Driving in New Zealand

Public transport in the South Island is quite limited which makes it tricky if you’re travelling within a certain time frame. My recommendation for visiting New Zealand would always be to hire a car. Roads in New Zealand are generally traffic free and very scenic. I’m from the UK and while I don’t really enjoy driving back home, I loved driving in New Zealand! I also found it easy as New Zealand drive on the left which is the same as the UK.

2 week New Zealand South Island Itinerary

We were actually on the South Island just shy of 2 weeks (13 days) but you can use this itinerary and adapt it to suit your own wishes. If you’re planning on visiting the North Island too then take a look at my 10 day North Island itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival

Our South Island adventure began by travelling on the Interislander Cook Strait ferry from Wellington in the North to Picton in the South. The crossing takes around 3 and a half hours. Pre-booking is essential.

Upon arrival to Picton ferry port, we made our way to our first stop – Kaikoura. If you’re not arriving from the North Island, then I’d recommend flying in to Christchurch airport. Pick up your hire car there and heading to Kaikoura that way.

• Picton to Kaikoura: approximate drive time 2 hours.
• Christchurch airport to Kaikoura: approximate drive time 2 hours 30 minutes.

Kaikoura is a scenic coastal town which is famed for its wildlife. As it’s a popular stop I would recommend advance booking any accommodation or activities.

• Where to stay: Dolphin Lodge. A budget friendly option in a scenic and central location. We spent 2 nights here.

Day 2: Kaikoura

Our main motivation for staying in Kaikoura was to see the New Zealand fur seals. In fact marine mammal encounters are what most tourists visit this town for. We had booked a trip to snorkel with the seals which would have been an incredible and unique experience. Sadly for us, despite it being sunny on land, the weather at sea was not good enough so our trip was cancelled.

In haste, we then booked a whale watching excursion – another highlight of Kaikoura. But unsurprisingly, all whale watching excursions were cancelled too. If you visit Kaikoura then although I can’t recommend from first-hand experience, I would suggest a seal swim or whale watching excursion.

How to spend the day in Kaikoura when the weather at sea is bad (or you’re on a budget!)

Take a drive to Ohau Point where you can watch the seals frolicking in their natural environment – all for free! When I visited, I was able to take a short walk to the waterfall here and actually watch seal pups playing in the waters whilst their mothers went fishing in the sea. It was one of the most memorable moments of my time in New Zealand. However, since the earthquake in Kaikoura, the waterfall is no longer. But you can still park up at the lookout point and see the seals sunning themselves on the rocks.

• Ohau Point Lookout can be found around 20 minutes drive from Kaikoura along the New Zealand State Highway 1.

Another fantastic spot to visit is Fyffe Quay which is on the peninsular. Here we saw lots more seals lazing about on the rocks and even one or two laying in the car park! I would also recommend heading to the Kaikoura Lookout for a great view over Kaikoura.

• The peninsular is less than a 10 minute drive from Kaikoura. Head towards Point Kean. There are a couple of parking options in the area.
• Remember to respect the wildlife and not get too close!

End the day with a taste of some of Kaikoura’s seafood. Kaikoura is famous for its crayfish but any seafood here will be lovely and fresh!

Day 3: Hanmer Springs

Depart Kaikoura towards Hanmer Springs. Whilst this alpine village doesn’t have a vast amount of attractions, it’s a great stop when travelling west. Especially to squeeze some relaxation time into your New Zealand South Island itinerary.

• Kaikoura to Hanmer Springs: approximate drive time 1 hour 55 minutes.

The star attraction here is Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa where you can spend some time soaking in the warm waters of the thermal pools. The water at the thermal pools is actually snow and rain fallen from the mountains which is then warmed by heat from the earth’s core. The waters are rich in minerals which are good for your skin and health but if you’re not one for a spa day then there are various water slides and a lazy river to enjoy.

• Where to stay: Kakapo Lodge can be found a stones throw away from the thermal pools and offers a mix of dorms and private rooms.

Day 4: Punakaiki

Continue heading west across the country towards Punakaiki. Around an hour after leaving Hanmer Springs, be sure to make a pit stop at Lewis Pass to stretch your legs and admire the scenery. There are several different walks you can do in this area depending on your time, ability and the weather.

Continue on and stop in Reefton for lunch. Reefton is an old gold mining town and some of the buildings carry that quirky charm. Whilst I wouldn’t describe it as unmissable, it made for a decent spot for a bite to eat in the sunshine.

Make Punakaiki your final stop of the day.

• Hanmer Springs to Punakaiki: approximate drive time 3 hours 30 minutes (without stops).

Punakaiki is a small town on the west coast of the South Island most notable for its pancake rocks, so called because they look like giant stacks of pancakes. We visited on the day we arrived but you could always do this the following day. The walk is relatively short and easy and well worth it to see this natural beauty. The best time to visit the pancake rocks and blowholes is at high tide as you can then watch the sea churn up, crash into the rocks and spout water up through the blowholes in full force. However, it doesn’t matter if you miss high tide, it’s still impressive.

• Where to stay: For a cute place overlooking the beach, Punakaiki Beach Hostel was an ideal location to spend a night.

You can find out more about the pancake rocks in my Punkaiki blog post.

Day 5: Punakaiki and Franz Josef

When in Punakaiki it would be rude not to eat some pancakes so head to The Pancake Rocks Cafe for breakfast. Once you’ve had your fill of pancakes and pancake rocks, time to hit the road.

• Punakaiki to Franz Josef: approximate drive time 3 hours.

