hello, we have finalised a lot of our plans for our 25th July to 17th August trip. We would like your advice and understand that the weather could be against us but hopefully any activities booked will be allowed to move to a different time - so hear goes - stopping in 6 berth motorhome, 2 adults 2 lads 14 & 11
25th / 26th Auckland
27th to Rotorua - Zorb ball for the kids & Mitai evening,
28th to Waiotopo Lady Knox Geyser then to Napier
29th to Wellington
30th early Ferry (weather depending) to Kaikoura
31st early morning whale watch then to Christchurch
1st to Dunedin (relatives)
2nd / 3rd to Queenstown - shotover Jet and Bungee for kids
4th to Wanaka - Puzzle world
5th / 6th to Franz Josef - Lake Matheson & Heli Hike
7th to Greymouth, calling in to Hokitika craft centre
8th to Westport - Buller Gorge Swingbridge for the males in family and Panakiki rocks
9th to Nelson
10th to afternoon Ferry & Wellington
11th to Okahune
12th to Waitiomo - afternoon Spellbound cave tour
13th "SPARE DAY" in case its needed anywhere above
14th to 17th to Auckland (relatives)and day trips
seen on web, is the Prawn Farm on way to Taupo any good? We can't wait for July, any weather delays will just make the holiday more memorable - its all part on New Zealand
Thanks, Laney

Sounds pretty rushed but not impossible. Especially with short days, not much time for sightseeing.

I would think that time of year there is no reason to book more than a day ahead so if you are delayed you can just cut something. Be sure to get familiar with the Met Service and the few times a day when the forecast is aired on television and radio (not that forecasts are that reliable).

Hi there
I live here and I'm exhausted looking at this itinerary, I would not try driving all the way down and all the way back from the south island. It would be more productive if you follow the route you have planned down the North island taking four extra days for that portion and drop the motorhome in Nelson and fly back up to Auckland, our fare prices are pretty cheap now, look on Air New Zealand or Qantas websites. I'm surprised your relatives haven't told you that this tight schedule is exhausting and ridiculous if there is to be any holidaying at all. More like a cannonball run. You should also be aware that driving here can be on windy roads that take all your concentration, the driver is going to be in a state of stress and again at that time of year there could be ice around making for a slower journey. I think you need to re-assess the whole plan. It is not practical and will not be rewarding at this pace. I wouldn't waste my time at the prawn farm, it is nothing, you should be putting in our national museum in Wellington, it is great for young people. Waiotapu should be walked to see it's hot pools and coloured mineral pools, the geyser is only one part of it. Mitai performance is excellent. The whale watch may not be going at that time of year, again because it is winter and will be freezing if not rough. As for crossing Cook Strait at that time of year, I hope none of you suffer from seasickness. I sound like a deterrent but you really do need to be aware of your time frame and what you can comfortably achieve. We may look like a dot on the map to you but believe me, the distances are greater than you think.

Do plan to spend at least a couple of hours at Waiotapu; there's a lot more to it than the Lady Knox geyser!

Lee Ann

Hi LaneyLoo
I agree with KathyNZ. I think she sums things up well. I have been to the Prawn Farm a couple of times and would be inclined to give it a miss. REALLY expensive for what you get - and not really a Kiwi experience. Wrap up warmly and enjoy a picnic on the shores of Lake Taupo instead. A visit to the Huka Falls just before Taupo is worth a stop.