lovinit

Hello everyone,
Wanted to post my current itinerary to get some feedback...would love to here from anyone.

Day 1- Arrive Auckland; drive to Tauranga..staying at Hotel Du Vin overnight.

Day 2 - Driving to Otorahanga and Waitomo, do the glow worm caves. Overnight at Kamahi Cottage.

Day 3 - Drive to Lake Taupo..stopping off via Rotorua (see the thermal hotspots). Staying at Tauhara Sunrise Lodge.

Day 4 - Drive to Hastings and stay overnight at the Hawthorne Country House.

Day 5 - Drive to Hamilton to take Flight to Sydney.

Please comment on things to do...see..etc. Or if you think were crazy in this time frame. Thanks for your feedback.

tropo

lovinit, firstly everyone will tell you that the South Island of NZ is the most scenic.
However, seeing you have chosen the Nth Island, then the following places in the north island, I consider to be the "must" sees, if you haven't visited before - (they are not listed in any order of preference)
* Bay of Fires
* Lake Taupo and the nearby mountains, including the desert drive.(make sure you visit the Huka Falls)
* Mt.Ergmont National Park.
* Coremandel Peninsular.
* Rotorua & other nearby lakes.

Kiwi_acct

Hi Lovinit

Your itinery is perfectly doable.

Just one thing to note Hotel du Vin is located near Auckland (45 mins from airport) on the road to Tauranga, state highway 2. But it is in fact nowhere near Tauranga. Tauranga would still be another 1 1/2 hours drive further down the road. The area the hotel is in is a rural district near Maramarua. The hotel does have a very good reputation and very good wines are made onsite.

If you are heading to the Waitomo caves the next day you will in fact go nowhere near Tauranga as that is in the opposite direction.

To be honest I don't think going to Tauranga only to double back to your hotel is a worthwhile trip. Depending upon your time you may be better off staying and looking around Auckland for the day before heading south to Hotel du Vin.

If you are into wines, a good idea when you are heading down to Hastings would be to stop off at one of the many wineries in the area and sample some of the local produce. The visitors centre on Marine Parade Napier or the one in Hastings can provide you with a map of the wineries in the area.

Hope this helps

Steve

mosthecat

If you are going to alter the plans, I'd recommend the Coromandel Peninsula for beautiful scenery and beaches. Rocky on the West coast, beachy on the East. Nice little communities.

Rotorua was interesting, but not a favorite. Sort of seems like a must-do, but the thermal area only takes a couple of hours. We enjoyed very much a 4WD/hike up Mt Tarawera.

lovinit

I almost forgot...We are coming back to the South Island after a week in Australia. I have not finished the itnerary yet though. Once I do, I will post it for all of your great feedback. I appreciate all your comments! I love this site.