My wife and I (USA) are frequent, independent travelers to Europe but have not been into the Pacific or the Far East. We have an opportunity to go to New Zealand with our adult son in September or October. I have two weeks to finalize air travel dates and destinations and am doing research on www.purenz.com, but still would appreciate any assistance. Current plan is to fly into Auckland and depart from Christ Church or vice versus. What time split do you recommend between North and South Islands? Would flying into Christ Church and departing from Auckland be preferable to our current plan? If so, why? I currently have travel from the US scheduled for August 30 to take advantage of our Labor Day holiday, but is this “too early”? Would we do better off to push travel back to late September or early October? I infer that there are car ferries from North Island to South Island but have found no details so far -- any information on schedule and cost? Any recommendation for car rentals outside the “majors”? Our son has only two weeks available, but my wife and I could stay for an additional week and could return from Australia or possibly other areas in the South Pacific-- would the additional one week be well spent in Australia (other recommendations?) or should we just stick to New Zealand? I apologize for the array of questions, but with only two weeks to make some of the ticket choices, I need all of the help I can get quickly. Thanks.

What's your gateway for USA departure? There are non-stop flights into Auckland from west coast. Then rent a car and drive south to the end of South Island and leave car at Christchurch airport for return home. You haven't got enough time to go to Australia.<BR>I think the south island is much prettier and more interesting than the north so I'd do a 35/65 split (north/south). There are some sites on north I'd take in:<BR>Auckland itself for a couple days to decompress from flight, Rotarua for the springs and forests, Wellington for the capital. Ferry across to south island easy to arrange once you are there. If you are fishermen, a stay at one of the trout lodges would be a nice splurge.<BR>Need to see the glaciers, go to Queenstown and do all the zippy things, go down to Milford Sound and take a cruise (we went in afternoon, spent night and took early AM cruise missing most tour buses). If there is time and inclination there are wonderful walks.<BR>The later you go the more spring-like the weather will be and the gardens will be lovely.<BR>Have fun.......

I really think that with only two weeks, you would be spending too much time to drive to Wellington in order to take the car ferry to the South Island. Moreover, many rental agencies don't permit their cars to transfer between islands. You drop off in Wellington, walk onto the ferry, then pick up a new car in Picton.<BR><BR>You should look into renting a car in Auckland, then spend a few days going to Rotorua, Taupo, Bay of Islands, Waitomo (and possibly Ruapehu/Tongariro). Then, return the car and fly to Christchurch, where you can rent another car for a little over a week to see Arthurs Pass, Queenstown, Fox/Franz Josef Glaciers, Fiordland, etc.<BR><BR>We have had good luck renting from Pegasus and Apex.<BR><BR>I would push the trip as late in the year as possible, the weather will improve throughout the Spring, particularly in the south parts of the South Island. Two weeks will feel quite rushed - if you could get 3 weeks, you might want to spend it all in NZ as opposed to a whirlwind trip to Oz as well.

Agree with the people above.Definitely later the better in terms of timing.Early Spring can be quite unpredictable.Good luck.

I agree with the other posters for the most part. I much prefer the South Island and can easily spend three weeks there. But, if you want to see both islands(and you should), I'd suggest taking that extra week and spending every minute in New Zealand and leaving Australia for another time.<BR><BR>My husband and I have visited NZ twice in early to mid-September, and both times it's been a bit chilly, but there were very few tourists, which is why we travel when we do. If you have the option, you might want to push your trip back until October so your chances for good weather improve.<BR><BR>We've rented cars from Nova twice and have been completely satisifed with price and service both times - you can obtain instant quotes and book online at www.rentacar-newzealand.com. <BR><BR>Keep in mind you can fly between cities in NZ to save time if you have to - for instance you can fly into Christchurch, tour the South Island by car, then fly out of Dunedin or Queenstown to Auckland or Wellington. <BR><BR>You really can't go wrong - NZ is a beautiful country and personally, I can't get enough of the place.<BR><BR>

My wife and I were in New Zealand in October in a 10 day tour. The weather was almost perfect (not too cold or hot, a bit rainy some days). In this season flowers are blooming, and lambs everywhere (this is their birth season). Plan to spend the most of your days in the South Island, it`s beautiful. You will need at least 3 or 4 days in Queenstown; take a train to cross the Southerns Alps and spend 2 to 3 days in the mountains, go to Milford Sound. New Zealand is beautiful and peacefull! You won`t regret the days spent in that country. Enjoy!

We are just back from 3 weeks in NZ and wished we had more time. We are in our mid-30's and wished we had spent more than 3 days in Christchurch, and less than 4 days in Queenstown (great town for the party-type). We flew into Christchurch traveled into Queenstown from there flew to the North Island. If you are the Adventous type Don't Miss Waitomo Caves http://www.waitomo.co.nz. Hope this helps. Enjoy!