Hi everyone! My husband and I are spending 3 weeks in New Zealand for our honeymoon during the month of December. I've come across so many itineraries in my research and have put together my own based on everything I have seen. I was hoping to get other people's point of views who know the area or traveled extensively to the area. We plan on renting a car so I've looked up all the drive times too to make sure we don't spend the entire trip in the car.

Thanks so much for your feedback!!

Day 1 (12/9) Arrive in Auckland (EARLY AM) (from LA) and head straight to Coromandel
Day 2 Stay in Coromandel
Day 3 Wake up and drive to Rotorua spend the afternoon/night
Day 4 Spend morning/early afternoon in Rotorua then head to Tongariro National Park
Day 5 Tongariro National Park
Day 6 Head to Wellington in the morning
Day 7 Wellington
Day 8 Head to Nelson City/Abel Tasman
Day 9 Nelson City/Abel Tasman
Day 10 Head to Punakaiki
Day 11 Fox Glacier or Franz Joseph
Day 12 Fox Glacier or Franz Joseph
Day 13 Queenstown
Day 14 Queenstown
Day 15 Milford Sound/Te Anau
Day 16 Milford Sound/Te Anau
Day 17 Wanaka
Day 18 Wanaka
Day 19 Christchurch
Day 20 Christchurch
Day 21 Auckland (Fly from Christchurch in the morning)
Day 22 (12/30) Auckland Leave

Congratulations!

Keep in mind that driving often takes longer than the suggested driving times. You'll mostly be traveling on two-lane roads, and you'll want to stop to look at things, take pictures, etc.

Also, be really careful about driving your first day there. We did, but we had to pull over and take a nap.

If you're interested, my trip report is here: http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...april-2004.cfm Keep in mind it is eight years old, but all the things we saw on the North Island are still there.

Lee Ann

Sounds like a lovely trip aditz. Just a few comments.

Day 8/9 - if Abel Tasman is your main focus, I suggest you overnight nearby, such as in Marahau, Kaiteriteri or Motueka -this will save time drivng, as Nelson is about an hour's drive away.

Days 15/16 - assume you're staying in Te Anau? Good choice.

If you are driving from Fox or Franz Josef Glacier to Queenstown, then you will be passing through Wanaka. So why not stay in Wanaka at that time?
You can fly home from Queenstown to Auckland, where you can then catch your international flight. Besides, the flight from Queenstown can be really scenic on a clear day.
If you really have your heart set on seeing Christchurch, then fly from Queenstown to Christchurch. Do you really want to drive from Queenstown to Christchurch after having done all that driving?
If it were me, I would want to relax at the end of the trip. Queenstown is touristy, but also full of nice hotels (some with spas), restaurants, galleries, tour operators, and it is super-close to the Central Otago wineries. Even if you don't drink, the wine country is worth visiting. There are hiking and bike trails, the Kawarau river gorge, beautiful restaurants at the wineries--in some places, the Central Otago landscape can look almost the high desert of New Mexico. It really is surprising. There are are also some quaint small towns in the vicinity of Queenstown, such as Arrowtown and Glenorchy. There will be plenty to do around Queenstown.
If you prefer a more serene place to stay while in Queenstown, there are places just outside of town that will suit.

Thanks everyone for your inputs! I had also posted this itinerary on another site, and it seems like most people think it is a bit rushed, and best thing would be to cut out the Coromandel Peninsula.

And Lee Ann, thanks for sending me your information!