There are some worthwhile stops on the North Island. The main issue with the North Island (for me) is that they are rather widely scattered and often the driving between places is not as spectacular as on the South Island where in most spots you are either seeing the Souther Alps or the coastline.

I enjoyed my visit to the "wild west coast" of Auckland around Muriwai, and also to the far north of Northland (Matai Bay).

The one thing that the North Island has in abundance is hot springs. Not so much on the South Island.

The scenery around the volcanoes National Park is qute nice.

Wellington is a little bit like San Francisco, with interesting architecture, good restaurants, and the fantastic Te Papa Museum.

Napier is known for Art Deco.

There is good wine tasting west of Wellington.

Thanks for your great trip report. I read your previous reports while preparing for our month-long February 2008 trip to the south island and we just today decided to take another month next year for a taste of the north island, a return to some of our favorite parts of the south island as well as parts of the south island we missed last time around. I'll be reviewing your trip and trail reports again with much relish.

Lucky you to have a full month! Enjoy your planning.

Thanks for the excellent trip report. We're headed to the SI in March/April and are considering driving through the Catlins, so this is really helpful.

Good to hear SZ - enjoy NZ!

bmk to read later

Hi Melnq8,

We've been kind of "absent" from Fodor's of late, and just found your great trip report of SI. We've re-lived some of our wonderful experiences there, some of which we had in common: the Croft in Te Anau, (recommended by you).the fiord trip on the Mitre Peak, minus the hordes on the larger boats, Kepler's, etc. etc. Thanks for your great report! And thanks again for all the help you gave us in planning our trip.

We didn't know that you had relocated to Indonesia. Wow! What a change! Our main reason for looking you up is because of all the horrendous wild fires in CO. . .again some of the same areas. We thought about you, and hope and pray that your family members and their homes are safe.

Hi tomarkot, good to see you here again. This is my report from our 2008 SI trip; we relocated from Indonesia to Perth later that same year. I think annhig pulled it up doing research for her upcoming trip.

I've been watching the CO fires unfold from here in Australia, just as I did at the same time last year, and it's gut-wrenching. News coverage here is sparse, so I've been following along online, and it's just so incredibly sad. As if last year wasn't bad enough.

Thank you so much for your thoughts. Our families are okay, they're quite a bit south of the Black Forest fire, but it sure feels close when it's your hometown.

On a happier note, I've just put the finishing touches on a month long trip to the South Island for Aug/Sept.

This is my report from our 2008 SI trip; we relocated from Indonesia to Perth later that same year. I think annhig pulled it up doing research for her upcoming trip.>>

guilty as charged, mi'lord.

so glad I did though, it's so interesting and helpful.

have you ever done an overnight cruise on Milford Sound, mel? DH loves boats and it seems it might be a good way to see it without the crowds.

No worries annhig, good to know my old reports are still of interest.

I'm almost finished with my entirely too detailed 2012 NZ report...first time it's taken me over a year to write a report! I hadn't planned to post it, but perhaps I will once I put the finishing touches on.

We've not done the Milford overnight - we've done three Milford cruises over the years (fourth coming up), but never the overnight. Just doesn't seem worth the expense to us, but we're not boat people.

Mel - please do post that report. I'm sure that I'm not the only one who would find it helpful, and entertaining too! it's the detail we like, BTW.

I'm not that much of a boat person, but being on a fjiord i'm hoping that the things that I don't like about boats [mainly rough weather and seas] wouldn't apply. and it would give us all day to get there from Te Anau, which having read your reports looks like a good plan.

Hi,Melnq8,

I too have wondered how your family and friends are in CO with these dreadful fires yet again. I cannot imagine how frightening it must be for them all again, especially those who lost their homes and property last year. All are in my thoughts.

Good to see you are heading NZ-way again. I thoroughly enjoy your reports as an NZer as you go to places I have not been - yet! We are planning to travel back down to Christchurch and beyond in February to visit family and friends, and because we will both be retired then we will not need to rush back to school or the office! So I shall look foward to your latest report too.
Dot

Thanks dotty, you're very kind. My family and friends are fine, just sad and a bit nervous about what the rest of the summer will bring. Last I heard, 509 houses have been destroyed, but the fire is now 85% contained, which is a very good thing indeed. I've been told that many of last year's fire victims have rallied to help those who have lost homes this year, which restores my faith in humanity and chokes me up a bit.

Happy retirement!

I have just found your trip report! We are visiting NZ for the first time in September and your trip and links have really inspired me.
I have some questions, if you don't mind.
We are contemplating an overnight cruise at Milford Sound. Have you done this before and would you recommend the idea?
Have you been to Fox or Franz Josef glaciers? Again, what would be your recommendations?
Have you done the tranz alpine train? We are thinking of doing it just one way from Greymouth to Christchurch. Would you recommend this?
Thanks for any help!
Cathy

Hi Lakesidechick -

Haven't done the Milford overnight, just three daytime cruises.

I responded to your other thread about the difference between Franz and Fox.

Did the Tranz Alpine on our first trip to the SI years ago. Enjoyed it, but have since learned I much prefer the drive over Arthur's Pass. If you do it though, one way is definitely the way to go. Return is redundant.