I read many posts about the breathtakingly beautiful landscape of New Zealand not to mention the hospitality of “Kiwi” themselves which we look forward to and that is why we decide to spend almost two months in this country, which I am sure Christian will love it!
The spectacular scenery from the white sands of the Bay of Islands to the lush forests and glaciers brrrrr and so much more...can't wait! I found the website of the New Zealand Tourism reach of info including suggested driving routes accordingly to the length of your stay and here below will be our roughly plan:
Day 1 Auckland to Paihia 
Day 2 Paihia to Kaitaia
Day 3 Kaitaia to Auckland
Day 4 Auckland to Waitomo Caves
Day 5 Waitomo Caves to Taupo
Day 6 Taupo to Palmerston North
Day 7 Palmerston North to Wellington
Day 8 Wellington to Kaikoura
Day 9 Kaikoura to Christchurch
Day 10 Christchurch to Dunedin
Day 11 Dunedin to Invercargill
Day 12 Invercargill to Stewart Island
Day 13 Stewart Island to Te Anau
Day 14 Te Anau to Milford Sound
Day 15 Te Anau to Queenstown
Day 16 Queenstown to Franz Josef
Day 17 Franz Josef to Greymouth
Day 18 Greymouth to Christchurch
Lonely Planet as well offers some great itinerary ideas on its free download pick&mix Getting starterd chapter of New Zealand.
This is only a basic idea as we will play around with it since we will land in Christchurch and then fly out, back to Australia, from Auckland but we can have at least a fairly idea of where we are going and if you could do this trip in 18 days I am sure we could take it easy and enjoy it even more.
New Zealand is not only famous for its unique landscape but also as a land of action where there is plenty of adrenalin to add on your trip. You could jump out of a plane at 13,000 ft, jet boating or, for a more gentle choice, take a glacier walk o do some whale watching, in my case not too sure what it would be left on our budget but I am definitely not into sport and neither brave enough for any sky’s adventure but will see…
I am definitely up for any trekking to fully enjoy the magnificent Kiwi scenery and the Department of Conservation NZ is a great source of hundreds of walks plus info on the 14 National Parks and a list of lodges, campsites and huts, a really basic shelter in the middle of the nature but really cool …check out the Backcountry Hut Pass.
We will be there by middle April and I hope only it would not be too cold to enjoy the landscape but for sure it would be the lower tourist season so maybe we could have some sort of benefit from it; NZ is either never to hot with a maximum temperature of 23 degrees at the hottest time of the year so it wouldn't have done probarly a massive difference.
So we have now an idea of the itinerary but how we are going to do it?
7 comments:
- At 2/11/08 5:39 PM Nomadic Matt said...
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too much in 18 days. U have a 30 day itinerary there.
- At 3/11/08 4:32 AM marta said...
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we are actually planning to speding 7 weeks in NZ; the above is just a sketch of the trip and we thought we have left enough room to take it easy and for any suggestions that comes along from fellow travelers :-)
- At 4/11/08 4:40 PM Craig said...
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In the South Island I'd highly recommend the Queen Charlotte Track and, of course, the Milford. Each takes under a week and is specatular. I'm not sure how tightly controlled the Milford is at this time of year, so check if you have to book.
You'll also want to detour to the North Island's East coast to towns like Napier and the beaches and wine regions surrounding it. Hiking around Lake Waikaremoana is also beautiful: we camped on the edge one night and it'll probably be the first tramp we do when we get back. - At 7/11/08 5:42 PM Lifecruiser said...
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Such a great blog you have here. I'll def. come back later too.
Ah, yes: planning is half of the FUN with traveling! I have no advices to give in this case since I've never been there.
I can only say that I'm sooo envious, because I've always wanted to go there :-) - At 8/11/08 7:27 AM My World Travel said...
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"You'll also want to detour to the North Island's East coast to towns like Napier and the beaches and wine regions surrounding it. Hiking around Lake Waikaremoana is also beautiful:"
If you’re looking to a change-up this year for a holiday, you might conceive a mountain cycling travel. This type of travel lets you to convert one on nature and try out your survival skills concurrently. There are several places nationwide, and on the far side, which provides guided circuits at any skill degree you have made. (Read More) - At 15/11/08 10:34 AM marta and chris said...
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Some friends told us we have definetly to go also to the Abel Tasman National Park, the Marlborough Sounds and Rangitoto Island. Thanks for your great suggestions
- At 23/11/08 2:15 AM Craig said...
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We are just completing three and a half weeks in NZ, and I can tell you your itinerary is too much... Slow down and absorb the place - it's worth it. Concentrate on the South Island. It's unbelieveable... And consider visiting Golden Bay - the mellowest place on earth.
CJ
www.thewidewideworld.com
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