2nd visit to NZ, need help with tentative itinerary
 

We were on the South Island November 2018, LOVED it !!!

We want to go back, but that same time period has become complicated for us so we're thinking of January 2020

Last time we arrived in Blenheim, stayed 2 nights, then drove counter clockwise to Picton, top part of Abel Tasman, Cape Foulwind and down the coast with 3 other stays to Haast, then across to Wanaka and Queenstown, Te Anau (for Milford Sound). Worked in Mt Cook from somewhere.
Most places we stayed 1-3 nights, except Queenstown and Wanaka which we used as bases.

So we want to revisit some places from last year, but add in new ones (We also are going to fit in some time for the North Island, that will be another thread)

Total number of days should be about 18 days for both Islands, not counting travel/international flight days.

At the moment I have this itinerary

* fly into Queenstown and pick up a car, drive to Wanaka or Makorora for 2 nights so that we can re-visit the Haast Pass Road which we loved ~ 2 nights?
* On to Lake Tekapo (haven't been there) hopefully re-visit Mt Cook with better weather than last year ~ 2 nights?
* down the coast to Dunedin/Otago Peninsula ~ 2 nights? 3 nights?
* continue through the Catlins, stay where? ~ 1 night?
* Back to Queenstown re-visit Glenorchy/Paradise and Arrowtown, Mt Difficulty Winery for a lunch ~ 3 nights?
* early morning flight from queenstown to wellington to start the drive up North Island

We don't mind a lot of driving in great scenery, we do like to stop at interesting places, easy hikes/walks, wineries if they serve lunch or dinner, not too much into tastings
This is a faster pace than we usually do, but I need to save time for the North Island

Appreciate your thoughts and ideas!

Might be March, might be 20 days, not counting travel/international flight days :)