must see's in New Zealand

Parent Cafe
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<p>There is a chance that we will have an opportunity to take the family on an extended vacation this Dec-Jan. We might have 3 or 4 weeks. New Zealand has come up as a possible destination.
What is an absolute must see? Kids aged 13,18, 20.
Opinions of New Zealand versus Australia?</p>

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<p>North or South New Zealand? I was there a long time ago(17 years+). This is all I remember.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.waitomo.com/waitomo-glowworm-caves.aspx[/url]”>http://www.waitomo.com/waitomo-glowworm-caves.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>If you only had 2 weeks, I would skip the North island. If you have 3, I would still spend 2 of them on the South Island. We landed in Auckland and immediately headed south, only stopping at Rotarua to see the thermal area and the glowworms. I would skip the glow worms, but kids will like this trip. We then drove to Wellington, took the ferry to the South Island and headed down the west coast. You want to have plenty of time for the glaciers, the fiords, the incredible lakes, the wildlife at the southern tip. We hit all the highlights - Milford and Doubtful Sounds, Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, lakes too numerous to mention, Queenstown, the Otago Peninsula/Dunedin. One of the things I will never forget are the Shotover River jet boats - largely because it is something you will never do in the US because of liability insurance. <a href=“http://www.shotoverjet.com/[/url]”>http://www.shotoverjet.com/&lt;/a&gt; </p>

<p>I also loved the Dunedin area and stayed overnight at Lanarch Castle - maybe it was the fog but it was very memorable. <a href=“http://www.larnachcastle.co.nz/index.pasp[/url]”>http://www.larnachcastle.co.nz/index.pasp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Driving to Milford Sound was incredible - most people fly in, but I wouldn’t miss the drive. We did a ski plane trip to land and walk around on a glacier - very cool. I preferred the plane to a helicopter because they turn the engine off on the plane so you can enjoy the quiet on the glacier. After driving all over the South Island, we flew from Christchurch back to Auchland. </p>

<p>Nothing I have ever seen compares to New Zealand - the people are so friendly so, if you have time, a farm stay would be great too.</p>

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<p>Agree, potential place for retirement.</p>