If you’re looking for a stop on your drive to Franz Josef, I recommend Hokitika. Known for its stunning scenery and walks, you could easily spend a lovely afternoon here. Unfortunately for us, the weather was bad so we took a brief stroll on the beach, saw the iconic ‘Hokitika’ driftwood sign and continued on our way.

Franz Josef is a town famed for its proximity to Franz Josef glacier. If you wish to see the glacier up close then its worth booking a helicopter flight or a heli hike.

• Where to stay: Glow Worm Accommodation – it has a hot tub which was perfect for the bad weather we experienced in Franz Josef. And the free soup was also a welcome treat!

Day 6: Franz Josef

As I mentioned before, if you have the funds and the desire, you may wish to book a helicopter ride up to the glacier. This is something we never managed to do because the weather was so bad that flights were being cancelled. And very sadly, on the day we were due to leave Franz Josef, a helicopter crashed at nearby Fox Glacier killing everyone on board.

Franz Josef isn’t without its charm, so if a night or two here is on your New Zealand South Island itinerary then I’ll share what we got up to.

How to spend the day in Franz Josef when the weather is bad (or you’re on a budget!)

• Tatare Tunnels Walk: The Tatare Tunnels Walk is around an 80 minute round trip (40 minutes each way). It’s a forested walk which begins in the car park at Cowan Street and ends at the Tatare Tunnels. You can enter the tunnel and if you’re lucky you might see some glow worms (we saw about 5). We didn’t go too far into the tunnel as we freaked ourselves out but it’s a well-known walk from Franz Josef. The tunnel is very dark and wet so take a torch (or make sure you have plenty of battery for your phone torch!) and sensible footwear like waterproof boots. We went in flip flops as that’s the only waterproof footwear we had. I would not recommend doing that.
• Lake Matheson: Just outside of Fox Glacier township, you will find Lake Matheson – famous for its mirror views of Mount Cook. The full lake circuit takes around 1 hour 30 minutes, however there is a shorter option for those tight on time. When we arrived it was pouring with rain, so we stopped for lunch at Matheson Cafe and by the time we had completed our circuit, the sun was shining.
• Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk: If you can’t make it to the glacier by helicopter, then the closest you will get is probably this walk. The walk took us around 90 minutes there and back but check the Department of Conservation website for up to date information and conditions.

Day 7: Wanaka

Depart Franz Josef for wonderful Wanaka. We broke our journey up by stopping at Haast Pass to walk the Blue Pools Track. The walk takes around an hour and leads you through forest and across a couple of swing bridges to see the vibrant blue pools below (though they were more green for us!).

• Franz Josef to Wanaka: approximate drive time 4 hours. Be sure to stop at Lake Hawea lookout for some stunning views.

If you’re lucky enough to be blessed with sunshine when you arrive in Wanaka, then I highly recommend grabbing something to eat or drink whilst overlooking Lake Wanaka.

In the evening, spend some time relaxing and catch a movie at Cinema Paradiso. You may be wondering why I am recommending a cinema. Well, this is an old school type cinema with lots of quirky seating – mostly comfy sofas, but there’s also a car in there too! Oh and they sell freshly baked cookies during the intermission. Advanced booking is recommended.

• Where to stay: Unfortunately the hostel we stayed at has since closed. However Wanaka has a great selection of hotels and accommodations. If you can get a room with a lake view – even better!

Day 8: Wanaka and Queenstown

If you’re still on the lookout for quirky things to do in Wanaka, then you can’t miss Puzzling World. Puzzling World is an attraction that describes itself as ‘Wanaka’s World of Weirdness’. It’s essentially a museum of optical illusions and a great way to spend an hour or two.

New Zealand is known for its adventurous and adrenaline fuelled activities, so our next stop after Puzzling World was the AJ Hackett Kawarau Bungy Centre. If you’re up for a bungy jump then this is the site of the world’s first commercial bungy – so these guys know what they’re doing!

Confession: I did not do a bungy, however my husband did and had a great time.

• Wanaka to Queenstown: approximate drive time 1 hour 15 minutes.

Queenstown is an adventure capital and definitely a must-do on any New Zealand South Island itinerary. Even if, like me, you aren’t an adrenaline junkie then there is plenty to do. We spent 3 nights here but you could easily spend longer.

• Where to stay: We stayed at Hippo Lodge. A budget friendly option just a short walk from central Queenstown and with views of the mountains, lakes or gardens. As Queenstown is a popular destination, advance booking is recommended.

If you’re feeling peckish, then you can’t visit Queenstown without trying a world famous Fergburger. I fully admit that queueing 45 minutes for a burger is ridiculous but I stand by my word when I say some New Zealand make the best burgers.

Once you’re fuelled up, time for some more fun! Head for Skyline Queenstown and ride the gondola up to Bob’s Peak. FYI, this is the steepest cable car lift in the southern hemisphere! Once you reach the top, admire the views and have some fun on the luge. There are two luge tracks to choose from. There’s a more gentle, scenic track which everyone must do on their first ride and then there’s also a faster paced, steeper track. You can book your Queenstown gondola and luge tickets in advance, I loved it!

Treat yourself to a hot chocolate from Mrs Ferg’s Gelateria on the way back to your accommodation.

Day 9: Milford Sound

Milford Sound is a remote fiord and one of New Zealand’s most pristine and treasured natural attractions. It is a bit of a trek from Queenstown, so we decided to book on a coach tour with boat ride rather than drive ourselves.

I’ve written more about my experience in my post: Milford Sound – is it worth it? because although it is considered a not-to-be-missed attraction for any New Zealand South Island itinerary, I didn’t have the greatest day. Still, don’t let my experience put you off.

