NJ_Barb

We are a fit mid-60's couple flying into and out of Auckland. We will rent a car and plan to take ferry both ways. We are interested in 5-10 mile walks/hikes, gardens, architecture, culture, mountains, waterfalls, & out-of-the way spots. There are so many interesting places, it is hard to narrow down our choices. While honeymooning, we are frugal and plan on more budget accommodations with perhaps a splurge at 1 or 2 homestays. Please help us with itinerary and accommodation suggestions. We have decided to skip Waitomo caves. We have checked some of the forum postings, especially indiancouple, and have ideas; but wonder what is best for 9/23 through 10/20. Thanks.

Melnq8

I'm curious why you plan to take the ferry both ways? It strikes me as inefficient, as you'll need to start/end in Picton/Wellington and thereby make your way to/from Picton/Wellington twice, which will eat into your time.

You might consider making your way from the NI to the SI via ferry, then making a loop of the SI, perhaps ending in Christchurch, then flying from Christchurch to Auckland.

This will make better use of your time IMO.

I'll leave the NI to those more familiar with it, but for the SI, beginning in Picton, you could do something like this:

Picton-Nelson-West Coast (Punakaiki-Hokitika-Franz and Fox Glaciers)-Wanaka-Te Anau-Milford Sound-Queenstown-Mt Cook-Christchurch

This driving route covers the best bits of the South Island.

Where you stay and how long you spend will of course depend on what you're interested in doing in a given area, but I've found that three nights in each spot gives sufficient time to thoroughly explore and take in some of the walking opportunities. There are exceptions of course - some areas take less time to cover and others are mere overnight stops.

You'll find good walking most everywhere on the SI. I can help with some specifics as you narrow your itinerary.

Out-of-the-way spots to consider:

Collingwood
French Pass, Durville Island, Arapawa Island
Water access only parts of the Marlborough Sounds, Waikawa
Stewart Island
Rai Valley
Karamea
Murchison
Makarora, Jackson Bay
Knobs Flat, Catlins

Out-of-the-way presents it's own issues, such as access and added expense.

ElendilPickle

We spent 10 days on the North Island in April 2004. Here's my trip report: http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...april-2004.cfm Just skip the bit about Waitomo.

Lee Ann

NJ_Barb

Thank you Melnq8 and Lee Ann for your responses. Melnq8, we were planning on taking the ferry both ways to loop both islands. Per your suggestions and Lee Ann and others' comments, we were looking at the following locations:
Rotorua
Taupo
Napier or Palmerston North

Nelson
Punakaiki/Hokitika
Fox/Franz Josef Glaciers
Wanaka
Queenstown/Arrowtown/Glenorchy
Te Anau
Dunedin
Christchurch

Wellington
New Plymouth/Egmont
Auckland

I agree with the idea of staying 3 nights in each location. However, while 28 days seems like a lot, we cannot cover many of the above with 3 days each. We want to make the most of our time in NZ as we most likely will not be returning with so many other places in the world to travel. That said, we don't want to run ourselves ragged either.

We were dividing our time on the North Island also with consideration of the school holiday beginning 9/28 and ending 10/13. We are concerned that we will have difficulty getting reasonable accommodation, especially on the North Island, as we are not planning to book ahead with the exception of beginning and end of our trip.

Lee Ann, I loved you trip report. I am a Lord of the Rings fan, but only interested in the scenery, not the actual movie locations, but I can understand your excitement following them.

Your thoughts.
Barb

Melnq8, we will keep your suggestion of one ferry and flight to N. Island in mind as we plan.
Barb

annhig

bmk

Melnq8

I'm a little confused about your itinerary. In order to take the ferry both ways, you'd need to leave the NI from Wellington and then return to Wellington. On the SI, you'd need to arrive in Picton and then depart from Picton. Are you planning flights in between or am I missing something?

While I understand you wanting to loop both islands, it seems a bit redundant to backtrack, especially with time constraints. I fully understand that 28 days isn't as long as it sounds! We spent 30 days just on the SI one year and will be doing it again later this month.

I notice that your last stop on the SI is Christchurch, which makes sense if you plan to fly out from there. I assume you realize that if you take the ferry back to the NI you'd then have to drive from Christchurch back to Picton, which is a long drive (or perhaps fly to Nelson or Blenheim?). Doing so would give you the opportunity to fit in Kaikoura and make a complete loop, but it will be time consuming.

I realize you can't fit in everything, but it seems a shame not to visit Mt Cook.

NJ_Barb

Melnq8,
I have been contemplating your suggestion to ferry O/W and fly out of Christchurch as well as making time for Mt. Cook. With that in mind, I am considering the following:
2 Rotorua
2 Taupo
2 Taranaki/Egmont NP
1 Palmerston N
2 Wellington
2 Picton/Nelson
1 Punakaiki/Hokitika
2 Fox/Franz Josef Glaciers
2 Wanaka
2 Queenstown, Arrowtown, Glenorchy
2 Te Anau - Milford Sound
2 Dunedin
2 Twizel for Mt. Cook/Lake Tekapo
2 Christchurch
2 Auckland

There are no 3-day stays here, but don't know what we'd cut out. Any thoughts about scarcity of accommodations on the fly during the school holiday, especially on the N. Island?
Any budget accommodation recommendations?
Barb

Melnq8

Your itinerary is doable, but you'll certainly be on the move. Fifteen hotels/motels in 28 days. You might find it difficult to fit in many 5-10 mile hikes and explore out-of-the-way places with only one full day in each area and some long drive days in between, but I understand where you're coming from.

I suggest you stay in Mt Cook instead of Twizel. This will prevent driving to and from Mt Cook in the same day and will give you an entire day to hike/explore the Mt Cook area. You can easily visit Tekapo the following day during your drive to Christchurch and frankly, there's not much to Twizel.

I'd suggest booking accommodation in Punakaiki, the glaciers and Mt Cook as you'll be there during school holidays (Sept 27-Oct 14). I'm not familiar enough with the NI to know which areas will be busy there, will leave that to someone else.

For budget accommodation, I suggest you look into the Bella Vista Motel chain, which is well entrenched on both islands. Good accommodation, most units have kitchen facilities.

If you want an out-of-the-way place to stay near Picton, I can highly recommend this homestay:

http://www.whsl.co.nz/

Here's the accommodation listing for Punakaiki:

http://www.punakaiki.co.nz/accommodation/

Places we've stayed and enjoyed:

Shining Star in Hokitika

Glen Fern Villas in Franz Josef

Alpine View Lodge - Wanaka, Orchard Cottage - Arrowtown. I can recommend a B&B in Glenorchy too, but it's not cheap

Birchwood Cottages and The Croft in Te Anau

Merivale Manor in Christchurch

Melnq8

Not sure if this will help, but after lots of research, I've booked into the following accommodation for my upcoming trip. I won't know how these places are until next month. I was trying to keep to a relatively tight budget during ski season.

Bella Vista - Queenstown (we have stayed here before - I chose it again as it's in a quiet location with convenient parking, yet a short walk to town)

Amber Court Motel - Te Anau

Clearbrook Apartments - Wanaka

58 on Cron - Franz Josef

Roma on Riccarton - Christchurch - chosen because it's a shortish walk to Hagley Park where we'll be taking a Segway tour

Aoraki Court Motel - Mt Cook

NJ_Barb

Melnq8,
Thanks for your two updates, links and accommodation suggestions. I am checking them out now. The Aoraki Court Motel is booked for the time we wish to be there, though it looks beautiful.
Barb