New Zealand / Australia trip

Prerequisites:
- Book directly from Air New Zealand to get a good deal for domestic flight
- Start in Auckland and finish it in Christchruch
- Take 2000 to 3000 US$ traveller's cheques
- Bug a electric plug converter to charge cells/batteries
- Carry less clothes and book a hotel where there is a laundry facility
- NZ GPS SD card from open source for navigation; take the car GPS charger.. It's compatible with NZ cars...
- if you have bofa account, you can withdraw from atm free of charge from Westpack Bank ATMs
- Keep in mind that there is no free refill for a soda like in US...so don't wait for a waiter to refill it ;-)
- Internet is not free in hotels but if u carry an iphone some of the coffee shops have free Wi-Fi zone...

Day 1:
- Drive to Rotorua (4 hrs drive with scenic views)
- Cattle on the way- Cows & Sheeps
- Zorbing, Sky/bike race
- Geo-thermal tour besides Heritage hotel
- Good restaurants in downtown

Day 2:
- Start early from RotoruaTaupo bungy jump and other activities
- Drive to Waitamou Caves- 3 hrs drive
- Black rafting in the caves, make early reservations
- Drive thru Hamilton to Auckland (We stumbled on Black thunder gang in Hamilton)
- Stay in downtown hotel in Auckland

Day 3:
- Walk (15 mins) to Sky TowerSky walk (630 feet high) or Sky jumpMake early reservations for - Orbit or Observatory restaurants (book 10 days ahead booking) which are located on the sky tower
- Cricket grounds in Auckland- Eden & Victoria parks- close to downtown
- Internet Cafe's on Queen St in downtown
- Check out Auckland downtown at night from main observation areaDinner at one of the sky tower restaurants
- Post dinner play at the casino in the sky tower; ( Blackjack anyone can bet on the table can bet on your cards; check out dance bars )

Day 4: Bay of Islands
- Start early to Paihia and take ferry to Islands; enjoy the 3 hour drive on the way to Paihia from AucklandAt the end of the day take a flight to Christchurch from Auckland airport.

South Island

Day 5:
- After breakfast- Take a tram tour within the downtown famous for ancient churches.
- Head to Omaru Blue Penguine colony; be there by sunset to watch penguins returning to their homes.

Day 6:
- Head to Wanaka- lunch; kayaking, puzzling world & tandem paragliding.
-Head to Queenstown (1 hr drive);
- Visit downtown,
- Minus 5 ice lounge & casino- all these can be done in the eve/night;

Day 7 & 8:
Queenstown must do outdoor activities:
- Kawaru jet/ Shootover Canyon jet- one of them
- Parasailing
- Ledge bungyLedge swing / canyon swing
- Flying Fox (missed this)

Day 9 & 10:
Milford sound ( start very early in queenstown, like 6 am )
- take the cruise to see 8th wonder of the world- stay @ Milford ( early reservations needed )

Day 11& 12:
Drive to franz-Joseph and fox glaciers - drive thru mount Aspring national park
- early hotel reservations and for guided walk needed
- glacier walking ( early reservations )
- helicopter ride over glaciers (Instead of doing helicpoter ride and glacier walk seperately, you could as well book heli-walk)
- drive to kaikoru

Day 13:
- watch sunrise and whales at kaikoru
- drive back to Christchurch

Things we didn't do but wish we did
- fox ride@ mokai gravity canyon
- pancacke rocks

Sydney Trip

Day 1:
Take a tour to Opera House,
Visit Bondi beach, and if possible take the Sydney's open top bus tour

Day 2:
Bridge climb;
Visit downtown,
Darling harbour...

If going for new years eve, book a pass to watch the fireworks from Opera house