Day 10: Horse Riding and Jet Boats

We began our day with a drive to nearby Glenorchy (around 45 minutes from Queenstown). If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan then you might be interested to learn that Glenorchy is home to some of the filming locations for the movies. We did a small group horse riding tour amongst this epic scenery. Although the company we booked with are no longer trading, I would definitely recommend seeing some of New Zealand on horse back.

Another popular activity in New Zealand is riding on a jet boat. We decided to drive back to Queenstown to experience the Shotover Jet. The Shotover Jet is essentially a jet boat ride on the Shotover River – high speeds and 360 degree spins are guaranteed.

Day 11: Arrowtown to Twizel

We departed Queenstown for nearby Arrowtown (around 20 minutes by car). Arrowtown is a gold-mining town that was established in 1862 and still retains many of its historic buildings today. Although you can do things such as bike riding and golf here, we just enjoyed wandering the main street. Buckingham Street is a great place to grab a drink and buy a souvenir or two.

• Arrowtown to Twizel: approximate drive time 2 hours 20 minutes.

To break up the journey, we stopped for lunch in Omarama. We didn’t see or do much else here but the fish and chips were cheap. We then continued on our journey to Twizel.

Twizel doesn’t have a whole lot going on there, but it is great for an overnight stop before exploring Mount Cook National Park.

• Where to stay: I recommend Twizel Holiday Park. It’s a short walk into town and accommodations are private cabins and apartments.

Day 12: Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo

No New Zealand South Island itinerary will be complete without a trip to Mount Cook. Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park features the country’s highest mountains and largest glaciers. There are a variety of walks that can be done here.

• Twizel to Mount Cook: approximate drive time 50 minutes.

We parked up at Mount Cook Village and headed to the visitor centre to decide which walk we wanted to do. We were recommended the Hooker Valley track which was a 3 hour return trip. Despite being SO WINDY it was well worth it to see Mount Cook, the glacier lake and the Southern Alps.

After our hike we headed towards our next destination – Tekapo.

• Mount Cook Village to Tekapo: approximate drive time 1 hour 10 minutes.

Take a drive down to Lake Tekapo and conduct your own little instagram photoshoot amongst the lupins outside The Church of the Good Shepherd. Visitors are able to go inside the church, however this is by pre-arranged appointment only.

• Where to stay: Tailor Made Tekapo is a budget friendly option with a mix of private and dorm rooms. They also have a few small animals such as rabbits and chickens in the gardens too.

Day 13: Christchurch

The last stop on our New Zealand South Island itinerary was Christchurch.

• Tekapo to Christchurch: approximate drive time 3 hours.

Although New Zealand’s best attractions can be found outside of the cities, I would still recommend spending a day or two in Christchurch. When I visited, the city was still showing much of the devastation from the 2010/2011 earthquakes. We saw the Cardboard Cathedral and the 185 empty white chairs tribute to those who died in the 2011 earthquake. We also spent some time shopping at Re:Start container mall. If you wish to learn a little more about the devastating earthquakes, there is now a museum called Quake City.

• Where to stay: I wouldn’t be Quirky Little Planet if I didn’t stay somewhere a little bit unusual on this trip! We spent the night in jail. Serving as a prison from 1874 until 1999, The Jailhouse Accommodation is by far the most unique place I stayed in New Zealand. You can read more about The Jailhouse here.

Final Thought

I’m well aware that my itinerary ends at 13 days as opposed to 14 but I wouldn’t want to write about something I haven’t experienced. If you only have 2 weeks on the south island, I hope that this blog post serves as inspiration. If you have longer to explore this beautiful part of the world, then check out my 10 day New Zealand North Island itinerary.

The post The Perfect 2 Week New Zealand South Island Itinerary appeared first on Quirky Little Planet.

New Zealand North Island Itinerary

We were actually on the North Island for 11 days, one of those days being our arrival day from Australia. So this itinerary does have some flexibility to it, particularly if you are also planning to visit the South Island too.

Day 1: Arrival (Auckland)

Arrive in Auckland. One of the international gateways to the North Island, Auckland is New Zealand’s largest and most populous city. Spend some time either getting your bearings or getting over jetlag.

We stayed in the vibrant suburb of Ponsonby, just a short bus ride or drive to the city centre and around 20 minutes drive from Auckland airport. As we were backpacking on a budget, we opted for a private room in a hostel in Ponsonby. However, this trendy neighbourhood caters for all so if hostels aren’t your vibe then there are plenty of other accommodation options to choose from.

Day 2: Auckland

Spend the day exploring Auckland. We started by browsing the quirky shops on Ponsonby Road. As we hadn’t picked up our hire car yet, we then caught the bus to Sky Tower Auckland to get a 360 degree view of this fabulous city from above! The Sky Tower is one of Auckland’s top rated attractions so an excellent place to visit on your New Zealand adventure (provided you aren’t too scared of heights!).

After lunch (we tried the New Zealand burger chain Burger Fuel and it was delicious) take the ferry over to nearby Devonport. You can catch the 12 minute ferry from the downtown terminal around a 10-15 minute walk from the Sky Tower. Devonport is Auckland’s seaside village and is rich in maritime history. If you’re short on time I recommend taking a short hike up Takarunga Mount Victoria where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city – including the Sky Tower where you were earlier in the day! Afterwards, wander along Victoria Road to admire the art and boutiques there.

Day 3: The Coromandel Peninsula

We picked up our hire car in Auckland and drove to the stunning Coromandel Peninsula.

• Auckland to Hahei: approximate drive time 2 hours 30 minutes. We broke our journey up by stopping in a town called Thames (around 1 hour 30 from Auckland). I recommend Cafe Melbourne in Thames where I had the BEST chocolate brownie!

