Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Auckland 14 days - Nov - N&S

I am looking for some great ideas or tour operators for New Zealand in November. I've read many postings and done lots of research and realize that 14 days is not enough for both islands. At this point I am torn between going to Queenstown and enjoy the adventures that NZ has to offer or stay in Auckland and tour the north, volanic areas and maybe do some climbs (is that in N or S?). Also, I may be traveling solo and do not wish to pay the single occupancy rate. Any ideas will be greatful.

First welcome to FT

14 days is a great period to do North Island.

5-6 days Auckland, balance making your away around the Island.

We have done this and it worked will.

As for solo. Australia has a hostle program, likely so does NZ. These can be quite cheap and an adventure (so I am told).
A second choice is to rent a small camper van. You transport in it and when your tire pull over or go to a caravan park. The price for the accomodations out side of Auckland and Wellington a very cheap. We paid (a few years ago) about $NZ40 in Tiquiti (spelling wrong, just south of Auckland) including free use of washers and dryers, including soap. Great place to do laundry after a week in Auckland.

Country is quite informal and you will be comfortable and welcomed in the most modest of places. We paid more for most of our accomodations. On average about $NZ100. In Auckland we stayed at the Hyatt on points and the Sheraton on points in Rotorua.

There are also farm stays that are quite reasonable.

Enjoy your trip

Last year I drove around the South Island alone -- I covered the lower South Island quite well and didn't really rush it. I stayed in Christchurch, Fox Glacier, Te Aneu (2 nights) did both the Doubtful and Milford Sound cruises, Invercargill, Duneiden and last night in Christchurch again. I would do it again in a flash -- actually I just made reservations for next August for two weeks to see even more. I had also spent 3 days in Auckland. I was also able to do a whole day in Wellington -- my airfare which was something like $125 between AKL and Christchurch allowed me a full days stopover in Wellington on the way at no additional charge!! The new museum there is well worth the stop. I got there at 10AM, rented a car and left at 6PM -- a great day.

Man oh man oh man. Just reserved biz class to Aukland. Dec 23-Jan 25. Burning those UA miles before they disappear. Have two weeks to make a final decision. Hope I can find a decent place for the pups if I go. Might be lurking here for a while.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> ... maybe do some climbs (is that in N or S?). </font>

Both. You might want to check out climb.co.nz