Please critique our 18 day NZ itinerary
 

My SO and I (Both 30) have just booked our flights to NZ to travel between April 18 - May 8. I will have to book Hotels/Airbnb and other things in a day or so once the itinerary confirms. Please advice if I should include any places on the way to stop, skip any places and if there are better places to stay the nights than what I have chosen.

April 19 - Arrive in Auckland at 4pm after long flights
Rent car
Night 1: Stay at Auckland

Day 1: Drive to Waitomo Caves (3.5 hours) and do the Black water rafting tour

Night 2: Stay at Waitomo

Day 2: Drive to the Hobbiton Tour (4 hours)

Drive to Rotorua (1 hour)

Night 3: Stay at Rotorua

Day 3: Rotorua Luge, Whakarewarewa Redwood forest

Wai-O-Tapu

Night 4: Stay at Rotorua

Day 4: Drive to Whitianga (4 hours)

Night 5: Stay at Whitianga

Day 5: Cathedral Cove

Drive to Auckland (3 hours)

Drop off car

Night 6: Stay at Auckland

Day 6: Fly to Christchurch

Night 7: Stay at Christchurch

Day 7: Train to Greymouth

Rent car at Greymouth

Night 8: Stay at Greymouth

Day 8: Drive to (1.5 hours) and Walk the Hokitika George

Drive to Franz Josef (3 hours)

Drive to Lake Matheson (5 KM)

Night 9: Stay at Franz Josef or Fox

Day 9: Heli hike Fox Glacier

Drive to Wanaka (4 hours)

Night 10: Stay at Wanaka

Day 10: Kayak/Jet boating/Paragliding

Night 11: Stay at Wanaka

Day 11: Drive to Queenstown (2 hours)

Explore Queenstown

Night 12: Stay at Queenstown

Day 12: Drive to Te Anau

Day hike at Fiordland (Kepler/Key summit/lake Marian?)

Night 13: Stay at Te Anau

Day 13: Day trip to Milford Sound on a cruise with a tour company

Night 14: Stay at Te Anau

Day 14: Drive to Queenstown (3 hours)

Bungee jumping

Explore Queenstown

Night 15: Stay at Queenstown

Day 15: Drive to Mt Cook Village (3 hours)

Night 16: Stay at Aoraki / Mount Cook

Day 16: Day hike Mount Cook

Night 17: Stay at Aoraki / Mount Cook

Day 17: Drive to Christchurch via Lake Tekapo - 4 hours

Night 18: Stay at Christchurch

Day 18: Fly to Auckland

Relax/Explore Auckland

Night 19: Stay at Auckland

Day 19: Relax and fly out at 5:30pm

I know we are too late for this planning, but our visa has just been granted until June and we have to be back by mid May. We are planning to rent a small car. We both have international driving permit, comfortable driving on the left and manual transmission. We are slightly below moderate in fitness currently but have done several day hikes (~15km) in the past. Thank you for your time. Kia Ora!

I guess it is very well organized.

Hi bck -

You don't say where you're flying in from, but I suspect it's some distance (?). It's a bit reckless to hop into a rental car in an unfamiliar country after a long international flight, often sans sleep, regardless of your left side driving experience. It puts you, and more importantly - others - at risk. It's just not a good idea especially in a busy place like Auckland. I strongly suggest you take a bus or shuttle to your accommodation and then collect the car the next day when you're rested and fresh. Or better yet, connect to a flight to Christchurch and visit Auckland on the way out.

I think you've got an awful lot crammed into 18 days, which is a common theme here. NZ may look small on a map, but getting from point A to point B will take more time than you think, especially as there's so much to see en route.

I'll leave the North Island to those more familiar with it than myself, but a few comments regarding the South Island portion of your trip.

What do you plan to do in Christchurch? Unless you have transportation, or are staying in a very central hotel, you might have trouble seeing the sights.

Unless you have some reason for spending two nights in Greymouth, I think your time could be better spent elsewhere. One night here is plenty, and, not even needed unless you have a particular reason for staying there. It's quite feasible to arrive via train in Greymouth and immediately head south to Hoki, which would make a good base for a night,

Because Hoki is only a short drive from Franz Josef, you'd have plenty of time to visit the gorge the following day, before you head to Franz Josef.

I assume you realize that Lake Matheson is closer to Fox than Franz. Because you want to see Lake Matheson and take a heli hike from Fox, I suggest Fox as your base. If you stay in Hokitika, you will have sufficient time to see the gorge, drive to Fox and see Franz Josef en route, without having to stay overnight in Franz Josef. This will allow you to do both, yet maximize your time for the activities you have planned in Fox Glacier. You will need at least two nights in Fox.

I always suggest driving from Wanaka to Te Anau, and then Queenstown - it just makes more logistic sense, especially in your case, as it will prevent staying in Queenstown twice, and reduce the drive to Mt Cook by two hours.