The Coromandel is a scenic, unspoilt coastal area famed for its beaches. We stayed in Hahei which has a beautiful beach and is a popular holiday spot for New Zealanders.

A short drive from Hahei is the car park for Cathedral Cove. We spent the afternoon exploring this area by doing the Cathedral Cove walk which took around 45 minutes from car park to cove. The walk is very scenic and relatively easy, although sensible footwear is recommended! Cathedral Cove is one of the most famous beaches in New Zealand due to the naturally formed rock archway between two beaches. Despite its reputation, it was relatively quiet when we visited.

• Where to stay: The Church Accommodation at Hahei. We stayed in the garden studios which had a private bathroom, basic kitchen facilities and a veranda for enjoying the garden. Top tip: If you have more time then book an extra night here. I wish we had!

Related post: Beautiful Beaches of The Coromandel

Day 4: The Coromandel to Bay of Plenty

We started the day at Hot Water Beach. This is a beach famed for the naturally heated water running underneath it. If you’re here 2 hours either side of low tide you can dig your own hot water pool in the sand and have a soak. If you don’t have a spade then you can hire one from a nearby cafe.

Related post: Hot Water Beach – Tourist Trap or Must See?

Continuing our New Zealand North Island itinerary we then headed on to Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty region.

• Hahei to Tauranga: approximate drive time 2 hours 35 minutes. We stopped in Whangamata just over an hours drive from Hahei. Here we stopped for a little beachside picnic for some lunch and to enjoy a little more of New Zealand’s scenery.

Being the largest city in the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga has accommodation to suit any budget. We stayed in a charming B&B for one night. We took a short drive to Mount Maunganui, a nearby beach town, to watch the sun set.

Day 5: Hobbits and Kiwis

Start your day with a bit of pop culture and book tickets to Hobbiton in Matamata, which is where Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were filmed. Even if you aren’t a fan (confession: I haven’t watched any of the movies) then you will still find something to enjoy here.

• Tauranga to Matamata: approximate drive time 50 minutes. 

My husband wanted to visit Hobbiton and even though I have no clue about anything hobbit related, I still enjoyed my visit. The whole set is very cute and photogenic, plus I liked playing the little hobbit games they have there. At the end of your guided tour you can have a drink at The Green Dragon inn which is a lovely touch. And I even got to meet Pickles the Hobbiton cat!

After a morning tour at Hobbiton, it was my turn to choose the activity. We headed west to Otorohanga where we spent some time at Otorohanga Kiwi House where we could discover some of New Zealand’s native wildlife. Much of New Zealand’s wildlife are birds and while we only managed to see one kiwi (being elusive and nocturnal they aren’t easy to see!), the kaka and parakeets were entertaining.

• Matamata to Otorohanga: approximate drive time 1 hour 10 minutes.

End the day in Waitomo, just a 15 minute drive from Otorohanga.

• Where to stay: Juno Hall Backpackers. Budget friendly but private rooms are available. There is a farm next to it so you can say hello to the animals. Ideally located for Waitomo glowworm caves.

Day 6: Waitomo to Rotorua

If you’re in Waitomo then I can guarantee that you are visiting for the famous glowworm caves. Drawing tourists for over 130 years, the glowworm caves are exactly what you expect – caves where you can actually see glowworms!

There are a couple of ways that you can see them. Firstly, you can pre-book a 45 minute boat trip into the caves, which looks wonderful. We didn’t do this (although I wish I had!). Instead we did the adrenaline junkies version and went black water rafting which is basically caving in a wetsuit and a rubber ring. I am a bit of a wimp so although I loved seeing the glowworms, black water rafting was definitely a one time only thing for me.

Related post: Feel the fear… and do it anyway

After our time in Waitomo, we made tracks to our next stop in Rotorua. And boy was I TIRED!

• Waitomo to Rotorua: approximate drive time 2 hours.

If there’s one place that should be on every New Zealand North Island itinerary, then it is Rotorua. Rotorua is best known for its Māori culture and geothermal attractions. Upon arrival in Rotorua we spent some time unwinding, ready for a day of exploring the next day.

• Where to stay: Spa Lodge Backpackers. This hostel actually has a spa tub outside which was exactly what I needed after black water rafting and a 2 hour drive.

Day 7: Rotorua

Spend the day at leisure exploring Rotorua. Take a stroll to Kuirau Park which is free to visit and actually New Zealand’s only free geothermal public park. Here we actually saw mud pools and hot springs.

I would also recommend checking out the striking St Faith’s Church and Ohinemutu Māori village. St Faith’s is known for its fusion of Māori and European traditions and for a donation you can visit inside. Ohinemutu is a living village where visitors are welcome. It was very quiet when we went but amazing to see the intricate Māori carvings.

We did a little shopping in Rotorua (you can buy mud soap which is said to be good for the skin). We also enjoyed a picnic overlooking the lake and played on some swings haha.

In the evening, make a reservation for  Te Pō  – the cultural experience at Te Puia. This is a Māori cultural experience evening where you get to watch a traditional indigenous performance including the haka (traditional Māori dance you may have seen the All Blacks perform) followed by a hangi buffet dinner. Hangi is a traditional Māori method of cooking food using heated rocks buried in a pit in the ground. The food was excellent. We also took part in some dancing (poi dance) and drank hot chocolate beside a geyser.

Day 8: Rotorua to Taupo

In the morning head south out of Rotorua to experience more of New Zealand’s geothermal wonders. Around half an hours drive away is Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, home to the famous Lady Knox geyser. Lady Knox is induced every day at 10.15am so time your visit if you want to see this. For me though, the geothermal park was much more interesting. I liked being able to wander freely and loved seeing wonders such as the champagne pool, artist’s palette and devil’s bath.

