New Zealand - The Land of the Kiwi
New Zealand is comprised of three main islands, the North Island, the South Island, and Stewart Island. These three islands comprise most of New Zealand and each offers something unique and wonderful to offer. The people of New Zealand are some of the friendliest on the planet. It will be hard to find a warmer welcome than the one you will receive in New Zealand. From the fjords in the South Island to the Bay of Islands in the North Island, there is something for everyone in New Zealand.
How to Get There
Flying:
Flights are long and you will have a similar schedule to flights to Australia. They tend to leave the US late in the evening and fly through the night. Most flights are non-stop from the west coast to Auckland. For more information about our experience on flights to Australia, click here to read our blog.
Cruising:
If you have the time, a cruise to and around New Zealand would be ideal! This type of cruise is actually on my bucket list. You need to plan on at least 30 days but you will have amazing stops in the Hawaiian Islands, Tahiti,Cook Islands, and New Zealand. These longer voyages are on smaller ships and tend to be more relaxed with plenty of sea days. These cruises can also be a segment of a World Cruise and tend to be more social. This is truly a time when it is about the journey as much as the destination. For more information about a World Cruise and segments of a World Cruise, click here to read about our experience.
What to See and Do
South Island:
Fjordland National Park – Located at the southernmost part of the South Island of New Zealand, Fjordland National Park is best viewed by boat. This is an amazing park with many fjords to choose from but the most common are Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound. Expect windy and rainy weather. The winds can be strong enough to prevent sailing but when the conditions are right, magic happens. We had a windy and rainy day and I am so grateful that we did. It was an amazing experience. For more information on our experience in Fjordland National Park, click here to read our blog about Milford Sound and click here to read our blog about Doubtful Sound.
Dunedin – Its name tells the tale, dun means new and edin is short for Edinburgh. This beautiful city located in the south end of South Island has a very strong Scottish influence. Besides the steepest street in the world, Dunedin has a beautiful “castle” that overlooks the area. Larnach Castle is a must-see if not for the castle then for the grounds. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time here in Dunedin. Another must-see is the Otago Peninsula where you will be able to find the Yellow-Eyed Penguin. There are sanctuaries for these beautiful birds and if you get the chance to see the in the wild, you really must take it. Click here to read about our experience in Dunedin.
Christchurch – We, unfortunately, were unable to see Christchurch on our trip. Due to strong winds, we were unable to dock in the harbor that services Christchurch. This change of itinerary turned out to be okay. As we slowly made our way to the next port of call, we were visited by a pod of dolphins. They played and swam alongside our ship for some time. It was thrilling to watch and was the second time on our cruise that we were entertained by dolphins. Christchurch was hit by earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. Many of their stone buildings in the town center of Christchurch were destroyed. They have been very clever and rebuilt using a most unusual medium. You simply have to go and see how they managed.
Picton – Located on the north end of the South Island of New Zealand, Picton was a pleasant surprise. We were greeted with the sound of bagpipes as we drew nearer to the city center. From there we explored some of the preserves the area has set up to help bring back some of the native bird species. Many of the birds in New Zealand do not fly. Until the Europeans arrived, these bird species did not have any predators and they did not need to fly. With the introduction of other species from the European settlers, the birds began to suffer great losses. To learn more about our experience in Picton, click here to read our blog.
North Island
Wellington – The capital of New Zealand is Wellington and is located on the southern tip of the North Island in New Zealand. This beautiful city is surrounded by vineyards and water. It also happens to be the Hollywood of New Zealand. In Wellington, you will find the studios that produced the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies. You can tour some of there facilities at Weta Caves. You will find props and items used in the filming of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings as well as other films made here. To learn more about our experience in Wellington, click here to read our blog.
Napier – After being destroyed by an earthquake in 1931, the city of Napier is best known for its Art Deco style. Napier is located on the east coast of the North Island in New Zealand. This town really gets into its history. They have a festival each year where the entire town dresses in the art deco era styled clothing. Visitors come just to join in the fun and dress accordingly. They have tours in the old cars that have been meticulously maintained. It’s a fun town to visit. To learn more about our experience in Napier, click here to read our blog.
Tauranga – This port services an area south of Auckland in the North Island of New Zealand. The best-known option here is Hobbiton. Built originally for the set of the first Lord of the Rings movie, the set has been turned into an attraction that is well worth your time. I went a little picture crazy here. Hobbiton is a full Hobbit Shire complete with a pub where you can buy a drink. Simply must-see. There are also some geological formations that you might want to check out. If you have been to Yellowstone, in the United States, you will not be impressed by their version. Another fun place to explore is the glow worm caves. For more information about our experience in the Tauranga area, click here to read our blog about Hobbiton.
Auckland – Know as the city of sails, Auckland is built around the water and is located on the North Island of New Zealand. There is so much to see and do in Auckland that it is hard to narrow it down. If you have the chance, you really need to get out on the water here. The city is surrounded almost by water and has the highest number of yachts per capita. It just has to be seen from the water. Situated further north, Auckland is warm and vibrant with weather similar to Sydney, Australia. To learn more about our experience in Auckland, click here to read our blog.
Waitangi - Also known as the Bay of Islands, Waitangi is located in the most northern point of the North Island in New Zealand. With hundreds of islands to explore, 144 to be exact, Waitangi is a beautiful place to stop and explore. One of the most important areas of interest in the Bay of Islands is the Waitangi Treaty House. Here you can learn more about how New Zealand became part of the British Empire, learn about the Maori culture, watch a master craftsman carve, and see a couple of the traditional longboats. To learn more about our experiences in Waitangi, click here to read our blog.
New Zealand is a remarkable place and should be on your travel bucket list. When you are ready to plan your next adventure to New Zealand, contact us, your premier Boise Travel Agency and New Zealand specialists.
Phone: 208-996-3269 or Email: cal.lindsay@cruiseplanners.com
