Hi Fodor Friends!
We are planning a 6 week trip to Oz and NZ. We are all planned up to the North Island. We are flying into Wellington from Nelson after spending a few days in Abel Tasman Park on December 5. We really don't know what to do from there. Of course we want to see Rotoroa and Auckland, but I think we are now just planned out!! We cant decide whether to go to the Bay of Islands (we think it's too far at the end of a big trip and we'll be tired of driving) where to go in the Coromandel Peninsula, should be go to Napier? Lake Taupo? We will see the glow worm caves in Te Anau so we don't have to go to Waitomo, we aren't LOTR fans - but if were near we would check it out but it doesn't have to be a destination. We've been to Iceland & Yellowstone so the Rotorua area may not need too long. We love the outdoors, hiking (but I have knee problems and 10 k is about all I can do at a time)...

So December 5 & 6 in Wellington
Dec 7 - Napier?
Dec 8 - Rotoroa
Dec 9/10 - Coromandel
Dec 11/12 Auckland?
and December 13th we fly to Papeete in the afternoon.

I'd love your suggestions...

Keeping in mind this was 11 years ago, we spent 10 days on the North Island in 2004. Of the places you're considering visiting, we spent a night in Rotorua, visiting Wai-o-tapu geothermal area, walking around the city a bit, and going to the evening concert and hangi at Te Puia. http://www.tepuia.com/

We did a little hiking in Tongariro National Park, which was really nice and gives you a bit of LotR film scenery without going out of the way. http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...-national-park

Lee Ann

Thanks elendi.

Your itinerary looks good to me. Napier is a lovely Art Deco city with lots to do. Mission Estate winery is great for lunch or dinner.
It's about a 2 hour drive over to Taupo for a look at Huka Falls/lunch by the lake and then drive 1 more hour to Rotorua.
Whitianga is a good base for 2 nights and you could see Cathedral Cove from a boat trip. The Lost Spa is a great adults only hot pool complex. Rotorua-Whitianga is about 3.5 hours or if that is too long have a look at Waihi Beach (about 2 hours drive) There are lovely beach walks and also the Karangahake Gorge area for walking.
OR if you want to see LOTR scenery in the Tongariro National Park area which means driving up the main highway from Wellington and missing Napier. Stay in National Park or Chateau Tongariro and do some of the walks there. We've just been in the area for a long weekend and did the Taranaki Falls walk. There's still a lot of snow on Ruapehu and it looked awesome.
I'd forget the BOI as it is a long way past Auckland for a few days and then you have to drive back.
Auckland has Waiheke Island for a day trip and Rangitoto Island (volcanic nature reserve) for a walk with a great view.

Thanks Tasmangirl! I think we will take your advice and do Napier, taupe and rotors then head to the coramandel. Is it better up at whitianga than waihi?

For the tourist Whitianga is bigger and closer to the attractions of Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach so it would be a better choice. Plenty of beach front motels and restaurants/cafes as well.