After your wander through Wai-O-Tapu, drive towards Taupo. Some great free attractions along the way are Aratiatia Dam and Huka Falls. Aratiatia Dam and Huka Falls are both on the Waikato River, around a 10 minute drive apart. At Aratiatia Dam if you time your visit right, you can see the water gushing from the dam and filling up the rapids below. This occurs at 10am, 12pm and 2pm. As well as 4pm during summer. Huka Falls is just a 5-10 minute car journey from the centre of Taupo. It is a brilliant blue waterfall. Brilliant in both colour and sound. There’s parking at both of these natural attractions, so it’s easy to visit.

• Rotorua to Taupo: approximate drive time 1 hour (without pitstops).

Taupo is home to Australasia’s largest lake. In fact, Lake Taupo is so big that it has a surface area about the same size as Singapore! Take a lakeside walk and while you’re in Taupo check out ‘The World’s Coolest McDonalds‘. While the food is just typical McDonalds, the restaurant has an actual vintage aeroplane outside that you can dine in. And yes, of course I kept on brand and ate my lunch in this quirky aeroplane.

• Where to stay: Lakeland Resort Taupo. Decent accommodation with swimming pool, hot tub and TVs in room. Not bad for a flashpacker budget.

Day 9: Taupo to Levin

Many a New Zealand North Island itinerary skip the area between Taupo and Wellington. For us, we didn’t really fancy the four and a half hour plus drive so we decided to stay at a little farm in Levin with a couple of pitstops on the way.

• Taupo to Levin: approximate drive time 3 hours 30 minutes (without pitstops).

On our road trip one of the places we stopped was probably the quirkiest town in New Zealand, a place called Bulls. When you arrive in Bulls it’s fun to spot all the ‘bull’ puns around the town… the police (const-a-bull), the museum (memor-a-bull) etc. We bought a couple of souvenirs in a cute gift shop there too.

Our accommodation in Levin was an annex on a farm where we could feed the animals and just generally relax in the peace and quiet. Unfortunately the farm no longer seems to be available. However, Levin is an ideal place to stay if you want some peace and quiet, and there other places to stay in the Manawatū region to break up your journey or explore off the beaten track a little. This was the ideal time for us to plan ahead for our New Zealand South Island itinerary.

Day 10: Levin to Wellington

Day 10 of our New Zealand North Island itinerary and we decided to head to the capital city.

• Levin to Wellington: approximate drive time 1 hour 10 minutes.

Wellington is the southernmost capital city in the world. Known as ‘Windy Welly’, apparently it’s the windiest city on earth. Although there is plenty of accommodation in the city, if you are on a backpacker budget then I would recommend booking somewhere to stay in advance.

• Where to stay: Trek Global Backpackers. A well located hostel that has a pre-bookable car park.

My top recommendation for things to do in Wellington would be to visit Te Papa museum. At the time of my visit it was completely free to enter, however that has recently changed and is now only free to those living in New Zealand. It is full of artefacts of New Zealand and Māori culture amongst other things (Te Papa Tongarewa is Māori for ‘container of treasures’). And although I’m not really a history buff, me and my husband both found the Gallipoli exhibition particularly impressive.

Day 11: Wellington

If you’re up for a spot of shopping, take a walk down Cuba Street and maybe stop for a coffee. Afterwards catch the iconic red Wellington cable car from Lambton Quay up to the botanic garden. The ride is just 5 minutes long and although it’s called a cable car, technically it’s really more of a funicular.

Wellington Botanical Garden is free to visit and is worth going to if the weather is pleasant. For us, the weather wasn’t too kind but we did spend a bit of time admiring the flowers.

This Wellington itinerary isn’t likely to take up your whole day. In all honesty we actually found Wellington (dare I say it) a little bit boring. New Zealand has so much to offer beyond the cities and we had been spoilt with beautiful sunshine for our entire trip up until this point, that Windy Welly wasn’t really doing much for us.

Tips for your New Zealand Road Trip

• If I could redo my North Island itinerary again, I would spend another night in the Coromandel Peninsula and one less night in Wellington. However, Rotorua and Taupo have plenty to offer if you were inclined to extend your stays there.
• Wellington is the gateway to the South Island so if you’re continuing your road trip there, then this is where you will take the ferry across the Cook Strait from. Pre-booking the ferry is advised.
• We visited New Zealand in November. We had mostly good weather so I would say that this time of year is a great time to visit to explore the natural wonders this country has to offer. Generally the best months to visit are November to April weatherwise.
• If you’re travelling as a couple on a budget and don’t wish to stay in dorms, most hostels have private rooms available. All of the accommodations mentioned in this blog post are places that I personally stayed. I recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.
• I recommend downloading GetYourGuide app. It’s handy to have any pre-booked activities in one easily accessible place when you’re on the move.

If you’ve got this far, thanks for reading. And if you book any trips through my GetYourGuide links you can get a discount with the code QUIRKYLITTLEPLANET5.

The post New Zealand North Island Itinerary – 10 Day Road Trip appeared first on Quirky Little Planet.

One of my most cherished memories is when I went backpacking Down Under with my husband. Australia and New Zealand are two of my best-loved countries – friendly locals, stunning scenery and most importantly, amazing wildlife. So I would like to share my favourite wildlife experience from each.

Discovering quokkas on Rottnest Island, Australia

Rottnest Island is a beautiful island off the coast of Western Australia, home to an adorably smiley-looking marsupial known as the quokka. In fact, Rottnest Island was named after the quokka when a Dutch explorer arrived at the island and mistook the quokkas for rats, naming it ‘Rat’s Nest’.

