We will be in NZ for three weeks from late August to early September. We have already booked our transportation and lodging:

Arrive Auckland (1 night),
Bus to Rotorua (3 nights),
Bus to Napier (3 nights),
Bus to Wellington (4 nights),
Fly to Christchurch (5 nights),
Fly to Dunedin (4 nights), and
Fly to Auckland (2 nights).

I've read the NZ threads, and am now seeking specific information about the cities we are visiting:
- What highlights would you recommend?
- Any outstanding day trips? (We can rent a car.)
- Any restaurant/food recommendations?
- Any great ice cream places?

Our interests are museums, architecture, culture, food, walks, and beautiful scenery. We are not big on adventure sports.

Last year we spent a few days in Auckland (ferry to Devonport and Rangitoto, Auckland Museum, Sky Tower, Piha, and the Aratake Nature Trail). We are saving the South Island's west coast for a future trip.

Thanks in advance.

Woody

I have to say - why four nights in Dunedin? It's a very pleasant town but what are you going to do for four days? The Caitlins are within driving distance but it would be so much better to stay in the Caitlins area rather than Dunedin.
Again with Christchurch - are you planning long day trips every day? You could wander along the coast to Kaikora but too far for a day trip. Hammner Springs is another good day trip but better to stay overnight and possibly drive across to the west coast and return through Arthurs Pass.
We loved both Christchurch and Dunedin but wouldn't contemplate staying so long in both cities.

What a pity your not hiring a car & freelancing around NZ. I know that various NZ cities have attractions, but then, its the smaller off the beaten tourist track places, that really amaze people. Having said that, definitely hire a rental car in the folowing places - 1. Rotorua so as to drive & visit the Lake Taupo/mtn region & Huka Falls.
2. Napier - to drive & visit Cape Kidnappers, Gisborne & Wanui Beach, may even fit in a day trip to a portion of East Cape (worth visiting for scenery & maori culture)
3. Wellington - to visit Masterson & wineries and across to the lonely east coast region.
4. Dunedin - 1 to visit Otago Peninsula, To visit the Otago Goldfields. To visit inland Lakes/rivers & Cromwell/Lake Dunstan. ( I also think that 4 nights in Dunedin is a bit too much)
5. With five nights in Christchurch, you can drive a rental car to Kaikoura, or inland to the ski resort mtns, or just cruise the scenic highway (just west of C/Church), wouldn't drive south of Christchurch, a long boring highway drive with heaps of trucks etc on the highway.

Apologies, apologies, apologies! I got mixed up between Invercargill and Dunedin - it's called having a senior moment. Dunedin is lovely and I'm sure you will find lots of things to do around the area. We can particularly recommend the Botanical Gardens (spectacular when we were there last November) and the settlers' museum where we spent hours wandering around.

marg: No worries!

marg & tropo: Thank you for the great tips.

Keep 'em coming, please!

Woody

We will hire rental cars for the daytrips recommeded by tropo.

Anyone have experience with Apex Car Rentals? Any other agencies we should consider? Thanks.

Woody

Woody -

We used APEX on our last visit to NZ in March - no issues other than them charging us in US dollars using their own conversion rate on our credit card (which is a pet peeve of mine). We got it sorted no problem though.

We've also used National, Nova and Budget - never had any problems with any of them.

Thanks Mel! I've enjoyed reading your trip reports.

Could you recommend any restaurants in the cities we are visiting?

This is our first visit to the South Island.

Woody

Hi Woody -

Well, at the risk of sounding like a broken record...if you like Indian food don't miss Little India in Christchurch and Dunedin or their sister restaurant Mantra in Chirstchurch. They also have locations in Queenstown and Nelson if you find yourself there, and there's a Mantra in Arrowtown.

As far as ice cream, we just grap ourselves a scoop or two of Tip Top or Deep South from any of the dairy-like convenience stores that dot the NZ landscape like sheep.

Rush Monroe's was recently recommended to me by someone on this board, but I haven't tried it yet - guess I'll have to go back on an ice cream quest:

www.rushmunro.co.nz

If you find yourself north of Christchurch in wine country (Waipara Valley) you might consider a meal at Pegasus Bay winery. We didn't eat there, but their menu looked fabulous and the wine was excellent.

Sorry, can't help with the NI, it's been ages since I was there.

As far as what to see and do - if you have time, I'd suggest driving from Christchurch to Banks Peninsula for a day (a full day). Beautiful area complete with boat rides, a winery, a cheese factory, a penguin reserve, loads of walks, etc.

We're also partial to Rakaia Gorge, which you proabably read about in my latest trip report. Georgeous spot.

www.pegasusbay.com/

Thank you, Mel. I added your recommendations to our plans.

Woody

We leave in a few days. Thank you for all the recommendations so far.

Any other favorite restaurants or highlights? Thanks.

Woody

I think the pick of the South Island is the glacier area and then Haast Pass, and on to Queenstown.

I can't imagine going to the SI and not seeing them.

Woody, I assume you've probably already planned to go out on the Otago Peninsula while you're in Dunedin. The Albatross Center tour that we went on (with someone who works at the Albatross Center) was disappointing, but the birds themselves are incredible...when you see the Albatross in flight, there is nothing like it!

I ended up wishing we had waited to see the Albatross with our private tour guide, Robert Brown, a wildlife photographer who excels in his field. We were fortunate that he had a free day while we were in Dunedin to give us a tour of the wildlife on the Otago Peninsula. Robert & Christine Brown have a b&b out there on the Otago Peninsula.

We also visited Penguin Place on our own, at the end of the day when the adult penguins are coming out of the water to meet their mates...but that is very seasonal (we were there in February)..not sure what penguins are doing when you are visiting. We saw baby penguins as well.

We had dinner reservations out at Fleur's place...the view was so cute at their little restaurant on the water. However, the food was just okay for the price...

Enjoy your trip!

Margo and Melissa - thanks for your input.

Woody