Queenstown, New Zealand. Photo by Eva Barbier.
Why NZ: Breath-taking landscape, convivial Kiwis, endless outdoor activities.
Dates Traveled: Late Dec 2010 /Early January 2011
Must See: Queenstown, Abel Tasman, Marlborough for wine lovers
I Wish We: Explored more of the North Island and saw Christchurch pre-earthquake.
Dates Traveled: Late Dec 2010 /Early January 2011
Must See: Queenstown, Abel Tasman, Marlborough for wine lovers
I Wish We: Explored more of the North Island and saw Christchurch pre-earthquake.
Itinerary
Day 1: Drove from Auckland airport to Paihia to see the Bay of Islands; Cruised the islands; Seafood dinner in town.
Day 2: Left Pahia for Auckland. Stopped at Whangarei falls & the famous bathroom in Kawakawa. Explored Auckland.
Day 3: Scenic Drive in the morning stopping at Bethell's, Piha and Karekare beaches. Auckland and Devonport in the afternoon.
Day 4: Flight to Queenstown in the morning. Explored Queenstown and enjoyed the Gondola & Mountain Luge.
Day 5: Queenstown - Nevis Canyon Swing , Shotover Jet Ride and Arrowtown gold mining town. NYE party in Queenstown.
Day 6: Drove to Te Anau and hiked part of the Kepler Track.
Day 7: Te Anau - Milford Sound Boat Cruise & Observatory.
Day 8: Drove back to Queenstown & flew to Christchurch.
Day 9: Explored Christchurch. Drove through Arthur's Pass, visited the Pancake Rocks and arrived in Nelson at night.
Day 10: Hiked Abel Tasman Park all day.
Day 11: Drove to Picton (Marlborough wine country). Visited vineyards.
Day 12: Scenic drive along northern coast.
Day 13: Ferry from Picton to Wellington; dined in Wellington.
Day 14: Explored Wellington. Departed in the afternoon for the US.
Day 2: Left Pahia for Auckland. Stopped at Whangarei falls & the famous bathroom in Kawakawa. Explored Auckland.
Day 3: Scenic Drive in the morning stopping at Bethell's, Piha and Karekare beaches. Auckland and Devonport in the afternoon.
Day 4: Flight to Queenstown in the morning. Explored Queenstown and enjoyed the Gondola & Mountain Luge.
Day 5: Queenstown - Nevis Canyon Swing , Shotover Jet Ride and Arrowtown gold mining town. NYE party in Queenstown.
Day 6: Drove to Te Anau and hiked part of the Kepler Track.
Day 7: Te Anau - Milford Sound Boat Cruise & Observatory.
Day 8: Drove back to Queenstown & flew to Christchurch.
Day 9: Explored Christchurch. Drove through Arthur's Pass, visited the Pancake Rocks and arrived in Nelson at night.
Day 10: Hiked Abel Tasman Park all day.
Day 11: Drove to Picton (Marlborough wine country). Visited vineyards.
Day 12: Scenic drive along northern coast.
Day 13: Ferry from Picton to Wellington; dined in Wellington.
Day 14: Explored Wellington. Departed in the afternoon for the US.
Eat, drink, be merry ...snooze
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Bay of Islands is a nice little tropical getaway a few hours from Auckland. We stayed at the Bali Hai Motel which was a quick drive from the town center. The innkeeper was really nice, funny and welcoming. We forgot his name so we call him Gandolf because he was hosting a few guests one evening and his buddies called him Gandolf. We are pretty sure he was wearing the 3 wolf moon shirt which earned him major bonus points. We ate at the main seafood restaurant in town on the water - 35 Degrees South. The food was adequate, view was pretty and staff friendly.
We both loved Auckland. We stayed downtown at a Rydges hotel really close to the Skytower. So close that we regularly saw people bungee jumping off the tower from our hotel window. We spent a lot of time walking around the city, exploring different neighborhoods, museums and public gardens. Our favorite restaurant was the Occidental Belgium Beer Cafe because they had delicious green mussels. We also enjoyed an afternoon walking through Devenport across the bay. From Devonport, you get a beautiful view of the Auckland skyline, especially at sunset. |
Hotels:
Bay of Islands: Motel Bali Hai Auckalnd: Rydges Queenstown: Nugget Point Te Anau: Bella Rosa B&B Nelson: Ah House Picton: Walnut Block (our FAVORITE) Wellington: At Home Wellington Restaurants: Bay of Islands: 35 Degrees South Auckalnd: The Occidental Belgium Beer Cafe Queenstown: Ferburger Te Anau: The Fat Duck (get the lamb!) Christchurch: Dux de Lux Nelson: Boat Shed Cafe Picton: BBQ on our cottage grill at Walnut Block |
In Queenstown we stayed at the Nugget Point hotel which is located on the river bank a short drive from town. We considered staying in town to avoid driving back and forth at night, but the drive to the Nugget was easy and the hotel was much nicer and more affordable compared to those in town. We were also here on New Years Eve so most hotels downtown were sold out. Nugget Point is a beautiful hotel with stunning views of the river. We would definitely stay here again. Queenstown is full of cafes and restaurants. Our favorite was Ferburger. Their giant burgers are perfect after a day of hiking and swinging across canyons!