Being almost completely wiped out on the mainland of Australia, Rottnest Island is one of only a few places where you can see quokkas in their natural habitat and due to the lack of predators on the island, coupled with an abundance of food, their numbers are thriving.

As the island has a strong focus on the environment and sustainability, the best way to explore is by bicycle. So when we arrived by boat we picked up some hired bikes from the dock and went on our merry way.

Rottnest Island is easily one of the most beautiful places I have been fortunate enough to visit, with its white sand beaches and turquoise seas it looks like something from a movie set. Of course, my favourite part was observing the quokkas and I managed to even get a #quokkaselfie too! All flora and fauna on the island is protected by law so visitors must remember not to touch or feed the animals as it could harm them.

One of my favourite things about Australia happens to be its native creatures – I’m completely in awe of it – so to be able to see the happy little quokkas in the wild and not in a zoo was something unforgettable.

Spotting wild seals in Kaikoura, New Zealand

Kaikoura is a small town on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island and is famed for its marine life. Due to the weather cancelling any whale watching trips out to sea, we made a spontaneous decision to take a drive to Ohau Point where we could see some wild New Zealand fur seals.

After a short walk into the woodland, we were greeted by one of the most magical sights I have seen – numerous young seals swimming and frolicking at the bottom of a waterfall! I wasn’t sure what to expect on this spur of the moment adventure but it by far exceeded any expectations I could have had. The seals looked so happy and there were very few tourists at this spot making it feel all the more special. Of course, we kept our distance but a couple of the seals were playing on the path together just a mere metre away from where we stood!

The seal pups are born in November and December and start making their way to the waterfall in April, where they are then able to develop their swimming and social skills together. They stay in the stream for several days at a time before returning to the coast to feed from their mothers. Once weaned, they then remain on the coast where they can hunt for food at sea.

We waited and watched the playful pups for a little while longer but even on the walk back to the car we were able spot a few of them swimming in the shallow waters alongside us. Amazing! Sometimes the best adventures are unplanned.

Note: My visit to Ohau Point happened prior to the devastating 2016 earthquake and although parts of this area are still destroyed, visitors are still able to see seal colonies elsewhere in Kaikoura. Hopefully they will return to the waterfall very soon.

As far as future wildlife adventures go, a safari in Kenya would be at the top spot on my travel bucket list and as a proud recipient of a charity rhino adoption, I would love nothing more than to see them in the wild.

Win a safari adventure in Kenya!

Win an African safari with Audley Travel by sharing your best wildlife photograph or video on your social media channels. To enter write #AudleySafari and @AudleyTravel on your Instagram or Twitter post or share directly on the Audley Travel Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/audleytravel/. To find out more or enter via the website, visit www.audleytravel.com/social.  Entries must be posted between 20th August – 23rd September.

This post is my entry into the Trips 100 & Audley Travel blogger challenge.

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Queenstown is a must-do on anyone’s South Island itinerary, after all its not the adventure capital of New Zealand for nothing! Of course, there are TONS of things to do there, but here are 8 of my recommendations…

 1. Ride the gondola

Although Queenstown is famed for its fun and adventure, lets not forget that this is New Zealand, meaning that it is also quite pretty. The best way to take advantage of all that scenic beauty is to ride the gondola, which is STEEP (it’s actually the steepest cable car lift in the Southern hemisphere!) but so worth it when you reach the top and take in those gorgeous views.

2. Have fun on the luge

Once you’ve ridden the gondola up to Bob’s Peak, you may as well enjoy some of the activities on offer up there. My recommendation is the luge – so much fun! You take a chair lift up even higher and then pick one of the two luge tracks to travel back down. There’s a more gentle, scenic track which everyone must do on their first ride and then there’s also a faster paced, steeper track. We ended up riding the luge 5 times!

3. Try a famous Fergburger

If you read my post about 3 fast food burgers you must try in New Zealand then you will already know about Fergburger. Although to be fair, you probably already know about Fergburger because literally anyone who has been to Queenstown has raved about this place. It’s not really “fast food” as you’ll probably be queuing about 45 minutes for it but it’s still worth trying at least once. Or twice in my case.

4. Go horseriding

45 minutes drive from Queenstown is the town of Glenorchy, home to Dart Stables where we admired yet more of New Zealand’s beauty but on horse back. We did the beginners trek named Hobbit’s Hack and saw where some of Lord of the Rings was filmed. I can’t claim to be a LOTR fan but I did enjoy the scenery.

5. Spin and splash on the Shotover Jet

The Shotover Jet is quite simply, a jet boat ride on the Shotover River. Running since 1965, they are the only company permitted to operate within the Shotover River’s canyons. High speeds and 360 spins are guaranteed – you might even see rainbows in the mist!

6. Bungy jump

So I have a small confession to make… I didn’t actually do a bungy jump because I don’t have that part of my brain that makes me want to pay $195 to tie a rubber band to my legs and throw myself off a bridge. However, my husband is a bit of a secret adrenalin junkie and did the AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge jump in Queenstown – the world’s first commercial bungy jump.

He loved it and wouldn’t let me write this list without including it!

7. Visit wonderful Wanaka

We only spent one day in Wanaka which really wasn’t enough. It was pretty and peaceful and we enjoyed a lovely lunch by the lake. It’s also home to two fabulously quirky attractions – Puzzling World and Cinema Paradiso. If you want to know a bit more about Wanaka then take a look at my post Quirky things to do in wonderful Wanaka.

8. Take a day trip to Milford Sound

I admit this might be an odd choice given that my trip to Milford Sound was my worst day travelling but I know other people who have been there and had a great time. I can’t say more than that. Go read my post Milford Sound – is it worth it? and decide for yourself on this one.

