NZ...North&South Islands

[millmuff]

Later this year I'm heading out on a big trip...I've pretty much narrowed NZ down to my first place to visit. With a two week stint there whats the best way to do it?

I was thinking maybe Auckland then down to Wellington but if I do that then I obviously miss the south island. The other option is to go all the way to christchurch. So I was hoping someone could tell me if its worth the extra time/money/ travel to do the south island.

Also if theres any for sure must see's let me know...thanks, peace.

[omisan]

The South Island is very worthwhile, what little of it I've experienced. I'd cut some time from Auckland and head south if possible.

No offense to anyone here who might be a fan of Auckland, but I found Auckland to be very big and boring and unfriendly... Just another big city.

I loved Queenstown for its natural beauty and adrenaline. It's one of those extreme sports destinations, if you're into that sort of thing. But the real gem of the South Island, I thought, is Milford Sound, which still stands among one of the most beautiful pieces of nature I've ever seen. Next time I get out that way, I also have to check out one of the big glaciers, which I'm sure is breathtaking.

Here's a link to where the NZ portion of my travelog starts...
http://tavallai.com/gallery/album/anz05/auckland.html

[mooloo]

Im from the North Island and have travelled a fair chunk of it, however last year i went on two trips to the south island, 1 a 5 day holiday in christchurch and the other a two week trip in the marlborough sounds, including day trips to nelson and blenheim. While i love the north island i do think the south is way prettier, so i guess it depends what you want out of the trip, if you want to see lots of greenery and nature definately spend some time in the south island

[lauren313]

I was recently in NZ for 4 weeks, and spent about a week and a half in the North Island, and the rest of the time in the South. I far preferred the South, as Omi said, Queenstown is beautiful, it's one of my favourite places in the world.

[travelpunk]

You know, I've never ever heard one bad thing about NZ. About the country, the people, culture, nada....

Every other country I've heard good and bad points, but not NZ. Only good or great. How cool is that?!

and all this talk about it get's me even more excited about it .

[indierock05]

You should spend most of your time in the south island, I was there for a month last year with my native boyfriend of the time. I stayed mainly outside of Christchurch but you should make it to both the marlborough and milford sounds (milford more expensive), take some time to go hiking too, going up the west coast is beautiful and I would highly recommend it. good luck!

[millmuff]

Thanks everyone...really appreciate the feed back. I think I'll probably put some solid time towards nz as everything I've heard has been great. I'' take your word about auckland and I'll skip the time in a big city compared to seeing the country side for the most part.

Take care guys....thanks again.

[kiwichick]

im from wellington and suggest its well worth a visit instead of auckland which is too spread out and difficult to get around. rotorua, taupo and napier are also really nice places to visit in the north island (rotorua is quite a tourist trap however). malborough sounds and queenstown are both gorgeous and their are nice hikes in both those areas, queenstown is quite expensive in the ski season as a warning. napier/ hawkes bay in general has nice weather and the art deco theme makes ita nice place to visit, taupo rotorua and queesntown are all full of adventure tourism opps. lol that may be more than ya wanted to no but if ya have any questions do feel welcome to ask