Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - 4 Days to see New Zealand other than Auckland

FYI, I will be in New Zealand in October. I have 3 days planned in Auckland and vicinity, and 4 days to see the rest of the country. Unfortunately, the dates are fixed, so that's what I've got. I doubt that I have enough time to do the South Island any real justice, but, other than Auckland, what are the "must see" sights that I could actually do adequately within that amount of time?

I would spend less time in Auckland and more time somewhere else. If you are flying in/out of NZ from USA then a connecting flight to Christchurch or Queenstown won't add much time and enables you to see better scenery (South Island is more beautiful than the North Island in general).

With say 5 days you could explore one area moderately well or go to 2 or 3 places and see/do less at each. How will you be getting around? Bus? Rental car? Fly?

Well, I was planning on flying into one city from Auckland - either Wellington or Christchurch, or perhaps some other and then renting a car from there.

But in truth, other than needing to be in Auckland the last 3 days, I'm totally flexible. So I really am limited to 4 days for anything else.

I would try and find a flight directly into Queenstown. It's a picturesque mountain/resort town set on a beautiful lake, with great restaurants and fun bars that are packed with locals and backpackers every night. They pretty much have an activity for everyone-- if you are adventurous; they have several bungee jumps (check out the nevis), skydiving, mountain biking, white water rafting, etc. if you want more scenic activities; they have day hiking, helicopter tours, trips to fijords, gondola rides (with a great luge at the top), wine tastings, etc. Overall, I don't think you will go wrong trying to base your trip in Queenstown and planning your activities from there.

I also highly recommend the Glacier Hike (either at the franz josef or fox glacier) This is quite easily my most memorable experience from NZ. Highly recommend a full day hike, as i think the shorter ones are more consumed by the process of getting to and from the glacier, but of course do what you are comfortable with!

Hope this helps-- you'll have a great trip no matter what you do.

I'd definitely agree with the previous suggestion by roder to either head to Queenstown or try and get to the coast. Both incredibly nice areas!

A couple of itineraries which I'd suggest -

1) Perhaps drive from Nelson down the West Coast to the glaciers then onto Queenstown. (I'd suggest stays in around Punakaiki, glaciers, Queenstown)

2) Start in Nelson down the coast to Greymouth. Then catch the tranzalpine train over to Christchurch or drive over Arthur's Pass (SH73) to Christchurch.

I know both of the options were common with tourists I dealt with when I was working at a hotel. They'd either head in one direction or the other. They'd give you a bit of time to manage to see the South Island.

I would try and find a flight directly into Queenstown. It's a picturesque mountain/resort town set on a beautiful lake, with great restaurants and fun bars that are packed with locals and backpackers every night. They pretty much have an activity for everyone-- if you are adventurous; they have several bungee jumps (check out the nevis), skydiving, mountain biking, white water rafting, etc. if you want more scenic activities; they have day hiking, helicopter tours, trips to fijords, gondola rides (with a great luge at the top), wine tastings, etc. Overall, I don't think you will go wrong trying to base your trip in Queenstown and planning your activities from there.

I also highly recommend the Glacier Hike (either at the franz josef or fox glacier) This is quite easily my most memorable experience from NZ. Highly recommend a full day hike, as i think the shorter ones are more consumed by the process of getting to and from the glacier, but of course do what you are comfortable with!

Hope this helps-- you'll have a great trip no matter what you do.

None of that is, frankly, what I'm looking for. I'm way over the hill for bungee jumping, hiking a glacier, whitewater rafting, etc nor socializing with backpackers. If that's what Queenstown offers, I'm looking for something entirely different. I'm not looking for any kind of physical exertion, just some very leisurely sightseeing and photography.

And in the words of the great photographer Brett Weston - anything more than 500 meters from the car simply isn't photogenic.
Much more my speed is nice museums, Music and theater, some wine tasting, fine restaurants, etc.

I do think Queenstown could still be an option. Yes, it has adventure sports but there's also amazing scenery, great food and many many vineyards. There's also a number of small towns nearby that are quite picturesque (Wanaka, Arrowtown, Glenorchy etc)

Favourite restaurants - The Bunker & Amisfield

Favourite wineries - Peregrine, Chard Farm and Bald Hills

Having lived in New Zealand for 3 years may I offer the following suggestions:

Queenstown, as others have suggested. A helicopter flight to Milford Sound, along with a cruise on the Sound. Great views and fantastic photo ops.

Napier. A great Art Deco city, if you are interested in that style of architecture. Again, some very nice photo ops. The surrounding Hawke's Bay area is a great wine growing area. And if you want museums, take about a 4 hour drive from Napier to Wellington and you can see the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (known as Te Papa).

Christchurch. A somewhat "English" city. Rather picturesque, easy to get around.

Bay Of Islands area. North of Auckland. Some nice beaches, quaint coastal villages, including Russell (the earliest European settlement in NZ).

Glenn

Concur with all the above. You can just about fit in highlights of the South Island in 4 days, but it will be a busy 4 days!

You could fly into Queenstown and back from Christchurch. For me, my highlights would be:

Milford Sound - definitely a cruise on the Sound - you really don't get scenery like this anywhere else in the world

Wanaka - I think it's a nicer, cosier and less frenetically touristy town than Queenstown, and is beautifully set on the shores of Lake Wanaka - nice walks from here, and good restaurants and wine too (actually most of NZ is great for this)

Jetboating - even if bungee jumping is not your thing, you gotta try this out when passing through Queenstown - it's a fun thrill ride

Glaciers - take a tourist flight from half way between Queenstown/Wanaka and Christchurch - and the drive itself also takes you past some fantastic views of Mount Cook

That, my friend, is your 4 days done and dusted!

Definitely Queenstown. A good deal of scenic locations. Might be worth checking out the glaciers too, not to hike, but purely for the photography. I'd check out the human maze and funhouse near Queenstown too just for pure absurdism entertainment (even if you don't partake).

Another vote for Queenstown. Even if it's just one day of your 4, it's worth it for the scenery. And even more spectacular stuff just a short tour away.

It's not all adventure stuff, I took the historic boat ride and it was a blast, very relaxing and inspiring views.

I did AKL-CHC, stayed in Sumner for a few days, then drove CHC-Queenstown for 1.5 days, then flew Queenstown-AKL. It was a nice drive but it depends on how much you like driving (took up all day).

While Sumner was great and I wanted to surf (and did), I wished I spent more time in Queenstown.

Wellington and Christchurch are both really good cities with many of the things you have said you enjoy. Te Papa museum in Wellington can easily have you engrossed for a whole day if museums are your thing!!!

Rotorua can provide you with less travel time from AKL and tourist orientated 'cultural experiences', hot pools, good scenery (the sulphur smell takes a bit of getting used to), but worth it for what you can see there.

Queenstown or the quieter Wanaka (my favourite but I am rather biased!!) have much more to offer than just the adrenaline junky activities. Wineries are aplenty in these areas as are tours that will escort you to a selection for tastings and food platters. The scenery is spectacular with Queenstown having a gondala giving you a great view of the area. The restaurant choice is amazing and of good quality (obviously if you avoid the McD's etc!!) There are what can be percieved as adventurous trips that are really different ways to access some of the beautiful areas. eg. 4 wheel drive tours, Matukituki jet boats. Therefore don't discount these if you are looking for the 'scenery' in road inaccessible areas. There are plenty of plane/helicopter trips to Glaciers, high country areas, Milford Sound departing from Queenstown and Wanaka.

I think it depends on your budget and whether you want to cram as much in as possible or just got to 1 place and have a more leisurely relaxing time. Most places are really beautiful and provide a range of opportunities as a tourist.