Have you been to Queenstown? What was your favourite thing to do? Comment below. And for more inspiration, follow my New Zealand Pinterest Board.

Pin it!

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Is Milford Sound worth it?

Getting to Milford Sound

Milford Sound is quite a remote destination. If you are self driving then I would strongly recommend finding accommodation in Te Anau to break up your journey. Te Anau is less than 2 hours drive from Milford Sound and is considered the gateway to the fiords. A day trip to Milford Sound is a LONG day, especially if you are coming from Queenstown like we did, so my biggest regret is not finding a hotel in Te Anau.

If you choose not to stay in Te Anau, then the likelihood is you will be travelling from Queenstown. According to Google Maps, the journey from Queenstown to Milford Sound is around 4 hours. I SWEAR our journey took around 5-6 hours. But that may have been my anxiety-induced perception (which you will learn all about later). Although we had hired a car in New Zealand, neither of us really fancied driving the lengthy journey. So we booked an organised coach tour. An organised tour to Milford Sound is a great way to explore the region as you can sit back, relax and admire the scenery. Most tours include pick up from your accommodation in Queenstown, a scenic boat ride across the fiord plus lunch on board the boat. Not to mention a guide/driver doing all the hard work for you!

My honest (too honest) experience

As I mentioned before, we travelled via coach from Queenstown. Our driver Lucy picked us up in the morning and remained bright and friendly throughout our trip. She told us all stories of her childhood on a farm and made several rest stops on route. Sadly for us, the weather was not being kind. Even though we’re British and quite used to the rain, the more than damp weather was dampening our spirits the closer we got to Milford Sound.

After a long journey, we made it to the boat where the rain was still pouring and the wind was blowing a gale. The crew on board could obviously sense our coach load of disappointment. They tried to remain enthusiastic and marvelled at the many waterfalls spilling down the rocks because of the torrential downpour. I don’t know if they were genuinely that excited about the waterfalls or if they were just putting a positive spin on things in order to lift our spirits.

We received lunch on board the boat – wraps, cookies and drinks. I chose a falafel wrap and shortly afterwards found myself in the toilets with an upset stomach, to put it politely. Needless to say, the rest of my Milford Sound boat ride experience was spent locked in a cubicle. And my anxiety of what happens once the boat stops was off the chart.

Granted a bout of food poisoning isn’t enough to dismiss an entire attraction, however I didn’t miss much on deck. My husband ventured out to battle the elements but didn’t see any wildlife or rainbows beyond the drizzle and clouds. Sure, you could say it’s dramatic and atmospheric, like many people who visit Milford Sound during bad weather. But it was disappointing for him and the other passengers. And excruciating for me.

The 90 minute boat ride was soon over and everyone was pretty keen to just get back to Queenstown. Our driver had to ask another couple (who had prime location seats at the front of the coach) to switch with us. That way I could be at the front of the coach in case I needed to ‘go’ again. I would have felt guilty (they had paid extra for those seats!) and mortified had all my energy not been focussed on making it through the next 5 or so hours. The trouble with New Zealand is that rest stops are few and far between. Fortunately, having dosed myself up with the necessary medication, I made it back to Queenstown just fine.

And thus concludes the worst day I had in my whole backpacking trip down under.

What’s so special about Milford Sound?

People love Milford Sound because it is one of the most dramatically scenic natural landmarks in the world. Its high annual rainfall fuels hundreds of permanent and temporary waterfalls. And for wildlife enthusiasts, there are seals, dolphins and penguins that can be spotted. Milford Sound feels very much untouched by human development and has even been referred to as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’.

Is Milford Sound worth it?

I had a terrible time at Milford Sound, so in my case the answer is no. HOWEVER, if I could have my time again, I would book a hotel in Te Anau and self drive. You can book the scenic boat cruise without the coach tour, so still get the experience cruising the fiord without the lengthy journey from Queenstown.

There are two sides to every story of course. So if you want to read a good experience of Milford Sound then I’m sure there are a bazillion other travel bloggers out there who will gladly share that.

Check out some of my other New Zealand posts

• 8 things to do in and around Queenstown New Zealand
• Where to see seals in Kaikoura New Zealand
• Is Punakaiki New Zealand’s Coolest Coastal Stop?
• Unusual Things to do in Wanaka

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Where to see seals in Kaikoura

This post could quite easily be called free things to do in Kaikoura or what to do in Kaikoura when the weather is bad. We had initially booked a stay in Kaikoura in order to swim with seals. Sure, you can swim with dolphins there but I thought being able to swim with adorable New Zealand fur seals would be something completely unique.

Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be. Although the sun was high in the sky, the sea was cloudy because of the previous day’s poor weather. So our seal swimming adventures were over before they had even begun. We hastily decided to book a whale watching excursion as an alternative but luck was not on our side and all whale watching trips were cancelled too.

I wasn’t too disappointed because we still had a wonderful day and managed to get closer to the New Zealand fur seals than I had ever imagined – AND without getting wet!

So here is where I was able to see seals in Kaikoura.

Spotting seals in Kaikoura at Ohau Point

We drove to Ohau Point seal colony where we parked up and took a walk to the waterfall with the promise of potentially spotting a few young seals frolicking in the water. The walk was much shorter than expected and there were seals everywhere! They jumped and played in the waterfall, they lolloped around on the rocks. We were careful not to disturb them but two of the little scamps were playing on the path merely a metre away from where we stood! We watched them for a while and even as we left we saw more seals swimming along in the shallow waters beside us.

Since the earthquake here, unfortunately it is no longer possible to see the seals in the waterfall. However, it is still possible to spot them at Ohau Point by parking up at the look out point and watching the seals sunning themselves on the rocks.

