u/Sufficient_Arm2975

We're heading to the Azores in two weeks and will be spending five days in Pico. We're planning a day trip to São Jorge and would love to fit in a short hike while we're there.

We're trying to decide whether it's worth bringing our rental car over on the ferry (our rental company allows it) or if it's easier to rely on taxis for the day. Any experience or recommendations?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

We're a married couple in our mid-40s planning our first trip to New Zealand, and we're incredibly excited. We'll be visiting from February 21 to March 5. We love day hiking, kayaking, scenic drives, wildlife, and stargazing.

We know there's no way to see everything in just two weeks (it's the maximum time we can take off work), so we'd really appreciate any feedback on the itinerary we've put together.

Sunday

• Arrive in Auckland at 8:15 a.m.
• Stay in Auckland to recover from jet lag.

Monday

• Pick up rental car.
• Drive to Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
• Visit Hobbiton.
• Overnight in Cambridge.

Tuesday

• Drive to Wai-O-Tapu.
• Visit Waimangu Volcanic Valley.
• Relax at Hell's Gate in the evening.
• Overnight in Rotorua.

Wednesday

• Morning at the Redwoods.
• 1:35 p.m. flight to Christchurch.
• Arrive around 3:30 p.m., pick up campervan, and drive to Arthur's Pass.

Thursday

• Arthur's Pass

Friday

• Lake Tekapo

Saturday

• Aoraki/Mount Cook

Sunday

• Wānaka

Monday

• Te Anau

Tuesday

• Milford Sound

Wednesday

• Fiordland National Park

Thursday

• Queenstown

Friday

• Fly from Queenstown to Auckland (either the 7:00 a.m. flight arriving around 8:50 a.m., or possibly the evening before) to catch our 2:35 p.m. flight from Auckland to the US.

Our priority is definitely the South Island, but we'd really love to fit in both Hobbiton and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves while we're on the North Island.

One thing we're debating is whether we should skip Rotorua altogether and head straight to Christchurch to give ourselves an extra day in the South Island. Looking at the itinerary, I feel like I've packed a lot into those seven South Island days.

If you were planning this trip, would you keep Rotorua, or would you spend that extra time in the South Island instead? Also, are there any places where we're trying to do too much in a day, or any "must-do" stops we're missing?

Thanks so much! We'd really appreciate any advice or suggestions.