New Zealand Dec-Jan 2017
 

Hey Everyone,

So this is going to be my first trip to New Zealand. I've anyway booked the flight tickets. I've been trying to look for places I should visit, but due to constant of time I'm not being able to decide a suitable itinerary. Could you people help me out please?

Arriving in Auckland at 11 in the night on 25th December and leaving from Christchurch on 7th January at 12 noon.

thug -

What interested you in NZ in the first place? That's a good place to start.

Are you taking the ferry between islands?

Hi @wanderthug

Are you travelling by car or motorhome? The availability is very low for your travel dates so it would be beneficial to start booking as soon as you can or you will be forced to stay outside of the main locations.

I would be inclined to do the following:
Auckland
Rotorua
Napier/Hawkes Bay
Wellington
Abel Tasman
Westport
Kaikoura
Christchurch

This will mean leaving the west coast and queenstown but will give you more leisurely time on the North Island.

The other option is to fly from Wellington to queenstown after the North Island and work your way up:
Auckland
Rotorua
Napier/Hawkes Bay
Wellington
Queenstown
Dunedin
Oamaru
Christchurch

Just be aware that it will be very busy!

Let me know if you need any more help ����

If I were you, I'd do something like Culture Club's first itinerary. This way you can do the NI and North of the SI, and it will leave you wanting more of the SI and you will make a return trip where you will focus on the South of the SI. :)

Keep in mind I say this because I've been to the SI twice and missed Abel Tasman both times and I WILL go there on the next trip.

The South of the SI is more interesting to me, but you won't be able to do it justice unless you fly direct from Aukland to QT in the first few days and then make your way back up to CC. That would be an alternative itinerary that I'd prefer to Culture Club's second recommendation.

You are here for 12 days only!
Neither of those itineraries are doable in 12 days. Start booking accommodation and the ferry ASAP rather than wait for advice on where to go. As Mel says what made you buy the tickets to NZ in the fist place?

I wouldn't book anything until you know if you're going to do the NI or the SI. Decide that, then start booking. Just because you fly into Auckland doesn't mean you have to stay/start there.

Auckland 2 nights
Rotorua 3 nights, fly to Christchurch
Road trip to Queenstown via Mt Cook 3 nights
Queenstown 4 nights fly back to Auckland.
BUT as you are here at peak time getting accommodation at Mt Cook will be difficult or impossible and the same for Queenstown. Where ever you are at New Year's Eve book the accommodation now. With this itinerary you are in Christchurch and things may not be booked out. Book a rental car ASAP.

tasmangirl, they fly out of CC, so flying to QT from NI and road-tripping up to CC would make more sense.

Advertising is NOT allowed on Fodors . . .

Oops Paulg yes I missed that! But Queenstown up to Christchurch would be a nice road trip.
I was going to report Culture Club's post as blatant advertising as well. I doubt she has ever been to NZ and Australia despite what her website offers.

In Auckland, eating out is pricey, and you won't find a plethora of cheap and cheerful Asian eateries.

Tasmangirl I find that extremely insulting! I have travelled to New Zealand & Fiji numerous times and have lived in Australia. My passion for these countries are what drove me to set up a specialist travel company so that I can help others to get the most from their holidays and I am a qualified specialist in all 3. This is a forum for like minded people who enjoy travel, clearly you prefer to bad mouth people. Please do not insult me nor my company, it is extremely rude.

It is a forum for like minded people who give their advice freely to others and are not making a profit or advertising their business!