Hi Everyone,

I am looking for some help with my road trip itinerary for New Zealand. We are planning to be in New Zealand starting mid January for about a month (but we can add time if recommended as it is part of a larger 2 month trip). We are two adults with a 3 year old and 1 year old and will be renting a car in Auckland at the beginning of our trip and returning in Queensland. We want to be at a semi-leisurely pace (avoiding 1 night stays if possible). Please let me know if there's any must sees i am missing (keeping in mind that our hiking abilities are limited by our kids) or if there is anything that you would skip.

North Island
Arrive in Auckland (2 nights)
Hahei (2 nights)
Rotorua (4 nights)
Taupo (2 nights)
Egmont/Tongariro area (2 nights) (is this worth it if we cant do major hikes/with kids? what area should we stay in?)
Wellington (1 night)
Ferry to South Island

South Island
Abel Tasman National Park (4 nights)
Franz Josef (2 nights)
Wanaka (3 nights)
Te anau (2 nights)
Queenstown (4 nights)
Mount Cook/Lake Tekapo (will likely use one base for both - 3 nights)
Queenstown (1 night) - fly to Australia

any advice is greatly appreciated!

You don't say where in Abel Tasman, but keep in mind the drive from there to Franz Josef is a haul - some 562 km - about seven hours, without stops. I'd break this up, especially with kids, and because there are alot of reasons to stop enroute (such as Punakaiki - Pancake Rocks).

You might consider driving from Wanaka to Mt Cook (2.5 hours), then Mt Cook to Te Anau (five hours) then Te Anau to QT (two hours), thus preventing two separate stays in QT.

Have you already booked your flight from Queenstown to Australia? If not, you should consider starting your trip on the South Island, working your way north, then flying out of Auckland. Because, as I replied to your last post, the first couple of weeks of your trip will coincide with school holidays. Not many people in NZ--only 5.2 million, but 77% live on the North Island. Almost 4 million people live on the smaller North Island, whereas less than 1.2 million people live on the larger South Island. Many Kiwi families vacation close to home during the summer school holidays. Some Aucklanders--and there are roughly 1.65 million Auckland residents--spend part of the school holiday in the Coromandel, so it's likely to be most crowded in January.

I think 4 days for Rotorua would be one too many. It's interesting, but touristy. You're also coming here during cruise ship season and some 35 to 40% of the cruise ship passengers on cruise ships that berth in Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty opt to take day tours to Rotorua. I don't care for Rotorua's sulfur smell either, but this might not bother you. Rotorua's Blue Lake Regatta will be on January 18 & 19. If you cut a day from Rotorua, you can spend it elsewhere.

Here is the Department of Conservation brochure for walks in and around Tongariro, including shorter walks. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing takes 7 to 8 hours, according to this. I've not done the Tongariro Crossing or been interested in walking it, but I'm guessing Tongariro Alpine Crossing would be difficult for a 3 year old. You could probably carry the one year old in a backpack. Doesn't a one year old weigh about 20 lbs. more or less?

Wellington is a nice city (and NZ's windiest).. If you have to pass through there, spend at least two nights, especially since you won't be able to see much if you'll be arriving probably after midday from Tongariro on your planned one day. Take the Cable Car from the business district up to the top of the pretty Botanic Garden, then make your way down back to the city center. Or catch the free shuttle to Zealandia Ecosanctuary and walk around there, viewing native birds and tuataras. Te Papa Museum, on Wellington's scenic waterfront, is NZ's national museum. For a beautiful view, drive up to Mt. Victoria in Wellington's Town Belt. The idea of Town Belts arose in the mid-1800s, as wilderness areas surrounding city centers. Today, in NZ, only Wellington and Dunedin still have their Victorian-era Town Belts. Hence, for a city, Wellington is relatively green and forested. Wellington also has a lively restaurant scene and many coffee roasteries. It's the capital city and home to a couple of universities.

Kaiteriteri would be a good place to base yourselves for Abel Tasman NP. It has a pretty little beach, accommodations, it's served by Wilson's Cruises and at least a couple of water taxi operators, and there's a pretty good convenience store at the Kaiteriterei Recreration Reserve (On the Spot, located on the ground floor). But, if you plan on self-catering, it would be better to shop at Motueka's way larger New World Supermarket beforehand.

