Terry Krugel
Wellington Nz
It depends on your age and fitness. Since NZ is noted for its natural beauty and environment, you should take that as a primary focus. It also depends on how long you have. I would recommend a minimum of 2 weeks. My first visit to NZ I took 3 weeks, visited N. & S. Islands.
I was alone and not very wealthy but had a good middle-class job. I took a new tent, new hiking boots (if not new those items are prohibited). I rented a car in Auckland and the first night after I had visited a camping store for a few other items and a grocery store, I headed north and found a nice campground. Most developed campgrounds in NZ have kitchens with usually cooking utensils, dishes, etc. Tent sites are usually plentiful and not too expensive. I enjoyed the Bay of Islands area then headed south. I would definitely go to Rotorua and experience the native culture and a “hangi”, a traditional Maori meal. If you are into the Hobbit movies, a visit to Hobbiton is a delightful tour. If you have the time, Napier area is worth a day or 2. Then head to Wellington. You could spend some time there but the South Island calls.
I would suggest leaving the car near the Wellington Ferry terminal and walking on with your gear, cheaper than putting the car on the ferry. You can pick up another at Picton all prearranged. From Picton head to Nelson and beyond into the Tasman National Park where wonders abound. After some time in those areas, I’d head south on the West Coast highway and make my way to Queenstown. There are sights to see along the way. You’ll want to spend a day or 2 in Queenstown but take a bus tour or drive to Milford Sound and hopefully, the weather will be nice (lots of rain there) for a 4 or 6-hour boat tour. Back to Queenstown, then take the east coast highway to Dunedin if you have time, the Otago Peninsula. Then north to Christchurch. Make a side trip to where my wife and I live during the US winter, Akaroa and surrounding area.
You might be able to do all or most of that in 3 weeks, I did in 1999. Then back to Christchurch where you can catch a plane back to Auckland and then home.
Before you leave buy a paperback NZ tourist guide. It will include a lot of good information. You may find some places you’d rather visit than what I suggested. The most expensive flights leave around Christmas time and last for a couple months. Late November to mid-December gives you better rates but the weather is Spring-like rather than warm summer. March and April are late summers to early Fall weather, still nice.
Have a great trip!
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