I want to go to Lake Tekapo for New Year's Eve, but I can't book a hotel. I can only stay in Omarama, 80 kilometers away. I plan to see the stars first and then go. How is it to drive at night in the South Island ? New Zealand Q&A
Do you guys have any friends who will self-drive around South Island around Jan 23 to Feb 2 next year? My itinerary is Christchurch - Punakaiki - Fox - Wanaka - Queenstown - Dunedin - Oamaru - Tekapo - Christchurch. I want to see if there are any friends who can play together. ? New Zealand Q&A
What should I do if I drive a Road trip car with four elderly people for nine days in the South Island? Should I rent a Highlander or a larger MPV like the Toyota Alphard? Which one has more space? My main concern is that the MPV may not have enough power, and I don't know what the road conditions are like. I'm worried that it will be difficult to drive. Thank you everyone ? New Zealand Q&A
We have booked a Road trip in the south of New Zealand from December 2nd to 8th. The itinerary is Christchurch, Tekapo Lake, Mount Cook, Dunedin, Queenstown, Wanaka, Fox Glacier, Greymouth, and Christchurch. The car has been rented. Is anyone willing to travel together ? New Zealand Q&A
Is anyone on Hainan Island? Is it cold ? New Zealand Q&A
Regarding the recent flooding in the South Island, tourists with travel plans in the near future do not need to panic. The latest information we have is as follows: 1. The water levels in the high-water areas of Lake Wakatipu and Lake Wanaka in Queenstown have reached their peak, and the weather has cleared up. This week is expected to be mostly sunny, with no more rain predicted, so the flood risk has been alleviated. Businesses along the shores of Lake Wanaka have resumed operations. The famous Wanaka Tree will remain partially submerged for a while longer due to the still-high water levels. Queenstown is experiencing clear weather, and recent photos show that while the water levels are high, the risk of flooding has diminished. 2. The South Island highways, which were previously closed, have started to reopen. State Highway 72 has resumed traffic, although there is heavy congestion, so travelers should allow extra time if using this route. 3. There is still flooding at the Rangitata Bridge section of State Highway 1, but once the water recedes, traffic will be able to resume. There is also flooding at the intersection of State Highway 1 and State Highway 79. The Timaru District Council has stated on social media that there is no risk of the recently reopened bridges on State Highway 72 being closed again. 4. The goal is to reopen State Highway 6 on the West Coast before Christmas, but this is entirely dependent on the weather conditions. If the weather remains favorable, the road repair progress will be normal, but if there is another heavy rain, it will affect the repair schedule. Therefore, travelers planning to visit the West Coast of the South Island around Christmas and New Year's need to closely monitor the road repair progress. The New Zealand Transport Agency's update on December 10th at 4pm: SH6 - The past two days have been sunny, and road repair progress has been smooth. The agency has been working to clear the landslide section between Fox and Franz Josef towns, aiming to reopen the Hokitika - Makarora section before Christmas. The Whataroa - Harihari section, which has suffered the most damage, is still closed due to multiple landslides, and the agency is striving to reopen it before Christmas ? New Zealand Q&A
Is it super cold in the south island in mid-May ? New Zealand Q&A
Is there any section with poor road conditions in the south ? New Zealand Q&A
Are there any departures to the South Island on the 22nd of September ? New Zealand Q&A
Do you have to rent an SUV when traveling in the South Island ? New Zealand Q&A
Is there any road closure in southern island now ? New Zealand Q&A
Is the weather in the South Island not so good recently ? New Zealand Q&A
Is anyone going to the South Island in late November ? New Zealand Q&A
Are you racing ? New Zealand Q&A
Can you stop and admire the scenery on Nan Island Road at will ? New Zealand Q&A