I suggest:

Arive Christchurch - overnight
Train to Greymouth - rent car - drive to Hokitika - overnight
Visit Hokitika Gorge - drive to Fox, visit Franz Josef en route - two nights Fox Glacier
Full day in Fox, visit Lake Matheson, helihike
Full day drive to Wanaka - two nights (three is better!)
Drive to Te Anau - afternoon hike (Kepler) - three nights
Full day trip to Milford Sound - note you can do the hike to Key Summit en route to Milford Sound - you will need to dedicate a full day for this. You can only do this if you drive yourself, which I recommend. If you take a tour bus, you
will be at the mercy of the tour, and will only hit the highlights, you won't have time for any long tramps. If you choose to do the bus tour, you will have to return to the Milford road on your own to hike Key Summit. This will necessitate backtracking.
Drive from Te Anau to Queenstown - three nights
Drive to Mt Cook - two nights
Drive to Christchurch

I also don't see the sense behind staying in Auckland on both ends of your trip - this adds expense as well as eats up time that could better be spent elsewhere. Have you considering arriving in Auckland, connecting to a flight to Christchurch, spending your first night (or two) in Christchurch and then heading south? Then you could spend time in Auckland and other points on the North Island on your return. This seems a much better allotment of time.

Melnq8 - Thanks a lot for looking into my itinerary and providing excellent advice. Below is my response.

Our flight is for 25 hours, so I am not sure if we will have the energy to do another flight after passing the customs. Also, while returning we might need a stop for a night at Auckland before the long journey.

In Auckland, our Airbnb is only 10 minutes from the airport. We would have to start the next day morning to drive to Waitomo and we want to leave as early as possible, that’s the reason we are renting the car upon arrival to save some time the next day morning.

Christchurch - Not really planning to do much, mostly resting.

Greymouth - I am staying one night only. Not planning to do anything there. I will take your advice and look for a stay in Hokitika.

I have also taken your other suggestions to add a night at Fox and rearrange Queenstown/Te Anau. I don’t think I will have an extra night for Te Anau (and Key Summit hike). Below is the updated itinerary.


April 19 - Arrive in Auckland at 4pm after long flights

Night 1: Stay at Auckland

Day 1: Rent car, Drive to Waitomo Caves (3.5 hours) and take the Black water rafting tour

Night 2: Stay at Waitomo

Day 2: Drive to the Hobbiton Tour (4 hours)

Drive to Rotorua (1 hour)

Night 3: Stay at Rotorua

Day 3: Rotorua Luge, Whakarewarewa Redwood forest

Wai-O-Tapu

Night 4: Stay at Rotorua

Day 4: Drive to Whitianga (4 hours)

Visit Beach

Night 5: Stay at Whitianga

Day 5: Drive to Auckland (3 hours)

Return Car

Fly to Christchurch

Night 6: Stay at Christchurch

Day 6: Train to Greymouth

Rent car at Greymouth

Night 7: Stay at Greymouth/Hokitika

Day 7: Drive to (1.5 hours) and Walk the Hokitika George

Drive to Fox (3 hours)

Night 8: Stay at Fox

Day 8: Heli hike Fox Glacier

Drive to Lake Matheson (5 KM)

Franz Josef Glacier

Rest

Night 9: Stay at Fox

Day 9: Drive to Wanaka (4 hours)

Night 10: Stay at Wanaka

Day 10: Kayak/Jet boating/Paragliding

Night 11: Stay at Wanaka

Day 11: Drive to Te Anau

Afternoon hike Kepler

Night 12: Stay at Te Anau

Day 12: Day trip to Milford Sound on a cruise with a tour company

Night 13: Stay at Te Anau

Day 13: Drive to Queenstown (3 hours)

Explore Queenstown

Night 14: Stay at Queenstown

Day 14: Bungee jumping

Explore Queenstown/Rest

Night 15: Stay at Queenstown

Day 15: Drive to Mt Cook Village (3 hours)

Night 16: Stay at Aoraki / Mount Cook

Day 16: Day hike Mount Cook

Night 17: Stay at Aoraki / Mount Cook

Day 17: Drive to Christchurch via Lake Tekapo - 4 hours

Night 18: Stay at Christchurch

Day 18: Fly to Auckland

Relax/Explore Auckland

Night 19: Stay at Auckland

Day 19: Relax and fly out at 5:30pm

I'm all too familiar with long flights, believe me. However, I much prefer to forge on with that last short flight and begin fresh and rested the following day. I'm just suggesting you not split up your trip any more than you have to. Your first itinerary indicated you were staying in Auckland two nights up front and one night at the end. But I see your new itinerary now has one night in Auckland at either end.

My point is that if you visit the NI last, you will free up an extra night that you can use elsewhere, thus making a more leisurely trip and cutting down on one night stays, which I personally find exhausting.

It seems as if you've already decided and booked flights, so it's a moot point.

Have you booked your flight from Auckland to Christchurch on Day 5? What time? Do you have sufficient time to drive that three hours, return the car, get checked in and make your flight?

Do be aware that while the drive from Fox to Wanaka is listed as only 3.5 hours on many drive distance charts, it will take you much longer - there are so many places to stop, take a short walk and snap photos. Don't rush this drive. Take your time, explore en route.

