By Pamela Nandi | Dec 20, 2020
TIME OF VISIT: FEBRUARY
After travelling to many beautiful destinations around the world, this is one of the most memorable trips of my lifetime, to the southwestern part of Pacific Ocean – New Zealand, that comprises of two main landmasses—the North Island and the South Island, flanked by great metropolitan cities, national parks, rolling hills, trails and glaciers. Its a dream come true. No doubt New Zealand is one of the most spectacular places on earth and its gastronomy is inspired by Maori culture, the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand.
My Kiwi adventure kicked off from the North Island of New Zealand, packed with amazing, world-famous sights – national parks, volcanic landscapes and cosmopolitan cities.
DESTINATION1: AUCKLAND (NORTH ISLAND)
MY ARRIVAL: Flew from the city of Kolkata, India to Singapore by Singapore Airlines (ONE-STOP flight duration of 4 hrs 20 mins) and then boarded the connecting flight from Singapore to Auckland (flight duration of 8 hrs 20 min). Checked-in to my hotel in Auckland during midnight.
My journey started from its most populous major city in the North Island of New Zealand’s – Auckland surrounded by large harbours with coastal views, shopping hot spots and circling beautiful skylines lined with bars and cafes. In a few words, Auckland is a sightseer’s dream destination.
NEW ZEALAND DAY 1: AUCKLAND (The City Tour)
My first day began by kicking off the sightseeing tour of the beautiful city after enjoying a great breakfast on a street-side local cafe.
TIP: Opted for the hop-on-hop-off bus tour to sail through the city in my comfort and hit the sites with ease. Choose a 24- or 48-hour pass, and enjoy the freedom to explore Auckland at your own pace.
War Memorial Museum
New Zealand‘s first and most important museums. An encyclopedic museum that boasts extensive exhibits of natural and military history and stunning artefacts of New Zealanders who served in conflicts around the world.
TIPS: For more details and to book your tickets, you may refer to the link – War Memorial Museum.
Auckland Domain –
Auckland‘s oldest spacious and diverse 75-hectare park developed around the cone of an extinct volcano.
Winter Garden
The Winter Garden at the Auckland Domain is a treasure of great historic interest and complex of gardens established in the early 1900s where visitors can admire colourful flowers.
Parnell Holy Trinity Church
An Anglican place of worship – the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Auckland at Parnell Village, an upscale suburb, known for its trendiest boutiques, diverse galleries and quaint cafes.
There’s lot to explore beyond the downtown of Auckland. One such destination is Devonport village.
TIPS: A regular ferry service runs every half-hour or 15 minutes. With the ferry journey 12-15 minutes long connecting Auckland‘s CBD (Central Business District) with Devonport. Purchased the ticket from city ferry building, Quay St, at the bottom of Queen Street.
Devonport Village –
Hopped to spend the half-day in Devonport, a harbourside quaint little village, located on the North Shore, at the southern end of a peninsula with classic Kiwi pubs, stunning beaches and boutique shops.
SkyTower SkyCity or SkyTower
Auckland‘s pride, highest landmark and one of the top tourist attractions for 20 years. 328 m tallest man-made structure, an icon of Auckland‘s skyline that boasts adrenaline activities and fine dining.
TIPS: You may book your tickets online also to visit Sky Tower.
DESTINATION2: MATAMATA (NORTH ISLAND)
NEW ZEALAND DAY 2: MATAMATA (Visit to Hobbiton Movie Set)
My next destination was Matamata – a small agricultural town in the heart of the Waikato region of the Kaimai Range Mountains, on North Island. A place for must-visit if you’re a Lord of the Rings and Hobbit fan – Hobbiton Movie Set. Your dream will come true.
MY ARRIVAL: Pre-booked the tour, picked up from my hotel at Auckland at 6 AM by the tour operator and headed off to Matamata (2-hour drive), from Auckland.
TIPS: You may take the road trip or the cheapest mode is public transportation. InterCity operates daily buses from Auckland to Matamata which takes approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes, departing from the Sky City bus terminal at 102 Hobson Street in Auckland city and arriving outside the i-SITE, 45 Broadway, Matamata.
Passed by through the stunning Waikato countryside, the most extensive farming area in the world.
On arrival at Matamata, our tour guide handed over the tickets for entry to Hobbiton Movie Set.
First, heard behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the ‘Lord of the Rings‘ and ‘The Hobbit‘ films and then stepped into the lush pastures of the amazing gardens, a 12-acre movie set with 44 hobbit holes.
