South Island

• Franz Josef Glacier ($97, half-day hike)

• Queenstown
  • Paragliding
  • Jet boat
• Nelson/Abel Tasman

North Island

• Hike the Tongariro Crossing
• Surfing lessons
• Diving lessions — Poor Knights

Rotorua

• Funky Green Voyager Let’s Go NZ on a Budget calls this the best hostel in the country, so my hopes are to base my trip to the city on scoring a few days bedspace here. $24/night for twin shared accommodation.
• Polynesian Spa: Aix Spa Massage , Spa Stress Therapy or Rotorua Mud Body Polish / Aix Combo. Ive never been to a spa before, and think this is the perfect opportunity to lounge about in decadence for a few hours. The package I get depends on how lucrative my work search is. $80-140 depending on package, also includes unlimited access to the Deluxe Lake Spa.
• Te Puia. I figure if Im going to Rotorua to experience Maori culture, Im going to go all out and take it all in with Te Po – Indigenous Evening Experience Combo (which also includes Te Puia Daytime Experience). In addition to all of the Maori stuff, there is also a Kiwi House and a geothermal valley to explore. Even though this visit will cost $130NZ, I reckon I will be there for HOURS and will experience something absolutely unique.
• Wai-O-Tapu (Geyserland). If I dont have my fill of geothermal goodness at Te Puia, a trip to Wai-O-tapu will be in order. Highlights of the park that have caught my interest include the Lady Knox Geyser (it goes off precisely at 10:15 am every day; I wonder what it’s namesake’s temperament was like to have a geyser named after her!), Lake Ngakoro (with acid water!) and the Champagne Pool. $27.50NZ plus transport to the park and back to town (no clue how much that is just yet, but Im sure there are shuttles of some kind available through the i-site, or hostel.)

Milford Sound — Done!

There are lots of one-day tours from Queenstown to Milford, but I think that I would like to spend a few days in the Region. Assuming I went for a 4-day weekend:

Top 10 Milford Sound Coach and Cruise. One (very full) day. Departs from Te Anau. All-inclusive: A personal guided tour of the Road to Milford Sound, 3 hours on Milford Sound including 2.5 hour cruise, BBQ lunch on board the cruise vessel, visit to the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory.

Updated  16 September 2009