The Routeburn can be accessed from either end for day hikes: One end via Glenorchy (out of Queenstown) which is a beautiful drive even without the walking. The other end I think is the Key Summit hike accessed on the way to Milford Sound.

OinkOink and Melnq~ I am starting to get really jealous! I better get some tickets booked before I go crazy! We absolutely loved kayaking on Milford Sound with Roscos. You do not have to be Mr and Mrs ultra fit to do it, trust me on this! We have done the Milford boat trip four times and the Doubtful sound day trip three times, however, kayaking in the sound just blew our minds. One tip, we met them up at the Sound (versus getting picked up at the hotel in Te Anau) so that we could make all those stops along the way. The Lake Gunn is a short and pretty walk and breaks up the car time as well as a picnic or snack at Mirror Lake. There are loads of stops so I always consider the drives events too! We usually stop to gawk at least a dozen times, always managing to plan around the tour buses. You will definitely want to do that as well.
Also, if your budget will allow it, it is completely worth the flight over Doubtful Sound. There are several companies, but we used the one right in the center of Lake Te Anau. Absolutely stunning!
I know a lot of people think it is probably crazy to hire a company to tramp with, I generally think so too :)but we really enjoyed doing the Taste of Milford Track trip with Bob from Trips and Tramps. It is a combinaton boat and hike that goes through the first leg of the Milford Track. You stop for lunch in the over night hut. This trip alone takes a full day.

A few other thoughts for Te Anau
We like to get ice cream at the Lake Manapouri boat dock and walk around the lake front, over to where the Murrell Guest house is, especially if it is a clear day because the mountains and the Lake work together to create sheer bliss. I know you can rent kayaks and get boat rides from both Lake Manapouri and Lake Te Anau, but we have not done that (yet!). We once stayed at the Murrell Guest house, but it is a bit of a splurge, so now we stay at Campbell Lodge (which we really like) and have more for excursions!
Melnq, can you believe we have never done the glow worms? It sounded touristy to my husband, but I think now I can change his mind.
Also, in Te Anau there is a new theatre just built to play

oops, sorry ...built to play Ata Whenua, Shadowland, a 32 minute film that is a spectacular cinematic experience of Fiorland. It costs $10 but I think the first show is less. They also sell wine and popcorn, my kind of theatre. You can buy the DVD as a terrific souvenir. We have showed that DVD to so many people and they just love it, of course our tv does not match the cinema experience, but it is still worth buying.

Ok, now you have me day dreaming again! Maybe one day you could do the Milford kayak. The trip leaves at 8:00 am (but the drive at that time of day was spectacular), so you have to leave really early from Te Anau. I think we left at 5:30, because I remember we got our sandwiches the night before because we were leaving before anything would be open. You pull your boats out around 1:00 I believe. Then, take the walk around the Milford Sound area after you finish kayaking, right from the boat center, which I believe is an hour. You can grab a picnic from the cafe right there or bring something from town. On the way out, just before the boat center, there is a back packers place. Nothing fancy, but an experience. We went in to their "lounge" area and had a drink (hot chocolate, wine) with fellow travelers! It was fun to share how different people had spent their day (s). You don't have to stay there to go in. With all the stops on the way back, this could easily fill one day. Doubtful Sound will fill another whole day. One tip, if you think your kids would be bored with the stop at the power station (my 16 year old niece was), you can take the very first boat out and then you do not stop there. You could be back in Te Anau for the glow worms, flights, etc. I hope this helps.

Thanks Melnq8...your suggestions are very helpful...will stay two nights at Fox instead....

Haven't read the rest of the postings but going to do so now....

Tks mlgb....for telling me how to get to the Routeburn Track....

tks Wannabakiwi for the many suggestions....am now thinking of the overnight cruise at Doubtful Sound after I saw their website yesterday night....quad share wasn't as expensive as I thought...the kids feel that that may be more fun than the helihike so we may just change that for the overnight cruise but still do a walk at Franz Josef glacier...will have to see if time permits kayaking on the sound...I have typed into my itinery the places you suggested...like Melnq8 said, I could be stretching this a little too much and we may end up rushing from place to place...guess all this planning will sharpen my planning skills for our next holiday (my daughter just asked me if I was sick of planning - seeing I have been at this for awhile now...) told her I am planning the "perfect" holiday for her!! Hee2

The Doubtful Sound overnighter is a good option for your itineray and probably works out to be cost effective as well - it combines a lot of the stuffs you are already considering - kayaking, seeing wildlife (penguins, dolphins and seals)as well getting the most out of Fiordland. Bearing in mind the price is partly offset by the saving on one night's land based accomodation, and somewhat makes up for missing the wildlife tour in Dunedin should you skip the city to see Mt Cook, this trip does make a lot of sense for you.

Tks Eschaton...didn't look beyond anything except that it is a cruise on Doubtful Sound. Didn't know that the cruise offers kayaking. Wonderful...now we know we can't go wrong with this option.

Google...Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise Tripadvisor... and look at tripadvisors page report on the cruise.

Tks eschaton, Will check out the site....tks.

Melnq~ I meant to ask you to please let us know what your experience is with staying in Wanaka for three days. We love the drive over and stop for lunch and a short hike, but have never made it a base camp. I would love to know what you thought. We had a first time base camp at Lake Taupo this last trip and I can fill you in if you are interested. We try to have 5 days on the north island during a three week trip, primarily to recover from jet lag (from the US). OinkOink, I think the overnight on Doubtful Sound is going to be very special, we can't wait to hear about it! I have never done the Sound overnight trips, but I have seen the kayaks. Cheers!

Wannabakiwi - my trip is in January 08...will be a long wait for a report. Nevertheless, I am sure we'll have such a great trip, I won't want to keep the experience to myself. Without the recommendations and advice of so many on this forum, esp Melnq8 who also taught me how to "plan" a trip, it would have taken me much longer to get to where I am at this stage of the planning so thanks guys....

Will do wannabeakiwi. This will be our first stay in Wanaka - will let you know how it goes.

FYI, this is our August SI itinerary:

Arrive CH 9:30 am, drive to Hanmer Springs - one night to recover from overnight flight

Drive Hanmer Springs to Upper Moutere (between Nelson and Motueka) - three nights

Drive Upper Moutere to Golden Bay - three nights

Drive Golden Bay to Picton - water taxi to Bay of Many Coves in Marlborough Sounds - three nights

Water taxi to Picton from Marlborough Sounds, drive Picton to Punakaiki - three nights

Drive Punakaiki to Haast - one night
to break up drive

Drive Haast to Queenstown - three nights

Drive Queenstown to Wanaka - three nights

Drive Wanaka to CH - two nights

Fly CH to Singapore and return home

Can't wait!

Melnq8 - I am sure you'll have a great trip....

Certainly ask for help if we ever do another trip to NZ and maybe the Nth Island this time.

Looking forward to your report.

Can anyone help with this?? I have read that there is accomodation in...not sure where it is....but from the accomodation, you can look at the Routeburn Track....the word "hut" was mentioned. Be very interested to enquire about accomodation there.

The 'hut' would be one of those run by the department of conservation for trampers wishing to stay overnight at their tracks. It is a very basic bunk bed in a dorm you share with about 40 other trampers.
You need to bring your own sleeping bag, food and cooking utensils - they provide gas ring and shared bathrooms.

You need to book in advance for a bed - $40 a person.

"shared bathroom" = flush toilets, no showers.....

Tks Eschaton...no showers...ok...that's not my kind of accomodation. Thanks for your help.