Route

From Albatross

Trans-Tasman (New Zealand to Australia)

1. From Christchurch, up the east coast of the South Island, turning west over Malbourough, and flying to Australia (Sydney or there abouts) is about 1600 miles/2550 km (40 hours at 40 mph). Avoids flying over the Southern Alps.
2. From NZ west coast (near Haast) to Australia south-east coast (near border between NSW and Victoria) (shortest Trans-Tasman route) is about 1100 miles/1750 km (28 hours at 40 mph).
3. From Christchurch, over the Alps (!), straight to Australia south-east coast (near border between NSW and Victoria) (shortest route) is about 1275 miles/2050 km (32 hours at 40 mph).

Perimeter of NZ South Island

1. Roughly 1400 miles +/- 20%. (2230 km, 35 hours at 40 mph). Difficult to easily estimate accurately.

Distances measured with OpenMap http://openmap.bbn.com/