Tip 1: Get a campervan : The country is well setup for it with plenty of campervan parks. I learned the hard way that prices are much lower during 'off-season' (April through October). Outside of the few cities, it's all two lane windy roads, so if you're not used to shifting with your left hand, you'll get used to it pretty quick. Also, if you plan to do a lot of driving, get a diesel!

Tip 2: Bring an iPod loaded with music and audio books (especially if you go alone). You might have the impression that New Zealand is 'small' but wait 'til you start driving it!

Tip 3: Jump out of a plane or off a bridge with a big rubber-band tied to your feet. After all, this is where it started.

Tip 4: Spend more than three weeks...

Map of Driving Route - North Island

Map of Driving Route - South Island

My first bungy jump!

All the photos (corresponds to schedule below)

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Schedule:
Day 1 - Auckland to Waitomo: Kawhia Harbour, Absailing 30m then Black Water Rafting under Glow Worms in Waitomo Caves

Day 2 - Waitomo to Wanganui: Mt. Taranaki

Day 3 - Wanganui to Kaikoura: Cooks Straight Crossing South

Day 4 - Kaikoura: Swimming with 400 Dusky Dolphins

Day 5 - Kaikoura to Oamaru: Hike to Lookout (Mt. Fyffe), Piloting a plane, Christchurch Christmas Concert, Blue Penguins in Oamaru

Day 6 - Oamaru to Lake Manapouri: Dunedin, Slope Point (Southern-most point)

Day 7 - Lake Manapouri to Queenstown: Lake Te Anau, Milford Sound

Day 8 - Queenstown to Wanaka: Skydiving over Glenorchy, Bungy Jumping at Kawarau Bridge

Day 9 - Wanaka to Franz Josef Glacier: Tramping on Fox Glacier

Day 10 - Franz Josef Glacier to Nelson: Jade in Hokitika, Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki

Day 11 - Nelson to Kaiteriteri: Lookout Hike, Relax at Spa

Day 12 - Kaiteriteri - Kayaking, Able Tasman Tramping, Spa Treatments

Day 13 - Kaiteriteri to Masterton: Cooks Straight Crossing North

Day 14 - Masterton to Cambridge: Lake Taupo

Day 15 - Cambridge to North Shore: Auckland Sky Tower views, LIVE! Concert

Day 16 - North Shore to Ahipara: Waitangi Treaty House, Doubtless Bay, Tauroa Peninsula

Day 17 - Ahipara to Miranda: Miranda Hot Springs

Day 18 - Miranda to Whenuakite: Coromandel Peninsula, Hot Water Beach

Day 19 - Whenuakite to Te Araroa: World's Eastern-most Cinema

Day 20 - Te Araroa to Napier: First Sunrise at East Cape, Art Deco Napier

Day 21 - Napier to Auckland: Fly home!