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South Island + winter + car...

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kosjanne

Joined: 03 Jan 2006
Posts: 1

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 1:13 am Post subject: South Island + winter + car...

Hi, I'm travelling the world with my wife and we're coming to New Zealand in June. We will stay only for 6 days. Our plan is to fly to Christchurch, rent a car and drive "around" the South Island. I would like to know what's it like to drive around in the South Island in the winter time? Are the roads icy? Are cars equipped with winter tyres during the winter time? We are from Finland so we're not that worried about driving in the winter time, but we just want to know what to expect. Can we only drive along the coast or can we drive across the island? Are there any closed roads? I would also like to know what are the roads like, how fast I can approximately drive? I mean, I want to estimate how long it would take to drive e.g. from Christchurch to Queenstown. Are the roads very mountainous and thus slow to drive? By the way, do you think the South Island is the way to go (in the winter time)? What are we missing if we don't see the North Island at all? Are there a lot of activities one cannot participate during winter (in the South Island and therefore we should go to the North Island)? Thank you very much for your help.

Garry
Site Admin

Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 290
Location: New Zealander in Scotland

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 3:22 am Post subject:

hi kosjanne, around the coast it is usually ok, icy in patches but generally no snow. Inland sometimes the roads are closed i.e arthurs pass, lewis pass, lindis pass may be closed for short periods, but they are open more than not, expecially in June. People generally just carry chains with them just in case. The speed limit on the open roads is 100km/hour as for times have a look at http://discovernz.co.nz/driving/smlcalc.html Yes the south island is the way to go anytime of year, sure it will be cold but on a clear winters day it can be magic. Most activities run all year round. The main tourist places in the north island around the volcanic plateau are just as cold and often in winter the dessert road is closed.

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