Post enjoying the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour, its time to try for some Ginger Beer that comes as a complimentary from Green Dragon Inn Pub during Hobbiton Movie Set Tour.
DESTINATION 3: ROTORUA (NORTH ISLAND)
NEW ZEALAND DAY 2: ROTORUA (Wai-O-Tapu-Tour)
My visit to North Island would have remained incomplete without visiting the city – Rotorua (3-hour drive) from Auckland that is world-renowned for its geothermal activity and Maori culture.
MY ARRIVAL: Pre-booked the tour. Our tour operator drove from Matamata to Rotorua (1-hour drive) in the afternoon, to continue to explore the city.
TIPS: You may take the road trip or the cheapest mode is the public transportation buses from Auckland to Rotorua depart from the main InterCity bus terminal at 102 Hobson St (Auckland Central) or from Manukau city which takes 3.5 hours.
After a memorable lunch at Rotorua‘s renowned cafe, right in front of Rotorua Lake, we headed to the world’s most spectacular and unique geothermal national park – the Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland. Geothermal activity, from the Greek geo meaning earth and thermal meaning heat-formed approximately 160,000 years ago.
TIPS: A 3km walk that takes about 90 mins to over the geothermal park.
Lake Rotorua is not an ordinary lake but a Caldera (volcanic crater). Rotorua is home to volcanic landscapes, where highlights include an array of geothermal features – spouting geysers, geothermal craters.
MY STAY: VR Auckland City Hotel, located in in the heart of Auckland with a serviced apartment facility and few mins walk away from Sky Tower.
To explore the land of mountains, lakes and glaciers, my other dream destination was the South Island of New Zealand – home of the Southern Alps with more than 15,000km of coastline.
DESTINATION 4: CARDRONA VALLEY (SOUTH ISLAND)
NEW ZEALAND DAY 3: QUEENSTOWN
MY ARRIVAL: Flew from the city of Auckland to Queenstown by Air New Zealand (NON-STOP flight duration of 2 hrs). Checked-in to my hotel in Queenstown during the morning.
To discover the neighbourhoods, I decided to make Queenstown as my centre of stay. My journey began in the South Island with a drive from Queenstown to Cardrona Valley, one of the best driving experiences in the world.
MY ARRIVAL: Pre-booked the tour. Our tour operator drove from Queenstown city centre to Cardrona Valley (1-hour drive) in the afternoon, to continue to explore the city.
TIPS: You may take a road trip or bus or a taxi to arrive at Crown Range. Refer to this link – https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Queenstown-New-Zealand/CROWN-RANGE
I planned to take the scenic Cardrona Valley by road trip which is well-known internationally as a skiing and snowboarding mecca.
One of the great things about Cardrona is the famous Cardrona Hotel, NZ, – New Zealand’s oldest pub and most iconic hotels, that boasts unique historic landscape with modern comforts located on the spectacular Crown Range Road between Wanaka and the picturesque alpine region – Queenstown.
DESTINATION 5: WANAKA (SOUTH ISLAND)
NEW ZEALAND DAY 3: WANAKA
TIPS: You may take the road trip or the cheapest mode is the public transportation buses from Queenstown to Wanaka. Catch the InterCity bus that takes 1hour 45mins. from Queenstown to Wanaka.
The original Māori name Oanaka means ‘the place of Anaka’, a local tribal chief, now named as Wanaka. A popular ski and summer picturesque lively resort town on crystal-clear waters of Otago region of the South Island and gateway to the Southern Alps ringed with snowcapped mountains, beach forests and magnificent alpine lakes. A one-stop holiday destination for adventure lovers and relaxation-minded travellers.
On reaching Wanaka, our tour guide advised to try out some sumptuous platter at a local eatery, located on the downtown Wanaka lakefront.
DESTINATION 6: ARROWTOWN (SOUTH ISLAND)
NEW ZEALAND DAY 3: ARROWTOWN
Made a pitstop at a charming and quirky village –Arrowtown on my way back to Queenstown while enjoying the amazing views over the Cardrona Valley.
TIPS: You can take a road trip to Arrowtown, which is (7.5 km) drive from Queenstown. There is a direct bus departing from 47 Ramshaw Lane and arriving at Stanley Street Bus Hub C, Courthouse. Services depart hourly and operate every day with a duration of 0.5 hours.
DESTINATION 4: SKYLINE GONDOLA (SOUTH ISLAND)
NEW ZEALAND DAY 3: QUEENSTOWN
Queenstown – the town that is famed for adventure sports like bungee jumping and skiing on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu set against the dramatic Southern Alps. Also well known for its historic gold mining.
