Best tramp for first time?

Well, Ive decided to just got for it. Ill probably fly down to Queenstown first thing to do the Routeburn. If the weather does not cooperate, then I'll try waiting a couple days before I set out on the track. After that, I hope to fly up to the Abel Tasman and squeeze that in before I head back to Australia. I also looked into the Overland Trail, but apparently October is undoubtedly the worst time of the year to do it. Oh and lqwaddle, no offense taken. I was simply playing off your joke--Im from West Virginia so Ive seen plenty of "large" Americans Thanks for the help!

Hey, have a great time. In that area there are plenty of options if things don't work out. One suggestion you may interest you, get a copy of "Moirs Guide North" http://www.mcleodsbooks.co.nz/books/Moirs_Guide_North_Otago_Southern_Alps___from_Hollyford_to_lake_Ohau/0958242186.html It is the Northern on you want, not South. There are whole chapters there on each of thefollowing: Routeburn, Dart, Rees, Around Queenstown, Shotover, Remarkables. Heck if you can't find something in there to suit any particular weather then I don't know what else you can do.

Hi ccsmith39 the Routeburn is a great track a good iddea is if you have the time keep walking onto the Greenstone for another 3 days walk,I did the Routeburn from the Queenstown end and added the Caples and greenstone Tracks 9 days Lindsay

Not sure if you mean sea kayaking or white water....http://www.kask.org.nz/ can put you in contact with sea kayakers. Popular trips would be Abel Tasman http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/abel-tasman/ or Whanganui River http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/whanganui/ Both have easy access to tour groups, it is difficult to hire a kayak for solo trips.

We hired Canoes and kayaks as a group (not a tour) from Ohakune to do the Wanganui over five days. There are at least five sea kayak operators in Motueka or thereabouts which will set you up to do the Abel Tasman as a guided experience or otherwise.

There is an adventure company in Picton who conducts sea kayaking activities. If you have the experience you can still hire your own kayak.