Plan to spend more time on the South Island next time. You will not regret it.

I'm pleased Kaikoura worked out well. Joeaksa would probably agree; not as impressive as the Otago/Wanaka/Queenstown area and the trip to Milford Sound, but if you're only here for a couple of days I thought Kaikoura would be a nice easy trip from Christchurch. I hope you guys got to enjoy the rock lobster - I ate about a dozen of them (caught them myself) over Christmas New Year. I hope you liked Sydney - great place in the summer.

Hey, one hour on the South island would be wonderful, especially with lobster! :)

Dammit, I need to get back. Its been over 20 years since I have been there last and need to change that.

I think we'll probably spend 7 days or so in the South Island this December, along with some time in Oz and Kangaroo Island.

When I get home, though, I need to get my damn SC in working order--just need to pull the struts and replace the ball joints but hard to make it a priority when the weather sucks...