TIPS: The gondola is an easy five-minute walk from central Queenstown. A must-visit attraction when you’re in Queenstown.
Went for a ride in Queenstown’s iconic Skyline Gondola, to enjoy the thrill of the Gondola that carries visitors high above Queenstown to the Skyline complex located on Bob’s peak.
DESTINATION 5: FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK (SOUTH ISLAND)
NEW ZEALAND DAY 4: FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK
It’s another fine morning at Queenstown and my South Island adventure took me on the scenic road from Queenstown to Milford Sound. A short halt at Te Anau – a town on the South Island of New Zealand and the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound.
TIPS: You may take the road trip or the cheapest mode is the public transportation buses from Queenstown to Te Anau. Catch the InterCity bus that takes 3 hours 30mins.
One of the most dramatic and beautiful parts of the southwest corner of the South Island is the Fiordland National Park, the largest of the 14 national parks in New Zealand, established in 1952. It takes its name due to its beautiful fiords. The park encompasses mountains, fiords, rainforest environments, lakes and valleys and to sea vistas. The glacial journey from Lake Te Anau towards Milford Road never fails to enthral travellers.
The Eglinton Valley is one of the first natural attractions you’ll encounter on the Te Anau-Milford Sound route that has spectacular ice-carved fiords.
TIPS: The Eglinton Valley is a 30–minute drive north of Te Anau, one of the only road-accessible valleys in Fiordland National Park.
TIPS: The only way to get into Milford Sound is by taking a road-trip from Te- Anau, a 1 hr 30 min drive. The best way to explore is to cruise out across the fjord.
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscapes of Milford Sound is the postcard icon in the southwest of South Island, a world-renowned natural wonder with a dramatic fjord, ringed by towering peaks, glacial valleys, cascading waterfalls and rain forests.
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MY STAY: At Wyndham Gardens, Queenstown at Red Oaks Drive Remarkables Park, featuring comfort and luxury with spacious rooms and elegant design. The restaurant – Frank’s Pantry housed in the hotel, serves incredible country-style breakfast.
DESTINATION 6: MT. COOK VILLAGE (SOUTH ISLAND)
NEW ZEALAND DAY 5: MT. COOK NATIONAL PARK
To continue my passion for travel further, my next destination was Christchurch by taking the tour by coach from Queenstown to Christchurch.
MY ARRIVAL: Pre-booked the transfer tour. Our tour operator drove from Queenstown city centre to Christchurch (a day-long drive) in the early morning, to continue to explore the city by offering stories and commentary about historic landmarks and landscapes along the way.
TIPS: To get into Christchurch from Queenstown, avail the InterCity buses that depart from the Athol Street, Queenstown and arrives outside the Bus Exchange on Lichfield Street, Christchurch.
The journey continues by taking the scenic route through the Lindis Pass connecting the towns of Cromwell in Central Otago and Omarama in North Otago, on the main inland route to the Mackenzie Basin in the Canterbury region.
TIPS: Lindis Pass is a 1-hour 30-minute drive north from Queenstown, can be accessed only by road.
Our next stop was the must-visit destination that offers unforgettable experiences – Mount Cook Village located, in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park near the town of Twizel. Its the home of the highest mountains with 19 peaks sprawled over 3,000 metres and the longest glaciers flanked by the breathtaking view of sky-scraping peaks, phenomenal glaciers and alpine lakes.
Mackenzie Country, a subregion of Canterbury, in the South Island, famous mainly for sheep farming, has fascinating landscapes and two lakes Tekapo and Pukaki whose waters have a unique turquoise colour.
The tiring day-long trip ended at Christchurch.
DESTINATION 7: CHRISTCHURCH (SOUTH ISLAND)
NEW ZEALAND DAY 5: MT. COOK NATIONAL PARK
MY ARRIVAL: Took a day-long bus tour from Queenstown to Christchurch (duration of 10 hrs). Checked-in to my hotel in Christchurch during the evening.
Christchurch, known for its English heritage, the largest city on the east coast of South Island and the seat of the Canterbury Region on the Avon River. In 2010 and 2011, earthquakes destroyed many of the historic centre’s stone-built buildings in the city.
For the sightseeing, I grabbed the historic tram tour which connects the iconic attractions of Christchurch which starts at Cathedral Junction.
TIPS: The restored vintage trams depart regularly and you can use your ticket to hop on and hop off anywhere. Drivers provide live commentary on the landmarks of Christchurch.
Christchurch Gondola
An unmissable Christchurch experience. Christchurch Gondola station located in Heathcote Valley that whisks you with snow-capped mountains, Alpine scenery, over the Canterbury Plains out to the mighty Southern Alps and the dramatic hills of Banks Peninsula.
