statick2

I received excellent information about the first part of our trip to Tassie, and was hoping for some more info on the second part in NZ. For those who didn't take a look at the Tassie post, I will be traveling with my fiancee, we are both 28 and in pretty good shape, enjoy anything outdoors as well as good food and wine and some cultural sights in NZ are a must.

As I stated in the Tassie post, I would love to do some trout fishing in the world renown waters of Tassie and NZ. I plan on having travel gear with me so if anyone knows of a good spot to stop and take a few casts, it would be much appreciated.

Our accommodation is booked so I'll address this issue up front. The itinerary is insanely rushed, I know this and we are prepared for it. It is for this reason we want to get the most out of our short stays in so many places. Therefore, although I appreciate all suggestions, any "change of itinerary" suggestions are basically moot.

1-Jan Sydney – Fly to Christchurch (5:10 pm)- stay in Christchurch
2-Jan Christchurch - stay in Christchurch
3-Jan Drive to Aurther's Pass (2 hrs) - Hiking?- stay in Aurther's Pass
4-Jan Aurther's Pass - Drive to glaciers (4 hrs)- Franz Josef terminal face walk - stay at glaciers
5-Jan Glaciers - Fox Heli-Hike - stay at Galciers
6-Jan Drive to Queenstown (6 hrs)- stay in Queenstown
7-Jan Queenstown - HELP, 1 entire day what to do???? - stay in Queenstown
8-Jan Drive to Milford Sound (4.5 hrs) - late afternoon cruise- drive to (2 hrs)/stay in Manapouri
9-Jan Manapouri - am? - Doubtful Sound overnight cruise
10-Jan Return from cruise to Te Anua (approx 1pm)- pm? - stay in Te Anua
11-Jan Te Anua - Drive to Twizel (5 hrs) - afternoon???? - stay in Twizel
12-Jan Twizel - Mt. Cook - Lake Tekapo - stay in Lake Tekapo
13-Jan Long ass drive to Blenheim(8 hrs) - stay in Blenheim
14-Jan Blenheim - anyone know a wineries tour on a boat - stay in Blenheim
15-Jan Blenhiem/Picton for the better part of the day - late night ferry to Wellington(10:25pm) - stay in Wellington
16-Jan Wellington - ???????? - stay in Wellington
17-Jan Wellington - drive to Tongariro - stay in Tongariro
18-Jan Tongariro Crossing - drive to Rotorua (2.5 hrs) - stay in Rotorua
19-Jan Rototua in morning??? - drive to Coramandel (4.5 hours) - stay in Coramandel
20-Jan Coramandel - stay in Coramandel
21-Jan Coramandel???? - drive to Auckland - stay in Auckland
22-Jan Auckland?????
23-Jan Auckland
24-Jan Auckland - fly to Miami


Thanks in advance,

Derek

Melnq8

Hi Derek -

I'll only address the SI portion, as I'm not as familiar with the NI. I can't believe I'm actually typing this, but I don't think your SI itinerary is insanely rushed. We see so many unrealistic itineraries here, but I don't see any huge issues with yours...which is just as well since you're not looking to change it! You've obviously done your homework, figured out drive times/distances and you seem to realize that there's no way you can see it all, so to make the best of what you can see.

Soooo, as for how to fill your day in Queenstown...loads of options -

Wineries, Shotover jet boat rides, Dart River Safari (part jet boating, part scenic - starts and ends in Glenorchy - tamer and more $$ than the Shotover jet, but fantastic) watch or participate in AJ Hackett bungy jumping, drive to Glenorchy for an incredibly scenic drive along the lake and fabulous views, a lake boat/sheep farm tour, drive to Arrowtown to explore, various lake activities, or HIKE. So many great trails around there. There's probably some fishing too, but that's not my thing, so I've no idea...

As for Blenheim, loads of wineries and tour options..and yes, there's a boat, I've seen it, but I don't think it does wine tours. I'll try to find some info on it...a cycle tour of the vineyards might be fun.

Melnq8

Found it - it's called the River Queen Paddle Steamer -

http://www.theriverqueen.co.nz/

This company offers wine tours by vehicle combined with a boat tour of the Marlborough Sounds:

http://www.marlboroughtravel.co.nz/i...fm/icon_s_tour

ElendilPickle

The Tongariro Crossing takes most of the day. I would stay another night in the park, then head to Rotorua the next day.

I'm not sure what you plan to do with all that time in Auckland; it deserved more time than we gave it (less than a day all together), but maybe not that much. Maybe you could take a day and add it to the South Island somewhere?

Lee Ann

mlgb

I agree that it is too many days in Auckland, I would delete a day there and add one to Tongariro overnight the 18th and shift everything forward a day.

Otherwise it looks quite good.

There are some short walks even before you get to Arthur's Pass, one is some paths around the Cave Stream/Flock Hill "Narnia" scenery. Another area is the Craigieburn Forest

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...alking-tracks/

There are also various nature trails and hikes to waterfalls in Arthurs Pass park

You can access the walks brochure here
http://www.doc.govt.nz/publications/...k-walks-guide/

Surab

Great info here, we will have a good long read and plan and plot.

kiwitravelbug

For your extra time in Auckland, I would take the middle 2 days and head out of Auckland, up north. Take a day for Waiheke Island and a day to do some of the places around there back on the mainland. Auckland really isn't all that great for spending so much time in, just another city. But as soon as you leave the city and head north there's some real stunners!

As for Wellington, you can spend a fair bit of time in Te Papa, lots of history there and all free. Might be nice too just to wander around the city. Welly is a very nice city to spend some time in

It all sounds rushed, but it sounds as if you know what you're doing and what to expect. Good on ya! Sounds as if it will be a stunning trip Glaciers are simply amazing!