Lester12

21 days in New Zealand - some urgent help needed as we leave on Dec. 4th! We fly to Auckland from Canada and thinking of 2 nights at Coromandel (Hahei) or Tauranga. I don't see much on hte Coromodel peninisula and thinking it might not be worthwhile... But having just got off a long flight thought it might be nice to relax for 2 days... Is there a better spot to go and relax within a short (south) direction?
Also, an alternative itinerary would be to skip Nelson / Picton area and fly from Rotorua to Christchurch then drive thru Arthurs pass to Fox Glacier and continue on from there
Current itinerary:
1 night auckland or direct to beach area
2 nights Coromandel peninsula (Hahei) or Tauarange
3 nights Roturo (get there in evening so 2 full days)
Fly to Wellington (1 night)
Ferry to Picton
Picton/Nelson area (3 days/4 nights)
Drive to Hotika (1 night)
Fox Glacier (2 nights)
Wanaka (2 nights)
Queenston (3 nights)
Te Anua (2 nights)
Arrowtown (1 night) for Flight to Melbourne the next day
Comments and suggestions greatly appreicated!! Trying to have a relaxing trip and worrying I am packing too much in... Have 21 days in Australia after this so cant wear ourselves out!

annhig

Lester - you are posting a number of very similar threads, which may just sink without trace. Better perhaps to stick with one NZ thread and add to it as you go along, unless your trip takes an unusual turn.

your itinerary is now very similar to ours - either we're both going to have a great time, or we'll be commiserating with each other in 3 months time!

we originally wanted to go to the Northlands, but decided that it was too far in the wrong direction so we are spending just one night in Thames at the southern end of the Coromandel peninsular. my reading suggests that there is enough to see there to fill at least one day and if you just want to relax, possibly two - I think that i would prefer that to Rotorua, but you may feel differently.

I note that you are missing out Napier - where we are spending 2 nights - but of course you can't see everything.

Overall we've made a few different choices, but not many, so I'd say that it looks ok - but then I would say that wouldn't I?

Melnq8

Hi Lester -

Staying in Arrowtown only puts you about five minutes closer to the QT airport. It's as good a place to stay as any though.

I think your SI itinerary is quite doable.

I'll leave the NI itinerary to those more familiar with the NI.

Melnq8

One thought though -

You might consider driving from Wanaka to Te Anau, then Te Anau to QT - this will prevent that last motel change. You could just spend your last four nights in QT - the airport is easily accessible from just about anywhere in QT.

Lester12

Thanks for the replies - have taken your suggestion Melnq8 and am going to go from Wanaka to Te Anau Thanks!
Additional question re ferry - to save a day for later in the trip not going to spend the night in Wellington. I have 2 choices: Fly "directly" to Nelson from Rotorua or get off in Wellington and go directly to the ferry. is the ferry ride worth the additional time or are we better off finding a "postal" boat or other boat trip out of Nelson for half a day? Ferry would put us in Nelson around 5 pm. Flight brings us in at 1:30

nelsonian

The inter-island ferry I believe should be a must do for people visiting. It is definitely not the same as taking a boat around the Abel Tasman, both would be great trips but you have to experience the ferry at least once!!

Melnq8

nelsonian could well be right - in our 11 visits we've yet to include the ferry, but we've only visited the NI once, so the opportunity hasn't really presented itself.

An alternative would be a water taxi or a mail boat into the Marlborough Sounds from Picton (which is not the same as a water taxi in Abel Tasman), but you'd have to drive back to Picton from Nelson as you'd have flown, so the ferry makes more sense in your situation.

Lester12

Now going to fly into Blenheim and spend night in picton and take day trip on boat in sounds. Heard best part of ferry ride so might as well skip ferry and spend more time in sound! Any suggestions re which boats? Hour or so walk plus lunch in middle of day would be nice.

Melnq8

Two options come to mind - the mail boat from either Picton or Havelock:

http://www.beachcombercruises.co.nz/

http://www.themailboat.co.nz/

Or a water taxi, which can drop you along the Queen Charlotte Track, and pick you up after your walk. Caveat: walks are much longer than one hour and advance bookings are necessary.

We've used the Cougar Line in the past:

http://www.cougarline.co.nz/

If that's more walking than you want to do, I suggest this track, accessible from Picton:

https://www.rankers.co.nz/experience...t_Track_Picton