In November this year I'm thinking of heading to NZ for 3 weeks and I'm wondering what people would consider the must sees while i'm there? I want to try and build an itinerary that will get to all the best places missing out the rubbish and usually the best people to ask are those that've visited.

I'm probably gonna use a flexi-pass so I can go where I like when I like and start in Auckland and fly out of Christchurch.

Also, info on good hostels and those to avoid would be great.

Thanks!

Hi

When i was in NZ i stayed in a couple of brilliant hostels - especially Captain Bob's in Paihia, Vagabonds in Christchurch, Butterfli Lodge in Queenstown and the Lions Den in the Coromandel. One place i would DEFINITELY miss is Toad Hall in Napier, it was a total dive.

Have a fab time! x

this is what i posted to another traveller's (very similar) question:
http://roughguides.evecommunity.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=5864058821&f=1894032131&m=6161090231

for any specific questions, feel free to email me at dschulia (at)nickname.berlin.de
i've travelled NZ for 4 1/2 months earlier this year and hat a great time!
enjoy,
julia

Another tip (the link to the other post provides good info) is Kaikora (spelling?) in the south island where you can swim with wild dolphins in their natural environment. It was one of the best things I did in NZ

New Zealand is an awesome place. It is famous for its beautiful scenic. The nature around, especially the beaches are to be seen at least once in a lifetime. I think the following site would assist you with the necessary information. It has a great deal of information about the different tourist places around the world. And the tourist agents would also provide you booking assistance and hotel information if required. Check out the following link for more details...
http://www.extremeelements.com

Well I think you're a bit late seeing as the OP went two years ago.

To be honest New Zealand is the land of hype. Yes it's a nice place to visit, some beautiful places to see but nothing you can't see a better example of elsewhere in the world. We have better beaches in the SW of the UK just for an example, and people we met from other parts of Europe agreed. What you do have is variation in one country but New Zealand isn't small and the places of interest are a long way apart, that's why if you only have a couple of weeks you're better off just doing North or South Island (South would be my recommendation), but I think it's a self perptuating myth that the place is "amazing". We were sadly "underwhelmed".

The best things we did do though were a helihike at Frans Joseph glacier and sailing on a Catamaran at Paihia.

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