Planning a trip to New Zealand, know its full size

I’ve recently had a guest from the United States book a stay with me for 8 days. I asked what he was going to do in Canterbury for 8 days and he explained that he was going to use my bed and breakfast as a hub and do daily trips around the south island from my accomodation. I explained that the distances were too great for this, he did not believe me as he drove large distances in his home state. Unfortunately the driving did get the better of him and became very tired and checked out early. I want my guests to have a great experience in New Zealand and I know my country well so I do try to give helpful advice. With help I have a couple of examples below. Countries in the southern hemisphere do look smaller on the flat map compared to their real size on the globe, below an image of NZ and Australia.

Why not drive from New York to Florida in a couple of days?

Crazy hey?  You’d probably fly. Get this: if you overlay New Zealand with the tip in New York, the bottom of the South Island makes it all the way to Florida. Maybe not the Florida Keys.  Would you plan on driving and exploring all the states in between in less than 2 weeks?  Of course not, but that’s what I quite often see here in New Zealand.  The NZ regions from the top, start with sub tropical climes – native nikau palm trees, warm rain forests with soaring kauri trees protecting the silver ferns and kiwis foraging below. By the time you reach the far south, you’re amongst towering moutains topped with glaciers and icy blue lakes.  Kinda like the ‘ States’ but upside down. New Zealand is a long narrow country with widely diverse climates. Roads are often narrow and winding also making driving times slower. Also you will want to stop and take in the small towns along the way enjoying local food and wine.

Let’s drive from Denmark to Spain for our holiday this year.

I’ve hosted lots of guests from Europe this year.  I have found many of them assume that NZ is about the same size as their own country.  Surely it can’t be much bigger? But it is.  Place the top end in Denmark and the bottom comfortable makes it down to the Pyrenees in Spain.  So how many days do you think you’ll need to drive that AND explore all the places in between?

Why not pick and area of New Zealand and a theme, for example hiking and focus your holiday on a region that offers great walking and some relaxation time. You can enjoy some of the countries great vineyards and restaurants on your rest days. Plan to stay at locations 2-3 days minimum so you don’t miss the experience rather than driving from place to place on a daily basis. It results in a much more enjoyable holiday and you see and do more things.