cdayton

We rented a Mazda 3 (years ago) for 3 weeks in NZ - no problem. Best Western (don’t think US motels) has a great reservation service in NZ - check it out on the web. Driving is no problem - just avoid the sheep.

Jwshelton Loc: Denver,CO

Understand that the rental agencies will not allow a car tour taken on the ferry between islands; at least that was true four years ago. You must ree5urn the car on the island where it was rented. We spent seven weeks there and did not see everything that we wanted to see.

With only eight days, I highly recommend concentrating in one or two areas. If you prefer landscapes and nature, the South Island is hard to beat -southern Alps, Mt. Cook, Queensiwn and Dunedin. We drove, but had the time. New Zealand is a gorgeous country with very friendly,helpful people. Enjoy!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Thank you so much for the information.
I see photos of NZ and it seems so beautiful.

photocurt

Just one thing about Doubtful and Milford Sounds. They are beautiful, a must to see, but they don't have waterfalls on all sides. There are a couple. Beautiful!

thegrover Loc: Yorba Linda, CA

I have been to both islands. The best is everywhere and without limits. Enjoy.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

We went to NZ this past Nov-Dec, and I can tell you that there is plenty to see and do. Also, I would like you to know that the New Zealanders are the friendliest and most helpful folks that we have ever met, bar none. I know that this doesn't answer your question but it is information that is good to know before traveling to a country that you are not familiar with. Enjoy your trip!

OneShot1 Loc: Wichita, KS, USA

Milford Sound! Most beautiful spot on earth IMHO. Weather can be a factor. The catamaran ride out to the Tasman Sea and back, in Milford Sound, is spectacular. The entire Queenstown area. On North island Hobbiton is very cool if your a Lord of the Rings fan. Rotorua was cool with geysers and visit a Maori village. Glow worm cave was interesting.

alawry Loc: Timaru New Zealand

This is sounding great. Renting a vehicle is very common and you can often do a one way rental. That will take a little planning but probably worth the effort. Accomodation is easy to find in smaller locations, a bed and breakfast type or motel. Then we have motor camps, with tent sites and cabins ranging from simple hut with a bed to self contained motel. Dont expect room service but you will experience the real NZ.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

When we went, we booked private tours. My wife did all of the booking using toursbylocals.com and tripadvisor.com. It was well worth it. There was no set schedule and the knowledge of the guides was invaluable. If you want, I can send you a list of the guides we used. We went in the early spring, so I can't tell you about where to go in the fall, but I imagine anywhere in the Milford Sound/Fjordlands National Park area is good. One thing the New Zealanders complained about is people who don't know how to drive on the wrong side of the road, so that may be a factor in your decision. They also took great glee in inviting us to apply for citizenship in N.Z., as we docked in Auckland on 11/8/16 .

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

For sure. Best way to see the country in my opinion. You can rent either a car (and stay in motels/hotels) or a motorhome (and stay in motorcamps). Depending on the time of the year (we never travel over school holiday times, everything too busy) and the time you have. After schools are back accommodation can be booked on the fly almost everywhere. Most small towns have some sort of accommodation. Google is your friend. Plan a sort of itinerary before you leave of course but in most cases no need to book unless you are in the peak season.
Do be aware that we drive on the 'other' side of the road. We almost have paranoia here due to tourists forgetting that small point and in some cases killing themselves (and others) by cutting corners. Our roads are generally very good but can be narrow with blind corners. Lately a number of instances of visitors arriving after a long flight, getting in their rental and trying to drive a long distance while jet lagged. Next thing we see is another newspaper headline.

Personally, although we lived in Auckland for many years, its just another big city so my suggestion would be to not dedicate too much time there. The harbour is beautiful and worth a walk around (maybe the Americas Cup Village would be of interest depending on when you plan to arrive. Its not built yet.)

As I mentioned to Neil. Depending on your interests and time available and hesitant about making to many specific suggestions.
Hope you enjoy your visit.


