Have had some great advice here on NI route but struggling to fit everything in!

We have 9 nights.

Will fly into Auckland and collect car to drive straight up to Doubtless Bay (for 3 nights' relaxation after busy 2 weeks in SI). Then slower drive back to Auckland area and 4th night in Kumeu, possibly.
Next day drive to Tongariro area for 2 nights to do the Crossing.

That leaves 3 nights.

Should we miss out Rotorua and drive directly to Coromandel Peninsula for 2 nights and back to Auckland for final night?

Will we have seen enough volcanic scenery in Tongariro?

Our flight is an early one so will afternoon and evening of day 9 be enough to get a (very brief) flavour of Auckland?

Looking forward to hearing your advice.
Solly

Have you been to Yellowstone? I ask, because if you've been to Yellowstone, Rotorua won't be a big deal.

No, haven't been to Yellowstone but thinking we may prefer Coromandel Peninsula.

Hi guys,

I'm adding this comment to bring the topic back up to the top! Advice on our NI trip would be very much appreciated. Should add that we means me and my husband, in mid 50s, like scenery, wildlife, walking but don't like overly touristy places and crowds. We'd like to see volcanic landscape and features but also like coastlines.

Solly

It's been (sob) almost seven years, but you can read about our 10 days on the North Island if you like. Just click on my screen name, and the link is in my trip reports.

Lee Ann

Thanks, Lee Ann,

Your trip sounds fantastic. Maybe you're due for a return visit?

Solly

solly, I posted a trip report (the beginnings of one) from our trip there this summer and finished the New Zealand North Island portion, which included Rotorua. If you click on my screen name, you should find it.

We too were trying to decide on where to go in our limited time there, and decided on Rotorua. My trip report has the details of what we did there...maybe it will help you decide one way or another. We loved NZ and hope to return again sometime soon.

Florida 1. Thanks. I've read your trip report on NI and now I'm even more undecided! You spent all your time in Auckland and Rotorua - the two places which I've been tempted to skip - and clearly enjoyed them.

I suppose the question for other Fodorites is can we see similar features to ones in Rotorua elsewhere, particularly in the Tongariro National Park/Taupo and/or driving south from Auckland to Tongariro NP (Turangi) or north from Taupo to Coromandel?

Rotorua has the main geothermal areas, steam coming up at random places in town, etc. You won't see those in Tongariro unless Mt. Ruapehu erupts.

Lee Ann

I guess that might get me out of walking the Tongariro Crossing!

Lee Ann

Have finalised our NI trip now and have decided to spend 3 nights in Doubtless Bay. Then a night just north of Auckland en-route to Rotorua. 1 night in Rotorua. 2 nights near Tongariro Park to do the Crossing and then back to Auckland for last 2 nights.

Thanks for all your help.

Sounds great!

Lee Ann

My daughter lived in Rotorua for a few years so we had the opportunity to visit several times. It's a lovely, peaceful little town with a wealth of geothermal activity, but nothing to see/do beyond that. One day is more than enough. It is very different from Tongoriro.

BTW, we were very outdoorsy, mid-50s when we did the crossing. However in-shape you are -- work on it more before you go. That is an incredibly worthwhile but incredibly strenuous day hike, much more so than the literature leads you to believe, specially on the way down. Bring a ton of sunscreen with you on the hike, a ton of water, and prepare to be wowed.

Thanks. We're trying to get fitter but I have a dodgy knee at the moment so can't do much. Hope it improves soon.