Hi
My friends want me to make the plans for our trip to The North Island and Sydney.
I've come up with this. Any suggestions/recommendations would be appreciated!
18th-arrive in am-Rangitoto Island (pick up other friend at 7 pm from airport), sleep in Coromandel
19th-New Chums Beach, Drive on 301 to Hahei, Hot Water Beach, Cathedral Cove, sleep in Tauranga (do either kayak in Cove or in night glowworm kayak in Tauranga)
20th-Hike Mt Maunganui and McLauren Falls Park, visit Matamata, sleep Waitomo
21st-Caves, (not sure which tour to do but I like the combo ones, suggestions)? sleep Tongario area
22nd-Tongario Road Crossing (park car at end of hike, get shuttle to transport to beginning in am to start hike) what do u guys think about the sidehikes up the mountains? Worth it? How much longer does it add? sleep---Taupo??
23rd-skydiving, adventure stuff (bungee or jet boat), Rotorua, hot springs, sleep Hawkes Bay area?
24th-Hawkes Bay, one friend goes to Sydney, other friend and I go to Wellington-sleep
25th-Wellington, sleep west coast, new plymouth perhaps?
26th-Hike by New Plymouth, sleep towards Auckland
27th-other friend goes back to Vegas, I go up north
28th-Cape Reinga, beaches
1st-Syndey

If anyone interested, plan on going to Blue Mountains, Jervis Bay and then spend the weekend and last 2 days in Sydney
depart home March 8th
Any part of iten not realistic or better things to do?
Thanks!!!

I'd drop Newy Plymoth and give yourself some more time along the way...very rushed.

I agree it seems a bit rushed.

When are you planning to do this? If you're planning to visit Matamata for the Hobbiton tour, make sure they'll be open to tourists when you're there.

I wouldn't park my car at the end or beginning of the Tongariro Crossing; there are a lot of break-ins in the parking lots. Just take the shuttle there and back to wherever you're staying.

We took the Black Labyrinth tour in Waitomo and loved it. Just the right amount of "adventure" for us, and the glowworms are beautiful.

Lee Ann

Thanks for the replies. I agree, it is rather whirwind-esque.
The good news is this is just an outline. If we really like something, we can always stay longer. The skydiving and hike are weather dependent too. I can always skip Wellington (but there is LOTR stuff there), which would slow down everything else. Or drop something else.
I forgot to say, I leave for NZ Wednesday from Vegas, so I arrive Friday morning!

I can't wait.

Your Sydney plan looks good for your few days; some South Coast, Blue Mountains & villages and the city.

Hope you have a wonderful trip.

I wouldn't skip Wellington. It's a lovely city, reminiscent of San Francisco. Te Papa Museum is outstanding, and you could head over to Miramar and visit Weta Workshop, walk around Mt. Victoria and look for LotR film sites, etc. You never know who you'll see - we bumped into Richard Taylor from Weta on Mt. Victoria.

Lee Ann

Hmm
thanks Lee Ann
I'll figure out a way to see Wellington then.
=)

Zealandia is another thing to consider in Wellington. It's a relatively recent addition to the attraction list. Tours are offered, including a night-time kiwi hunt.

The official NZ tourism website is well worth a look through. The Activities tab can be sorted by city and interest.

http://www.newzealand.com/travel/sig...-home-page.cfm

Probably could chose a screen name less obvious than ahsahs.

Sadly, the Windsor Hotel (Christchurch) is not accepting reservations due to earthquake damage.