Proposed Itinerary : New Zealand

Now that my papers are over, I can finally plan the itinerary for the New Zealand tour. Since my parents wanted ten days and self-drive with both North and South Islands, this is what I came up with :

North Island

Day 1 : Auckland - Matamata
- Sky Tower
- Hobbiton

Accommodation : Auckland / Matamata (Bed and Breakfasts, Cottages, Motels)

Day 2 : Matamata - Waikato - Rotorua
- Waitomo Caves
- Geysers and traditional Maori Village
- evening Maori Cultural Experience including Hangi

Accommodation : Rotorua (Guesthouse)

Day 3 : Rotorua - Taupo - Wellington
- Drive through scenic exotic forests
- Thermal activity
- Lake Taupo
- Tongariro National Park
- Wellington cable car, Te Papa Tongarewa, Parliament Buildings, restaurants and shopping

Accommodation : Wellington (Bed and Breakfast, Homestay)

South Island

Day 4 : Wellington - Picton - Nelson
- Cross ferry to South Island
- Drive around Queen Charlotte coastline
- Mussel feast at Havelock, the head of Pelorous Gorge
- Art, crafts and collectibles shops
- Nelson beach, crystal clear bays, boutiques, wineries, apple orchards, World of Art Museum

Accommodation : Nelson (Bed and Breakfast)

Day 5 : Nelson - Punakaiki - Hokitika
- Forested mountain scenery and Buller Gorge
- Pancake Rocks and Blow holes
- Hokitika Frontier Town

Accommodation : Hokitika (Homestay, Bed and Breakfast)

Day 6 : Hokitika - Glacier Country
- Franz Josef and Fox Glacier
- Guided Walk
- Lake Matheson, Mount Cook, Mount Tasman

Accommodation : Franz Josef / Fox Glacier (Motels, Backpackers Inn, Cabins, Homestays)

Day 7 : Glacier Country - Queenstown - Arrowtown - Farmstay
- South Westland World Heritage Area
- Haast Pass to Lake Wanaka, Kawarau River Gorge
- Bungy jumping / horse treks / safaris / lake cruises
- Gold-mining town of Arrowtown
- Country Farmstay

Accommodation : Farmstay / Queenstown / Arrowtown

Day 8 : Queenstown - Te Anau - Milford Sound
- Fiordland National Park
- Eglinton Valley, Turner Valley, Cleddau Canyon
- Milford Sound Cruise

Accommodation : Te Anau (Cottage / Homestay)

Day 9 : Te Anau - Dunedin - Christchurch
- Southland and Otagu
- Dunedin Museum
- Mocraki Oamaru, Canterbury Plains

Accommodation : Dunedin / Christchurch (Bed and Breakfasts, Lodges, Guesthouses)

Day 10 : Christchurch
- Arts Centre, boutique, Crafts Shops
- Avon River

Thus in just ten days, we would have managed to cover almost all bases, from North to South islands! Hopefully when I show this to my parents when they come back on Monday, they will not have too many criticisms!