Diamantina

Kiwipete, I agree with birder, based on what the poster wants and how limited their time is, Auckland is not the ideal choice. The poster, cb24, only has two weeks in NZ and Australia. When people outside of NZ dream of visiting NZ, I would imagine they dream of seeing the gorgeous natural landscapes (coastal, pastoral and mountainous), seeing the unique endemic wildlife, doing outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, rafting, and so on, maybe learning a bit about Maori culture. "CB24" said she was interested in "social culture, adventure (hiking, rafting, road trips, etc), food & wine, scenery (beach)" and taking a road trip. The South Island would serve them better in my opinion--but this is only my opinion and we all have a right to an opinion, don't we? We all just want to see that a tourist with limited time in NZ enjoys the country to the fullest as time allows, as WE have on our visits to NZ.

Auckland is incontestably interesting and worth seeing, and the poster could certainly do and see most of the above in or around Auckland. My husband and I spent a few days in Auckland last year visiting places we had been to before and some new places (it was our fourth or fifth trip to Auckland), and someday we would like to visit Waiheke Island, Kumeu, and Piha, but for someone going to NZ for just a week who is interested in visiting wineries, beaches, and doing outdoor activities, I would say, "Go to the South Island." The views are jaw dropping, plus you can see and do so much in such a short time there: you can go from city to mountain, lakes, wineries, beaches, rainforest, and glaciers all in one day.

Diamantina

I forgot to add, one's chances of getting stuck in a traffic jam on the South Island are also minimal, which for those of us coming from the congested urban areas of North America, is a big plus.

Sue_xx_yy

You state you are flying in and out of Sydney.

Is this because you have already bought air tickets? Because your air itinerary matters hugely when you have so little time. I know, because we just did an AUS/NZ trip in a little over 3 weeks. Trip worked out really well, but the air itinerary was crucial, especially since direct flights Queenstown to either Melbourne or Sydney tend to be only 1-2 times a week in summer (feb) /fall(apr). Saturday being one such night (but check schedules.)

If you haven't already bought tickets, time to speak up, because you need to plan your itinerary first, then buy the tickets, for the most efficient planning.

Sue_xx_yy

...oh, I see you are now thinking in and out of Auckland. So you haven't bought tickets yet.

You need to be very specific on the number of nights.

Example:

Assuming you have connected to LAX, from whence you take off:
your flight leaves say 9 p.m ish day 1.
You skip day 2 (go over the date line.)
You arrive early a.m day 3 and head straight onto Queenstown.
/north island by the night of day 12 at latest.)
evening of day 13 fly back to LA, arriving mid-day in LA 'the same day' since you gain back time flying back over the date line.
You connect back to your hometown either that same day or overnight in LA. Whatever, you presumably have a work schedule that means you need to be back by x day. You will ideally need the day before you return to work to recover.

You get the idea. Planning a quick trip is harder, much harder, than planning a longer one!

cb24

Hey guys! So clearly I got busy at work and stopped planning a little bit. But, I'm back at it. Thank you so much for your feedback so far! Our flights are booked in and out of Auckland (way cheaper than Sydney). We leave Saturday from the States so arrive Monday morning in Aukland. Thinking of immediately flying to Queenstown.

Sounds like there will be plenty to do in Queenstown (thank you for all the input!) but now the debate is clearly how much time to stay there vs Australia vs Auckland/North Island.

Definitely doing at least 4 nights in the South Island. From there was thinking of flying to Sydney for 4 nights. Then the question is... try and squeeze in a Melbourne? Or go to the North Island. Birder - you are scaring me! I heard vineyards are great in North Island? I'm leaning towards less time in Auckland area/North Island after reading these posts....

birder

Ok, I didn't know that you were spending 4 days in the South Island. In that case, 4 days on the North Island would work well. Rotorua would be a definite for me to see Wai-O-Tapu geothermal area - the colors are just stunning: http://www.waiotapu.co.nz/ . Make sure you do a hot spring soak in the Rotorua area; I haven't been, but this one is close to Wai-O-Tapu and it's a lot less expensive than some others (and highly rated on trip advisor): Waikite Valley Thermal Pools http://www.hotpools.co.nz/

You could spend 1-2 nights in Rotorua, 1-2 on the Coromandel Peninsula, and 1-2 nights in Auckland. In Auckland, I strongly suggest a visit to Piha (stunning black sand beaches with waves crashing, tall cliffs, etc) and a ride up to the top of Mt Eden for a gorgeous view of the city. If you are into wines, you could stay on Waiheke Island and even do a wine tour of Waiheke. My husband took me on this tour of Waiheke: http://www.fullers.co.nz/destination...of-waiheke.php

It was really wonderful and worth every penny.

My initial concern was because I thought you were spending 4-5 days in Auckland. That, I wouldn't recommend.

cb24

Good to hear Birder! I think we may still try and see the north island area.
Thanks again for all the help!