My fiance and I are planning for a week trip. Arriving on Wednesday, 4/2/08 and departing on 4/9. Since we are traveling all the way from NYC (and we don't want to stress some more with directions, renting a car and finding additional accommodations) we are planning on staying in just ONE hotel. We have been advised by native New Zealanders to stay in the Bay of Islands. This would the end of the summer for NZ, so what temps/climate should we prepare for on the tip of the North Island? Any hotel/resort suggestions that are a bit secluded and off the beaten path? What are some cool activities to partake in, in the area? Boat tours through the sounds? Do they have horseback riding? Light hiking? Is there a "Lord of the Rings" or "Chronicles of Narnia" tour, by the Bay of Islands? Even if it's a tour of similar sights (that have nothing to do with Hollywood movies), that is fine. The beauty of the land is the main reason why we chose NZ for our honeymoon. We are city people (lived in San Fran, Chicago, Philly) but, is there anything worthwhile to see/do in Auckland? We are visual artists, so galleries and general metropolitan culture would interest us.

This IS our honeymoon so we don't want to overdo it. Half of the week will be spent on hotel grounds while the other half will be spent touring around. It would be a shame to travel ALL that way and not have hit the TOP three to five sites/activities that the area offers.

If you have decided on just Bay of Islands, try looking for lodging in Russell, a little village across the bay from Pahia.
One excursion we enjoyed while staying in Pahia was a day trip up to Cape Reinga and 90 mile beach. A full day and worth it IMO. Try http://www.dunerider.co.nz/capetour.htm
I think they give the best tour.
I was not thrilled with Auckland. Just another big city to me. But lots of day trips from there will be of interest.

This is such a long way to come for just a week but I don't want to put you off if you are definite about it. You will arrive in Auckand and then it is a long drive up to the Bay of Islands, too far to drive immediately after that long flight and it needs concentration as it is hilly and windy. If you are driving I recommend getting a car at the airport and driving as far as Orewa across the harbour bridge which will at least give you a clear run the next day and will avoid dealing with city rush hour traffic which is very congested here. I would also recommend Russell and the 90 mile beach trip. The hole in the rock trip is a must if the sea is not too rough. Apart from that there are beaches and bays to explore but to me it is just too far to go for one week away in total. In fact the BOI doesn't do it for me anymore at all, unless you like fishing.
I'll stick my neck out here and say if it were me I would fly Air Tahiti from New York to Tahiti for a week, beautiful place and very romantic and the water will be warm enough for swimming. April down here is generally not swimming weather.
You could come all this way when you have three weeks to spare and really see a larger portion of New Zealand.
The Sounds are in the south island and as far as I know there are no Lord of the Rings spots up north but I could be wrong.

I'm sure you don't want to hear this, but if you are looking for Lord of the Rings scenery, Bay of Islands and Auckland doesn't really do it for me either. Not that I wouldn't include it on a longer trip, but you do realize that if you leave on 4/2 you won't arrive until the early morning of 4/4?

What about saving it for an anniversary trip when you have more time?

The closest LotR shooting site is a little south of Auckland. If you want that spectacular mountain scenery, you'll need to fly from Auckland to Queenstown. Get a copy of Ian Brodie's The Lord of the Rings Location Guide and you'll see what I mean. http://www.narniaweb.com would have info on Narnia shooting sites.

I agree that if there is any way you can extend the length of your trip, you should do so. We spent 10 days on the North Island and, while we got to do the things we really wanted to do, another few days would have been great to see more and spend more time in a few places.

Lee Ann

If the"beauty of the land" is really why you chose NZ, then you should opt instead for a week in South Island, flying in and out of Christchurch (direct flights; LAX-CHC) to save time, headquartering around Queenstown, and doing glaciers, LOTR, and fiordland.
I think what we may be trying to tell you, is that one week is a pathetically short time to have come from half way around the world to see one of nature's glories.
Think of it this way: NZ runs latitude-wise the equivalent of San Diego to Portland (west coast) or South Carolina to Maine (east coast). If someone was coming there from half way around the world, where would you tell them to stay for only one week? Especially if they wanted to see the "beauty of the land."
It would be agonizing deciding what not to see.
Sorry to be discouraging. You would indeed enjoy that one week in NZ, where ever you chose. And be yearning for more time. Certainly would make you come back some day.
Congratulations