I am planning on spending 21 days travelling a loop of the South Island in January...we have 2 or 3 extra days to fit into my itinerary, but are having trouble deciding whether to:<BR>A) Stay at a couple of places on the South Island we're already going to for an extra night, or stop off between places to break the long drives and take it easy; or<BR>B) Spend those last few days flying up to Auckland and doing a 3-day Magic Bus trip Auckland-Rotorua-Turangi-Wellington before flying home.<BR>If we're already going to see so much on the South Island anyway, in your opinion, will we regret not going to the North? We have the opportunity to fit 3 days of the North Island in, but wonder if the time would be better spent in the south. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!<BR>Thanks,<BR>Michelle

Hi Michelle,<BR>I would definitely recommend seeing some of the North Island. It is quite different from the South in vegetation as well as having the areas of Maori culture which is well worth experiencing. There are very tropical areas as well as the regions of rolling hills. It is much more diverse than the South, in my opinion and we spent 5 weeks driving from the tip of the North to the end of the South. Hope you have a great trip.

I agree. if you have tme, do go to the North Island.<BR>Have Fun.

Hi Michelle<BR>i'd advise you to spend the extra days in the South Island as people some times underestimate the travelling distances in NZ. 2-3 days in the north island from Auck - Well will probably leave you exhausted. people often wish they had booked extra nights in places to have a break and enjoy the place beacuse there is a lot of travelling between destinations and more to see than you often think.<BR>hope that helps a bit!<BR>Rachel

Thanks for your replies. I am trying to fit everything in! Please can anyone offer some advice on the following routes:<BR>-Southern Scenic Route Dunedin to Invercargill<BR>-Akaroa to Tekapo<BR>-Tekapo to Dunedin<BR>Are these routes do-able within a day each, or just too long? I would prefer to be able to do them in a day, but am not sure whether to trust the distance guides I've been looking at - I'd rather hear it from someone who's done it!

I spent about 2 1/2 weeks in NZ in April. I spent slightly more than 1/2 the time in the south which I liked better. Not sure what all you are doing on the south island but I can share a few things. Not sure if you are going to Dunedin - but I would - and do go see the penguins and the albatross site. I think Rotorua is overrated - Yellowstone has better geisers.If you go to the North - Auckland is a very nice city and you can day trip to islands. I did not get too far N of Auck. but it is supposed to be nice there. Also - if you are into wines - I can give you some tips there. Also - DO go to Queenstown and Miford Sound. MS is amazing.

One other thing - we took Glenarchy Air to MS - the plane ride was tremedous and do go to the underwater aquarium - it is very unique. You can also drive to MS - which is probably nice - we just did not have the time. AND - I personnally am not into the big bus rides.

Hi again, MIchelle<BR><BR>You should beable to drive the Dunedin to Invecargill route in a day and if the other destinations are about the same distance apart, that shouldn't be a problem either. If you do stay in Dunedin there is an interesting accommodation not too far from the albatrosse area and it is a small castle which we stayed at for one night. It was great and we also had dinner in the castle along with other guests, which was quite unique. The lodgings themselves are not in the main structure as the castle has daily viewings for tourists and is not set up like a hotel. Check it out on the web as I think it was called Dunedin castle. You would probably need to reserve ahead of time. It was definitely one of the more unique accommodations during our trip. I still suggest that you spend some time on the North Island to get a more well rounded view of NZ.

Michelle, P.S. to the above message. The castle in Dunedin is called Larnach castle and they do have a website under that name. DJ

I did not stay at the castle but went there - it is in a very pretty spot with great views! I stayed in town at a small historic (and really pretty cheap) hotel called the Leviathan.

have a look on the tourism southland website www.southland.org.nz for southern scenic route info. This route goes from Dunedin right round to Te Anau. It is a long day to go from Dunedin to Te Anau, possible but better to split it in to two. Riverton (scenic coastal town) is a good halfway point to stay with some lovely b&amp;bs (try Reo Moana, really good) and excellent cafes. Prob a bit more interesting than Invercargill? you'll find accom info on that website.<BR>Akaora to Tekapo is definately possible in one day, as is Tekapo to Dunedin.<BR>