Ours was a 3 week whirlwind tour of the islands, mostly B&B also. We had bookings prearranged for each night. Other than that, how we made it there was our own choice. So much to see, too little time.

>I was there in 1987 and 1988. The first time we (then-girlfriend and I) stayed at a B & B ("homestay") in Te Anau. The owner, a nice older woman, had the fattest cat I have ever seen in my life. For some reason I thought we had to take the bus in but maybe I was mistaken about that. John Ryan has clarified that at some point driving in yourself became allowed.
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>Beautiful place, isn't it? Those are still the only fjords I have seen.
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>>Too long ago for me to remember, Mike (1983?). We stayed a night or 2 in Te Anau and took a day trip up. Could the time of year have been a factor?
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>>UPDATE: You made me look. December 16, 1983. I'm afraid our itinerary and bookings haven't survived the passage of time. The photos have fared better.
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>>>What rental company? Can you now drive a vehicle in? When I was there you could only take a bus or walk in.