In Te Anau we stayed at the Bella Rosa B&B, a lovely home located close to town. The hosts, Brent & Gilly, are very welcoming. On our first night, they were hosting some friends for wine & cheese and invited us to join them. It was so nice meeting new people and learning about everyday life in New Zealand. If you go, ask them about Brent's adventure in Africa. It's a truly amazing story! Their daughter worked at a local restaurant called The Fat Duck which was delicious and one of the best meals we had in NZ.
After Te Anau, we flew to Christchurch and stayed at the City Centre Motel which we did not particularly enjoy. Many of the local establishments were closed due to a recent earthquake, but we managed to find a fun place to eat called Dux de Lux. Most of the city was empty because everyone was at this place. It was cafe style with a really nice beer garden.
In Nelson, we stayed at Ah House, a lovely home close to town center. John and Mark were lovely hosts and the downstairs room was perfect. It was a large room that opened up to a patio & garden. Our hosts cooked us a great breakfast that provided a lot of energy for our 7 hr Abel Tasman hike. At night we dined at the Boat Shed Cafe. The bartender was from Maine, noticed our accents and immediately pegged us for New Englanders. The Boat Shed was adorable and the food was quite tasty.
After Nelson, we drove to Marlborough - wine country. We stayed at Walnut Block cottages which was possibly our favorite place in New Zealand. The cottages are modern, beauitufly decorated and have a stunning view of the Walnut Blok vinyard. After weeks of dining out we were in the mood to cook our own meal. After touring a couple vineyards, we stopped at the market for food and had a private BBQ outside our cottage which had a glorious view of the Savignon grapes. After dinner we spent some time walking through the vineyard enjoying the sunset. We highly recommend staying here if you can snag one of the two cottages! The Walnut Block wine is also very good!
Our last stop was Wellington where we stayed in our own apartment through At Home Wellington. Coincidentally, a friend from Boston was also traveling through NZ around the same time and ended up staying in the room right next to ours! We had always planned to meet them for dinner in Wellington but had no idea we would be in the same hotel, let alone next door to each other. We dined at a cute little french bistro called Le Metropolitan on Cuba Street.
In Te Anau we stayed at the Bella Rosa B&B, a lovely home located close to town. The hosts, Brent & Gilly, are very welcoming. On our first night, they were hosting some friends for wine & cheese and invited us to join them. It was so nice meeting new people and learning about everyday life in New Zealand. If you go, ask them about Brent's adventure in Africa. It's a truly amazing story! Their daughter worked at a local restaurant called The Fat Duck which was delicious and one of the best meals we had in NZ.
After Te Anau, we flew to Christchurch and stayed at the City Centre Motel which we did not particularly enjoy. Many of the local establishments were closed due to a recent earthquake, but we managed to find a fun place to eat called Dux de Lux. Most of the city was empty because everyone was at this place. It was cafe style with a really nice beer garden.
In Nelson, we stayed at Ah House, a lovely home close to town center. John and Mark were lovely hosts and the downstairs room was perfect. It was a large room that opened up to a patio & garden. Our hosts cooked us a great breakfast that provided a lot of energy for our 7 hr Abel Tasman hike. At night we dined at the Boat Shed Cafe. The bartender was from Maine, noticed our accents and immediately pegged us for New Englanders. The Boat Shed was adorable and the food was quite tasty.
After Nelson, we drove to Marlborough - wine country. We stayed at Walnut Block cottages which was possibly our favorite place in New Zealand. The cottages are modern, beauitufly decorated and have a stunning view of the Walnut Blok vinyard. After weeks of dining out we were in the mood to cook our own meal. After touring a couple vineyards, we stopped at the market for food and had a private BBQ outside our cottage which had a glorious view of the Savignon grapes. After dinner we spent some time walking through the vineyard enjoying the sunset. We highly recommend staying here if you can snag one of the two cottages! The Walnut Block wine is also very good!
Our last stop was Wellington where we stayed in our own apartment through At Home Wellington. Coincidentally, a friend from Boston was also traveling through NZ around the same time and ended up staying in the room right next to ours! We had always planned to meet them for dinner in Wellington but had no idea we would be in the same hotel, let alone next door to each other. We dined at a cute little french bistro called Le Metropolitan on Cuba Street.
Tunes
Don't Dream it's Over - Crowded House
Sway - Bic Runga
Young Blood - The Naked and Famous (discovered this one while in NZ)
Loyal - Dave Dobbyn
Warrior - Mark Foster, A-Trak, Kimbra
I Got You - Split Enz
Chains - DLT & Che-Fu
Hiphophipotomus vs. Rhymenocerous - Flight of the Conchords
Golden Love - Midnight Youth
Sway - Bic Runga
Young Blood - The Naked and Famous (discovered this one while in NZ)
Loyal - Dave Dobbyn
Warrior - Mark Foster, A-Trak, Kimbra
I Got You - Split Enz
Chains - DLT & Che-Fu
Hiphophipotomus vs. Rhymenocerous - Flight of the Conchords
Golden Love - Midnight Youth
Tips
If you like coffee, order as many flat whites as possible while you are here.
