Nov/dec itinerary for South Island 2 weeks

The main problem that I can see is the day you plan to drive from Te Anau to Lake Tekapo, via Mt Cook. This is more than 7 hr driving, without walks. It would be sensible to drop one night from your first stay in QTN and add it back AFTER Te Anau to break the long journey. Personally I would stay at Mt Cook rather than Lake Tekapo. There is more to do in the way of walks.
I don't know where you come from but one thing you'll notice in NZ is that tipping is not required and taxes are already included in the menu prices so what you see is what you pay, in contrast to North America & Europe where there are so many hidden charges.

'activities' are expensive and short - but scenery and walking are free and give you time to look and take in. Eating out is also expensive, you'd be far better cooking for yourself. All the stuff you outline will easily fill the time you have.

study doc.govt.nz for lots of walks which will answer many of your questions.

Auckland Museum WELL worth it and free. Skytower - unless you want to be lowered down it, not a lot there except gambling/expensive tat/expensive food.

Cheaper and better for Queenstown: Arrowtown Chinese settlement, sawyers gully walk, museum, Moke Lake/ Lake Dispute Walk, walk up or down Bob's peak. Shotover jet very short and pricey, think about the Dart River ones if you want to do this. (I can drive a powerboat so never bothered with jet boating)

glaciers - to get on them does need helicopters. You can walk TO them for free. Fox is best for this at the moment.

Doubtful Sound will be expensive as needs transport. Best for Milford - do the key summit walk on the way, arrive Milford about 2pm, get one of the smaller boat cruises including the observatory. Long day so definitely go from Te Anau.

Good walking from Te Anau - round the lake, small bird park, on to the Kepler. All free.

Mt John walk is a good three hour one with lovely views. If weather permits, do the Hooker Valley track at Mt Cook. Again all free except petrol.

enjoy!

Thank you so much for your response Kereru. I'm going to be driving from te anau to lake tekapo with a lunch break at Cromwell. I stay at lake tekapo and do mt.cook from there :) I know the drive is way too long to do tekapo via mt.cook. I'm from India. Oh that's great info about tipping. Didn't know that. Thanks again ! Any particular walk that you would suggest at mt. Cook ?

Thanks so much for your reply neverwinter :) this was quite informative.

In Auckland is it worth doing waiheke island ? I'm told it's very beautiful and a short ferry away. Good to spend a day there ? I was going to the sky tower only for the views. No bungee from there for me coz I don't enjoy that adventure sport. Any other thing I should not miss whilst in Auckland ?

Any opinion on what to do in chch other than the banks peninsula drive and Akaroa cruise ? Is kaikoura better than Akaroa ? Is punting on Avon worth the price ? Most of the cruises or anything related to water sport are so expensive :(

Thanks for the options you have suggested for queenstown. Will do those. I'm thinking I'll avoid the shot over. Save some money ;)

Iv already booked my stay at franz Joseph but can always take the heli flight to fox from there. Any recommendations on which heli carrier to fly with ? Also you said fox is better at the moment , in which way ?

Will do Milford from te anau then. Yes I did read about small boat cruises inc the observatory. Any recommendation on the cruise company ?

Thanks so much for your help. Also I would be cooking rather than eating out :)

can't be a lot of help to you as haven't done a lot of what you mention, but;

• I enjoyed a trip to Rangitoto island in Auckland and the walk up the volcano.

• glaciers move (obviously), and I hear that the Franz now isn't visible from its valley. This may have changed by the time you get there.

last time I was in Christchurch was before the earthquake, so a lot of what I saw isn't there now. :-( But the Port Hills gondola is back in action and that is well worth it, plus the walk either up or down.

don't underestimate NZ distances. Work on an average speed of 60km/h to give you travel times, WITHOUT stops.

• small boat cruises - again, all much of a muchness, it is the itinerary and time out there that matters. Look for one that goes out to the Tasman Sea and stops at the Milford Deep observatory on the way back. I don't think you need to book ahead. It rains 2 days in 3 at Milford so have a plan B.

@neverwinter - Oh ok. Got the points you are trying to make about the glaciers :) yeah I guess chch has also changed a lot. Got an updated chapter download from lonely planet. Thanks again though.

Do you feel my itinerary is very rushed since you have asked me to not underestimate the NZ distances? :(
I thought I had spaced it out quite a bit and was thinking earlier I could maybe squeeze in Nelson or malborough. But I dropped that idea and spaced it out to what it is currently. I wish I had more days !

Not sure from your itinerary when (i.e. time of day) you're planning to drive from the glaciers to Wanaka, but be aware that the road over Haast pass is closed nightly from 5pm until 7.30 am until further notice at the Haast end due to repairs.

http://nzta.govt.nz/m/highway-info.php?Id=8373

I agree with most of the above.
Cut a day off Queenstown and spend it at Mt Cook,
Skip Tekapo and just stay at Mt Cook.
FJ glacier is now out of sight.
The most impressive glacier I've seen of the 3 was Tasman, at Mt Cook.
I'd investigate prices for all 3 - FJ, Fox and Tasman and take the flight that offers the best views and prices.
We only spent a day in Auckland, and spent it at Devonport, which was pleasant, but not spectacular, your plan is better.
Akaroa is a lovely town - we took the cruise out of the bay to swim with the dolphins, which was nice, but I'm not sure you need just a cruise. The inlet is spectacular and best seen from land. There are great views coming in, and a few just beyond the town. The penguin tour was well worth it for the views on the way there, and the interaction with the penguins.
MIlford - take the smaller boats, earlier in the day before the winds pick up and the lunchtime daytrippers arrive.
Te anau glow worm caves were fantastic, a big, pleasant surprise.
Punting on the Avon is NOT worth it. Again, much better looking at it from land, than being on a small boat, on a small river, with only a few minor sights.

Thanks greenseat :) yes i am aware of the closure though I did read on the website that they are hoping to open by beginning of november. But if its still shut i guess we will have to exit early from FJ say by about 9 am ? To pass Haast on time ...