I, and I think almost anyone, would agree with Melnq8, that you should stay in stunning Punaikaiki between Franz Josef and Abel Tasman NP. Here is a link to walks in and around Punakaiki. There are some beautiful short walks here. Also, if you don't have to rush so much after leaving Franz Josef, you'd have time to take a side trip to Hokitika Gorge along the way to Punakaiki. Take insect repellent for the wild West Coast of the South Island.

What time will you arrive in Auckland? What do you plan on doing in Auckland?

You'll be seeing a lot, but you'll also be missing a lot (Bay of Islands, West Coast of the North Island, Arthur's Pass, the East Coast of the South Island ((from Kaikoura to the Catlins)), Stewart Island, and more). You'll just have to return. Think of this as your first trip to NZ.

thanks so much. yes, this makes more sense.it was hard to tell on the map where to add mt Cook in.

Diamantina this was very helpful. I wont be able to reverse the trip as we already have the flights from USA to Auckland booked, but great to set expectations as far as how crowded it will be. Your advice on Rotorua is helpful and i will cut down a couple days and add a day in Wellington and Punakaiki. As far as Franz Josef, if we do not plan on doing a heli-hike is it worth visiting?

Absolutely worth visiting Franz Josef even if you don't take a helihike - we stayed there many times before (and after) we got around to taking a helihike - keep in mind they're frequently cancelled, as the weather has to be ideal for flying. The helihike was fun, but expensive (and young kids may not be allowed, I'm not sure). It's certainly not the only reason to visit the area. How many places can one visit where the rainforest meets the sea?

Fox Glacier is also worth a visit, and a short drive from Franz.

Lots of walking opportunites at both and just a beautiful part of the South Island.

Besides, you need to stay somewhere between Abel Tasman and Wanaka or Mt Cook. The drive along the West Coast of the SI is spectacular, and a true highlight IMO. It's one of my favorite drives in NZ. It's also squiggly and time consuming, but most certainly worth the effort.

When passing through (or staying) in Fox Glacier, don't miss the Lake Matheson walk. It's easy-going and takes about an hour, 30 minutes return. Dawn and dusk are the best times for catching lake reflections (a clear day helps as well).

If you think you will be passing through Queenstown or Wanaka on or around Feb. 14, please be aware of two major outdoor events, the Shotover Moonlight Marathon and Challenge Wanaka.

As you have young children, I should have mentioned Wellington also has a nice zoo, but Auckland's zoo is bigger and has a kiwi nocturnal habitat (as these birds are nocturnal). Auckland also has an aquarium.

As long as your flight from NZ to Australia is not yet booked you can still choose to continue onto to the South Island on your arrival day and reverse your trip route. If your flight arrives early into Auckland, you might not even be able to check into your accommodation until 2 p.m. If you are bringing food into NZ, please make a list of these items to declare, so you can pass through our strict customs and biosecurity more quickly and with minimal stress.

The flight from Auckand to Christchurch takes under an hour and a half. If you were to arrive in Christchurch, you could stay a day or two, then make your way to Aoraki Mt. Cook. You'd have to pass through Lake Tekapo on the way and can spend an hour or two here before continuing on to Aoraki Mt. Cook. There are no grocery stores in in Aoraki Mt. Cook, so if you plan on self catering, stop at a supermarket along the way. There is limited accommodation here, so book as soon as you firm up your schedule. Same with Kaiteriteri, if you choose to stay there.

You wouldn't need a car for your first day in Christchurch, you could just take a taxi into the city center and pick up your car on your second day from the city center. On your first day of getting over jetlag, do some easy, low-energy activities, explore the pretty Botanic Garden, maybe take the Christchurch Tram, have something to eat. There is also a shuttle (charge for this) from the city center to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve (a zoo). If you don't want to stay in the city center, you can stay near the airport, and if you want to see the city, just take the bus in.. It takes about a half hour. The Antarctic Centre is also a few minutes walk from Christchurch Airport. And Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is a five minute drive (or taxi ride). On your second day, you could pick up a car, then continue to Mt. Cook. If staying by the airport, you'll shave some time off your drive to Aoraki Mt. Cook. Or explore Christchurch more.

But if you want to save the best for last, stick with visiting the North Island first.