Hi Fodorites....

We will be in NZ for 10 days in October and are investigating itinerary options. At the moment our only restraint is we fly in and out of Auckland. We are interested in hiring a car, and our interests include walking and photography. After looking at a few websites, we are thinking that the South Island may be more scenic. Would seeing Christchurch / Mt Cook and Queenstown in a round a week be doable, leaving 3 days to see Auckland? We will fly to the South Island if we go there. Open to all ideas and 'must see' destination ideas! Thank you

I think with 10 days I would just fly straight to the South Island on the arrival day, not leaving the airport. This often works out well because the flights from the west coast arrive very early in the AM. You'll be a bit out of it anyways, so why not just spend the rest of that first day in transit, instead of losing another day to travel. I would return to Auckland to allow one overnight, which will give you nearly two full days there (more than enough).

You'll find plenty to see in the South Island and 8 days will barely be enough for a taste.

It would work well if you can fly into Queenstown and use that area a base for the first several days, taking in Milford Sound from there. Some people prefer staying in Wanaka, Arrowtown, or Te Anau for part of that stay. Then drive north via Mt. Cook and depart from Christchurch back to Auckland. Christchurch and surroundings are worth a few days, day trip or overnight to Kaikoura which has some good walks and I like the scenery better than Akaroa.

October is early spring so expect some great garden displays, another reason to include Christchurch. It might be worthwhile to include Dunedin around the time of their Rhododendron festival if you're there between 17 to 25 October. You can tour some private gardens as well as the public ones.

Of course being spring you could get some wintry weather also. It isn't high season so you should be able to stay flexible.

Thanks very much for your reply... Ive investigated and there are plenty of flights to Queenstown on the day we arrive. I like the idea of flying straight there and then working our way back. Do you know if the overnight cruise at Milford Sound is worthwhile? Im also looking into more sedate activities in Queenstown... my partner will love the adrenalin rush stuff but I am a woos and prefer... more gentle ideas!! Anty thoughts?

I think you'll find varying opinions on the worth of the Milford Sound overnight. Another option might be to stay closer to Milford Sound the night before, in Te Anau and take the first boat.

The "wussiest" activity around Queenstown would be the TSS Earnslaw I think
http://www.realjourneys.co.nz/main/tssearnslaw_wp/

You can also drive to Arrowtown which has some quaint small miners cottages and a Chinese miner's camp.

If you play golf, there are several good courses around there. The new Jack's Point has some spectacular scenery. I might recommend driving that way for dinner just for the view. http://www.jackspoint.com/

Driving to Glenorchy gets you some beautiful views along the lake, perhaps you could do the Dart River or Skippers Canyon excursions if these aren't too intense.

That will be a great amount of time to explore the South Island! For calmer outdoors activities around Queenstown...the Kepler Track at the edge of Fiordlands National Park is nice and there are some mild trails around Lake Wanaka, which is gorgeous. Lots of info and pics from our one week road trip around the South Island at http://patrinadoestheglobe.blogspot....w-zealand.html

I agree with mlgb. Fly directly from Auckland to Queenstown on your arrival day. With only 10 days and your interest in photography, the South Island has the most dramatic scenery. (It's all pretty incredible though). Perhaps 4 nights Queenstown - with lots of day trips and taking into account a slow day for jet lag - 2 nights Mt Cook - perhaps 2 nights on the Banks Peninsula and then 1 in Christchurch before flying back to Auckland. Auckland didn't rock my boat, but it was fun taking the ferry over to Devonport.

Lakeside Chick

I went to visit a friend in Auckland a couple years ago and I flew down to Queenstown and spent 6 days there. I did do the overnight too Milford Sound and it was amazing. As for your photography habit...it will be fulfilled and more here!

The trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound is usually a few hours with stops at Te Anau, Mirror Lakes etc. so there are ample opportunities to get pictures. I booked the trip in Queenstown at the Tourism Office and that can be done once you arrive. (you don't have too book ahead, although you can if you wish)

You can easily spend 5 or 6 days in and around Queenstown. There are countless activities for the adventerous and non-adventerous alike. Consider a vineyard tour (I personally loved the NZ wines). If your into hiking, a trip up Ben Lomond is a 6 - 8 hour round trip hike. This also provides amazing views and photography opportunities.

In retrospect I would have spent more time visiting the South Island. Having only seven days in total I spent 6 in and around Queenstown (with an overnight to Milford Sound) and one day in Christchurch.

There is one other possibility. Although the South Island is an incredible and beautiful place to visit, you could easliy spend your 10 days on the North Island and be very fullfilled as well. Then you could save the South Island for another visit and be able to spend the proper time exploring all that it has to offer.

Three days is lots in Auckland, and in my opinion should include a visit to the west coast beaches at Piha. (Black sand, amazing surf). You can venture North towards Wangerei and to the Bay of Islands, a favorite locale for Aucklanders to holiday. You can also head too Tauranga and the Coromandel Penninsula or to the south end of the North Island and visit Wellington or Plymouth, both great places too see and take pictures.

I could go on and on, but in short in 10 days you'll wish that you had more time on the North Island as well. I agree with the above comments, the South Island is spectacular but don't spend worry too much about spreading your time between the two locales. You can always save your pennies again and visit the South Island for 2 -3 weeks at a later time!!

Thats my humble opinion!

Good luck.

I do like the west coast near Auckland for photo buffs. Muriwai Beach, Bethell's. You can do this as a day trip from Auckland.

Try to add more days!!