Ok, honestly I dont know too much about NZ..I did some searching on tripadvisor and I went to virtual NZ and viewed alot of pictures.What impressed me most was the flora....and the volcanic area and some of the turqoise beaches....

I am going to be in the Queenstown area and have planned for major day trip tours of sites .I assume that to be alot of fantastic mountain scenery......

I am flying into Auckland and I thought I would spend a few days there and try to see some of the things I mentioned....Wat should I be sure to see in maybe three days???

Can't help with Auckland area, as I haven't been there in ages, but lots of scenery in/around Queenstown (and the entire SI for that matter).

What tours/day trips have you already decided on while in QT?

Hypatia - what you must realise that in NZ or anywhere else in the world, the lovely tourist pictures may not be the same, if your at the wonderful location, and its raining cats & dogs, and overcast & grey skies. Melnq8 is right, not much to see in & around Auckland, and jaw dropping scenery is in the south island. Concentrate on Queenstown & nearby areas.

The volcanic area would probably be near Rotorua and National Park, on the North Island, not the south.

Turquoise beaches probably Abel Tasman NP, on the South Island. Also up around Northland on the North Island (but you do need sun or they won't be turquoise).

There are also the beautiful turquoise colored lakes on the east side of the S. Alps, around Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki.

Flora..NZ has some amazing flora, on the North Island the kauri trees, tree ferns on both islands. All over you can go on "bush walks" even in the local parks in small towns. Not far out of Auckland the Waitakere ranges have some good bush walks.

Probably go to newzealand.com (the offical tourism site) for more descriptions.

thank you all ...I did go to the site and yes, I can now see what you mean...also if memory serves, there was a lot of rain in the movie "The Piano" ........An idea...what about something from christchurch then?

Hi hypatia -

Plenty to do from Christchurch:

Banks Peninsula - a French settlement smack dab in the middle of an ancient volcano - (90 minute drive from Christchurch). Harbor cruises, winery, cheese factory, hikes, poking around Akarora, penguin viewing, etc.

www.bankspeninsula.info/

Kaikoura - whale watching, walks, seaside town, interesting winery (about 2 hours from Christchurch)

Hanmer Springs - thermal pools, forest walks, etc - about 90 minutes from Christchurch

Lyttleton - interesting port town outside of Christchurch (can combine this with a drive from Christchurch to Sumner Beach, then on to Lyttelton and Akarora)

Waipara Valley - wine region about 40 minutes north of Christchurch

Raikaia Gorge (great walking track) Mt Hutt (skifield) - about 75 km west of Christchurch

And of course Christchurch itself - botanic gardens, punting on the river, Cathedral Square, etc....

The options are endless...

Ok Ill research that area and be back for more questions...thanks!...

hypatia, if you haven't yet bought a guidebook I strongly suggest you get one. It's an investment in a trip that always repays itself amply and online forums like his, though very useful, are no substitute.

The time in Queenstown is a designated group activity and totally planned already..I have no choice about that but I can add a few days in another area...so I would prefer to do something different than what I will be doing in Queenstown...(which are the biggest tourist attractions)...

I have already been to Yellowstone and will be going to Bora Bora..So I want to experience something completely "New Zealand" as I probably will never be there again.I like the idea of going to the hot Springs spa.I love the idea that there will be fall leaves.

No I don't want to buy a guide book as that will be too hard to realize that I couldn't possibly see it all in even three weeks

Melnq8 - the link you have given for Banks Peninsula is lovely, thanks. We shall be stopping at Chrsitchurch for just a day from a cruise in December - we have been wondering what to do and the i-Box mentioned here sounds very interesting for a self drive for a day.

hypatia -

FYI about Hanmer Springs - definitely NOT a spa - just a tiny town with public thermal pools as the main draw. Not sure I'd go out of my way for the thermal pools, but easy for me to say, as I've been there many times.

One thing I forgot to mention as a possible day trip from Christchurch is the Tranzalpine train to Greymouth - gorgeous NZ scenery (but a very full day if you have to return to CHC)

Glad the link helped janey -it took me several trips to Christchurch before I realized how much there is to see and do in the area (slow learner I guess).

I really like Banks Peninsula - it's a unique place IMO.

You might want to check a guide book or two out of your local library just to get a better idea of the lay of the land.

you're so right, Ill go to Barnes and Noble and do some reading...I really love to hear what other people like...and I will consider the banks and the thermal area ..It looks pretty.It's always so hard to know you only have a few days ...And how to maximise it and still have fun and be relaxed

It will be beautiful no matter where you wind up. Just get out of Auckland quickly.

I would not spend more than two nights there. If you arrive early in the day, you might even consider flying on to Queenstown the same day if you can make the connection.

Auckland is a lovely place to begin an NZ holiday and get over your flight if you like fabulous restaurants, excellent coffee and cafes, a beautiful harbour, clean empty city beaches, some great fashion, wild West Coast black sand beaches (eg The Piano film set), America's Cup sailing yachts, numerous art galleries, Pacifika culture and markets, vineyard covered islands and more.

I love the west coast beaches. I wouldn't mind spending time in Auckland but with limited time the reason most people travel to NZ is not Auckland.

I took a day tour from Auckland to the Bay of Islands. Loved the stop at the treaty grounds and the sailing among the islands. It was a long day but a good one. Might have been even better if the tour bus driver had stopped talking occaisonally.

We flew into Auckland for a "long layover" on our trip to Australia (thanks to frequent flyer routing). We rented a car and drove a couple of hours to the Coromandel Peninsula. Some absolutely beautiful scenery. I think you would enjoy that as a quick trip while on the NI.