New Zealand is not a destination but a dream! PARADISE

This February, we went on a 15 days road trip in New Zealand, exploring the Middle Earth! We were so awe-struck by the beauty that every new day felt better than the previous. When we tried to recall, each day was amazing and that’s when I decided that this trip deserved not only a food blog but a complete travel blog. New Zealand has rivers, mountains, sea, ocean, glaciers, meadows, grasslands, volcanoes, name anything in nature and its there! It is impossible to cover 15 days of awesomeness in 1 blog. So, trying to capture the snapshot of the full road trip here.

I have also captured the Detailed Itinerary with superb photos on Tripline. Do check it out if you are planning a trip to New Zealand (covers both North and South islands). You can also check out my Skydiving and Bungee Jumping experience on YouTube. We took a combo and did both the adventure activities on the same day for the maximum thrill!

FUN FACT: New Zealand has ~4.5 million people and ~40 million sheep! A super safe natural paradise.

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1. Brief Itinerary (North Island – South Island)

We decided to explore both North and South islands in a 15 days road-trip.

Flight from Delhi, India to Auckland, New Zealand

1.1 North Island

• Auckland (1 N) – Hobbiton
• Rotorua (2 N) – Waiotapu
• Wellington (1 N)

Ferry from Wellington to Picton

1.2 South Island

• Linkwater, Marlborough Sounds (2 N) – Queen Charlotte Drive
• Ross Beach (1 N) – Franz Josef Glacier
• Fox Glacier (1 N) – Wanaka
• Alexandra (2 N) – Te Anau
• Milford Sound (1 N)
• Queenstown (3 N) – Glenorchy, Paradise

Flight from Queenstown to Auckland

• Day trip Coromandel Peninsula

Return flight from Auckland to Delhi

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2. MUST DO Activities

New Zealand has everything – from natural geysers to glaciers, relaxing beaches to adventure activities, and definitely MAGIC! So, get the most of the full experience. Very difficult to choose the best from the best.

2.1 Thermal Activity

• Hells Gate Geothermal Park and Mud Bath Spa, Rotorua
• Kuirau Park Walk, Rotorua Hidden Gem (free)
• Wai-O-Tapu, Rotorua (No doubt, it is the best)
• The Lost Spring – hot pools, Coromandel Hidden Gem 

2.2 Adventure Activities

• Sea Kayaking, Linkwater
• Nzone Skydiving (15,000 ft), Queenstown
• AJ Hackett Nevis Bungy Jumping (134 m), Queenstown

2.3 Hiking/Walking

• Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest walk, Rotorua (free)
• Franz Josef glacier valley walk (free)
• Kepler Walk track, Te Anau (free)

2.4 Best Drives

• Fox Glacier – Wanaka Drive (Lake Paringa, Blue Pools)
• Milford Te Anau Road
• Glenorchy – Paradise drive (off-road driving)

2.5 Others

• Hobbiton Tour, near Auckland
• Glowworm Caves, Smiths Farm, Linkwater (There are various other locations)
• Fox Glacier scenic flight (Try for Heli Hike, if not available then go for scenic flight)
• Wine tasting, Alexandra (Central Otago is famous for Pinot Noir and Gris)
• Milford Sound cruise (Try for early morning)

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3. Accommodation

Don’t just go for a regular hotel but explore beautiful cottages amidst scenic beauty, try out experience stays such as vineyard/farms, or even try camping/caravan!

3.1 Airbnb

Use my promo code to get discounts – Airbnb

• Auckland
• Wellington
• Queenstown

3.2 Camping (Recommended)

• Ross Beach Top 10 Holiday Park
• Fox Glacier Top 10 Holiday Park
• Knob’s Flat – Te Anau Milford Sound Road (Caravan)

3.3 Vineyard (MUST)

• Weaver Estate Wines & Weaver Estate Vineyard Cottages – Alexandra

3.4 Farmland (MUST)

• Smiths Farm Holiday Park – Linkwater, Marlborough Sounds

3.5 Hotel

• Cleveland Thermal Hotel – Rotorua

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4. Best Cafes/Restaurants/Bars

Fresh Fresh Fresh – fruits, fish, and dairy products! Also, try the ultimate breakfast combos.

4.1 Breakfast/Brunch/Cafes

• Autobahn Cafe(en route to Rotorua from Auckland)
• Third place cafe(Rotorua) MUST 
• Slip Inn Cafe(Havelock, Marlborough Sounds) MUST
• Hobnail Cafe (Fox Glacier)
• Cafe Neve (Fox Glacier)
• Miles Better Pies(Te Anau)
• Bailez Cafe (Te Anau) MUST
• Fat Badgers Pizza(Queenstown)
• Vudu Cafe (Queenstown)
• Fergburger (Queenstown)

4.2 Dinner/Drinks

• Brew – crouchers brewing co, Eat street! (Rotorua) MUST 
• Stratosfare (Rotorua, one in Queenstown as well) MUST 
• The Malthouse – Te Aro (Wellington)
• The World Bar & Restaurant (Queenstown) MUST 
• Smith’s brewery (Queenstown)

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5. Other Tips

• Find your own hidden gems
• Definitely, have the fresh berry ice-cream MUST
• Try camping – carry camping stuff for more fun and spontaneous plans
• Swim in the blue lakes/rivers/water bodies
• Be prepared for all kinds of weather (hat, sunscreen, shades, raincoat, light jacket, everything)
• Taste the local whitebait (it’s a small local fish)
• Go bird watching (Kea, Kiwi) MUST
• Do stargazing MUST
• Try local beer (Wild Buck and other Craft Beers)
• Have a great coffee

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Kia ora!

P.S. We went to New Zealand on our first anniversary!

Feel free to contact us if you need any help/tips in planning your next trip! Do share your thoughts or any other experiences of NZ.

Don’t forget to check out Detailed Itinerary with superb photos on Tripline and Vlog on YouTube.

You can also follow our food, travel, and adventure journey on Instagram @foodinza @travelinza @mittalanumeha