Please help me to plan my Itinerary

Nine days is far too short. You would be better picking one place or small area and focussing on there. You could do an Auckland - Rotorua - Taupo loop like many tourists. You could hop on a flight down south, hire a car and see the lower south, or wander around the Nelson - Marlborough area. You could stay in the Auckland - Northland - Coromandel area. What do you want to see and do? Reply to this

Thank you Karen and Collin, ideas are shaping now in my mind.. feeling bit confidant..
cheers guys..

Hey Jo Link you directed me to did contain some useful info.. Thank you for that.
i guess most of us first time RTW travelers downplay New Zealand and don't give much importance.. and these booking agents to do not come up with suggestions and assistance on these important decisions ...ERRR


Cheer Guys
Vishy Reply to this

9 days is not enough time for all of what Jhune Phil suggested! Not unless you drive all the time and dont actually stop to experience anywhere.

We still say to just pick a small area and focus on that. When you have thought about where you want to focus, get back to us and we'll see what else we can add.

BTW, Te Papa is in Wellington. Reply to this

how many days? try months! Take the longest you can, you wont regret it. Maybe fly into one city (Auckland maybe) and out of somewhere else (like Christchurch), this will mean you wont have to take the time to double back to the airport.

If you still only have a short amount of time and are flying into Auckland, focus on the upper north. Auckland - Northland (Bay of Islands, Waipoua Forest, Cape Reinga) - Coromandel - Rotorua - Taupo. Maybe Hawkes Bay too if you have time as it is lovely there.

Or fly into Christchurch and do a loop of the lower South Island, stunning scenery, hiking, a bit quieter.

Can you afford to hire a car? you will find it much easier to get around and see more of you are not waiting for buses. And public transport isnt the best here, so much is away from the bus routes.

I cant tell you what to see, that is up to you, all I can offer is some suggestions. Check out peoples blogs on this site and see what attracts you.



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Kia ora Vishy

I haven't done too much of the South Island but I can recommend some places to see in the North

- Raglan a lovely small Kiwi town (the best surf beach in NZ, with the best left in the world apparently)
- Rotorua and Taupo if you like a bit of adventure and Maori culture
- Wellington (the capital, where the house of Parliament (called the Beehive) - this is a nice city
- I also like the Bay of Islands which is further up North, pretty beautiful place, Dolphin and Whale watching up there

Depends what kind of travel you are looking at doing, if you want to just sort of cruise around or if you really want to see NZ, you can allot in 16 days.

The North and South Island's are very different, almost like a different country down in the South Island, incredibly beautiful; you have to go down there Queenstown a must.
There are actually bus / tour operators that have passes, allowing you to visit allot of the country in 16 days.

Cheers
Deb
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For North Island, msg above never mention about Tongarilo Natianol Park, right place to go if you looking for adventure hiking crossing Mt Tongarilo.

For South Island, if you renting car, try drive thru Arthur Pass, a lot of attractive scene really shifted my focus on driving... Luckily no accident.. hehe...

I love New Zealand and i spent 3 months there, below with my sharing...

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Im sure u will have Koyli..its a reasonable period of time to see a good range of whats on offer in the two islands. They differ markedly. Im in Wellington. The ferry trip is great..can be a mission at times Reply to this