Still deciding Final Itinaerary
Replies: 7 - Last Post: Oct 7, 2012 5:08 PM Last Post By: peterwindsor
jump to
Still deciding Final Itinaerary
HiAdvice please on this Itinerary. Am visiting family who live in Hamilton so that will be our base, some parts are booked and unfortunately when we selected flights we were only planning to do North Island but now would like to try and see south too...
M14/01/13 - Arrive Auckland - travel to Hamilton for a chill day (flight lands earlier but will try to stay awake until NZ bed time to quickly get used to time change)
Where planning to hire a vehicle but have been advised we may not be able to directly from long haul flight?
T15/01/13 - Throw away day, as assume we will still feel jet lagged!
W16/01/13 - Visit Hobbiton as day trip from Hamilton
T17/01/13 - Take a scenic drive up to Piahia
Can be flexible with this date and travel up on F18/01/13 if anyone thinks this day would be better used exploring anywhere else
F18/01/13 - Explore Northland/picnic & BBQ, quite relaxed day
S19/01/13 - BOI overnight cruise
Already booked
S20/01/13 - Return from over night cruise 10 a.m. - chill and explore before heading back to Hamilton around 4 p.m.
Could use this day to explore rather than coming up on 17/01/13?
M21/01/13 - Chill day around Hamilton - here they have good parks for picnics (hopefully free?)
T22/01/13 - Fly to South Island (prob into Queenstown), explore the town pick up another hire car or camper? and travel some way towards Milford Sound and stay at a campsite
W23/01/13 - finish travel to Milford Sound and explore, again camp near by if possible
T24/01/13 - chill day and also part travel back (maybe a different scenic route) to Queenstown and again camp somewhere on route
F25/01/13 - Fly back to North Island
S26/01/13 - chill day with Family
S27/01/13 - chill day with Family
M28/01/13 - Rotoura Day Trip from Hamilton
T29/01/13 - Visit Waitomo and Lake Taupo Day trip from Hamilton
Is this possible or is it a longer journey than it looks on the map, would site seeing at each place take a day each? With cheap accommodation over night inbetween?
W30/01/13 - Leave family go back to Auckland, explore the city have a nice meal, stay over
T31/01/13 - Fly home
I would appreciate comments :) Also any advice re approximate costs of it all/ daily budget needed etc.
Thanks
1
suggest camping at Te Anau for your trip to Milford - several choices. You can then do Milford as a day trip, or stock up the van with food and camp either at Milford or one of the sites in the Eglington valley the next day.late afternoon cruises are good, and cheaper.
I always broke my UK-NZ journey for a couple of days in Asia en route, and still felt way out of it for three days afterwards. You might be quicker but glad to hear that they won't hire transport to those off intercontinental flights.
2
Cant imagine why you wouldnt be able to hire a car from a long haul???? Most people are long haul...we are VERY far from most places you know ;) The hire car companies would go bankrupt! Just google car hire Auckland Airport.DEFINITELY go to the South Island! While the North is beautiful the South is BREATHTAKING. So unless you are going to do the whole Cape Rianga 90 mile beach Dolphin swimming experience, personally, I would give Pihia a miss this time (and there will be another time) :)
OH just re read..already booked, nevermind if it is a tour then you will be doing all those things.
Yes parks and picnic areas and ALL beaches are free.
Yes you can do both Taupo and Waitomo in a day. Taupo is scenic and small, Waitomo has the white water rafting and the glow worm caves.
When in Queenstown go to Arrowtown (very near) also if you have a car go see ( or do ) the bungee jumping...drive further and have lunch at one of the many vineyards Milford Sound like Queenstown is a must do.
If you have time drive over The Remarkables to Wanaka. Gorgeous. Stop at the oldest pub in NZ at the top.
Dinner in Auckland "The Depot" Federal St. very reasonable, fantastic atmosphere ,very kiwi,WONDERFUL food...one prob is you can not book but if you turn up at 5.30 and wait outside with a drink, soak up the atmosphere, get something to nibble on, your name will come up (take no notice of the 2 hour wait, it rarely happens and any way time flies when you're having fffuuunnn.
3
Hi, I think you would be better to skip Taupo and spend longer at Rotorua/waitomo . Blackwater rafting is good fun.4
HiAre there any vehicle hire companies who do multi vehicle, multi stop hire. Eg. want to hire car in north island 14th-21st the get a campervan in south island 21st-25th and then a car again when we return to north 25th-30th but want to do it in one booking as expect 3 separate bookings would increase the costs?
Thanks
5
I agree with Peter skip Taupo. Suggest you google hire car companies you will find the information you need and if not you can flick them an email.6
The others have answered most of the questions.I would look into car hire. The drive from Auckland airport to Hamilton is very straightforward and not long. If your flight arrives in daylight, and you take the time to have a wash (handbasin wash) and a coffee (you can get very good coffee at auckland airport) before you go, I think you'll be fine.
Stop a few times on the way if you feel you need to. Get some fresh air, stretch the legs. It'll help when you get to Hams too if you go out for a walk or something. If you just sit around the house for the afternoon you'll be asleep before you know it! Good idea to try to stay up as long as you can.
Personally I'd skip Taupo over more time in rotorua and/or Waitomo as well, but I'm not a massive fan of Taupo. I can see it being worth spending time there if you can get down to the national park, but I don't think you have time.
With the Bay of Islands trip - take as long as you can over it.
Parks in Hamilton - the botanic gardens are good, and free. But there are loads of options. You might also feel like a day trip out to Raglan or something - it's not far. You'll get to enjoy a bit of the coast near Hams. I'd rather get out to the coast than stay in town, that's for sure.
ETA I usually find that when I get off a long-haul flight, I have a good few hours when the relief of finally being off the plane, and being able to WALK around, and eat proper food, and get proper coffee, makes me feel like I could have just woken up. And you have the novelty of it being a new country. I do feel sorry for westwood having to go into work though! That'd put me to sleep in seconds ;-)
7
Hi, looking at it again it looks like you have given Northland a day . Personally I would spend the time (extra day) in BOI in Russell or a walk in this areea . I take it your trip was to get to the tip of NZ ? It is a long drive and apart from the light house -not that much to see and a 90mile beach (actually 60) is what it is .To throw a spanner in the works . NZ is a great DOING place and the best memories will be doing rather than driving seeing .
Highlights for me .......... in no order and subject to the time of year .
Tongariro Crossing
Able Tasman National Park -Do a Kayak 3 day in and a 2 day walk out of the Nat Park
Milford Track
Waitomo Caves Blackwater Rafting
White Water Rafting any of our grade 5 rivers
Queenstown and activities
Bay Of Islands and Russell....... good but you really need a boat ..... consider chartering one if you have time or you can camp on one of the Islands .
Mountain Bike ...any of the areas
Rotorua and all the activities
Auckland and the Gulf Islands ...... Kawau, Rangitoto,Waiheke, and the Barrier if you have time . West coast beaches and walks .
Coromandel (summer only for beaches )
West coast (south Island) and glaciers
This was also for others who may be visiting
