knot,

don't miss the glaciers (Fox or Franz Joseph, right next to each other on the west coast). you can do a full or half day walk. amazing. if you're cashed up you can go by chopper. the half day seemed OK but you don't go as high up on the ice.

we did the full day and took me about another day to recover. the crampons are a challenge. I was stuffed by the time we got back down the bottom.

milfords sound is a bit too touristy but nice. worth it just for the terrifying tunnel drive through the mountain!

other highlights for me were:

- Queenstown (bars, restaurants, jetboats, bungy etc)
- Wanaka Warbirds museum
- Lake Tekapo (have a look on google earth... it really is that colour)

from memory I think there is some pretty good lake sailing in NZ, but I get the impression gear hire might be a problem, unless you can score some in christchurch and cart it round. been a few years since I was though, could be different now...

have fun.

matt

Your Knot going to get any hire gear anywhere except Christchurch and Dunedin. Watercooled sports in Dunno's at the Harbour Basin has some hire stuff but it sucks compared to Oz. Pack your 5mm wetsuit and booties, the water is chilly.
The whole Island has waves so your better off taking a surfboard, but if you like sailing places by yourself then charge it. You'll be lucky to find another sailor around.
And the water is chilly.
Inland Glenorchy near Queenstown once held the speed record if you want some flat water speed ( the wind funnels down the Dart River and out across the lake. You can sail about a foot off the beach on near glass water.)
As mentioned the other lakes are sailable. Did I mention that the water is chilly.
Best things.... Whales etc in Kaikoura, Fiordland, Milford Sound etc(drive in fly out is awesome), The Catlins, Hokey Pokey ice-cream, the people and Jimmy's Pies in Roxborough, Best Damm Pies in the World!!

Enjoy!

www.skidubai.com/

or

www.windsurf.co.nz

It looks like all who replied stated the same - its rather cold in NZ especially the South Island.

A must visit - to gain a few brownie points is Maruia Springs. Worth an overnighter. Don't let the tourist brochure talk you into Hamner springs, Maruia is set in the mountains.

www.maruia.co.nz/

Half way between ChCh and Nelson

Shotover jet is the orginal and the best by far.

A trip up the gondola for a few evening beers whilst in Qtown is also nice especially if there is any snow on the Remarkables.

A nice place to stay overnight is Mt Cook Hermitage. Accessed from the East not the West Coast. Nestled in the base of the mountains a bit touristy although very beautiful country. Great views of the mountains and close by glacier. Turn off to Hermitage very close to Tekapo

A drive also up the West Coast is a must.

Basically the 'different' drive compared to Australia is down through the middle highway 72, Tekapo etc. and up the West Coast crossing back through Arthur's Pass or the next Pass.

For a day trip from ChCh, through the tunnel to Akaroa and then the drive back across the headland (the name eludes me). You may even see some crazy NZer's jumping off the headland with parachutes, kites, hang-gliders etc.

signed ex-Queenstown inhabitant - many years ago

knot, one thing I forgot to mention (which might be more relevant now that sailing is off the list) is I did a dual paraglide off the mountain in Queenstown which was so damn good I did a one-day course which resulted in my soloing the thing by late afternoon. unbelievable. look out for the brochures in queenstown (if I can find a link I'll post it). the place where you do the actual course is a bit out of town.

snow-wise, I don't think you'll get anything this time of year, but check the webcams anyway. if you decide to chopper up the glacier you might find something up there.

cheers

matt