Hi all,
We are planning our New Zealand trip in December this year.
Our flights (international in Christchurch, domestic Queenstown to Auckland, intenational out Auckland), Routeburn huts and campervans have been booked so we have to work the itinerary around them.
We are into scenery and non-technical trekking (but not everyday). While we consider ourselves budget travellers (in terms of accommodations, transport and food), we are still willing to pay for a few unique experiences that does not break the wallets.
Below is our itinerary and we welcome any feedback and suggestions.
1 11-Dec Mon
SG - Melbourne (Jetstar)
2 12-Dec Tue
Melbourne - Christchurch (Jetstar) - Arthur's Pass
- pickup campervan, buy groceries, overnight at Arthur's Pass
3 13-Dec Wed
Arthur's Pass - Greymouth - Punakaiki
- Short walks around Arthur's Pass (Walkway or/and Devil Punchbowl)
- lunch at Greymouth
- Punaikaki Pancake Rocks
- Overnight Punakaiki
4 14-Dec Thu
Punakaiki - Hokitika (brunch) - Franz Josef Glacier
- Valley walk
- Alpine Cinema
- Overnight in Franz Josef Glacier
5 15-Dec Fri
Franz Josef Glacier - Fox Glacier
- Glacier Hot Pools
- Glacier Walk or Helihike (seems very expensive, are there any way to get onto the glacier besides joining these guided walks?)
- Lake Metheson (Famous mirror lake, 1.5hr circuit walk)
- Overnight in Fox Glacier
6 16-Dec Sat
Fox Glacier - Haast - Wanaka
- Wanaka Tree
- Mount Iron summit
- Overnight Wanaka
7 17-Dec Sun
Wanaka - Te Anau
- Maybe Rocky Mountain Sunrise (thought of Roys Peak but think it is a long hike)
- Settle campervan relocation with Trackhopper
- Overnight Te Anau
8 18-Dec Mon
Te Anau - Milford Sound
- Fiord Cruise at 0855am (we probably should prebook this? As we have one full day here, anything we can do)
- Fiordland National Park
- Overnight in Milford Sound
9 19-Dec Tue
Milford Sound - Routeburn Track (The Divide)
- Start tramping on Routeburn Track (one of NZ's nine great walks)
- Drop off Campervan
- Divide - Howden Hut (1.5 hr) - Lake Mackenzie Hut (4 hr)
- Overnight Lake Mackenzie Hut
10 20-Dec Wed
Routeburn Track
- Lake Mackenzie Hut - Falls Hut (6 hr) - Flats Hut (1.5 hr)
- Overnight Flats Hut
11 21-Dec Thu
Routeburn Track - Glenorchy (0.5h)
- Flats Hut - Routeburn Shelter (2.5 hr) - Glenorchy
- Collect Campervan
- Bennet’s Bluff viewpoint and old Glenorchy wharf
- Overnight Glenorchy
12 22-Dec Fri
Glenorchy - Tekapo
- Overnight in Tekapo
13 23-Dec Sat
Tekapo - Mt Cook
- Drive around Lake Pukaki
- Hooker Valley Hike
- Stargazing
- View Lupin Flowers
- Overnight Mt Cook
14 24-Dec Sun
Mt Cook - Queenstown
- Visit Tasman Lake and Glacier
- Overnight Queenstown
15 25-Dec Mon
Queenstown
- Around Queenstown (any recommended sights and activities?)
- Overnight Queenstown
16 26-Dec Tue
Queenstown - Auckland (Jetstar) - Taupo
- Pick up campervan
- Overnight Taupo
17 27-Dec Wed
Taupo
- Explore Lake Taupo, drive to Matamata
- Tongariro Crossing
- Overnight Taupo
18 28-Dec Thu
Taupo - Rotorua
- Zorbing?
- Overnight Rotorua
19 29-Dec Fri
Rotorua - Hobbiton - Hahei - Coromandel
- We don't really follow LTOR so not sure if we are visiting Hobbiton
- Hot Water Beach
- Cathedral Cove
- Overnight Hahei
20 30-Dec Sat
Hahei - Auckland
- Some outlet shopping?
- Overnight in Auckland
21 31-Dec Sun
Auckland - Singapore
- Return campervan
- Around Auckland before flying home