Auckland, New Zealand January/February, help me get started with my itinerary??

Posted by jules m (Twin Cities of MN) on 08/14/23 08:12 PM

At the end of January 2024, we are heading to New Zealand for about 3.5 weeks. We've done a lot of research, but I feel like we really need to get an itinerary together. We fly in and out of Auckland (this is fixed). One thing that we are very sure about is that we have little interest in Auckland. There is a WWI museum which appears to be more of a cultural museum, that may be of interest. We are not interested in the art museum or the tower. Ideally, we'd land, pick up a car and leave town. However, I don't see anything relatively close to Auckland that merits a stay of a couple days. I don't feel its wise to drive very far after a VERY long flight.

We will stay in Auckland the last night or two of our trip. I'd prefer not to have two stays in Aukland, if possible.

We will be spending time in Rotorua (Maori and LOR/Hobbiton). Other places we will visit on the north island are wineries, west side of Coromandel Peninsula, Rapaura watergardens, Tongariro and Egmont National Parks and the Waitomo Caves.

I think our plan is to pick up and return a rental car in Auckland. We believe there are rental companies that coordinate rental cars such that we'd drop a car before the ferry and pick up another on the south island, same for return. Has anyone done this? Company?

If we need to pick up a rental car at Auckland airport and then stay in Auckland, where is a good/interesting place to stay that would have parking? Maybe just outside of town on the coast. I know New Zealand will be more expensive than our trips to Europe. I would say that we'd be looking for moderately priced lodging.

I apologize that my notes/thought process are scattered. I've been planning trips and itineraries for many years. For some reason, this trip is feeling a little overwhelming. Perhaps it is because it wasn't really in our short term plans and hadn't been on my "radar" and because this trip means a lot to my husband. He has been doing a lot of reading and has put together his wish list, but it has always been me that puts the itinerary together.

Thanks for any help.

Posted by jules m OP

Twin Cities of MN

08/14/23 09:10 PM

7601 posts

@sam, others have suggested flying back to Auckland. I will revisit that. I did see a few sample itineraries that did loops on each islands so as to not “backtrack”, looking at google maps, certainly flying back may make a lot of sense. It looks like the south island may lend itself to a loop, less so, the north island. I think its likely we'll fly back from some city in the south island.

For Auckland, the ferry idea sounds good. I was listening to a podcast that suggested an island 30 minutes away that is picturesque and has many wineries, perhaps its Waiheke (thank you ORDtraveler) . I will need to determine, if the island is walkable. In terms of an aquarium, like ORDTraveler, I've been to MANY, including one in Duluth, Minnesota, so we might skip the aquarium.

Thank you ORDtraveler for the ideas for Auckland.

We do like museums, but even more outdoors and nature, waterfalls, mountains, etc. I'll want to sketch out an itinerary before looking at the feasibility of museums.

Looking at car rental, companies coming up are Apex, Jucy and interestingly, Autoeurope (3rd party). Not sure yet, if we'd pick up at the airport or somewhere else in Auckland. Any opinions on camper vans? That'd be for the south island if it seems like something of interest.

I've been playing around on google maps, setting aside Auckland for a bit. A first stop at Coromandel seems to make sense. Then, I was thinking that if we could find a place central to both Hobbiton and Waitomo caves, that would be ideal, and then head to Rotorua and Napier. From there, Tongariro and Egmont National Parks, not sure the order or the most efficient and scenic route to drive.

I need to research Wellington, a bit. My husband has nothing noted for it.