient time. Check out Roy's Peak's lambing season
Hostel
Lake Hawea Hostel
Day 12 - Isthmus Peak Hike
Activities
Isthmus Peak Track (6 hrs return)
P/s: Did this instead of Roy's Peak because Roy's Peak was closed for lambing season. You can see both Lake Wanaka & Lake Hawea from Isthmus Peak. Bring gloves to keep warm!
Hostel
Lake Hawea Hostel
Day 13 - Fox Glacier-Hokitika
Activities
Fox Glacier Walk (2 hrs return - FREE)
Drove past westcoast due to bad weather
P/s: Fox Glacier walk was not worth it IMHO. Too much effort needed for the view. LOL
Hostel
Mountain Jade Backpackers Hokitika
Day 14 - Hokitika -Westport
Activities
Hokitika Beach
Hokitika Gorge
Punaikaki Pancake Rocks
Westport
Hostel
The Arthouse Hostel Westport
Day 15 - Westport-Nelson
Activities
Nelson Lake National Park
P/s: The I-site recommended us Buller Gorge but we found out that the place is a bit run down and poorly managed. And also, it was raining when we were there and we decided to skip it.
Hostel
The Bug Backpackers, Nelson
Day 16 - Abel Tasman
Activities
Abel Tasman Hike (Torrent Bay- Marahau)
P/s: I would suggest you to take the watertaxi from Marahau instead. We used Aquataxi for the trip.
Hostel
Annies Nirvana Lodge, YHA
Day 17 - Golden Bay
Activities
Wairariki Beach
Cape Farewell
Te Waikoropupu Spring
Grove Scenic Reserve
Hostel
The Bug Backpackers, Nelson
Day 18 - Picton
Activities
Shelly Bay Track
Bob's Bay Track
Picton Waterfront
Hostel
Pacific Coast Lodge, YHA/BBH
Day 19 - Picton-Christchurch
Activities
Blenheim
Kaikoura for Fish and Chips
Hostel
Kiwi House Hostel
Day 20 - Castle Hill
Activities
Castle Hill (Filming place for Narnia)
Hostel
YHA Rolleston House
As you can see from the itinerary, my friends and I weren't into any touristy activities. Oh well, except for Fergburger and Milford Sound Cruise but we wanted them badly.
Hence, if you are into Skydiving or glacier tour, you will need to add that expenses onto the budget. :)
As mentioned earlier, I have spent $1137 or RM 3,500 (RM3.07= 1$ as per Dec 2016) for this 20 days trip. Whee!
Car Rental & Fuel - We rented a Fiat Punto for 16 days from Jucy and the rental (including full insurance) were shared among 3 people. Fuel price was around $1.76/L-$2.08/L.
Groceries - Daily meal & dine-out. We cooked most of our nutritious meals.
Activities - Milford Sound Cruise and Aqua Taxi ride for Abel Tasman.
Personal Spending - Snacks, chocolates and postcards
I guess that's about it and I hope that it is a helpful post for all of you. =)
2 comments:
this is perfect for my planning. Thanks Xin Hui. Will bug you more on CNY. :)
No problem! You can also bug CY since he's there. ;)
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