ard1son

Hi All.

Going to New Zealand in August 2016 for 12 days for my 1 yr wedding anniversary/honeymoon. Don't have much planned out so trying to crowd-source some info for it.

So far, I have -

30th Aug - Arriving at 1pm Auckland, staying the night (flying from Singapore). Maybe hit up the winery nearby the airport for the afternoon?
31st Aug - Fly from Auckland to Christchurch. Pick up rental car and drive to Mount Cook and stay there for two days and a night. Wife and I really want to see the Southern Lights, so we plan on driving straight there once we get to Christchurch.

That's it so far. We're pretty open ended, and have a few ideas of what we want to see (Franz Josef Glacier, a hike or two) but would really like some suggestions.

Thanks!

Melnq8

Villa Maria near the Auckland Airport is a grand idea - expensive to get to by taxi though. If you need some fresh air (as we do) after your long flight, you might consider walking - takes about 45 minutes each way as I recall. You can get directions upon arrival. I suggest you book in advance, particularly if arriving on a weekend.

The drive from Christchurch to Mt Cook will take quite a few hours - this plus the flight will realistically only give you one full day in Mt Cook. Days in August are still very short.

Don't get your hopes up about the Southern Lights, quite unpredictable.

<Wife and I really want to see the Southern Lights, so we plan on driving straight there once we get to Christchurch.>

Please don't do this unless you're a confident left-side driver and you've gotten a full nights sleep.

deSchenke

Would it be possible to get a connecting flight to Christchurch when you arrive in Auckland? Seems a bit silly to burn a day near the AKL airport.

There are wineries not far from Queenstown, if that is where you are heading.

Diamantina

Sorry, "crowd-source"?

Will you then be staying at a hotel near the airport on your first night? Why don't you change your connecting flight to the South Island and connect through that same afternoon instead of the following morning? Get a good night's sleep in CC instead.

I like Villa Maria very much, but I don't think you should spend the night in an Auckland airport hotel just to do this. There's a hotel right at the airport, Novotel. I've not stayed there, but my husband and I have stayed many times at hotels on or near Ascot or Kirkbride Road. There are few airport hotels/motels around this area, such as the Holiday Inn and Hotel Grande (used to be Grand Chancellor). Then we'd just walked to Villa Maria, takes about 15 minutes, very straight-forward route. After being cooped up on a plane, I think you'd probably enjoy the walk as a chance to stretch your legs, providing it's not raining (but what's a little rain in winter?). These airport hotels are served by the Yellow Bus Airport Hotel Shuttle. http://yellowbus.bustravelnz.co.nz/

There's also a tiny shopping mall "Airport Oaks" next to the Hotel Grande. The mall contains a small grocery store (basic), an Indian restaurant, a cafe, and some other businesses.

If you can't change the time of your connecting flight, what time will you leave the next morning? Because if your flight is not too early, maybe you should consider taking the Airbus Express and staying in the city instead, have a nice dinner at the waterfront. That is, if your budget allows for this.

Melnq8 is quite right, your chances of seeing the Southern Lights/Aurora Australis are hit and miss. Check this site: http://www.aurora-service.net/aurora-forecast/
Read "Viewing auroras" on this link (just substitute the word "north" for "south"):
http://www.aurora-service.eu/aurora-...-the-kp-index/

Check out its Aurora Gallery. This photo was taken from Nugget Point Lighthouse in the Catlins:
http://www.aurora-service.net/aurora...wppa-photo=110
Night photography has become a big draw for the Catlins.
http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/south-o...e-big-drawcard

I've seen the aurora from Dunedin. It's not as visible with the naked eye as is in photos. The aurora was last photographed in Dunedin a few weeks ago:
http://www.odt.co.nz/video/news/dune...kies-over-city
The photos of the aurora on the below article were taken from Hooper's Inlet on the Otago Peninsula and Dunedin's Tunnel Beach.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/tr...w-zealand.html

Take care when driving around the South Island in winter. You need to be mindful of ice on the roads. In shady areas, it can take days for snow or ice to melt. The afternoon winter sun is also low in the sky and can blind you. Read these links:
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/387123/blinded-light
http://www.newzealand.com/us/feature...-driving-tips/

I believe Melnq8 frequently visits in winter, so she can offer more tips for winter driving.

Diamantina

Another link for winter driving:
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/safety/drivi...inter-driving/

In icy and frosty conditions, you might want to avoid driving before 10 a.m. Don't drive after dark.
Sunrise/sunset times:
http://rasnz.org.nz/in-the-sky/sun-rise-and-set

ard1son

Thanks for the comments/recommendations. We haven't booked anything yet, and from what people are saying, perhaps we should fly to Queenstown from Auckland when we arrive. Then, work our way up the West and go to Franz Josef Glacier instead of Mount Cook, and end up in Christchurch. We then fly from there to Auckland.

Trip Outline -
Arrive in AKL and fly to Queenstown and stay there for 5 days
Glacier area for 2 days, Christchurch for 2 days, and Auckland for 2-3 days.

Thanks for the heads up about driving. We're originally from Hawaii, so right handed winter driving will be an experience for me. I've driven in Australia (Perth to Margaret River area) and Singapore, winter conditions will be the biggest challenge.

Melnq8

Definitely fly directly to the SI if you can. Better use of your limited time. Caveat: Hopping into a car right off such a long flight(s) isn't a good idea, even if you're used to driving on the left.

Which begs the question....why Auckland at all? Last time I checked there were direct flights from Singapore to Christchurch on Singapore Air. I've flown to Christchurch from Singapore and Singapore/Melbourne/Christchurch, both on SIA. Then it's a short flight to QT, or you can fly into Christchurch out of QT if that works better for you.