My partner and I will be on the North Island for about five days in July, coming from Sydney: flying into Auckland on a Friday morning and flying out again on Wednesday afternoon. There's so much to see and do that I'm having a hard time deciding how to craft the itinerary.

We love Maori art (and cities and nature) so we definitely want to see the Auckland Museum, the Te Papa Museum in Wellington and Rotorua. Is there any time to fit in the Coromandel Peninsula or the Bay of Islands? Since it will be winter then, I'm not sure how feasible they would be. I hear the Hot Water Beach is great but will it be at that time of year (we are looking forward to the geothermal waters in Rotorua)? Should we do something in Gisborne instead? Any help would be much appreciated.

A tentative itinerary:

Day 1 (Fri.): Arrive noon. See Auckland; spend the night, and part of the next day there. See Auckland Museum.

Day 2 (Sat.): Drive to Rotorua? See hot springs and Maori art/culture. Spend the night.

Day 3 (Sun.) Drive to Wellington. See Te Papa.
Spend the night in Wellington.

Day 4 (Mon.) Spend day in Wellington. Spend the night there too or somehwere farther north?

Day 5 (Tues.) Drive back up towards Auckland. by way of what? (Napier, Gisborne?). Stay in Auckland.

Day 6 (Wed.) Fly out around 3:30 p.m.

You will spend the entire time driving. Gisborne is 8 hours driving from Auckland. Auck - Well = 10 hours - longer if desert road is closed for snow. (well less if you speed and go at night - you'll meet plenty of gung ho blokes who say they can do it in 7). Fly to Wellington from Auckland. or just concentrate on Rotorua north.

I love wellington (lived there) and Te Papa but I would put Rotorua on the do not miss list.

However, if you do enjoying just driving around in a car looking about go ahead and drive (that's what my hubby and I do - we only do nature no museums or attractions really). If the volcanic plateau (desert road) is open I think it is a spectacular drive on a nice day.

Thanks, Wilees. Yeah, you're right: a ton of driving. Since I last posted the message we've made a slight change: we're now flying back from Wellington so don't have to double back to Auckland. That saves a day or two.

Where is the desert road? Am having a hard time knowing what route to take from Rotorua to Wellington. I'm feeling less inclined towards Gisborne and Napier. Is that middle route though Taupo decent? Will it be hampered by snow or anything? Thanks again for your (and anyone else's) help.

The desert road is central from taupo south - it is the army territory with three visable volcanoes - also the ski fields are accessed from here. It is where they filmed some battle scenes in LOTR cos there is nothing there. It is State Highway 1 which is the road you would drive to get from Auckland to Wellington. If it is closed you have to take the long way around National Park. In July you should be OK if you are driving during the day. It has just been closed with snow for a few days now following a cold snap. Usually it will only be closed overnight sometimes due to ice and will be reopened for the day when it warms up.

Don't worry about not visiting Gisborne. There really isn't that much to see other than the vineyards, fishing, and excellent golf. Unless you are an extreme architecture fan, same goes for Napier. I've visited both places and the East Cape, Coromandel, they are interesting but are secondary if you've got limited time.

I would just spend a bit more time in each place that you are visiting. National Park is beautiful and if you like nature worth a stop on the way to Wellington.

Thanks for your helpful responses! It's making me feel less bad that we're skipping the East Cape. One more question: what's the fastest and/or best way to get to Rotorua from Auckland? How long is the drive? Is there a town to stay in between the two? Thanks again. The folks who post on Fodor's are always so knowledgeable!

Its only about 3 1/2 hours driving. Hwy 1 is the main road, connecting to Hwy 5 at Tirau. I don't think it is necessary to stop for an overnight between Auckland and Rotorua, but Hamilton is pleasant. The area is mostly farmland and the better scenery is south of Rotorua. NZ autoclub websites have great trip planning info, try aa.co.nz or aa.travel.co.nz. If you are a US member, you can stop into any AA office and pick up road maps and guides. You may be able to find the North Island accomodation guide at the Auckland airport.