Fly into Auckland – Drive the North Island – Fly or Ferry? – Backpack the South Island – Fly to Fiji on the Way Home

FLYING TO AUCKLAND

DRIVING THE NORTH ISLAND

A sample itinerary from New Zealand’s tourism website

Highlights:

1. Cathedral Cove Beach + Kayak Tour
2. Rotorua (Adventure Capital, Glow Worms, and Geothermal Activity)
3. Lake Taupo (Maori Carvings and Lake Swimming)

FERRY ACROSS THE CHANNEL OR FLY FROM ROTORUA

BACKPACKING THE SOUTH ISLAND

A sample itinerary from New Zealand’s tourism website

Highlights:

1. Fiordland National Park and three Great Walks
2. Queenstown Adventure Capital

Stopover in Fiji on the Way Home

Accommodations: Hiltons and IHG hotels in all major NZ cities + Fiji (leverage top-tier status)

Resources:

Lord of the Rings Sets Map

Sample Route for LOTR Car Tours