What to see in new zealand in 5 days

I only have 4-5 quick days in NZ unfortunately and will be flying from and back toSydney. Any suggestions for a quick itinerary? North or South island?

Here are some activities I just read on the site that sound interesting (in order of preference). I'd like to do as much as humanly possible on this short trip so the more things I can include the better:

1. Thermal pools and hot springs

2. Swim with dolphins

3. Bay of islands

4. Glow worm cave

5. City activity - culture, restaurants, shopping

6. Lord of the Ring sites

7. Rain forest hike

Report inappropriate content

zhuhai2007

Christchurch, New...

Destination Expert

for Christchurch, South Island, Akaroa

Level

2. Re: 4-5 days in New Zealand

12 years ago

Save

Which airport can you fly into? Obviously in only 4-5 days you will only be able to do 3 things at most off your wish list but here are some suggestions:

Option 1:

Fly intoQueenstown - vist Glow-worm caves at Te Anau; Day trip to Milford Sound (I know it is not on your list but if you go with Trips & Tramps or by rental car you can include the Key Summit walk which is wonderful.) Then you can spend a day at Glenorchy or on a LOTR day trip and also visit Arrowtown (location the Ford of ??).

Option 2: Fly into Christchurch (city culture); 2 day trip to Hanmer Springs & Kaikoura (swim with dolphins); 1 day LOTR tour into the Canterbury high country.

Option 3: Fly into Auckland (city culture); 2-3 day tour to the BoI; 1 day trip to Waitomo Caves OR forget BoI and do a 4 day trip to Hobbiton; Rotorua (thermal activity) and Waitomo Caves.

Report inappropriate content

bruin22

Los Angeles...

3. Re: 4-5 days in New Zealand

12 years ago

Save

Thank you for your reply, these sound like great options. I don't have the trip planned so I'm flexible as to where I fly into.

#3 sounds like a great trip. Would you suggest BoI orRotorua? I'm going to be at Cairns visiting the Great Barrier Reef the week before so I was thinking BoI may be similar? Or am I mistaken and BoI is a can't miss? How many hours is the trip to BoI from Auckland? Thanks again

Report inappropriate content

lonekaurilodge

Auckland Central...

Level

4. Re: 4-5 days in New Zealand

12 years ago

Save

Hi

On the basis that you will be flying in and out ofAuckland:

With only 4 or 5 days you are going to have some difficulty as the activities you wish to enjoy are in three different areas:

City Activity/Rain Forest Hike - Auckland Region

Thermal Pools and Hot Springs – to south of Auckland – Rotorua (although there are hot pools closer to Auckland) Lord of the Ring Sites – Matamata on the way to Rotorua from Auckland – Glow Worm Caves at Waitomo which could be taken in on or from Rotorua.

Dolphins and Bay of Islands – north of Auckland.

The alternatives could be:

Northern Option

Day 1 Arrive Auckland

Overnight Auckland

Day 2 Auckland to Hokianga

Overnight Hokianga

Day 3 Hokianga to BOI

Day 4 BOI

Day 5 Return to Auckland

Southern Option

Day 1 Arrive Auckland

Overnight Auckland

Day 2 Auckland to Waitomo

Waitomo Caves

Waitomomo To Rotorua

Overnight Rotorua

Day 3 Rotorua

Overnignt Rotorua

Day 4 Return to Auckland via Matamata and possibly hot pools at Miranda on Firth of Thames Coast

Overnight Auckland

Day 5 If time permits before flying out – Waitakere Ranges – Rain Forest, Black Sand Beaches.

You would be hard pushed to try and go north and south in the time available.

I use and recommend Google Maps for route planning and times etc.

http://www.maps.google.co.nzThe times are basic and can be as much as doubled to allow for stops etc. It takes a lot longer than you might expect to get from A to B in New Zealand.

Hope this helps.

Report inappropriate content

bruin22

Los Angeles...

7. Re: 4-5 days in New Zealand

12 years ago

Save

Thanks for all the help! So here is what I'm thinking:

3/26 arriveAuckland around 5pm stay overnight

3/27 see Auckland, hike Waitakere Ranges and then take a later bus to Waitomo (2.5 hrs) and stay the night

3/28 Waitomo - lost world and other outdoor adventure stuff, take later bus to Rotorua (? hrs)

3/29 Rotorua for a few hrs and Hobbiton on the way back to Auckland

3/30 Auckland

Anything else?

Report inappropriate content

zhuhai2007

Christchurch, New...

Destination Expert

for Christchurch, South Island, Akaroa

Level

9. Re: 4-5 days in New Zealand

11 years ago

Save

I don't think those "later buses" exist. Also unless you do a tour I don't think you can doHobbiton on the way back to Auckland by public bus.

Report inappropriate content

Awesom_Andy

Sydney, Australia

Level

10. Re: 4-5 days in New Zealand

11 years ago

Save

I too don't think there are late buses available. Personally, I would suggest on driving, as the distances aren't great, but if you must rely on public transport, there are some limited options, which you may need to rearrange your trip to suit.

Alternatively, you could consider joining one of the better regarded tours for 2/3 days to either BoI or Waitomo/Rotorua areas, leaving you a day or 2 to explore the Waitakare Ranges and/or the city sights in/around Auckland.

I suppose that, if you are really keen, you could join a 2-day tour to BoI, followed by another 2-day tour to Waitomo/Rotorua, but that would be a very costly and exhausting exercise.

Is 5 days in New Zealand enough?

How many days is enough for New Zealand?

What should I not miss in New Zealand?

Where should I go for my first time in New Zealand?