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

You have plenty of time, and it’s an extremely long flight. I absolutely recommend to stay a night in Auckland when you arrive as well. I don’t recall the name but we visited a place with a penguin exhibit, and we did a boat tour in the harbor we enjoyed.

There are so many options where to stay, that’s what you should research next. We’ve not found parking to be a problem anywhere. And yes, we returned our car in Wellington and picked up a new one on the South Island, booked in advance. This was easy and low stress, as was traveling across the country. However, don’t underestimate the distances; driving back up to Auckland (and another ferry ride) would take up a lot of time. We returned our rental car in Queenstown and then flew back to Auckland.

Hi Jules, DH is a dual citizen Us/Kiwi and accidentally spent 16 months there in 2020-2021 due to Covid travel issues. He is pulling together some thoughts for you and we'll type them out after dinner. More to follow...

I was in Auckland fall 2019, so not yesterday, but fairly recent. Among the activities I enjoyed:

1) Take a look at Fuller's Ferry. I did one of their routes to Rangitoto Island and hiked up the volcano. Another day I did a guided walk on Rotoroa Island - birding. Not anything I had ever done before, but fascinating. These may need to be booked in advance, so may not work with an arrival schedule. Waiheke Island probably needs no pre-booking. Wineries, hiking, hop-on-hop-off bus that takes you around to different wineries and other stops on the island - more transport than sightseeing which is fine for that island. My journeys were on 3 separate days. https://www.fullers.co.nz/timetables-and-fares/

2) Auckland Museum (War Memorial). I understand that you may not be interested. I'll just tell you my experience! Here's the floor plan, quite a lot: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/visit/visit-plan-your-visit/getting-around The War Memorial is part of the museum, 2nd floor. The ground floor is Pacific Islands exhibits and additional for-pay Maori performances. If you are going to Rotorua, you might skip. I enjoy Pacific Island art, culture and history so enjoyed seeing the artifacts. If this isn't a primary interest, Rotorua may be enough for you.

3) Maritime Museum - I was surprised that I enjoyed this as much as I did. I felt I should go "because it was there and I was there". If you end up spending a day in the city visiting that or the above Auckland Museum or both for a short time - take a taxi between them - this wouldn't be a bad use of time unless you absolutely hate strolling museums!

4) I believe the above poster, Sam, is referring to SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium. I didn't go there. I've been to other SeaLife Aquariums in Sydney, Bangkok, and elsewhere. They tend to be entertaining, but much the same. I would guess SeaLife in Auckland is fine. I have been spoiled by Chicago's larger Shedd Aquarium.

I felt as you did before I went, that I wasn't interested in Auckland. I found it to be more engaging than anticipated. City center is fine to stroll and the harbor also. I was glad to have a day to recover in Auckland after the long flight from the US. If you can't find a good location outside the city for arrival or departure, all may not be lost!

I can empathize with the scattered thought process for your planning! I've been working on a first time visit for myself to Greece and was feeling very stupid for a long time! I also don't yet have the itinerary and will feel much better when I do!

@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.

Wellington!!! Yes, don't skip!! In fact, I wonder if it's possible to fly from Auckland to Wellington after arrival from the US and pick up a car there? To me, Wellington was more distinctive than Auckland. (I have spoken to others that felt that way also.) Jet lag recovery might be more enticing than in Auckland. I suggest taking a look at:

1) Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Te Papa) - take a look at the Gallipoli exhibit - unique in my years of museum and war memorial visiting: https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/visit/exhibitions/gallipoli-scale-our-war

2) Botanic Gardens is very good.

3) Zealandia - nature reserve, great place to see unusual birds

4) I also strolled from downtown to the government area - interesting Parliament Building much of the route along the harbor. Very walkable. My hotel also directed me to Mount Victoria Lookout for a walk/hike. Uphill, but not rigorous.

The island off Auckland I ferried to that you reference above was Waiheke. I did some hiking - nothing hard - from the boat dock, then went back to the dock and picked up the Hop off Hop on bus. It takes you around the island to various wineries, restaurants, grocery stores, etc. I got off for lunch near another hiking area. This made it very convenient for exploring. It's not like a typical HopOn Hop Off that wants to show you sites/sights. There was some commentary, but I felt the experience was more about getting around the Island easily. The brochure of stops can be accessed from this page. https://www.fullers.co.nz/destinations-and-experiences/experiences/day-tours/hop-on-hop-off-explorer-bus/

Thanks for starting this Jules. We are taking a tour that starts in Auckland on Feb 1. If we get there a day early, as scheduled, my husband would love the Maritime Museum.

I liked the smallish Maritime Museum.

Is it possible to fly immediately away after arrival, and finish the trip by returning the car in Auckland? I know this is harder when not flying in by Air New Zealand on one ticket. There are many morning flights Auckland to Queenstown, and that is an easy place to rent. There was no one way fee Queenstown to Auckland but a substantial one way fee the other direction. Used Ezi Car Rental, which allows its rentals on the inter-island ferry.

The Holiday Inn somewhat by Auckland Airport is fine if you need to spend the night before flying down to the South Island. There is food within walking distance.

I wouldn't loop, but zigzag between Queenstown and Auckland. You will need to decide how much of the fjord area and Milford Sound that you want to do since this is a time sucking out and back trip.

I know New Zealand will be more expensive than our trips to Europe

I wouldn't agree with this, NZ is a pretty inexpensive country. Be sure to check AirBnBs. Checking my notes 4 years ago I was paying $70/night for 2 bedroom cabins. A lot of people get campers and stay in holiday parks/campgrounds.