New Zealand

The Map

This map comes from Google Maps Timeline and highlights the towns and cities we explored across both islands.

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The Journey

Note: The place listed beside each day is where we stayed for the night.

• Day 1 — Auckland (Quest Highbrook)

  • Evening flight to Auckland via Sydney
  • Picked up rental car and checked in at Quest Highbrook
  • Quick grocery run to stock up for the first few days

• Day 2 — Auckland (Quest Highbrook)

  • Explored central Auckland
  • Visited One Tree Hill and the Auckland War Memorial Museum
  • Ended the night watching the Harbour Bridge light show

• Day 3 — Auckland (Quest Highbrook)

  • Morning visit to SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium
  • Walked around Auckland CBD and nearby attractions

• Day 4 — Auckland (Quest Highbrook)

  • Sunrise at Mount Eden
  • Weta Workshop Unleashed
  • Finished the day at Sky Tower with city views

• Day 5 — Te Anau (Alpine View Motel)

  • Flew from Auckland to Queenstown
  • Scenic drive to Te Anau
  • Visited the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary and lakeside area

• Day 6 — Queenstown / Milford Sound (La Quinta by Wyndham Queenstown)

  • Full-day Milford Sound trip
  • Stops at Mirror Lakes, Pop’s View, Monkey Creek, and The Chasm
  • Milford Sound cruise
  • Returned to Queenstown in the evening

• Day 7 — Queenstown (La Quinta by Wyndham Queenstown)

  • Nevis Bungy Jump
  • Shotover Jet
  • Relaxed at Onsen Hot Pools

• Day 8 — Queenstown (La Quinta by Wyndham Queenstown)

  • Explored Queenstown Gardens and the waterfront
  • Skyline Gondola + buffet lunch
  • Afternoon drive to Arrowtown

• Day 9 — Queenstown (La Quinta by Wyndham Queenstown)

  • Scenic drive to Glenorchy
  • Afternoon Walter Peak Farm Tour via the TSS Earnslaw

• Day 10 — Mt Cook (Mount Cook Lodge and Motels)

  • Drove from Queenstown to Tekapo
  • Stops at Lindis Pass, Lake Pukaki, and The Church of the Good Shepherd
  • Visited Mt John Observatory
  • Continued to Mt Cook Village with a stop at NZ Alpine Lavender

• Day 11 — Mt Cook (Mount Cook Lodge and Motels)

  • Hiked the Hooker Valley Track
  • Visited Tasman Glacier Viewpoint and the national park area

• Day 12 — Wanaka (Alpine View Lodge)

  • Short morning walk to Kea Point
  • Drove to Wanaka with stops at High Country Salmon, Clay Cliffs, and the Toy Museum
  • Sunset at the Wanaka Tree

• Day 13 — Wanaka (Alpine View Lodge)

  • Wanaka Lavender Farm
  • Explored Wanaka town, markets, and lakeside areas

• Day 14 — Franz Josef (Aspen Court Franz Josef)

  • Drove the Haast Pass route
  • Stops at Lake Hawea Lookout, Fantail Falls, Ship Creek, and Knights Point
  • Evening glow worms at Terrace Walk

• Day 15 — Franz Josef / Fox Glacier (Aspen Court Franz Josef)

  • Morning walk around Lake Matheson
  • Fox Glacier Viewpoint
  • Afternoon helicopter flight over the glaciers

• Day 16 — Hokitika (Stumpers Bar and Café)

  • Drove north to Hokitika
  • Hokitika Gorge, lighthouse, and shipwreck memorial
  • Glow Worm Dell after dark

• Day 17 — Christchurch (Quest on Manchester)

  • Drove through Arthur’s Pass
  • Stops at Morrisons Footbridge, Otira Viaduct, Cave Stream, and Castle Hill
  • Arrived in Christchurch in the evening

• Day 18 — Christchurch (Quest on Manchester)

  • Classic Christchurch trio: Punting on the Avon, Gondola, and Tram
  • Explored Riverside Market and nearby areas

• Day 19 — Kaikoura (Alpine View Motel — Kaikoura)

  • Drove to Kaikoura
  • Walked around Point Kean to see seals

• Day 20 — Wellington (Astelia Apartment Hotel)

  • Drove to Picton
  • Stop at Ohau Point Lookout
  • Interislander ferry to Wellington
  • Visited Te Papa Museum

• Day 21 — Wellington (Astelia Apartment Hotel)

  • Wellington Cable Car and Botanic Garden
  • Zealandia wildlife sanctuary
  • Mount Victoria Lookout

• Day 22 — Wellington (Astelia Apartment Hotel)

  • Beehive and Parliament area
  • Old St Paul’s
  • Walked around Wellington CBD and waterfront

• Day 23 — Taupo (Chevron Motel)

  • Long drive to Taupo
  • Aratiatia Rapids (timed dam opening)
  • Huka Falls
  • Dinner at the McDonald’s with the airplane

• Day 24 — Rotorua (JetPark Hotel Rotorua)

  • Huka Honey Hive
  • Craters of the Moon geothermal walk
  • Kuirau Park
  • ZORB Rotorua

• Day 25 — Rotorua / Mount Maunganui (JetPark Hotel Rotorua)

  • Drove to Mount Maunganui
  • Hiked Mount Mauao
  • Hairy Maclary Sculpture
  • Evening cultural experience at Mitai Māori Village

• Day 26 — Rotorua (JetPark Hotel Rotorua)

  • Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
  • Hatupatu Scenic Point
  • Government Gardens
  • Redwoods Forest

• Day 27 — Auckland (Ramada Suites by Wyndham Manukau)

  • Drove back to Auckland
  • Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
  • Hamilton Gardens

• Day 28 — Auckland (Ramada Suites by Wyndham Manukau)

  • Devonport and North Head Summit
  • Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)
  • Final walk around Auckland CBD

• Day 29 — Fly from Auckland

  • Returned rental car
  • Flight back to Perth

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The Costs

Category	Cost (NZD)
Hotel / Motel / Service Apartments	$7,018
Return International Flight	$4,330
One-way Flight (Auckland → Queenstown)	$365
Food (coffee, craft beer, desserts, meals)	$3,736
Activities (all itinerary activities)	$4,316
Car Rental (6+ yr mid‑sized SUV)	$4,079
Petrol	$923
Parking	$117
Total	$24,887

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The Tips

• Local coffee and beers are good, make sure to try them.
• Google Maps is almost always accurate.
• Keep track of time as there are days where 9pm is still bright so you dont ruin your next day plan.
• Protect yourself from the sun - arm sleeves, sunscreen, lip balm, hat.
• December/January is crowded but not as bad as you think (asian standard)
• Speed limits are crazy low (30kph) on some areas so make sure you look at the signs to avoid fines.
• You almost dont need cash.
• Almost everything is expensive as compared to Australia.
• No need to plan for petrol as long as you fill your tank full before you leave for your next long drive.
• You wont get hungry as even small towns have cafe or restaurants and most of them closes late.
• Most motels/apartments (not in big cities) give away free fresh milk.
• Can see the mountain? Take a photo now as it can be covered with clouds later.
• Skinny mobile unli data with reduced speed is bloody slow.
• Some motels/apartments doesnt have airconditioning.