Highlights:
Stop off on your way down the coast in Punakaiki to snap some photos of the weird pancake rocks found along the coast.

Monteith's Brewery is located in Greymouth so if that's your beer of choice, stop in and take a tour.

Try your hand at Jade carving in Hokitika at one of the day courses or, if carving's not your thing, just buy something ready-made and pretend you carved it.

Sample some bull's penis sausages and various other strange grub at Hokitika's annual Wild Foods Festival in March. Mmm... bull's penises.

Make a stop 30 minutes before Franz Josef in Okarito to check out the lagoon, abundant wildlife, and stunning scenery in this tiny town. Stay a night or two with my friend's Cindy and Rainer at Kotuku Lodge if you want to kick back and relax.

Take advantage of one of the many options for exploring the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier including half, three-quarter and full day hikes, eco-tours and heli-hiking.