Newzealnd itinerary help needed 10 nights

Hello. I am planning a teip to new zealand . Want to cover both places. Need suggestions with the itinerary please. Have roughly decided on this one. Let me know how to improve.Thanks
15 September - Arrive AKL evening
16 September - Auckland to Rotorua
17 September - Rotorua to Taupo
18 September - Taupo to Wellington. Fly to christchurch in evening (or taupo to Wellington and ferry to picton?)
19 September - christchurch to west coast to franz josef (is it possible in a day?)
20 September - Franz Josef
21 September - Franz Josef to Queenstown
22 September - Queenstown
23 September - Milford Sound Day Tour
24 September - Queenstown to auckland fly
25 September - Depart Auckland morning

Which is better - franz josef or mt cook? How to cover mt. Cook as well in 10 nights?

DVD tour, I'm afraid - all seen through glass. When do you actually plan to get out and see anything closer and slower? Even the Milford trip is 10 hours in a bus. Your day at Franz will be good - if it doesn't rain.

Please think again.

Milford will be via cruise from Queenstown. What do I change then? Please suggest.

How do you intend getting around? If a rental car and you've flown from India, any decent rental company won't hire until you've been in NZ at least 24 hrs. More and more rental companies are doing this because of the high rates of accidents caused by foreign tourists.
I'd skip Taupo, ,Franz Josef and Christchurch. Auckland, Rotorua and Queenstown would be my picks.

Yes by rental car from jucy's. Ok. Thanks

So Rotoira to Wellington can be done In a day with all the stops?

Yes. Bit I Do NOT agree with you getting off a long flight in the evening and leaving Auckland next day. It might only be 3 hours to Rotorua on a good road but how tired are you going to still be. You would have been better getting the bus to Rotorua and then picking up a rental car.

Its a good idea :) Thanks!

the Milford tour from Queenstown IS 10 hours in a bus, plus the cruise.

what to cut out? Difficult. Also to reduce odds of a quick end to your trip in a car crash, follow the suggestion of bus to Rotorua. 2 days there, then fly to Queenstown. A couple of days there, then the Milford tour, then you could get a bus up to Franz Josef and on to Greymouth. Get the Tranzalpline train to Christchurch and leave from there.

So, It would go like
15 September - Arrive AKL evening
16 September - Auckland to Rotorua
17 September - Rotorua
18 September - Fly to queenstown
19 September - queenstown
20 September - milford
21 September - Queenstown
22 September - to Franz Josef
23 September - franz josef
24 September - to christchurch and fly to auckland
25 September - Depart Auckland morning
Seems fare enough!

If you bus to Rotorua, have a kook at both Intercity a d Naked Bus. Have a look at their fares from 6 to 8 weeks ahead.
I would also consider staying near the airport and going from there. You would catch the local bus to Manukau Shopping Mall and picking up the bus service from there.
We recently used Naked Bus to go from Rotorua to Manukau City. Paid $4.98 each. IThe local bus to the airport from there is $5.50 each. Provided you book ahead, you will be able to get cheap fares as well. Plus its a pleasant bus ride.

Yes sure. Will check their websites. Hope to get the discount :)

The end of the trip may need changing. The train leaves greymouth at 1345 and gets into Christchurch at 1805. So you can hopefully find a bus from Franz to greymouth, but can you find a plane to auckland and time to get to the airport?

You'll have to look into this . but otherwise I think it looks doable although very hard work. And no driving so you can see the views.

"Want to cover both places" - LOL - which "both places"?
You need to slow down & relax. QTN to FJG is too far to drive in one day - OK in a bus with a professional driver.

Both islands, I assume.

I am suggesting a no driving itinerary which will hopefully work.

then how can i ctach auckland flight if i reach late?

What time does your flight depart Auckland?

25th morning 8am

You will need to fly to Auckland the evening before. Stay near the airport--do a search for close-by hotels.

Hi,
I have no experience with NZ but I am planning on my trip to Australia and I think the tool I used might actually be helpful for you too. It is a trip planner and it is very useful when planning on an itinerary :)

Here is my trip to Australia so you can see the final look http://triprepublic.com/trip/visit-the-kangaroos/public

Have fun on your trip!

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.