Hi everyone
Planning this NZ trip for my family of 4 (2 boys- aged 10 and 13), please comment:
15/12- arrive Christchurch at 10.30am (direct flight from Perth 7 hrs), take rental car and drive to Lake Tekapo (overnight), rest and relax, Mt John Observatory
16/12-Drive to Mt Cook (overnight), Hunter Valley walk
17/12- Drive to Wanaka and stay 2 nights
19/12- Drive to Te Anau and stay 2 nights , Milford Sound cruise
21/12- Drive to Queenstown and stay 4 nights
25/12- Fly out to Auckland and stay 1 night
26/12: Drive to Taupo and stay 2nights (include Tongariro Alpine Crossing 1 day hike)
28/12: Drive to Rotorua and stay 2 nights
30/12: Drive to Coromandel and stay 1 night
31/12: Drive back to Auckland stay one night (plan to see new year firework /celebrations)
1/1: Fly back to Perth morning flight 10.30am
We have done a few hikes in Perth (between 4-12km) during Autumn and Spring seasons, so we should be able to manage the Tongariro Crossing (not rushing and would take few breaks ), has anyone done the crossing and where would u advise for us to base at for the hike, Taupo or at the national park itself?

Any comments for my trip planning?
Do you think we can take our rental car and drive out of Auckland toward Taupo or Rotorua on the same day when arriving from Queenstown?

Better to post in the New Zealand forum where you will get more responses

Moved and tagged.

I've made that flight from Perth (but to Auckland) many times and it's brutal. It's too short to get any decent sleep, plus a 4-5 hour time difference. So, be prepared to be completely wiped out when you arrive in Christchurch.

I wouldn't suggest you hop right into a rental car in an unfamiliar country and drive as far as Tekapo (three hours without stops). Suggest you find a closer spot for your first night.

Are you from Perth (meaning, are you comfortable with driving on the left)? If not, even more reason to not drive upon arrival after an overnight flight. It puts you, and worse, others at risk.

Assume you mean Hooker Valley Walk in Mt Cook. It's 10 km, takes a good three hours to complete. There are other walks in Mt Cook, but for some reason this one gets all the attention.

I've not done the Tongariro Crossing, but I have hiked in Perth - I can't help but think you're comparing apples to oranges. Tongariro is 19.4 km and takes 6-8 hours to complete. A friend, who also lived and hiked in Perth, made the trek a few years ago and it just about did him in. You need to plan well and expect anything.

Your'e visiting in summer, so not sure what the spring/autumn reference is about??

Hi Melnq8
Thanks for your advice, we will stay in Christchurch overnight and drive to Mount Cook and stop by Lake Tekapo and probably extend another night in Mount Cook (reduce one night in Queenstown).
Any idea if I can fit in Fox Glacier in the plan?

We are not sure about the weather to do the Tongariro Crossing in summer as we hiked more in autumn and spring. Will start training ourselves this few months leading to the trip.

Hope to get some advice to prepare ourselves for the trip. Thanks

Too many one night stays. Try and avoid being anywhere near Auckland on 25/26 December if you can.
All of Auckland goes on holiday on 26th December so the motorway south will be clogged to the max. Some even try and get away on 25/12 so it can be busy then.
Forget 1 night in Coromandel unless you have already booked accommodation - there will be nothing. Again trust me on this as we tried to book a last minute break away last Christmas and the closest to Coromandel we could get was Paeroa.
Taupo is too far from the TAC to make an easy day of it - the shuttle will pick you up about 5 am. Are the kids up to such a tough walk? Many people underestimate the walk and have to be rescued.
I'd leave out that middle visit to Auckland and fly straight to Rotorua. It might cost you more but it's worth it.
25/12 Rotorua
26/12 Rotorua
27/12 drive to Turangi/Whakapapa village
28/12 walk the TAC
29/12 recovery day drive to Taupo
30/12 Hobbiton?
31/12 Auckland overnight
1/1/2019 fly back to Perth

Thanks Tasmangirl for your suggestion, and I did some changes to the plan:
15/12 Arrive Christchurch
16/12 Transalpine train to Greymouth, pick up rental car and drive to Fox glacier
17/12 Fox glacier
18/12 Drive to Wanaka
19/12 Wanaka
20/12 Te Anau
21/12 Te Anau
22/12 Queenstown
23/12 Queenstown
24/12 Mt Cook village
25/12 Mt cook village
26/12 Drive to Christchurch airport and fly out to Rotorua (flight depart 1.50pm)
27/12 Rotorua
28/12 drive to Turangi/Whakapapa village
29/12 walk the TAC
30/12 recovery day drive to Taupo
31/12 Auckland overnight
1/1/2019 fly back to Perth

Please advise.

I think you're trying to do too much on the SI. It's very difficult to incorporate both the Inland Route (Mt Cook) and the West Coast route (glaciers) in less than two full weeks. Too much driving, not enough doing. Pick one and add a few nights to QT and possibly Wanaka and/or Te Anau. You'll be glad you did

I liked your first SI better, less the mad dash to Tekapo upon arrival.

Mel is right - there is not enough time for both the West Coast and Mt Cook. You can see a glacier at Mt Cook if that's what you want to do.
Roads here are pretty much always over hills/mountains, narrow, windy and only 2 lanes wide. It will take longer than you think to drive anywhere and the driver needs to concentrate on the road. There are only 200 kms of motorway/freeway in the whole country.

I don't have too much knowledge about NZ road trips, but I do know walking. You can't compare walking in the area around Perth to NZ. NZ has got higher altitudes, and it's not even all about walking uphill. Just add a couple hours to what you figure it will be. Also, wear some decent boots. Plus, you'll really need to spend at least two nights some places. It's too exhausting to drive around like that and go from place to place that often. You'll wear yourselves out. Especially for an 18 day trip.

When you drive to Coromandel, if you go to hot water beach, make sure checking the tides' time.