Christchurch, New Zealand

[Zach Adam]

Hi Guys!

I am planning to go to South Island of New Zealand for 8 days with my wife, 2 sons (8 yr old & 1 yr old) on August 2014.

Any suggestions where to go for 8 days, we will rent a car and driving around.

Gears I will be bringing are as follows:

a. D7100
b. Tokina 11-16mm MKII
c. 50mm 1.4G

Is it more than enough or should a bring 1 more zoom lens?

Will it be hard to bring an 1 yr old toddler?

Thanks for your help and suggestions!

 

[Highwind]

Hi Adam,

That will be sufficient, do bring along a sturdy tripod and of course if you can some ND/GND/CPL filters.

Do drop by Lake Tekapo, Mt Cook, Queenstown, Lake Wanaka, Milford Sound and Dunedin.

 

[Lawrence Quek]

i hv bought my child on trips since he was 6mth old. u can check this blog which i set up.

childhoodsg.blogspot.sg

there are 3 posts on the preparations, planning and execution. hope it helps.

 

[JacePhoto]

i hv bought my child on trips since he was 6mth old. u can check this blog which i set up.

childhoodsg.blogspot.sg

there are 3 posts on the preparations, planning and execution. hope it helps.

Saw your blog. Impressed! Keep it up.

 

[Lawrence Quek]

Saw your blog. Impressed! Keep it up.

bro, thanks for the compliments. it's abt sharing. hope it would be useful for anyone with kids.

end of the day, i hope my children will have some childhood memories to remember.

 

[TANHK]

To TS,
Some additional suggestion for your consideration :
- Greymouth on the west coast - visit Punakaiki Pancake rocks and blowholes. To see the full effect of the blowhole, to be there at high tide and pray the condition of the sea is rough and windy.
- Kaikoura, scenic seaside town north of Christchurch - this is the place to eat lobster and seafood. One of the few place to go whale watching, seals and swim with the dolphins. But check if these activities are available in August.
- KiwiRails for Transalpine route and Pacific Coastal route. If you want to take a break from driving, you can consider to travel by rail for part of your journey. These are scenic train rides and come with audio commentary. There is a open carriage for photographs as well. Check kiwirails website for more details.
- For shopping, buy NZ Jade, cheaper and more choice in Greymouth and Kaikoura.

I hope to post some photos of the above place once I organize and sort them properly.

Hope this helps.

 

[Zach Adam]

Thank you very much for your warm comments and suggestions.

Is is better to book the hotels in advance or do you recommend to book on the spot, place by place that we are going to?

 

[TANHK]

Thank you very much for your warm comments and suggestions.

Is is better to book the hotels in advance or do you recommend to book on the spot, place by place that we are going to?

You are welcome.
I am kaisu, if it is me I will book in advanced, and you are travelling with 2 very young child. If your concern is last minute change of itinerary, you can search for hotel/motel that allow free cancellation before arrival. And preferably the room come with kitchen facility, which is more economical than eating out all the time.

 

[redlavita]

I just returned from New Zealand South Island and I took this self dive package by Chan Brothers - http://www.chanbrothers.com/flexi/detail.cfm?d=NEW ZEALAND&id=LHFENZSELFS

Some photos from the trip - https://www.facebook.com/chris.ang.773/media_set?set=a.10152338578802767.1073741900.617032766&type=3