North Islanders South Island Tour 09/10

[PR]

While the idea is great I would be careful trying to fit too much into the trip, it will only take one person having a break down to throw the whole schedule out the window.

A better way would be to focus on the West Coast, or Central Otago/Southland, or Canterbury/Marlborough or something like that, stay in that area and really give the tracks & back roads a good go.

Then if the whole trip goes well schedule another one for the following year going to one of the other area's.

Trying to fit the whole South Island into a two week trip doing the scenic areas and also trying to fit in the 4wd tracks will see you spending all your time driving.

Just my thoughts

I totally agree
I have taken groups on 2 week tours around the south island and struggled to get everything in, we started in Christchurch headed north to Kaikoura then Blenheim, Picton, Nelson, Westport, Greymouth, Hokitika, FranzJosph, Wanaka, Queenstown, Te Ananu, Milford, Invercargill, Bluff, Dunedin, Tekapo, Gerldine, Christchurch.
Almost every night was driving from one place to another with 2 -3 hours in a motel before getting up to do the days activities.
As downunderxj said do it in sections and by the time you get back to the first one it would have completely changed.
My 2c

[CRAZYBUSTARD]

so should we may be plan picton reefton greymouth chch picton cheers ron

[ActyonMan]

Have you considered adding the drive through the Molesworth Station on your way from Chch to Picton. It isn't a difficult drive but would be more intersting than the main highway (or should that be lowway as the Acheron Road would be the higher way).

Date: 15 December 2008

The Acheron Road through Molesworth Station is due to open to the public later this month for more than 13 weeks, weather and road conditions permitting.

The road through the heart of the historic high country station in South Marlborough is scheduled to be open from 28 December through till 1 April.

There is no fee to travel the road but there are fees for overnight stays in its campsites.

Molesworth is a recreation reserve under Department of Conservation management with the cattle farming operation run by Landcorp Farming Limited.

DOC South Marlborough Area Community Relations Programme Manager Colin Davis said the Acheron Road journey was a spectacular high country experience.

“Molesworth is a very special place. At 180,476 hectares, it is New Zealand’s largest farm. It also has outstanding natural features, a rich history and a stunning and dramatic landscape. As a reserve and working cattle station, it combines farming, conservation and recreation in one vast area.”

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recrea ... d-is-open/
ActyonMan

[downunderxj]

The scenery through the Molesworth is great, I have driven through there before and camped at one of the DOC campsites.






I believe the fishing can be good too, though we weren't successful.

[wisard2]

I doubt Nick Lawson will have anything further to do with this trip, if he does, then I will not be participating. However, Dace & myself are keen to continue with such a trip, but without Nick Lawson, so we may organise our own.

[Moriarty]

Siwsie and I went from Hamner to St Arnauds via St Jame's Station, THAT is worth doing. I didnt get any trout either.

But that is a great trip, more bush and interesting scenery, lots of hummocks left by the retreating glaciers from the LAST iceage.
no, didnt see any mammoth bones.

[lneil]

Good suggestions so far, and you could combine several on the way down.

You could go from Picton down to the Awatere valley, then through the Molesworth to Hanmer, cut back up to St Arnaud via the Rainbow, a few kms of tar-seal (with a stop at Lake Rotoiti) and then into the Porika and Braeburn to get to Murchison via Lake Rotoroa. This would lengthen the trip to Reefton a bit, but would cover the main scenic/shiny routes in that area.

If you didn't want to go to those lengths, then make sure you use the Maungatapu track from Pelorus to Nelson, instead of sticking to the tarmac.

[albundy]

If Nick Lawson has anything to do with this trip, then I will not be participating. However, Dace & myself are keen to continue with such a trip, but without Nick Lawson, so we may organise our own

I think people are alot wiser now cobber, took some time though. This trip can still happen it just needs a few people to take reponsibility for it. Time to put hands ut aint doing the lot, I can help but have done that before=shit loads of workup guys.
Al

[Pico42]

If Nick Lawson has anything to do with this trip, then I will not be participating. However, Dace & myself are keen to continue with such a trip, but without Nick Lawson, so we may organise our own.

Whats the deal with that? Seems a serious statement and not the usual fun poking banter.

[Moriarty]

If Nick Lawson has anything to do with this trip, then I will not be participating. However, Dace & myself are keen to continue with such a trip, but without Nick Lawson, so we may organise our own.

Whats the deal with that? Seems a serious statement and not the usual fun poking banter.

It IS serious, it WAS serious, and, its ALL OVER NOW< (much like the song.)

So lets let it die a natural, shall we? One day, we can take it out and look at it, when it is not so bloody.
If anybody really HAS to know, can I suggest that they wait until they are face to face with one of the few concerned parties and not let IT, whatever IT, is, pervade these pages any more?? Please?????

lets just slide back into our usual banter and mudslinging. verbal and tyres....

B

[wisard2]

Well said Bob, thank you.

[Dace]

Well said Bob, thank you.

X2

[Sadam_Husain]

I went through Rainbow Station from St Arnuard to Hamner in my truck a couple of years ago and it was a cool cruisey trip but fark with a convoy of vehicles that dust would be a killer

[wisard2]

I went through Rainbow Station from St Arnuard to Hamner in my truck a couple of years ago and it was a cool cruisey trip but fark with a convoy of vehicles that dust would be a killer

So you going to come and lead the trip are you Marty.......awesome!

[Dace]

I went through Rainbow Station from St Arnuard to Hamner in my truck a couple of years ago and it was a cool cruisey trip but fark with a convoy of vehicles that dust would be a killer

So you going to come and lead the trip are you Marty.......awesome!

Nice one Marty

[85BJ73]

So is this trip still a goer or has it died?

[wisard2]

No, it definately hasn't died. Dace I I were talking about it yesterday and we are still going ahead with it. Dace said we may start a new thread for it see-ing as some things have changed.

[85BJ73]

Coolio, work permitting....and that may be the stumbling block as there is only me left now .....we are still up for this, depending on when it is, hopefully later in the year, or early next??
Cheers,
Shane

[nuts]

best idea is dont hav a stricked time line what u cant do this time ya come do next time as shit happens and time is irrelevent once on the trail

[albundy]

Start another thread and lets get planning. Re-set ya dates. Time is of thwe essence, a big trip like this will take 6-8 months planning. Still happy to sort out Central otago stage.

Al