Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - NZ Itinerary question

Hello,

I am traveling to NZ in November - I get into Auckland on November 13th and fly out of Christchurch on November 28th. I plan on traveling either by the Magic Bus or The Flying Kiwi (both backpackers buses...but flying kiwi mainly camps and is more of a formal tour than magic bus)

the magic bus route would take me on the following route

Auckland - Rotorua
Rotorua - Taupo
Taupo - Wellington
Wellington - Nelson
Nelson - Greymouth
Greymouth - Franz Josef
Franz Josef - Queenstown
Queenstown - Dunedin
Dunedin - Tekapo
Tekapo - Christchurch

If I leave Auckland on the 14th of November, that would leave me with 4 extra days to spend anywhere i like (one of those most likely being queenstown)....where else on that route would be good to take an extra day or so? I was also thinking of leaving the 15th of november, giving me an extra day in auckland...is it worth it?

The other option I have is the flying kiwi.....due to my depature dates, I will not be able to do their full tour...i would have to leave a day early to make it back to christchurch......i would most likely have to skip out on visiting queenstown (here is a link to the itinerary for that)
http://www.flyingkiwi.com/tours/grand-traverse/index.php?tour=grand-traverse&mode=itinerary

which do you think allows me to see the most of NZ in the limited amount of time I have? Is the flying kiwi worth it if I have to miss the last 2 nights? (Te Anau and Queenstown)

also, what type of weather should I expect for the time I will be there?

One last question - how much money in USD do you think I should bring for that time? I will be staying in youth hostels...maybe a B&B 1 or 2 nights - unless I do the flying kiwi, which is camping most of the time, and will be included in the price of the tour.

Thanks!

Maybe it's early morning and I haven't woken up yet, but how did you work out you've 4 extra days? I realise the Magic Bus is a hop-on-hop-off, do-it-at-your-own-pace deal, but I'm just not entirely clear...

Anyhow, here're some answers to your specific questions.

Depending on where you're flying in from, if you arrive into Auckland early (e.g., most flights from the US), you'll have a full day in Auckland already. Personally, I'd give central Auckland a full day.

I would also consider going down the east coast of the South Island and not the west, i.e., not Nelson to Greymouth. Go down from Nelson to Christchurch, then hop over to the West Cost (do the TranzAlpine train ride to the west coast, if you can, rather than the bus). Then, head south from Greymouth.

I wouldn't skip Queenstown. You'll be in a rush, but you know that already. :) If you want to spend the extra days, I'll consider Queenstown, Christchurch (run day trips out of it Hanmer Springs or Akaroa) or maybe staying near the glaziers for some tramping. You can also consider the Hawkes Bay, but it's likely to consume most, if not all, of your 4 days.

Whether the Magic Bus is 'worth it' over the Flying Kiwi is a personal preference, I think. From what I see, the Flying Kiwi is a younger crowd where lots of drinking is required. :)

Weather-wise, it'll varies greatly. Auckland and top half of the North Island can get hot (mid 20s C). The South Island (especially the West Coast or further south), can be around 15C or lower. Regardless, it can be wet, especially the West Coast, and windy. 'Unsettled' will be one word to describe the whole country weather-wise during November.

Money is hard to judge, especially with the exchange rate going up and up. (I suspect it may come back down after the US election, but that's another story.) At the moment, NZD$1 = USD0.70. A McDonalds meal is around NZD$7 - you can buy a decent (sandwich) lunch for that money. Maybe NZD$10 to $15 for a dinner. Typical restaurant dinner mains will be around NZD$25 to $30. A pint of beer can be $7 in main cities or $4 to $5 in smaller towns.

Hope this helps.

Maybe it's early morning and I haven't woken up yet, but how did you work out you've 4 extra days? I realise the Magic Bus is a hop-on-hop-off, do-it-at-your-own-pace deal, but I'm just not entirely clear...

I think the OP is figuring one day each leg posted.

Some of those legs are quite long so you wont get much time to spend at some places (depending on arrival/departure times). Eg Taupo-Wellington is several hours drive.

As for where to spend the "spare" days - it would depend on what interests/activities you'd like.

I think the OP is figuring one day each leg posted.

Some of those legs are quite long so you wont get much time to spend at some places (depending on arrival/departure times). Eg Taupo-Wellington is several hours drive.

As for where to spend the "spare" days - it would depend on what interests/activities you'd like.

true enough. I was thinking of spending an extra day in Nelson to do a 1 day hike/kayak in Abel Tasman National Park. I like to do outdoor things, some of the 'adventure' activities (luge, zorb, etc). Will also spend an extra day in Queenstown so I can do the Milford Sound trip. I might take one day to just 'relax'...not sure what the best town to do that would be though.

I have done a Flying Kiwi trip and can definetly recommend over Magic (used them also). Flying Kiwi got me to some excellent places that the other buses don't go - it is definetly not a young party bus! Not sure where the poster got the idea. Most nights we were camped in very remote areas and the only beers were a couple round the camp fire.

You will have a great time and it is not run of the mill like the usual buses.

Cheers ^

While Milford Sound is really nice I wouldnt bother in your case. The reason is you can end up waiting 2 or 3 days to get nice enough weather to make it more enjoyable and you dont have that kind of time.

Heaps of adventure stuff at Queenstown, Taupo, Rotorua - and to a lesser extent Auckland, Nelson and Christchurch. But especially Queenstown - there is more to do than can possibly be done in a day.

Abel Tasman would be either hike or kayak - not both. Assuming you are staying in accomm in Nelson then it is quite a full day. November is early in the season (ie sea still cool) - check the schedule for transport to/from the park and also the boat shuttle (assuming you want to walk/kayak one way and boat the other) as they may not have as frequent a service(?) which may impose a practical limitation. Boat shuttle is run by Wilsons (IIRC).

Actually Nelson is pretty good place to relax too. Nice beach right in the city if the weather is nice, and if it isnt there are heaps of art & craft stores to while away a few hours which can be followed by nice cafes. Be sure to sample some local brew (various microbreweries and also Macs Ales a larger brewery but still very nice beer which has won many awards).

I'm thinking the poster was mixing up Kiwi Experience with Flying Kiwi, as I have heard that the Kiwi Experience is more of a 'party bus'.

Thanks for all the info! I wish I had more time!