NZ Trip 2010

Itinerary

• CAIRNS 1 Jan, - Tropical North Queensland
• CHRISTCHURCH 1-4 Jan - Beautiful City on the South Island old world but very liveable. Accommodation: Rydges - not bad 4 1/2 star, clean close to City Centre and restaurants - Noisy at night on lower floors stay away from the lift.
• AKAROA - Day visit to small fishing town, now overrun with day trippers.
• KAIKOURA 5 Jan - A fishing village that has been taken over by whale tourism. Accommodation: White Morph Motor Inn - Clean, convenient, quiet, great seafood restaurant with Crayfish special.
• BLENHEIM 6-7 Jan - Small town in the middle of wine country, not much their but scenery is unusual with surrounding rolling hills.  Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Marlborough - very old smelly, no aircon would not stay again.
• PICTON - Day visit to this port town where ferries come in from the North Island.
• NELSON 8-10 Jan - Lovely region town of average size, great main street and weekend markets, well worth the visit.  Stayed with friends North of the town on a farm very enjoyable time.
• GREYMOUTH 11 Jan - Long drive to reach Greymouth after passing by Pancake rocks.  Sleepy town on Railway line.  Accommodation: The Ashley Hotel - clean, bit old and out of town on main road.
• HOKITIKA - Day visit to this little town south of Greymouth, nice glass blowing factory in the main street and jade store as well.
• ARTHUR'S PASS - Connects West to East, and is a pretty stop over for lunch, has awesome scenery.
• HANMER SPRINGS 12 Jan- North East of Christchurch, this little hamlet is in the mountains and is renowned for its hot springs and day spas.  Accommodation: The Heritage Hanmer Springs - lovely old world building beautifully kept preserving its original elegance.