Te Anau to Queenstown will take closer to two hours.

Your itinerary is still a bit fast paced for my tastes, but it may well work for you. The major problem I see is that you have absolutely no wiggle room if you have a horrid weather day - but I certainly understand time constraints.

I think you need to take a good look at your days again, I see some discrepancies.

Night 1: Stay at Auckland
Night 2: Stay at Waitomo
Night 3 & 4: Stay at Rotorua

Day 4: Drive to Whitianga (4 hours) This is actually Day 5

Night 5: Stay at Whitianga

Day 5: Drive to Auckland (3 hours) This is actually Day 6

Night 6: Stay at Christchurch

Day 6: Train to Greymouth - This is actually Day 7

Night 7: Stay at Greymouth/Hokitika

Day 7: Drive to (1.5 hours) and Walk the Hokitika George - This is actually Day 8

Night 8: Stay at Fox

Day 8: Heli hike Fox Glacier - This is actually Day 9 (and you'll want to do Lake Matheson first if your intent is to see the reflections)

Night 9: Stay at Fox

Day 9: Drive to Wanaka (4 hours) This is actually Day 10

Night 10: Stay at Wanaka

Day 10: Kayak/Jet boating/Paragliding - This is actually Day 11

Night 11: Stay at Wanaka

Day 11: Drive to Te Anau - This is actually Day 12

Night 12: Stay at Te Anau

Day 12: Day trip to Milford Sound on a cruise with a tour company - This is actually Day 13

Night 13: Stay at Te Anau

Day 13: Drive to Queenstown (3 hours) - This is actually Day 14

Explore Queenstown

Night 14: Stay at Queenstown

Day 14: Bungee jumping - Day 15

Night 15: Stay at Queenstown

Day 15: Drive to Mt Cook Village (3 hours) - Day 16

Night 16: Stay at Aoraki / Mount Cook

Day 16: Day hike Mount Cook - Day 17

Night 17: Stay at Aoraki / Mount Cook

Day 17: Drive to Christchurch via Lake Tekapo - 4 hours - Day 18

Night 18: Stay at Christchurch

Day 18: Fly to Auckland - Day 19

Relax/Explore Auckland

Night 19: Stay at Auckland

Day 19: Relax and fly out at 5:30pm - Day 20

bck -

I overlooked the fact that you're leaving in four days!

Melnq8 - And I haven't booked anything except the flights to NZ. I know I am super late for this. I am going to try to book a flight to CHCH to fly the same day I arrive in Auckland, following your suggestion. Thank you.

If you are beginning your trip in New Zealand, that probably means you're getting on your flight tomorrow or the next day (it's April 15th here now). I hope you have booked your AirBNB in Auckland (as you were waiting to confirm your itinerary before doing so).
Please be aware that we have been experiencing wild weather, so check these two websites as you travel along.
New Zealand Transport Agency: Home | NZ Transport Agency
and
Metservice (for weather warnings):
New Zealand's official weather forecasts & warnings - Meteorological Service of New Zealand (MetService)

Don't forget to bring a good rain jacket and other gear for wet weather (if you have any). I also use waterproof pants, waterproof boots, and a waterproof cover for my daypack. I'd like to say you might not need it, but I think you probably will, especially for the West Coast. You should prepare for cold weather on the South Island. I'm hoping it will warm up again, but just a few days ago we had snow on the hills and mountaintops. See:
https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/queens...own-range-road

School holidays are Saturday 14 April through Sunday 29 April (includes ANZAC day 25 April), so accommodation in the more popular places might be somewhat limited. Though if the weather is poor, it's likely families will cancel their plans. Some places always book up early. If you have not yet booked Aoraki Mt. Cook, you might not be able to at this point. Your closest option would be Twizel.

I agree with Melnq8, see Franz Josef after Hokitika before you drive to Fox. In other words, along the way. There's a nice view from Peter's Pool. You wouldn't have to walk far.
Peters Pool Walk: Walking and tramping in Franz Josef Glacier/K? Roimata o Hine Hukatere, Westland Tai Poutini National Park

Hey bck,
How committed are you to Waitomo Caves? I haven't been there, but it is the one place that seems to be taking you out of the way a bit. You might consider Auckland to Whitianga, then to Rotorua and on to Hobbiton on the way back to Auckland. Add another day in Whitianga or the Coromandel. I haven't been to the Caves so I can't comment on how they are but I did just get back from the NI and we liked Coromandel and Whitianga, but it's worth more than a day. Maybe take a boat tour and do the beach.

Oops I see that you are spending 2 days in Whitianga, my bad. One thing I can say that is you are 30! NZ is like crack, you will get addicted, and you will be back. Adding another day to a place, be it Rotorua or Whitianga won't hurt even if you miss something you will have to come back for. From experience, a 4 hour drive will turn into a longer drive and you will drive by the most amazing sites, Te Karo Bay, for instance, right out of Tairua, between Whitianga and Rotorua.