Originally Posted by
calbear2005
..5/8 (arrive in AKL at 6 AM) to 5/10 - basically two full days in Auckland to explore a bit
5/30 (arrive in SYD from CNS) to 6/1 (flight home at noon) - 3 full days in Sydney, one of which will be spent on a day trip to the Blue Mountains
On 5/10, I'm considering either:
1. Flying directly from AKL to ZQN as many of the hikes that I've mapped out seem to be along the west coast of the South Island, or
2. Rent a car from AKL and drive down to Rotorua and the Waitomo Caves to WLG to catch a flight to ZQN
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I also need to consider what city to fly out of to get into CNS (ZQN is more expensive, but gas and time would put it on par with CHC).
Some of the more popular hikes/tramps need to be pre-booked
Walking and tramping: things to do
e.g.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...thern-circuit/
If going option 2 I would fly out of Rotorua to ZQN, maybe via CHC. A lot to see in the Taupo - Waitomo - Rotorua area. From Rotorua to Wellington not a lot to see/do.
However the ferry ride Wellington to Picton is good.
Airport info SYDNEY (SYD) - amenities, transfers, transport
Airlines that fly Australia (CNS* MCY* BNE OOL SYD CBR MEL ADL PER) to/from New Zealand (AKL WLG CHC DUD ZQN) (not from all airports to all airports).