Please advise on South Island itinerary
 

Hello,

I have been whittling down my New Zealand itinerary, and think I am happy with what I have come up with. But have a couple of questions:

Nov 16 arrive Auckland 7:30pm
Day 17 fly Auckland to Queenstown arrive noon
Day 18 Queenstown
Day 19 to TeAnau
Day 20 Milford Sound Day trip
Day 21 drive to Dunedin
Day 22 Dunedin and nearby wildlife
Day 23 Dunedin
Day 24 Depart New Zealand

I have deleted a lot from my original itinerary. I have not included Auckland or Christchurch. Is this a real mistake? I decided to leave the glaciers for next time - it was just too much driving to make the "Chrishtchurch loop". Since I am forced to stay a night in Auckland anyway, I am thinking I should omit a day from Dunedin and spend Day 2 in Auckland. The only draw back for this is that we would have to spend another $100 each for the "stopover". Do you think it is worth it? Or should I add the day perhaps to Invercarvil (sp?) stopping for a night between TeAnau and Dunedin?

Thanks so much!

Hi Sock!

It's a bit difficult to comment on your itinerary, as you don't say what you're interests are....for example - why are you going to TeAnau for the day? What's the draw for you there? Same with Dunedin....

And, assuming you're flying from Dunedin to Auckland, so you could arrange that to spend your last day or half day there.

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Kiwi Specialist

Yes, I guess I should add a little info and background!

We are interested in doing some walks/dayhikes, seeing the landscape and local wildlife, and a few NewZealand towns. We are not interested in "extreme" sports, or nightlife. I would really like to try to get a "taste" of NewZealnd in our week.

TeAnau wasn't the destination in itself that I was interested in, but I have heard a good stepping point to Milford Sound. I had thought of spending two nights there. (The one before and after the Milford Sound day). I also heard about glow worm caves there, and they sound interesting . . . Is it possible to stay in Milford Sound itself??

My interest in Dunedin are the city itself, the architecture - and the nearby wildlife/Catlins - seals, penguins,etc .

Looking at things more closely though, I see that we could probably see the Catlins during our day driving from TeAnau. . . This gives me that extra day to decide what to do with. Auckland, Christchurch, or somewhere else . . . Auckland does make sense since I have to stop there anyway.

I've done a bit more work, and am thinking that the whole thing in reverse makes more sense. I have also added a day in Auckland.

Nov 16 Fly Cairns to Auckland
Nov 17 Auckland
Nov 18 Fly Auckland to Dunedin arr.noon
Nov 19 Dunedin
Nov 20 Drive to TeAnau via Catlins
Nov 21 Daytrip to Milford Sound
Nov 22 to Queenstown
Nov 23 Queenstown (day trip to Wanaka?)
Nov 24 Depart New Zealand

Comments appreciated!

ttt