hi tcss,
your itinerary quiet diff with me.
I didn't go by TransAlpine train as i rent the car in CHC. Have you check whether you can return the car in CHC? if you can, i believe it will cost more.
So, I decided to rent the car from Teddy in CHC and from his suggestion, taking train and car.. not much different. if you have spent many days in NZL, all the scenery are very nice and they more or less look the same (i mean the mountain with the snow on the top)
Well, no doubt there are places that are spectacular compare to the rest. I'm glad that we drove so we can stop in the Arthur pass when the snow falls and have a glass of Hot chocolate.
I didn't go the Punakaiki as well and I went to FJ Glacier instead of Fox Glacier although i stayed overnight in Fox.. coz that time was rainy.. so we can't do the walking. Then I go to FJ instead.
Well, i dint go to Dunedin as well. Can't advise anything .. sowwy
I suggest you to take the 1pm Sheep shearing so can catch the hot spring in Hanmer Springs. They got 2 shows in a day. Drop by to the small cart in front the sheep shearing to get the scallop sandwich.. new thing to try. Nice.. i like it.
oo.. dont forget to consider Alglenn Motel for your CHC.