suggestions for 4-5 days in New Zealand
 

I am beginning to plan our trip for next January, and we will be spending a week in Australia and want to spend 4-5 days in New Zealand. Is it feasible to do both the north and south islands in this time, or should we concentrate on just one area. What areas are most impressive? I've seen such beautiful pictures of the country and hear the people are wonderful

Hi Lois, NZ is stunning beautiful and the people are warm & friendly. Hard to choose where to go when the whole country seems like one big national park. Pick a spot and take time to enjoy it. We just returned from NZ - picked up a car in Christchurch, drove to Queenstown for a 3 day stop. Took a tour to Te Anau & Milford Sound which is breathtakingly beautiful. If you're into walking, The Milford Track is supposed to be the best in the world. We drove north on the west coast to the Fox & Franz Joseph Glaciers and finally crossed the Cook Straits by ferry from Picton to Wellington with an overnight train to Auckland. Depends on your interests but for 4-5 days, I would pick the Fiordland National Park & base yourself either in Queenstown or Te Anau. Happy travelling.

The more I look into New Zealand, the more I'm convinced that I need more time there. I'm from NY and I doubt that I'll get that far away again. One of my daughters did spend a couple days there, but it was not enough to give me much to draw on. If I extend it to a week, can I see both the north and south islands? Also, where are the most frequent and reasonal flights into, coming from Sydney. And, does anyone have recommendations on hotels. Thanks!

Lois:<BR><BR>New Zealand is hard to see in a week. We went in 1999 for a week. Went back in 2000 for 5 weeks. Too beautiful to rush through. We stayed at the Rydges Hotels in Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch and Queenstown. They have a web site at www.rydges.com. Four star hotel with reasonable rates. We paid under NZ$100 per night for two.<BR><BR>There is (or was) a direct flight from Sydney to Queenstown on Saturdays. Otherwise there are daily flights from Sydney to Auckland and Sydney to Christchurch, with connections to Queenstown. <BR><BR>John

Stayed at the Rydges in Christchurch and Queenstown and both places were great. We spent five days in Christchurch and five days in Queenstown (both are on the south island) and it wasn't enough time. I would do the south island and spend 4 days in Queenstown and 3 in Christchurch. You'll have a great time.

Lois, I agree with John - NZ is just too beautiful to rush through. We stayed at the Sheraton in Auckland (impressive rooms and service) and the Novotel in Queenstown which had a marvellous location overlooking the water and slightly out of the downtown core. If you don't have a car, stay in town.

Thanks to all for the great responses. The more information I get, the longer I am trying to spend there. My husband just retired, so he has the time, but I still work part time, and vacation time could be a problem. I will check out the sites for the hotels mentioned, and also the airfare. Does anyone know what airline flies between Australia and New Zealand. I'm kind of new at traveling beyond the states. Thanks.

Airlines between NZ/Aust:<BR>Air New Zealand<BR>Freedom Air (budget airline subsidiary of Air NZ)<BR>Qantas<BR>Thai<BR>Singapore<BR>and a few others

Thanks for the information. I am now working on a total of three weeks between Australia and New Zealand. That's the best I can do. I'm leaning toward close to two weeks in New Zealand. Does anyone know of any tours that are good, or is it easy enough to get around on our own?

Reading with interest your travel plans since we are planning a return trip (after about 6 years) to Australia and New Zealand. Keep in mind that a three week tour of this area is much like trying to see the USA in three weeks - it just can't be done!! This time we will concentrate on southern Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart) and the South Island of New Zealand that we missed last time. Even allowing 4 weeks for this trip will probably not be enough since they are both wonderful countries. Sights are great but my personal favorites are the people and the animal life. Can't think of any place there you would regret visiting (sorry travel agencies but if I did have to skip anything it would be Rotorua). The touristy sheep shearing place was fun but if I had to miss any part of New Zealand I could make it without the sulphur springs and the glow worms cave. Best dinner we had in New Zealand was in a Japanese restaurant (of all things)in Aukland seated with a group of New Zealanders and such fun they were!!! Anyway our return trip is scedualed for September so do email me on further advice after that. I love that part of the world and would be happy to chat about it.

Thanks Judith for your experiences there. I do understand that it is impossible to see the whole country. I've decided to concentrate on Sydney and the surrounding area for the Australia leg, and I'm hoping to see both north and south islands of New Zealand. I know that's a tall order! I've heard nothing but great things about traveling that part of the world.

Dear Lois<BR> My name is Mark Abraham and I work for a company called Pacific Internet Travel, which organises independent itineraries for travellers to New Zealand.<BR>I have read the comments that have been made regarding your questions and it is good to see that a lot of people are willing to help with informative information about New Zealand.<BR>I believe that our company is also able to help you as we are able to provide you with a break down of the best places to visit, comfortable time schedule between the destinations, excellent rates for accommodation and a broad range of rental vehicles to choose from. We can also create for you a rough itinerary for your proposed trip to New Zealand free of charge. This will allow you to get a better understanding of what is required and how to best go about travelling around the North and South Island.<BR>You can also obtain a lot of information about the North and South Island by looking at the links that we have on our side bars, which you will find on the left hand side of our site.<BR>If you have any questions that you would like to ask about your trip, please fel free to email me and I will do my best to answer them for you.<BR>I hope that I have been of help and I hope to hear from you soon.<BR>Regards<BR>Mark<BR><BR>ACROSSNZ.com - http://www.acrossnz.com<BR>Email : [email protected]<BR>Ph: +64 3 488 628 Fax: +64 3 3488 162<BR>P.O.Box 567 Christchurch New Zealand <BR> <BR>"Acrossnz - creating fantastic itineraries for independent travellers to New Zealand"<BR><BR>

Hi Lois,how are the plans comming.You will be moving to cover the country in 5 days.How ever if you make it to Taupo in the centre of the North Island how about trying The Pillars homestay for accommodation.It beats staying in a hotel and you get to meet real kiwis.We can be seen at www.pillarshomestay.co.nz We are also in Frommers New Zealand Guide.Cheers John and Ruth