I am sure I have read every post on this forum several times, trying to absorb so many itinerary possibilities. I even wake up in the middle of the night moving days around in my head. So much to see and not enough time. (looks like we are skipping Pancake Rocks and the Tranzalpine train this trip) I have tried to keep the driving times balanced so we do not have long driving days. I am concerned about the accommodations in Wanaka. We do not want an apartment for an overnight stay and don't want to spend over $300 US per night. Suggestions? I feel good about the itinerary but before I make hotel reservations, I would be so grateful for comments about the following:

Day 1 fly to Queenstown from Christchurch
arrive 5 PM, rent car
Day 1 and 2 --Stay Browns Hotel $182 US
Day 3 - drive 2 hours to Te Anau - Campbells Auto Lodge $108 US
see Glow worm caves, evening tour,
Day 4 - Drive to Manipouri for Doubtful Sound overnight cruise $264 pp
Day 5- leave Manipouri noon -3.5 hours to Wanaka
Stay Wanaka Homestead? $170 US
Day 6- drive 5 hours to Fox glacier- stay Te Weheka Inn (no hiking) $217 US
Day 7 Big Splurge night!! Drive 3.5 hours to Arthur's Pass - Stay at Grasmere Lodge $435 US
Day 8 -Drive 3.5 hours Akaroa, stay Maison de la Mer $210 US
Day 9 Christchurch - Millennium Hotel $175 superior room
Day 10 depart 7 am

Hi RichardJ,
My husband and I stayed at the Wanaka Homestead in March and I give it a big thumbs-up. Great hosts, very helpful. we stayed in the cottage (renting only 1 BR) and found it very comfortable with an understated luxury.
We also had a great meal in Wanaka at Kai Whakapai (sp?) - recommended by our hosts.

On your drive from Wanaka to Fox glacier, leave plenty of time to stop along the way to enjoy the sights. (Actually, this goes for ANYwhere you drive in NZ!) We picnicked on a stunning river bank about 3/4 of the way there. Beautiful waterfalls, etc. Once you reach the coast, the entire landscape changes. Stop and take a picture of the Rimu forest early on the coast drive; the sillouhette is stunning and won't be seen again on the drive.

We stayed at Franz Josef Glacier at the Rainforest Retreat for $150 in a "treehouse" - cute and comfortable with a unique personality.

Sorry to hear you're skipping Pancake Rocks, as the area stole my heart and I'd like to retire there! We stayed in a stunning house called Flax Haven on the coast. This was truly a highlight on our 2-month trip.

You will be in awe whatever you do in NZ!

I just realized we have an extra day so we could add in an overnight near Pancake Rocks. Would you recommend we stay in Hotikita? I couldn't find Flax Haven--where is it located?

Flax Haven is in Punakaiki, about 10 minutes from the Pancake Rocks. As I have said in another post, our time at Flax Haven and the Pancake Rocks is the most re-lived part of our incredible 2-month journey. There's something about the area that speaks to my soul.
We booked Flax Haven ($200 for the whole house) via the Rocks Homestay
http://www.flaxhaven.com/Pages/home.htm
You must also take the short hike to the beach on the Truman Track. Stunning. W
We watched the sun set over the horizon from the hot tub on the deck. My husband wrote in our trip journal "Flax Haven Sea View Retreat - the name says it all. Mountains behind us, sea in front". We were welcomed by the resident weka (like a kiwi bird, but smaller. You run out of superlatives to describe places in NZ!
We did visit (and shop in) Hotikita, but it was great staying closer to the Rocks. We visited in high tide in the p.m. to see the blowholes, the took the Truman Track in the a.m. for an entirely different perspective.

Richard,
As far as lodging in Wanaka... I noticed a link to The Moorings Motel and Apartments on the Punga Grove website. It looks nice and is well within your budget.

http://www.pungagrove.co.nz/links.asp

http://www.themoorings.co.nz/default.asp