This is an "If you were me, how would you spend these few days?" question, and I would very much enjoy your input. I have to admit it's not my style to be so open-ended, but my North Island research has rather overwhelmed me, and I'm having a hard time making some decisions.

We will have just finished up a 9-day biking trip on the South Island. We are returning to Auckland on a Sunday night in January to see off one member of a party at the airport. Then we have that Sunday night, the next three full days plus most of Thursday daylight left before our evening Thursday flight back to the US.

We're willing to rent a car (or not!), and while we're willing to divide our night's stays a bit, we don't want to do a hop here, hop there, type of thing (the biking trip itinerary was very on-the-go and we'd like to relax a bit).

Our interests? Husband can't do long hikes anymore. He's willing to bike. He also likes to golf--I don't, but I'm perfectly fine with reading a book somewhere while he does that. I also would go bird watching if he's golfing. I am interested in learning more about Maori culture, but I don't know if I want to spend three whole days doing that.

Budget? Without knowing the style of the country yet, it's hard to put a number on this. Let's just say I could withstand a high end hotel but we typically do three* hotels when we tour Europe. So, yeah, I'm willing to spend, but it's not the be all and end all of our existence.

Again, thank you for any input--I need to get FOCUSED, fast!

Golf and birdwatching...Muriwai! Check out the gannets while he plays golf. There are a number of other black sand beachs west of Auckland, ie Bethells Beach, Piha and Karekare. Unfortunately you you can't drive along the coastline there. You can also go inland a bit and visit wineries around Kumeu, or the Waitakeri Ranges nature center and nature trail walk.

Another spot with some good golf is on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. There is a ferry from Gulf Harbor over to Tiritiri Matangi, check the schedules though to be sure it runs every day when you are there.

Bless you, mlgb.

I agree with the other suggestions, but ...I'd go to Rotorua for one or two nights to visit Waimangu Volcanic park -- presuming husband can do an hour of easy walking. Then you could also do a Maori hangi.

There are also some cool golf courses in Rotorua (where you have to play around or over the steam vents!) One is virtually next door to the Thermal Village "Whaka".

http://www.rotoruagolfclub.co.nz/abo...apa-course.asp

With any of these courses which are mostly private but welcome outside play, it's good to arrange the tee time ahead. You can avoid club days and/or be paired with some friendly locals and learn the lingo like "fat lady" for an 8. Not politically correct!

Welcoming the suggestions. Keep 'em coming. I've been following your bread crumbs with multi-dimensional reading!

Of course my next worry is driving on the left hand side of the road. I've biked on the left before (lots of time in Ireland) but have not been behind the wheel. Thank goodness we will have been biking left for an entire week before so my mind will already be tracking that way.

You will find it is not that bad, just remember to keep your body at the roadway centerline. The turns into and out of driveways tend to be my weakness, and of course you will flip the windshield wipers on instead of the turn signal.

PS you don't necessarily need a car to get to either Gulf Harbor (ferry) or Rotorua (bus). Rotorua is developed enough that you can get around by bus or taxi if necessary.

Driving is easy and enjoyable in NZ, you will love the freedom it offers. Look up Taupo and Napier - two great locations, much nicer than Rotorua in my book.

Thanks, DL--I'll start working on reading about those two destinations right now, too.

The information on this forum is always staggering to me. I am eavesdropping on your post for my own trip. The people here are so awesome. Thank you for helping all of us!!!