TIPS: The cheapest way to arrive at Christchurch Gondola is by bus from Central Christchurch. There is a shuttle that leaves right in front of Canterbury Museum every one hour and tickets can be purchased while boarding the shuttle.
located on the Heathcote Valley
Canterbury Museum
Located in the central city of Christchurch, in the city’s Cultural Precinct, the Canterbury Museum was established in 1867.
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Founded in 1863 showcasing the flora and fauna of New Zealand. Renowned for its beautiful trees, the Christchurch Botanic Garden, part of Hagley Park, that flaunts spring drifts of daffodils, spectacular summer roses, stunning autumn leaf, water and rock gardens, riverside woodland.
TIPS: Hop aboard an all-weather electric vehicle for a relaxing and informative tour of the historic garden. Tickets can also be booked from the Information Center.
After a long day’s sightseeing, my fantastic tour ended here at Christchurch.
MY STAY: At Rendezvous Hotel Christchurch, is centrally located just one block from Cathedral Square and right next to the Christchurch tramway. The hotel provides modern and stylish accommodation for the savvy business traveller and leisure guest.
DESTINATION 8: PICTON (SOUTH ISLAND)
NEW ZEALAND DAY6: PICTON
Now, its time to enjoy some breathtaking beauty of nature, so I took world’s one of the most scenic train journeys that pass through the Christchurch suburbs. I opted for the Coastal Pacific train – KiwiRail that operates between the city of Christchurch and delightful port of Picton.
Pre-booked this train journey through an agent. Boarded the early morning train from Christchurch train station at 7:00 AM and arrived at Picton at 12:40 PM.
TIPS: Get a sneak peek of the remarkable train rides by boarding New Zealand Rails.
The 100 km journey along a thin ledge of land pinned between the Pacific Ocean, salt mountains, river valleys of the east coast is charming.
My journey to South Island ended at the heart of the Marlborough Sounds – Picton, surrounded by coastal forest, skyline ridges and bays.
Offboarded from the train, to head to my last destination in North Island – Wellington. Took the most scenic ferry route along the Pacific coast in the eastern coastline by boarding the Interislander ferry.
TIPS: Pre-booked the ferry through an agent. Bookings can be made through this link – Interislander ferry For the same day travel from Christchurch to Wellington, if you are opting for the Coastal Pacific train followed by Interislander ferry ride, then luggage can be checked-in at the Christchurch railway station counter and collected directly from Wellington ferry terminal. Transfer shuttle is available between the Picton railway station and Interislander ferry terminal.
The ferry journey ended at Wellington (North Island).
DESTINATION9: WELLINGTON (NORTH ISLAND)
NEW ZEALAND DAY6: WELLINGTON
MY ARRIVAL: Took a day-long train tour from Christchurch to Picton (duration of 10 hrs) and a ferry ride from Picton to Wellington (duration of 3 hrs). Checked-in to my hotel in Wellington during the evening.
My last destination was ‘Windy Wellington‘, the most populous urban area of New Zealand ringed by waterfront promenade, sandy beaches, a busy harbour, great cafes and timber houses on the hills near the North Island’s southernmost point on the Cook Strait. Situated at the southern end of the North Island, Wellington is the capital city, port, and major commercial centre of New Zealand.
NEW ZEALAND DAY6: WELLINGTON
My next morning at Wellington kicked off with a sightseeing tour to explore this cosmopolitan city.
TIPS: Took a hop-on-hop-off sightseeing day minibus tour. The tickets are available at the Wellington i-Site Visitor Centre, the first departure point at 145 Wakefield Street. You can disembark at any of the 10 stops to visit a site in more depth on your own.
Headed to the first attraction i.e. the iconic red Wellington Cable Car, a funicular railway that commutes from Lambton Quay, the main shopping street to Kelburn, a suburb in the hills overlooking the central city that runs every 10 mins.
TIPS: The ticket counter is only located in the Lambton Quay. Boarding is also allowed from Kelburn and tickets can be paid once it arrives at the Lambton Quay. The one-way trip takes approximately five minutes.
Just next to Lambton Quay cable car station is the award-winning Cable Car Museum that brings the story of Wellington’s iconic cable cars to life.
MY STAY: A relaxing stay at Wellington’s eco-friendly hotel in Johnsonville, a suburb of Wellington. Spacious accommodation with modern rooms fitted with luxuries.
Finally, my dream vacation ended at Wellington and now its time to say ‘Good Bye’ to New Zealand.
Happy Journey !!!
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