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[govenderb]

I will be visiting New Zealand in January 2010. Landing in Christchurch and departing from Auckland 8 days later.

Can I please have some recommendations on how best to utilise these days covering the main areas of attraction. I intend hiring a car and possibly a flight between South and North Islands.

[starlagurl]

You are in the right place!

Our Local Expert, nztravelguide is the perfect person to help you.

I know that he'll recommend that you rent a campervan... let's see what he says for the rest of your question.

He should be coming along soon!

[kiwi_surfer]

It depends on what your into? where your from ?and when your going?

Are you a lover of wine?

Do you want to see wild life?

Is feasting your eyes on the magnificent beauty of the land appealing to you?

Do you like active sports like sky diving/bunjy jumping/snow boarding/surfing or relaxing sports like fishing ?

The list goes on, but ill stop.

[nztravelguide]

I will be visiting New Zealand in January 2010. Landing in Christchurch and departing from Auckland 8 days later.

Can I please have some recommendations on how best to utilise these days covering the main areas of attraction. I intend hiring a car and possibly a flight between South and North Islands.

First pick up your vehicle at the airport and then stop by the Antarctic Centre nearby, a not to be missed attraction....especially if you want to see a lot of little blue penguins.....

Day one - Then head north on route 1 to Kaikoura, the whale watching town that also has a lot of seals and wildlife plus good cafes and restaurants. Stay the night here.
(see my video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni4nu1DxTRE...feature=channel


Day 2 - head inland on the Lewis Pass road stopping at Hanmer Springs the top hot pools in the country and also Thrillseekers Canyon and on to the West Coast. Stay in Westport.
(see my video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-2BZDV0t2g...feature=channel

Day 3 - Head north on route 6 to route 60 and on to the Able Tasman National Park
This is the capital of ocean kayaking.........stay in Marahau.

Day 4 - Go to Picton on route 6. If interested in wine you pass through the top wine region of the country. Stay in Picton. This is in the Marlborough Sounds -
see video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwX7DCmm_1k

Day 5 - Catch an early ferry to the North Island (3 1/2 hour trip). Head north on route 1 to Lake Taupo for the night.

Day 6 - From Taupo it is an hours drive to Rotorua the geo-thermal capital of New Zealand.
Stay the night. be sute to do a Maori hangi and maybe soak in the mud pools.

Day 7 - from Rotorua take route 30 to route 3 over to the Waitomo Caves and stay there the night in the area. Great trips through the caves.

Day 8 - Off north on route 1 to Auckland and the airport...............