We did a boat trip out of Picton that we really liked. It was for just a few hours on Marlborough Sound, but we saw the little Hector dolphins that live there--they call them Mickey Mouse dolphins because their dorsal fins look like Mickey's ears--and did a hike at an endangered bird sanctuary. We were on a small boat that we booked when we got to town.
There's so much to do in NZ! We really liked hiking on Franz Josef glacier, too. Have fun! 

Posted Sep 30, 2011

Chch is a nice city, but most of the downtown core area is still closed to visitors, and that means fewer hotels and restaurants, as well as the cathedral and other tourist attractions.  If you head up the coast 2-3 hours, you can see a lot of wildlife out of Kaikoura, or visit the Marlborough wine region. I agree with Jeremy, there are so many things to see and do in NZ, there's always something fantastic within a few hours' drive.

Posted Oct 01, 2011

On the North end of the island is Nelson,  a very nice coastal city with good food and wineries nearby. You can take a speed boat out of Nelson that will drop you off in Abel Tasman National Park. You then hike down the coast to a pre-determined spot where the boat comes back to pick you up. It's a beautiful hike. For New Years Queenstown probably has the most active nightlife scene on the island. I also did the hike on the Franz Joseph glacier, a very interesting experience.

Posted Oct 02, 2011

I did the same trip a few years back but from Wellington to Chch. I went swimming with the dolphins in Picton and whale watching in Kaikoura, both amazing experiences. There are some beautiful wineries in the Marlborough region, as others have mentioned. I also took the train down, it was definitely worth it - the views are incredible. Queenstown is supposed to be great for New Year's but not at all on the way, unless you want to take a plane trip there and back (which will probably be fairly expensive, as will accommodation).

I was just north of Christchurch last New Year's Eve, it was great as it was just a romantic getaway with my boyfriend, but nothing too lively going on - we went into Chch the next day and there was not much going on, I can imagine there will be even less going on this year.

Wellington is a fun city, not sure how long you're planning on staying - I went on the cable car which has some great views of the city from the top, also went to the Te Papa museum which provides great history of NZ. 

Have a great trip! 

Posted Oct 04, 2011

Biking the Queen Charlotte Sound or even kayaking. There are a few biking companies that you can rent with. It was really fun with great views!

Posted Oct 06, 2011

The wine country in the Marlborough region and Wairau Valley is hard to beat- flat rows of vineyards for miles suddenly abridged by snow-peaked mountains! Many great wineries but the best restaurant in New Zealand (literally) is at the Herzog winery. Might be a great place for a low-key romantic New Year's dinner? If so better make some reservations quick! The stars out there are amazing, and of course different constellations. Not that far from Picton, it's southeast. The coastal drive north of the glaciers (Franz Josef, Fox) is quite dramatic indeed.

Posted Oct 11, 2011