Just returned from a week in New Zealand with layovers on both sides in Sydney, Australia.  We spent the first full day and part of the second day in Auckland and Weiheke Island.  We then flew to Christchurch and drove down the countryside to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo, Lake Wanaka, Mount Cook, Omarama, and the Clay Cliffs.  We spent a day there and then drove over to Dunedin, crossing central Otago and exploring Otago Peninsula.  After an evening in Dunedin, we returned to Auckland and drove down to Waitomo before finally flying back to Sydney and the US.

It was an insanely beautiful experience, with the most stunning views starting after we crossed the Canterbury plains on the way from Christchurch down to Queenstown.  It was overcast off and on, but we still managed to get great weather and gorgeous landscape/sky.  Unfortunately, the skies were not clear enough to catch any of the southern lights this trip.. next time!!!