🇳🇿 South Island Adventure: 8-Day Car-Free Itinerary

✈️ Day 1: Auckland → Christchurch 🏙️ Days 1-2: Christchurch 🚶 Citywalk Highlights: Avon River (winter punting closed), Arts Centre, New Regent St, Heritage Tram, Cardboard Cathedral, Riverside Market, Cathedral Square (under renovation) 🍽️ Eat: Riverside Market’s Quincho (Argentinian BBQ 🔥) 🏨 Stay: DoubleTree by Hilton Fable Hotel (near InterCity bus stop) 🌌 Day 3: Christchurch → Lake Tekapo → Mt. Cook 🚌 InterCity Bus: Christchurch to Tekapo to Mt. Cook 🚶 Explore: Lake Tekapo, Church of the Good Shepherd Hooker Valley Track (3.5hr hike) + stargazing 🌠 🏨 Stay: The Hermitage Hotel (direct bus access) 🏔️ Day 4: Mt. Cook → Queenstown 🚌 Bus to Queenstown 🍽️ Dinner at hotel 🏨 Stay: Holiday Inn Express Queenstown (⭐ Bus stop #1 outside → easy airport transfer!) 🪂 Day 5: Queenstown Thrills 🚶 Activities: Skydiving (weather-permitting) Skyline Gondola + 6 Luge rides 🍽️ Eat: Meh Thai/Vietnamese spots (skip unless desperate) 🚢 Day 6: Milford Sound Day Trip 🚌 Book with InterCity/GreatSights (cheaper!) 🍽️ Dinner: Flame Bar & Grill (steak/fish/chips = 🔥) 🍔 Day 7: Queenstown Chill 🚶 Activities: Shark Jet Boat (splash warning!) Fergburger (iconic giant burgers) ✈️ Day 8: Queenstown → Auckland 🚌 Transport Tips InterCity FlexiPass: 10-hour package ($140) for Christchurch → Mt. Cook → Queenstown (9.5hrs total). Milford Sound: Compare InterCity vs. GreatSights for best deals. #WinterTravel #SouthIslandNZ #NoCarNeeded #AdventureOnABus #SnowSeason