On a more cheerful note. The South Island, in our opinion, is absolutely the best for just wandering. Very friendly people (well we all are but the South seems to breed them) and the scenery is more dramatic than the North Island.

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

Most 'national rental agencies' now allow you to take a car or motorhome across the Straits to the South Island but they might charge a 'repositioning' fee which could be quite steep.
Agree with you about the SI. Roads are better and compared to the North Island (which of course is beautiful as well), offers fabulous scenery

rjandreoff Loc: Hawaii

My wife and I were there for 6 and 1/2 weeks Dec-Jan last year. Hard to go wrong. Weather will be THE issue. Prepare to shot in the extremes. Take a solid travel tripod OR monopod, good fill flash, and water proof containers. I brought water tight floatables.

Highlights that are photo worthy from my experience AND IMHO;
The SI;
-- Milford sound. Totally surreal. Unique on the planet. Wildlife, landscape. BUT make certain you prepared to shot is semi extreme conditions. If you are, WELL worth it!!!
-- Western coast, the drive down Hwy 6 takes in the NZ "Alps". Multiple Glaciers. Breathtaking. You will get out of the car no less than 15-20x to shoot.
-- If you want to see Penguins in the wild, Dunedin is the easiest access. BUT Invercargill has many more options. Getting penguins in live is a lot of fun.
-- The entire Wine Region, Marlborough, can be very scenic.
-- The town of Napier has an art deco theme and is great urban scapes, along with the entire Hawke's Bay region. Lots of small wineries.
The NI;
-- The area around Rotorua is great for all the Geologic activity. Thermal pools with a huge range of colors. More weather friendly.
-- Everyone will suggest Cape Regina. We did. OK but a LONG way for a 50-60 shot experience. It's a maybe.
-- Wellington, Art and the Te papa museum. All photographer friendly. One of the best in the world.
-- Auckland, the entire wharf and harbor area.
-- AND while in Auckland, the Coromandel AND/OR Waiheke island.
-- Able Tasman national park, IF IT IS open. Wildlife, landscape. Weather can be an issue in as much as access is by only by water, I think.

Problem is, I could of spend another 6 weeks and still come up short.

Good luck.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

For what it's worth, in the South Island there is a short stretch of highway with towns named "Clinton" and "Gore". I don't think there is a relationship to our politics, though.... ;)

I don't think you will be able to have what I considered one of the best experiences of the trip. Our group spent a week at a resort at Lake Taupo, and I'd been communicating with a web friend in Whakatane on the east coast of the North Island. We arranged for me to spend a night with him and his wife, and during our conversations it came up that I had an interest in mechanical musical instruments. It turns out that his uncle, Jonathan R. White, has what is possibly the largest collection of working ones in the Southern Hemisphere and lived just a Km away. I was taken there and Jonathan entertained me for about 2 hours showing and demonstrating his wares for me! I was in Heaven! His collection is not generally open to the public, though. However, he is an artist and paints very realistic scenes of New Zealand locales that are both expensive and in demand. The paintings are displayed among the musical instruments, so it might be possible to see them that way--he has viewings from time to time. My photos of his instrument collection are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/sets/72157632168217702/.

Dennis833 Loc: Australia

Milford Sound, Franz Josef and Fox glaciers in the south. Rotorua, thermal springs in the north. I have some pics on my web page from a two week family holiday around the south island. http://dennisharding.com.au/

mffox Loc: Avon, CT

New Zealand is a photographer's paradise. Magnificent landscapes, seascapes, architecture, street scenes. On the South Island, if you're in Christchurch, you will think you're in England. Don't miss the Cathedral and the 9/11 memorial. Also take advantage of the day excursions into the fjords and the mountains. On the North Island Aukland is a gem of a city. The sheep stations are a must!!

It's worth the strain and pain to pack your camera and a range of lenses. If that's a problem, a lens in the 70-300 range would serve you well most of the time.

The people are the most gracious on the face of this planet. Enjoy.
Mark