Hi Pamo, you must be referring to the French settlement, Akaroa, which is about 80km or thereabout from Christchurch. Did you try the blue cod fish & chips there? I think it's the best to be found anywhere. Definitely worth a trip just to savor it.

if you can just add another week you will be much more well rested. if not, try to stick to the north. the weather will be better in general and when you get there, you will find the flights really weren't so bad after all. yes it's far, but only an extra 5 hours beyond what you do to get to London from the east coast.

I've had trips from NYC to DC take longer than it does to get to NZ! (nothing like sitting on the tarmac, or the terminal, waiting for a summer storm to die down...)

My 5c worth. I am a South Islander living in the North Isalnd so I am a little biased but I believe you dont have time to do both justice. I always say spend at least twice as much time in the South Island as in the North Island. The best adventure thing I can recommend doing in NZ is a 4 Hour jetboat ride through the bush down the Wairaurahiri river from Lake Hauroko in Fiordland. Costs about the same as the Shotover in Qtown but you get much longer time in more spectacular surroundings. Also get to peek at the Maori princess entombed alive on one of the islands on Hauroko. Last time I went we had a deer charging up the river beside the boat. Amazing! Check out http://www.wildernessjet.co.nz/jet/index.html My favourite place in NZ is Stewart Island. Remot, peaceful and the only reliable place to see live wild kiwi. Also drive to Milford but if you want to go out on the the water, go to Doubtful. The drive to Milford in my opinion is more spectacular than the sound. Doubtful is quiet, serene, beautiful and has more wildlife if you are prepared to look for it. It is getting busier now with all the options that realjourneys are offering. ALso see my post on the hut in the Takitimus you can stay and go for a bush walk.

11 days is perfect. We were there for a month and it was way too much driving on not the best of roads. We needed more time to see areas more adequately. If you are country enjoyers, north of Auckland is a must...where the oceans meet. Then add Christchurch and Queensland. Don't try to cram in so much it's a blurr later....have you ever heard of the Mail Run? visiting a dozen little villages with the postman in one day? The best trip we ever took seeing the country side and better the people.

Roads in south island are narrow and slow moving. If you plan on a lot of driving....fine...but it takes longer to get from place to place.

We are returning to beautiful New Zealand but will concentrate more on areas we skimmed.

Pick a couple places.....enjoy. Someone gave us the same advice and we wish we had listened.

If you like lamb, it's the best! We had it whenever available...the best!