19Days / 18Nights South and North Island of New Zealand
Penguins in New Zealand
Locations of YHA Hostels in New Zealand
Estimated Travelling times between cities
Travel Guide and Information
Day 1: KL-Auckland, NZ
Depart from KLIA by MAS to the New Zealand's largest international airport - Auckland International Airport. Auckland is also known as City of Sails.
Day 2: Auckland - Christchurch
Take a domestic transit by Qantas flight to Christchurch, The Garden City.
Arrive at Christchurch Airport, clear immigration and customs. Then proceed outsde the terminal building and board pre-arranged Super Shuttle to transfer to Christchurch City Central YHA.
Free and easy for the rest of the day, walk around and explore the city of Christchurch.
Day 3: Christchurch - Lake Tekapo via Inland Scenic Route 72
Morning (5am) depart for hot air balloon.
Pick up our rental car at 11am from Omega Rental Cars.
Visit around Christchurch city- Christchurch cathedral, Cathedral Square, The Arts Centre, Bridge of Remembrance, Avon River, City Mall, Cantebury Museum.
Depart Christchurch in the late afternoon and drive along 'Inland Scenic Route 72' to Lake Tekapo.
Overnight at Lake Tekapo YHA.
Day 4: Lake Tekapo - Mount Cook
Lake Tekapo is a scenic lakeside village, which is a popular stop over en-route Christchurch and Queenstown.
Early in the morning, visit around Lake Tekapo - The Sheep Dog Statue, The Church of the Good Shepherd, Mt John Observatory.
Then start journey to Mt. Cook Internationl Park.
Mt. Cook - Kea Point Track (2hrs).
Accomodation at YHA Mt. Cook.
Day 5: Mount Cook -Oamaru - Dunedin
Sign up for the Tasman Glacier & National Park Eco Tours (Glacier explorer by boat). Explore the Hooker Valley Track before depart Mt. Cook.
Enroute, stop to see the unique Moeraki Boulders and stop by Oamaru's harbour before turning inland.
Arrive Dunedin at night.
Accomodation at friend's house.
Day 6: Dunedin
First stop at the Otago Peninsula - The Roal Albatross Centre, visit the world's only Mainland Albatross Colony. Tour Fort Taiaroa (Otago Harbour) and see the New Zealand fur seals. Then to the Larnach Castle- New Zealand's only castle sitting high on the Otago Peninsula.
After lunch, explore the Dunedin city - The Heritage Walks - The Octagon, Clock Tower, First Church of Otago, St Paul's Cathedral, Dunedin Railway Station (the most photographed building in New Zealand), Hayne's Building, Public Library, Trinity Church, Law Courts, Police Station and Congregational Church.
Then go to Baldwin St, which is the World's Steepest Street. And finally visit the New Zealand's first university, the University of Otago.
Then go to Baldwin St, which is the World's Steepest Street. And finally visit the New Zealand's first university, the University of Otago.
Day 7: Dunedin - Invercargill - Te Anau via Southern Scenic Route
Depart Dunedin early in the morning, stop along the Southern Scenic Route at Nugget Point, Tautukur Beach at the Catlins, Surat Bay, Sinclair Wetlands, Purakaunui Falls (one of the most photographed falls in New Zealand), lunch at Invercargill aka The Friendly City (the sounthernmost city of New Zealand) and Lake Manapouri before arriving at Te Anau YHA at night.
Day 8: Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown
From Te Anau, the journey to Milford Sound (Fiordland) is one of the world's finest drives. Fiordland - the largest National Parks in the world and has been designated a World Heritage Area for its unique features. Enter the Eglinton Valley and travel through the breath taking man made Homer Tunnel to reach Milford Sound. Enjoy the Milford Sound Nature Cruise scheduled at 10.30am, dominated by Mitre Peak and the cascading Bowen Falls.
Depart Milford Sound and arrive at Queenstown Lakefront YHA for dinner.
Day 9: Queenstown
Take the self-drive tour at Deer Park Heights surrounded by lakes and mountain ranges experience a spectacular journey through this magnificient wildlife park. In one of New Zealand's prime Lord of the Rings file locations. Visit the world's First Bridge Bungy Site 43m above the Kawarau River. Discover the four seasons of Arrowtown, a vibrant historic gold mining town established in 1862. Stop at a fruit orchard at Cromwell. At night, experience the coolest place in Queenstown at the Minus 5 Degree Ice Bar.
Day 10: Queenstown - Franz Josef
On the way to Franz Josef, stop by Gold Fields Mining Centre and Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World at Wanaka. Arrive at Franz Josef in the late evening. Accomodation at Franz Josef Glacier YHA.
Day 11: Franz Josef - Greymouth
The Fox and Franz Glaciers are unique relics of the last ice age. Mighty rivers of solid white, tumbling down ice-hewn rock valleys, they are classically beautiful in the glacial sense. Join the Half Day Glacier guided tour at 8.45am. In the afternoon, depart Franz Josef and head to Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast.
Overnight at Kainga-ra YHA.
