Have 16 days in NZ in January with wifey and three teenagers. (Yeah, I already know it's not enough time). So far all I have arranged is a flight into Christchurch, and a flight out of Auckland.
There's more than enough info available on the expensive andrenaline activities, but that's not what my kids like. We're more after nature gems that I'd otherwise miss. Seems there's some great walking at Wanaka. What else should I know about?
The scaffold museum and the toothbrush fence...
I hear they have up to fifty toothbrushes on that fence.
Select to expand quotetheDoctor said..
The scaffold museum and the toothbrush fence...
I hear they have up to fifty toothbrushes on that fence.
2 weeks on south island 2 days in Orcland??
Went around the south island in 2011... hire cars are good value... accommodation on the west coast can be pretty pricey... The pie shops and homemade relish are a must in EVERY small town... That is PIE shops... not bakeries... everything tastes better in pastry... sorry, I digress...
Worth doing some research, the place is totally geared-up for outdoor activities... tramping etc. Then there are odd things... e.g. a bus ride from Queenstown to Milford Sound with cruise tix for 2 people was $640 and a 13 or 14 hour round trip. To charter a 4 seater plane for 2 people from Queenstown to Milford Sound with cruise tix for 2 people was $600. I had a hire car and chartered a plane and it was awesome... views were amazing...
The drive across arthurs pass is a good intro... I liked Hokitika... sleepy little town... pretty sure they had beer and cheese
Wanaka is nice... much slower pace than Q'town... but I guess it has grown a lot in the 5 or so years since I was there... and (obviously) Franz Josef and Fox are a must. Splash out and take the teenagers for a ride in a helicopter... It's safe... the pilots are kiwis - like most chopper pilots all around the world
I would definitely try to get to Milford Sound/Fiordland.
All the photos of mountains and rivers/rocks will bevery interesting for your family and friends when you return.
Have only been to Willungten on the North Island... I remember they had beer... craft beer... lots of it... that was 2012ish...
if you travel up the east coast of north island, then hot water beach is worth a stop www.thecoromandel.com/activities/must-do/hot-water-beach/
Spent a few weeks there couple of months ago.....only around the North Island. Hired a campervan, gives you a lot more options especially in the far north where there is less accommodation.
Spots: Lake Taupo, bay of Islands, really liked the far north (warmer too!)
If you're in the north, definitely check out Rotorua too. The whole sleeping giant volcano thing is cool.
Wanaka is hell windy at that time of year 
- I was there this year.
The wineries are nice and Queenstown is way too touristy for my liking. Enjoy!
Kaikoura and kayaking in abel Tasman. Pancake rocks on west coast. On the way to Wanaka the blue pools at Haas pass has some good walking.
From Nelson to when you leave the West coast to head to Wanaka do not go out after 5pm and get the rid/ aerogaurd on real early. Nothing in the glossy brochures about them but I have never seen worse sand flies anywhere. Some great fee camping spots along the rivers. Mussels at havelock.
Have fun
Abel Tasman
Raglan
Coromandel
East Coast north of Auckland is bloody nice too
Don't fall into the tourist trap though, our goal is to suck the money right out of your pockets. There is a heap of free or low cost stuff to do. Book a bach (not airbnb) and live like a local in each place
Select to expand quoteChris_M said..
Don't fall into the tourist trap though, our goal is to suck the money right out of your pockets. There is a heap of free or low cost stuff to do. Book a bach (not airbnb) and live like a local in each place
Thanks for the bookabach tip. I often use VRBO when we go OS, it seems to have more bargains as well.
Select to expand quoteChris_M said..
Abel Tasman
Raglan
Coromandel
East Coast north of Auckland is bloody nice too
Don't fall into the tourist trap though, our goal is to suck the money right out of your pockets. There is a heap of free or low cost stuff to do. Book a bach (not airbnb) and live like a local in each place
The coastal drive along Coromandel is white knuckle stuff, never have I been more mentally exhausted than driving that road and back. I guess the trucks and busses coming around single lane blind corners was not my kind or relaxing drive.
Must say I liked the south for exploring more than the north and really liked Christchurch and surrounds before the quake. Bay of islands is choice if in the North.
Cheers bro and take the chilly bun
Have not been but would love to get over for some fishing watching videos it goes off and amazing variety if that's your thing.
There seems to be so much "natural beauty" to check out it will be hard to decide where to go maybe best to go down to a really nice beach or similar where you live and find a kiwi and they will tell you it is nice but not as good as where they come from and then you can go to that place 
s its your first time decide which Isl you want to spend most time in/on...Google 'nature walks in New Zealand...you will get overloaded with info.
Any walks in Able Tasman national Pk are excellent...
You are going peak travel time.
How are you travelling, camper van/motor home, bus, hire car?
I prefer camper that way your choice where to stay...depending on what hikes you have booked.
I like South Isl for more nature...stay away from Queenstown!!!!! its a tourist trap with only spend your money here gizmos, Wanaka is just LOVE...
