Roys Peak, Wanaka Lake, New Zealand
The tennis player and I have squeaky new passports and are ready to dip our ‘kinda’ post pandemic toes into a bit of overseas travel. Ok we know the pandemic isn’t over but we’ve sat on our hands for three years now. It’s time to be braver and hope for the best. We thought New Zealand would be a good start. Neither of us have been there before and New Zealand is our neighbour and we’ve long wanted to visit! Also – how glorious does it look in all the photos!
We plan to make it a 2-3 week holiday visiting both the north and south islands. Being the nature lover that I am, I want to see all the beautiful things, the scenic stuff, the pretty stuff, the must get a photo of stuff, the takes your breath away stuff, and the stuff that fills my cup! We’re not interested in any extreme sports but would do some tamer fun stuff. I love poking around gift shops and those quirky shops that sell a delicious mix of offerings like art, creative wares, antiques, and gift options. I love antique shops, art galleries and old buildings, and a bit of history, so some of all that would be nice sprinkled in amongst inhaling all the beautiful nature.
We plan to hire a car and drive around incorporating a few tours and days trips here and there. I’ve visited a travel agent and have this great book to look through to begin my planning, but meanwhile, I’d love to hear from you!
So to the more seasoned travellers amongst you, and particularly those of you who have been to New Zealand, I’d love to hear your views on:
- What’s some must see’s?
- What should we not bother with?
- Where’s some nice places to stay?
- What’s some fun things to do?
- Anywhere we simply must eat at?
- What else should we know?
- What is your absolute favourite thing to see or do in NZ?
Thanks in advance for helping me plan our trip!
Ciao for now,
Linking up with Denyse Whelan’s ‘Wednesday’s Words and Pics‘
16 Comments
I can’t give you any advice as I’ve never been to NZ – but I do know that every single person I know who has been there has loved it – all did different things, and all loved the whole trip – even those who were affected by the weather still enjoyed themselves. Good on you for being brave enough to get on a plane – I have zero desire to go anywhere overseas atm….so I’m just following everyone else’s adventures on FB.
That’s ok Leanne. Yes everyone I know that’s been there loves it too. I’m a little nervous about earthquakes but know that I will love it over there. So looking forward to it! I’m not a big traveller like others are but I do have some places I really would like to see before my time is up. NZ is certainly one of those places! I’m a nature lover and gosh it looks beautiful over there. Can’t wait to experience it and to have some time out from real life for a bit. xo
Min it’s so long since I’ve been to NZ that I really can’t give you any advice. We are in a similar place to you. We’re not quite ready for a long haul flight but are starting to get itchy feet. We’ve also been thinking that NZ might be a good place to start, so I will be watching out for your travels.
Hi Jennifer, yes I’m a bit of a nervous Nelly when it comes to Covid etc but figured NZ would be a good place to start. I’ve wanted to go there for so long. I hope that all things Covid are not crazy when we decide to go. Fingers crossed!
I know nothing about NZ except earthquakes and beautiful scenery but happy you’re able to plan a good holiday. Hope some other people will give you recommendations!
Hi Susanne – yes must admit the earthquake thing does cross my mind but trying to not to dwell on that as the scenery and cultural experiences are what I am so looking forward to. I’ve had quite a few recommendations on my blog’s Facebook page that have been helpful!
I’ve been to NZ three times, Min and loved every visit. Our first was a 12 day driving holiday of the South Island (which is my favourite) way back in 1995. Definitely Milford Sound which we visited on this trip and also on a subsequent trip on a NZ cruise, Queenstown is also a must. Our driving tour of the North Island wasn’t as spectacular for me, but still worth seeing, especially the Bay of Islands area and the cute Art Deco town of Napier which I also think is a wine region. You really can’t go wrong with your itinerary as there are so many amazing places of natural beauty. Like you, Mike and I wanted to dip our toes in the travel water again so took a trip to Tassie as a start. Actually Tassie reminded me a lot of NZ. Have fun planning and enjoy your holiday. #WWanP
Hi Sue, wow – 3 times! You must love it for sure! Yes I’ve heard the South Island is most popular but we’ve decided to do both. Thanks for your recommendations! They match a lot of other people’s. I’ve had a few on my blog’s FB page. Just saw your foodie post on your Tassie trip. So glad you loved your trip over there. We went in 2015 and loved it. I’d love to go back and see more and revisit some favourite spots. xo
No help from me either but I will be interested in following your journey. Pretty sure, Jo Tracey has been a few times, and she may even have posts about it. Right now, though she is getting over the recent Big Trip! Great to see you join in for Wednesday’s Words and Pics. Next week it will be the 10th one! I am enjoying our connections via blogging each week and hope you are too. Denyse.
Hi Denyse, yes I know Jo has been many times to NZ. I’ll have to search her blog posts and see what she loves over there. Yes I saw she’s had a big trip just recently. Haven’t managed to keep up with social media and commenting etc lately though as I’ve had too much to deal with lately. Hopefully I can catch up on her trip at some point. xo
Min I’ve been twice. Once to Queenstown – which I enjoyed. I particularly loved Arrowtown nearby. A friend and I flew into Christchurch and hired a car to drive there.
I’ve been back to Christchurch to visit a friend a few years ago and it’s still so devastated by the earthquakes. This was a few years later but so much hadn’t been rebuilt.
Good luck with your planning.
Hi Deb – twice to NZ you lucky thing! I’ve never heard of Arrowtown but I’ll look it up. Yes I know Christchurch won’t be like it used to be after the earthquake etc. So sad for them. Just hope there’s no earthquakes when we decide to visit!
We’ve been to NZ twice now each time in November which was a great time of year for us as we were cycling. We went to the South island first then the North Island and loved it all. We were with another couple and hired a car with a free-style type of itinerary but had a cycling tour booked in each time which we worked our sightseeing around. There is so much variety there and we loved Queenstown and the smaller villages we saw while cycling the Otago Rail Trail. The top end of the North Island was beautiful like Sue says and Napier was lovely with the wine areas are art Deco touches, and then we did the Huaraki Rail Trail stopping in cute little town while our luggage was transferred for us each day. It was easy riding. I also loved seeing Hobbiton 🙂 I have a few posts on my blog about our travels. Hope you enjoy it, you can’t go wrong!
Hi Debbie, thanks for sharing your NZ experiences! We plan on going maybe in May and if not perhaps September. I’m not good travelling during the hot summer months but I thrive in the cooler weather. My husband does not like winter so we’ll compromise and go in either Spring or Autumn. A lot of the places you’ve mentioned are on my list but I don’t think we’ll be cycling! I’ll go and check out your NZ posts! Thank you!
the south island is more spectacular scenery wise, but both are interesting. Rotorua is great to see, and indulge in some hot spring action. Arrowtown is (was?) a cute little town; not sure if it is still there. Christchurch had great architecture… and a splendid museum. Too much to mention really. have fun!
Thanks Sherry yes I’ve heard that the South Island is more popular. Good to see both though. Rotorua, Arrowtown and Christchurch are all on my list. SO many things are on my list that I’ll have to cut it back or it will be far exceeding the 3 week plan!