• Ohau Point Lookout can be found around 20 minutes drive from Kaikoura along the New Zealand State Highway 1.

Here’s a little video I made from clips I shot on my mobile phone.

Viewing New Zealand Fur Seals in Kaikoura at Fyffe Quay

Our next stop was to drive down to the peninsula where another colony of seals could be found. One of the seals was even occupying a car park space! The rest of the seals were lolling around on the rocks which we climbed down on to in order to take a few pictures. Again, we were careful not to get too close as the car park seal already made it clear that I was invading its personal space when I stopped for a photo! (I really wasn’t that close either!).

• The peninsular is less than a 10 minute drive from Kaikoura. Head towards Point Kean. There are a couple of parking options in the area.

Other things to do in Kaikoura

If you love nature, wildlife and being by the sea, then Kaikoura is the place to be. There’s plenty to see and do there, but if you’re visiting in peak season (December to February) then advanced booking activities is recommend.

• On the peninsular, head to Kaikoura Lookout for fabulous views over the town.
• Take to the water and if weather permits, go whale watching or sea kayaking.
• For something a little quirky but still animal orientated and go llama trekking.
• Try some seafood. ‘Kaikoura’ translates to ‘crayfish’ in Maori and is the crayfish capital of New Zealand.
• Go swimming with seals or swimming with dolphins (weather permitting!).

Where to stay in Kaikoura

Accommodation in Kaikoura is extensive. From boutique hotels to basic but comfortable hostels, there’s plenty to suit any budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time of year is best to see seals in Kaikoura?

You can see seals in Kaikoura all year round! We visited in November and there were plenty of seals to be spotted.

Is Kaikoura worth visiting?

Yes. Kaikoura was one of the most memorable stops on my New Zealand adventure. If you love being by the coast, eating seafood, exploring nature and admiring wildlife then Kaikoura is the place for you. If you are travelling between the north and south islands, Kaikoura is an ideal stop on your road trip.

How many days should I spend in Kaikoura?

We spent 2 nights (about a day and a half) in Kaikoura. If you’re on a strict budget, then a whole day here would probably be enough. However if you want the full wildlife experience with whale watching tours, seal swimming etc then you may wish to stay a little longer.

How do I get to Kaikoura?

From Christchurch, you can reach Kaikoura by road in about two and a half hours. If you are coming from the north island, the ferry will take you to Picton. From Picton it is around a two hour drive. The best way to travel New Zealand is to hire a car, however there are buses that connect Kaikoura. Alternatively, you can prebook day trips from Christchurch through companies such as Viator.

If you enjoyed this post, check out some of my other New Zealand guides

• The Perfect 2 Week New Zealand South Island Itinerary
• New Zealand North Island Itinerary – 10 Day Road Trip
• 8 things to do in and around Queenstown New Zealand
• Milford Sound – is it worth it?
• Is Punakaiki New Zealand’s Coolest Coastal Stop?

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Why is Hot Water Beach hot?

Visiting Hot Water Beach New Zealand

Some planning is required when visiting Hot Water Beach. You should aim to visit two hours either side of low tide if you’re wanting to take advantage of this unique attraction. When we arrived at the beach in the morning, armed with some spades we had borrowed from our accommodation, there was already a coach-load of tourists digging and wallowing in one small area of the beach. Some were even sipping champagne while soaking themselves in the natural hot springs!

It’s quite an unusual experience BUT you can’t just dig anywhere on the beach and expect glorious hot water to bubble up through. Although the large group of tourists had shown us where we could find the hot water, there didn’t appear to be many hot spots left for us. And when we did find some potential hot spots, the tide came in and filled the hole we’d dug full of cold sea water much quicker than we could dig!

Eventually, we kind of muscled our way in and got chatting to a group of American tourists. They had found a hot spot but weren’t fast enough to create a little sand barrier wall to stop the cold water rushing in. 6 people are better than 2! So we managed to make ourselves a nice little hot water pool. But to be honest by this point I was kind of over it. Despite timing our visit with low tide times, we didn’t factor in the coach loads of other tourists occupying all of the sandy hot spots.

Is Hot Water Beach New Zealand a Tourist Trap or a Must Do Experience?

In my opinion, I would edge towards voting it as a tourist trap. Don’t get me wrong, if you want the quirky experience of digging your own sandy spa and wallowing in a bath on the beach, then by all means check out the low tide times, grab a shovel and get digging! However, if you want a pretty and relaxing beach, then try Hahei or Cathedral Cove. And don’t be disappointed if you don’t manage to find a hot spot.

Top Tips for visiting Hot Water Beach

• Check out the low tide times.
• Bring a spade. Or hire one from the beach cafe.
• Take a waterproof bag too.
• Be careful because the water can be VERY hot.

Where to stay near Hot Water Beach

The Coromandel Peninsula was one of my favourite places in New Zealand. If you are visiting this beautiful country then definitely don’t skip this region.

My personal recommendation would be to find accommodation in Hahei, about a 20 minute drive from Hot Water Beach. Hahei has its own stunning beach, plus is the perfect base for exploring the famous Cathedral Cove. My only regret is not staying here longer!

Check out my other New Zealand guides

• My other North Island recommendations – New Zealand North Island Itinerary – 10 Day Road Trip
• If you want to explore the beautiful south – The Perfect 2 Week New Zealand South Island Itinerary
• My honest experience of black water rafting – Black Water Rafting at Waitomo Caves – A New Zealand Adventure
• A top attraction in Auckland – A view from the top: Sky Tower Auckland – New Zealand
• Must try burgers in New Zealand – 3 fast food burgers you must try in New Zealand

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