Take some time as a family now thinking what you would like then bounce your ideas here .....and we'll shoot them all down :) with jelosy
i like corromandel.. smoked oysters. mercury bay was nice. boat tour around the clifs/ caves etc.
frodo's house/ bagend set.
wife made me walk across tongariro crossing. was hard. moonscape etc. volcanic stuff. Looking back was good but was loong.
best thing was we left the motorhome at the finsh line so once finished we could motor and relax, get a drink etc instead of waiting for a pickup.
karahanghake gorge was the best thing we did though. walking through the tunnels in the gorge. exploring etc
www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/bay-of-plenty/places/kaimai-mamaku-conservation-park
south island queenstown good. glenorchy jetboat tour up the river through all the scenery good. I'd choose the glenorchy jetboat tour over the shotover.
queenstown little wildlife park good. and the underwater observatory. Lot to see though if going south from christchurch then north to auckland. I'd be inclined to go christchurch north and save queenstown area for seperate trip.
www.newzealand.com/au/feature/top-day-walks-in-the-north-island/
tarrongoriro crossing meant to be one of the best single day walks in the world.
Avoid the shxtters at all costs. the massive fly clouds should be a bit of a tip. Peaople relieving themselves all along the track - zero cover. interesting, but a bit like walking through a quarry. Total moonscape. Mordoor mountain.
i havent done the southern gorges or walks south of queentown yet...
lake tueapu very pretty. rotorua not bad. can hire mountain bikes and ride through the redwood forests.
maori village ok.
I was there a few months ago and took a jet boat ride at the Huka Falls.. Well worth it.. I'd also recommend checking out 'The Mount' at Tauranga..
www.newzealand.com/au/mount-maunganui/
Harrow,
Dunno what your kids are like but hire some mountain bikes for a half day in Queenstown and ride Skyline Mountain bike park (Gondola rides up to top) Awesome mountain biking there. Whilst still in Queenstown spend a LONG day and jump on the bus to Milford Sound and back. We were going to drive it but had bus recommended. Also included a boat trip up and out the mouth of the sound which was really cool. Normally I would say straight out no but booked it. I thought it would be some dodgy cheesy touristy trip but it was awesome. Really great views with plenty of stops along the way at rest areas in the Alpine country, waterfalls, lakes etc. The trip was better than Milford Sound and that's saying something, Bus driver was really cool fella who knew heaps about the countryside etc. If it sounds like something interesting PM me and Ill find the name of the company. Big comfy coach with excellent views the whole way.
I'm going back next month for some more riding and a couple of walks (Routeburn and Kepler) but we are also hiring a car and going to drive up through the glacier country (Fox Glacier etc) then along the West Coast. I got some kiwi mates and they reckon its magic. Really rough and remote.
I did the North Island riding Rotorua but overall I thought the place was overrated. Drove from Rotorua down to Gisbourne then back up Coast to Tauranga then onto Auckland out towards Coromandel but didn't have time to go right out on the peninsula. Gisbourne leg was great drive with heaps of remote quiet bays but probably bore ya kids to death although plenty good swimming spots etc. Auckland is really good especially if you stay right in the city. Plenty of good food/shops and marina area is good. Wouldn't spend too long there.
I'm sticking to the South Island this trip as its more the stuff I like. Mountains, lakes, oceans. You'll love it.
Anything I can help with flick me a PM.
Cheers,
EB
The whole country has good walking and biking tracks But after doing your South island thing in the North you could fly up to Rotorua and check that out for the thermal region stuff and then drive toward Auckland via Mt Maunganui on the coast, beach one of the very best in the country, karangahake gorge for awesome daywalks and then around the Coromandel peninsular for great beaches, bushwalks etc and then to Auckland. Ferry ride out to Waiheke island in the gulf maybe a look at Piha on the wild west coast and then to the airport
So many possibilities! So little time!
Everybody loves New Zealand.
We stayed a week, a few times now, at Lake Ohau House. Could stay a lifetime.
www.lakeohau.com
If you make it as far as Invercargill... take the extra step and stay a night on Stewart Island. Bikes to rent there and some amazing walks. The island is of the bottom of the south island but is generally a bit warmer at any given time. Unreal wild life and if you are keen, the diving is awesome!
Excited Pfffffft the moment I got out of the plane at Christchurch I was shaking.
the welfare hall of fame is a must see.
+1 for Stewart Island... most kiwis don't even make it there, but its another world down there!
The South Seas Hotel (only pub) is bloody good for a night out too.
Spent a summer working there as a student, it was pretty loose, and a beautiful place. Ancient forest, more blue cod than you can shake a stick at, and you'll get to see kiwis too, they walk around during the daytime down there! Weird considering in the rest of NZ they are nocturnal.
Try Opononi too, sick kiteboarding in the massive flatwater of Hokianga Harbour.
No crowds.
Sweet holiday homes up for rent.
Occasional reggae gig at local historic tavern goes off (Katchafire, Six60 etc)