Day 12: Greymouth - Christchurch
Depart Greymouth and winds across the spectacular gorges and river valleys, over the massive Southern Alps in Arthur's pass National Park and through lush beech forest to Christchurch. We are back to Christchurch, visit the Queen Vistoria Square and Botanic Garden.
Day 13: Christchurch - Kaikoura
Morning (5am) depart for hot air balloon.
We have rescheduled our Kaikoura whale watch tour at 12.45pm today to tomorrow due to the second arrangement of hot air balloon. Travel north to the Kaikoura famous of all year around whales watching and also the base for wildlife experiences of all kinds - it's also a great place to eat crayfish. Visit the seal colony and world of lavender.
Accomodation at Maui YHA.
Day 14: Kaikoura - Picton - Wellington (New Zealand's capital)
Get ready for the advanced booked whale watch tour in the morning. Motion sickness pill recommended!
Depart Kaikoura and drop off our car at the Picton Ferry Terminal. Catch the New Zealand Interislander ferry at 14.25, crossing from Picton to Wellington. The trip takes 3 hours.
Upon arrival at Wellington Ferry Terminal, pick up our car and drive to Wellington City YHA.
Day 15: Wellington - Napier
Wellington is a terrific walking city.
Take the Wellington Cable Car ride up to the top of the Botanic Garden. Visit the duck pond, Begonnia House and award winning Lady Norwood Rose Garden. Then to Te Pappa Tongarewa - The Museum of New Zealand, to learn more about Maori culture and history.
Depart Wellington to Napier. This small town is an art deco period piece; after a devastating Richter 7.9 earthquake in 1931.
Accomodation at YHA Napier.
Day 16: Napier - Taupo - Roturua
Travel north through the Tongariro National Park, dominated by huge, active volcanoes and arrive at Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand. Visit the mighty Huka Falls, Wairakei Geothermal Power Station, Craters of the Moon to witness the thermal activity, mud pools, steam vents and lunar landscapes, and also the Aratiatia Dam & Rapids before arriving into Roturua. Over night at the Kiwi Paka YHA.
At night, join the Maori concert (cultural dance and performance) and taste the traditional Maori Hangi meal cooked with geothermal heat from the ground for dinner.
Day 17: Roturua
Spend the morning at the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland to witness the bubbling mud pools and awesome geysers spraying steaming water high into the air. The Lady Knox Geyser erupts daily at 10.15am. Some highlights at Wai-O-Tapu include The Weather Pool, The Craters, The Champagne Pool and Artist's Palette.
Visit the Blue and Green Lakes, on the road to Te Wairoa and Lake Tarawera.
Day 18: Roturua - Auckland
Auckland is a.k.a. the "City of Sails". It's New Zealand's largest city with landmarks of the Harbour Bridge and Skytower.
Visit the Sky Tower, Harbour Bridge and Auckland's waterfront.
Accomodation at Auckland City YHA.
Day 19: Auckland - KL
NORTH ISLAND
North Island Travelling Times and Distances
Day 15: Wellington - Napier
Wellington is a terrific walking city.
Take the Wellington Cable Car ride up to the top of the Botanic Garden. Visit the duck pond, Begonnia House and award winning Lady Norwood Rose Garden. Then to Te Pappa Tongarewa - The Museum of New Zealand, to learn more about Maori culture and history.
Depart Wellington to Napier. This small town is an art deco period piece; after a devastating Richter 7.9 earthquake in 1931.
Accomodation at YHA Napier.
Day 16: Napier - Taupo - Roturua
Travel north through the Tongariro National Park, dominated by huge, active volcanoes and arrive at Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand. Visit the mighty Huka Falls, Wairakei Geothermal Power Station, Craters of the Moon to witness the thermal activity, mud pools, steam vents and lunar landscapes, and also the Aratiatia Dam & Rapids before arriving into Roturua. Over night at the Kiwi Paka YHA.
At night, join the Maori concert (cultural dance and performance) and taste the traditional Maori Hangi meal cooked with geothermal heat from the ground for dinner.
Day 17: Roturua
Spend the morning at the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland to witness the bubbling mud pools and awesome geysers spraying steaming water high into the air. The Lady Knox Geyser erupts daily at 10.15am. Some highlights at Wai-O-Tapu include The Weather Pool, The Craters, The Champagne Pool and Artist's Palette.
Visit the Blue and Green Lakes, on the road to Te Wairoa and Lake Tarawera.
Day 18: Roturua - Auckland
Auckland is a.k.a. the "City of Sails". It's New Zealand's largest city with landmarks of the Harbour Bridge and Skytower.
Visit the Sky Tower, Harbour Bridge and Auckland's waterfront.
Accomodation at Auckland City YHA.
Day 19: Auckland - KL
Shopping at Victoria Park Market.
Bid farewell to New Zealand. Drive to Auckland International Airport to drop off our car and fly back to KL.
Upcoming...
ReplyDeletemore beautiful photos and trip details.
Traveling around the world and staying in hostels can be a lot of fun.
ReplyDeletePousada Ubatuba
With so many search options and the internet becoming so much easier to use, you can find a hotel that can really meet your needs before you even step into the door.
ReplyDelete