rkeele Loc: Puyallup, Wa.

Hi
If you like a challenge, take the shotover boat run up the river, it is a fast and fun ride, if it is raining, you might want to wait as you will get pelted by the raindrops and they hurt like hell. WELL WORTH THE RIDE..

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

Aw c'mon Goof...There are some really cute ones in the lot...you can't imagine what they look like....sheeeeearrred......and they love to pose....

Adicus Loc: New Zealand

Well I do have to say that I think the Moeraki Boulders Will not "Bowl you over" as I found them so disappointing when we visited the Dunedin area a couple of years ago. The Nelson Motueka area is wonderful though with boulders to knock your socks off.Everything depends upon the weather that you get when you are travelling eh? and we will be revisiting the South Island next year as we love it.

cathyturner17 Loc: Franklin, New Zealand

Leave our sheep alone, they belong to our men!

cathyturner17 Loc: Franklin, New Zealand

We are all asleep while you are online, hence no earlier replies.
There are very few places in the South Island that aren't great for photography. I am sure you will love them all.
I am a North Islander, and its just as pretty but in a different way. Much bigger population though.
Kaikoura is the spelling you are after,

greymule Loc: Colorado

Kaikoura is the spelling you are after,[/quote]

Thank you. Mostly I remember the sperm whales and swimming with those cool dolphins in Kaikoura!

North Island was very cool also.

cathyturner17 Loc: Franklin, New Zealand

Not all North Islanders are JAFA's, some of us are just as friendly as the South Islanders! And those sheep down south are nervous around South Island men!
Wherever you go, you will get fantastic shots, you will find yourself stopping frequently

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

In fact, one of the most frustrating things about photography when you get onto the narrow winding roads is that there really is no place to stop. The Kiwis are used to driving on those roads, which look like there has been no cut and fill - they just paved the old wagon trails. They drive like Mario Andretti and made this prairie boy, used to straight and wide roads, too nervous to stop.

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

First off, your timing is great.
February is probably one of our most 'settled' weather months in the year if the past is anything to go by. Hopefully warm rather than cold.
I assume you are hiring a campervan or rental car for your touring, if so you will receive all the maps and touring info you will need and with the advice so far given you will have 'a ball'. (apart from where someone mentioned the trams in Christchurch - since the earthquake, I havent noticed any trams running).

10 days isnt going to be long enough for you to see all there is to see but hopefully it will be a good enough 'taste' to want to return.

My suggestion is to turn South from Christchurch, head down the coast as far as Oamaru then go inland to Queenstown (sorry Southlanders but this guy hasnt the time to go all the way to see you, not to say there isnt brilliant scenery and country down your way).
From Queenstown go up the West Coast stopping as time permits each night wherever you end up. (this route will depend on weather but as said, it should be settled..) ending up in Nelson (Marlborough, best NZ wine region imo) via Motueka.
You are going to be pushed for time but the scenic way back to Christchurch is via the inland route through the Parks, I think if running out of time you might be quicker to head down the East Coast road.

As far as photo ops, just keep your eyes open, they are everywhere.

We are heading down to the South Island with our Campervan in March for the Autumn (Fall) season but intend to take about 6 weeks to do the trip you are doing in 10 days.
It will be my first visit since 'going digital' so hopefully will have heaps to post for critique on our return. (I have hundreds of slides of earlier trips but none of them scanned yet).
Maybe we can do some comparisons . :)

Enjoy your holiday and I am sure there are many NZ UHH members that will await your comments and pics.

saxkiwi Loc: New Zealand

Yes there have been quite a few Americans over the years killed because they reverted back to driving the side of the road they are used to..

Trevor Dennis Loc: New Zealand (South Island)

I mentioned having it a bit rough lately, and the West Coast highway south cut off from a bridge wash out. Folk who live over there are called, not surprisingly, Westies, they are a breed apart - and then some.

The Greymouth Bar is a notoriously dangerous river entrance at times, but check out these two fishing boats trying to get back in. Warning. It is not for the feint hearted.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/ByGSMmenPDM?rel=0

ggttc Loc: TN

My wife who went there a few years ago said the same thing...they drove around the hotel parking lot for an hour before she felt safe to drive on a road...here is a woman who cut her teeth driving in 8 lanes of traffic in Chicago

David Morrison

Hi Photonini,
Yes, as another hog wrote, we receive the hog email late at night, hence the late replies.
By now you have been given some good ideas.You don't give much info on your travel method etc.
I live with my wife in Christchurch NZ, and have just got back from a trip which took us to Geraldine-Fairly-Tekapo-Pukaki-Wanaka--very interesting landscapes.These last three names are very photogenic lakes and you'd love this trip.-I will try to add a photo.
The last good shake here in Christchurch was a year ago and things have since died down to nothing, so if you have any thoughts about coming to Christchurch, this shouldn't put you off.
Our good friends run a very modestly priced B&B near Wanaka, so let me know if you want any details.Also, if you have any time for a coffee with us while in Christchurch let me know.
Oh, and one last thing -- everything that has been said about the sheep, especially the rogue experimental ones, please take it seriously.
Rgds,David.

Lake Pukaki


native Kaka

lhdiver Loc: Midwest

If you tend to suffer jet lag after a long flight & are not used to driving on the left it might be a good idea to spend the 1st night at an airport hotel & get the car after a good rest. Those traffic circles are hard enough to navigate when you aren't used to them, then to do it on the left!

Photoninny Loc: Monterey Bay Area

WOW! A wealth of information (and hilarities). This gives us a lot to digest before we leave. I have been looking forward to this trip, and now I can't wait. We could have devoted more time to this trip. Looks like a future trip is required. We start with a cruise from Sydney to Aukland, then spend 10 days on a road trip (CHC, Kaikoura,Blenheim,Reefton,Franz Josef,Queenstown,MtCook NP,CHC and side trips). Thank you all.