Honeymoon is NZ this Xmas...need some help

Hi,

My husband and I are taking our honeymoon in NZ from 11th Dec - 30th Dec. It's clear we have picked the busiest time looking at availability and prices!

We are travelling in a Campervan in the North Island from the 11th - 24th. From Auckland, BOI, Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupo then down to Welly to see some friends for a night. Then we cross over to the South Island on foot and pick up a hire car. We'll be staying in bachs/lodges or similar in the south (yet to be booked.)

We want to stay in the Nelson/Able/Marlborough region for 4 nights (this includes Xmas day). We would like to do a day on water - kayaking and also maybe take in some wine tours or similar. This is where we need your help...not sure which side to stay on, Able T side or Marlborough side. Be nice to stay somewhere beautiful. Was thinking Nelson as it's in the middle but then it's just a town right? All suggestions very welcome - do you prefer one side over the other?

We are heading to Kaikoura (2 nights) after this then flying out of Christchurch.

If anyone has any other tips then please let us know. We are grateful to get any advice about any part of our trip. Any 'must do's' or 'don't bothers'?

Thanks in advance
Niki

Actually we are now thinking about car plus motels/B&Bs for the whole journey as we are struggling to find campervan companies that will drop off in Wellington - any thoughts on this? Car + acc. seems a lot cheaper than a camper van too......thanks

yes, car plus accommodation is often cheaper and more comfortable. Don't rule out the small quiet hostels - look on bbh.co.nz for reviews.

it will be reasonably quiet until Xmas, then it goes mad. Don't plan to change accommodation on Xmas Day and remember most things that you pay for will be shut then.

one recommendation among many; Anakiwa Backpackers for Xmas. Wake up to the Marlborough Sounds, glorious.

If you haven't booked Nelson/ATNP by now you may have difficulty. Most NZers book a year in advance for their Xmas holiday in popular destinations. I don't think many CV companies have depots in WLG. You could look at keeping the CV through Nelson to Chch which would solve part of the accommodation AND the drop off problem at once.

Thanks for everyones help above - we found somewhere to stay near ATNP eventually, a great little place in fact but seriously most places were booked out as you suggested Kereru.

Anyway we got a camper van for the north and a drop off in Welly and in South Island a car and hotels, B&B's. So the best of both worlds. My next question is about recommended parks for the camper van in north island. We'll need elec. hook ups I suppose. I would really love to stay somewhere beautiful and scenic and want to avoid family holiday parks that have clubs, watersides that kind of thing. Nothing wrong with that of course - but it is our honeymoon so beautiful and chilled would be more ideal. Can anyone recommend great places to park up in;
Bay of Islands
Coromandel
Rotarua
Lake Taupo?

Many thanks in advance....not long now - very exciting!

NikiPea