Hi everyone! My husband and I are going to be visiting NZ in April 2008 for 2 weeks, and we're having a really tough time narrowing down our choices. So far all we have is that we plan to spend only about 2 days or so in Auckland and then head out. We're thinking of having this trip be mostly North Island, with perhaps some time at the north part of South Island to visit the wine country in Marlborough.

With that said, here's some context. We're mid-30s, frequent travelers who like good food and wine (a lot). We're not averse to renting a car and driving, but in looking at previous posts, it seems like some of the distances take quite a long time to travel because the roads are smaller. I need to spend at least a day or 2 in or around the Palmerston North area to visit family.

Any suggestions or rough guidance that anyone could give me would be great. I'm looking at guidebooks and having a really tough time figuring out what to cut to make this a pleasant trip that doesn't have us constantly on the road.

Thanks!!

Hi Buster -

You might consider spending the entire two weeks on the North Island, which also has some great wine country. These links will give you an idea of what's on offer:

http://www.hawkesbaynz.com
http://www.gnztr.com/

Most visitors like to include Rotorua,
Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, Lake Taupo and Waitomo Caves in their NI itineraries. Wellington is also a popular spot, as is Auckland.

NZ is best seen by car, and limiting yourself ot one island will enable you to see a lot without spending all your time on the road.

We spent 10 days on the North Island in April 2004. We had a couple of longish days of driving (Auckland to Whakatane and Tongariro to Wellington), but we made lots of stops both times, which added to the length of the drive.

You can see our pictures and a trip report at http://community.webshots.com/user/ElendilPickle

Lee Ann

Greetings Buster:

Where to visit and how long to stay is strictly according to your taste.

As far as getting around. Car is the only way to go.

You have the freedom to start and stop when you want to. The route is your choice and the length of time stopping will not depend on a tour operator or waiting for that little old lady who got stuck in line to the loo.

Yes, roads are narrow by North American standard but I drove Wellington to Auckland in two days on our fourth [driving] trip to NZ so you can go as fast or as slow as you want.

Time requirement when driving is only restricted by the interesting stops that you will make. That is a plus for me, not a negative.

Car rental can be more economical than in North America and every bit as dependable. We rented a used vehicle from Apex and were satisfied enough to be happy to rent from them again. Find them on he web where everything is.

After all, my car at home is a 'used' car too, even though I bought it new.

Air New Zealand have a very good web site that can help you plan a trip of interest to you. If you are American or Canadian, AAA and CAA have reciprocal arrangement with AA of NZ so your membership will be of good use to you there.

Various i sites [information sites] display good AA maps [help yourself] and accommodation books, not activity or sight books by AA, and are staffed by very helpful, friendly, knowlegeable and efficient staff. All no charge other than possible long distance for reservations. You can not go wrong with them. Try New Zealand Tourism for their web site as well. Your family in Palmerston North should also be able to help.

Where every you go in NZ will be time well spent and enjoyed, you simply can not go wrong.

Woodie.

Thanks for the replies!! Lots of good ideas. Melnq8, we were definitely thinking mostly if not entirely North Island, but it seems like everyone here goes to the South Island exclusively.

Lee Ann, what were the highlights of your trip? What do you think you could have passed on?

Woodie, thanks for the tip on the AAA reciprocity -- that'll come in really handy!

Buster, since we had such a short time there, we tried to stick to things we really wanted to do. I don't regret anything we did (well, except not taking Dramamine an hour before our dolphin swim ).

Highlights for me were Wellington, the Maori concert and hangi in Rotorua, and black water rafting, but as I said, it was all wonderful.

Lee Ann

Buster -

Most visitors seem to choose SI over the NI, but that's because it has so much to offer and it's difficult to fit both islands into the standard two week holiday (for US folks anyway).

I've been to both islands and I much prefer the SI - so much so that I've been to the SI six times and I'm going back in August. I've only visited the NI once. I keep telling myself I should give the NI another go, but the SI keeps calling me back.

You'll no doubt find plenty to do on the NI and I suspect you'll want to come back on a future visit and give the SI a go.

Have a great trip.

Hello Buster
The Matakana region north of Auckland is very pretty and producing good wines. Waiheke Island - just off the Auckland coast is - so Im told, quite idyllic and once again produces good quality vino. Well worth googling both of these.

Its a shame you have to spend two days in Palmy...The good news is you'll have no excuses for not visiting beautiful Hawkes Bay.( Palmerston North is in the Wairarapa province.)

There are three options for driving to the Wairarapa. The quickest route and the one most people take is through Taupo and along the desert road. ( quite boring ) and it cuts out The Bay.

The second option would be to drive from Taupo to Hawkes Bay over the Kaweka ranges ( very rugged scenic views - your first glimpse of Napier from the ranges will be quite special ) Will take a couple of hours max.

The third route is along the east coast - the Pacific Hwy . ( an unspoilt area) into Hawkes Bay. This is a long drive- but you could stop and enjoy a night in Gisborne. Yes wine is produced here too!

The drive from Hawkes Bay to the Wairarapa , is a couple of hours and is worth it. You will enjoy seeing the beautiful Takapau Plains and the Ruahine ranges.( I love Hawkes Bay ! )

South of Palmy you will be able to enjoy more wine!
The Wairarapa vineyards are doing nicely.

Onward ho to Wellington -a jolly fine city it is too with lots of - wine bars!!

To cross the ditch to Blenheim perhaps consider flying from Wellington to save time.

Goodness me - you're simply going to have to come back to NZ again to devote a couple of weeks to the SI ! I love quality food and wine too; so I know you're both going to have a splendid time!