South Island: Flights We Could Have Avoided

Milford Sound: Since we didn’t want to do the 5 hour drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound, we decided to spring for the airplane trip which is significantly shorter, but much more expensive. What we didn’t know was that it is also very subject to weather. On the day of our departure we were able to take off and land in the Sound but we couldn’t stick around very long because our plane had to take off immediately or risk being stranded. Our pilot very kindly gave us a rather extended scenic tour on the way back to compensate, which meant lots of drops and curves and Karam freaking out! So I nursed him all the way back, which meant sore nipples when we got home! If you’re going to do the Sound with a baby, try breaking journey in Te Anau, which is a closer drive than Queenstown. Resist the temptation to take a bus as they tend to get stuck in traffic on the narrow road in the evening, when most people are headed back.

Kaikoura Whale Watching: Wings over Whales is a great concept, but for an 11-month, being squashed into a small seat with an imposing seat belt in a suffocating cabin is not exactly a highlight. We had to do it twice because we were amongst the 2% of customers who don’t get a sighting in the first trip. We saw three in the second trip but for baby K’s sake, I can hardly say it was worth it.

VERDICT: AVOID.