NZ Itinerary -- feedback appreciated
 

We're planning to honeymoon for part of September and October in NZ. This will be our second trip there, so we're mainly visiting spots we had wished to see the first time, plus a couple of favorite to explore further.

Any and all feedback is welcome as far as too much time being spent somewhere, too little time, the works!!

9/17 - 9/25 in Oz

9/26
Arrive Auckland
Fly Auckland - Whangarei

9/27
Dive at Poor Knights

9/28
Dive at Poor Knights
Pick up car
Drive to Paihia

9/29
Dolphin swim
Return to Whangarei
Return car

9/30
Fly Whangarei - Taupo
Pick up car
Drive to Waitomo

10/1
Lost World abseil

10/2
Drive to Turangi

10/3
Tongariro Crossing (weather permitting! Otherwise, hikes in the area)

10/4
Return to Taupo
Return car
Fly Taupo - Nelson

10/5 - 10/7
3-day Abel Tasman kayak & hike

10/8
Fly Nelson - Invercargill
Pick up car
Drive to Te Anau

10/9
Doubtful Sound overnight cruise

10/10
Hike around Te Anau

10/11
Return to Invercargill
Return car
Fly Invercargill - Stewart Island

10/12 - 10/14
Hike around Stewart Island (possibly 2 days of Rakiura Track)
Hike around Ulva Island

10/15
Fly Stewart Island - Invercargill
Pick up car
Drive to Dunedin

10/16 - 10/17
Otago Museum
Botanic Garden
Carbury World
Monarch Wildlife Cruise/Penguin Place
Return car

10/18
Fly Dunedin - Auckland
Fly home :(

Thanks for getting this far, and for your feedback.

Adam & Erica from Berkeley, CA

Wow what a trip! It certainly sounds busy and possible.
We are experiencing a cold winter here at the moment and in a month's time I don't think it will be very warm.
Enjoy your time in our beautiful country.

You seem to have done your homework on this one.
You have set yourself an action packed itinerary and it certainly sounds attainable if you are physically fit.

Hope you have a fantastic trip and you get to do everything on your wish list.

Congratulations and have a great time.

Christa

On 2nd glance, it does look like a rather packed schedule.

Many of the travel days involve just 2-4 hours of trip time, so we can be very leisurely about it.

Do you think it's advised to fit in some more downtime at all?

It certainly looks doable to me, given your combination of flying and driving.

If you can't do the Tongariro Crossing, the Taranaki Falls Walk is a nice two-hour hike.

Have a great time!

Lee Ann

~ no worries, your itinerary seems to be fine and because you are flying the major distances, you will have loads of time to enjoy your chosen activities.

Sounds great.

Don't forget to squeeze in a little 'honeymooning'! :)

Have a great time and congrats!!

hi, adamc,
Cool and varied trip you've planned. Otago Museum is so amazing - you will need the best part of a day for it, although you won't realise you have been there that long! Another place to visit in Dunedin could be Olveston House, built around 1900.
Have a wonderful second trip to NZ, and a memorable honeymoon.

Adamc, your itinerary looks great. Don't forget to try the Sauvignon Blancs of the Marlborough region, the best in the world.

Wow,
brings back some good memories!
My "new" wife and I spent 2 months in NZ when we got married. (We actually bought a used Mini because it was cheaper than renting a car for 8 weeks).
Anyway, as you already know, both the place and her people are unbeatable.
Congradulations; you are going to have a blast.
Pete