TravelNut8

Thanks for the recommendation. Altitude charges NZD729 per adult, whilst Kiwi charges NZD289. I also checked Glenorchy Air which charges NZD1289 per adult. The prices are definitely all over the place with wide variations.

Melnq8

$289 including the return by air? Seems a bit low.

FWIW we always self-drive to Milford, and have taken a variety of cruises over many trips. As far as I'm concerned, self-drive is the way to go.

The bus from QT to Milford (and return) is a helluva long day, although I realize you plan to return via air.

TravelNut8

I would prefer to self drive as well. Except we'd have to drive back lol
Although, I did check with car relocation companies and they charge about NZD400 to drive your car back from Milford Sound while you fly back.
I think with kids it's easier for everyone if we fly back.
The quote I saw didn't include air. The cheapest I've found was NZD699 for coach/cruise/fly.

TravelNut8

I just wanted to give the group a big shot out. Our itinerary is all booked thanks in part to this community!
Only a few more weeks to go before our big trip! We booked air travel, car rental, hotels, then activities. I would recommend joining FB group for discount codes on activities and tours.

Many sites are booking up for prime time slots about a month out, although not as bad as Japan where you have to rush to book as soon as the booking window opens.
Flights are OK to book closer to the trip. Book hotels at least a month out for more options.
Try to book at least 2 months out for preferred Milford Sound tours. From my posts you'll see I had trouble booking a preferred tour, although I was finally able to book one this week. Be aware some small tours do not allow children, same goes for observatories.

TravelNut8

Just wanted to give a big thank you to everyone that provided input for our holiday in NZ. We are flying home now and spent 14 days in north in South Island. It was not enough time to see everything we had planned for which was one morning activity and one afternoon activity. I made plenty of second options that we did not get to. We did 3 nights Auckland, 5 nights Queenstown, 2 nights Rotorua, and 3 nights near Hamilton. Looking back I am glad we had a taste of each of these places. I think it would have been better to add in a rest day in each location to just explore and not run from one activity to another, especially in the Bay of Plenty (Taupo and Rotorua regions) and Waikato (Hamilton, Waitomo, Waikato regions) and districts since there is just so much to see and do. Not cold

In the South Island, we had an excellent meal at Mora Wines and explored Queenstown proper. The next day we visited Milford Sound. We then did the Gibbston Wine trail and tried Gibbston Winery, Kinross Winery, panned for gold at Goldfields Mining town. I would not recommend Gibbston Winery, had a worker make a rude comment in front of us to her coworkers, I involved management and will be leaving them a negative review. I am glad we dropped the Mount Cook excursion, that gave us a day in Wanaka. In fact, we didn’t even make it to the town of Wanaka. We started at the lavender farm and then fished at Hooked and was so tired we headed back from there. We will return to visit other districts and would look into doing it in a RV camper.

Melnq8

Glad you had a good trip! There's never enough time is there? Thanks for reporting back.

Diamantina

TravelNut8, I, too, am glad you and your family enjoyed your holiday. I actually think it sounds like you managed to see and do what you most wanted to see and do. Well done!

Were you able to find manuka honey and some attractive merino knitwear to take home?

The wineries of Gibbston Valley are really nice, but Gibbston Winery is the one that least appeals to me. I find it too commercial. I'm sorry they treated you rudely.

Nice to hear you're already thinking about a return trip!