The Wedding Celebration of Alix & Conor
Things To Do in NZ
Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau
Auckland is New Zealand's largest city and has a lot to offer! Spend the day in the city walking along the waterfront, visiting the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and taking a trip to the top of the Sky Tower. Or visit the Auckland Museum to learn about the country's history and Maori culture. For sports fans, The All Blacks Experience in the city is well worth doing, as is a trip to Eden Park (perfect for gloating about Ireland's recent rugby wins!). Alternatively, there are lots of places to do some nice walks/hikes in the Auckland region - from volcanoes to black sand beaches. Then spend the evening enjoying cuisine from every part of the world and some cocktails to match! Things not to miss: Skytower, Auckland Domain (War Memorial) Museum, Eden Park, Mount Eden, Auckland Waterfront.
The Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel is a beautiful region on the North about 3.5 hours from Auckland and is known for its stunning beaches, rugged coastline, and native forests. There are plenty of activities to enjoy in the Coromandel (especially in the sun) including hiking, surfing, fishing, and exploring the area's little towns and villages! Things not to miss: Cathedral Cove, Hot Water beach, The Lost Spring Whitianga.
Rotorua
Rotorua is a unique small city in the North Island, about 2.5 hrs from Auckland, known for its geothermal activity, Maori culture, and outdoor adventures! A visit to the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland will allow you to see mud pools, geysers, and bubbling hot springs. If you're looking for relaxation, take a dip in one of Rotorua's many natural hot springs, such as the luxurious Polynesian Spa. For the more adventurous, explore Rotorua's many hiking or mountain biking trails, such as the Redwoods Treewalk or the Whakarewarewa Forest, where you can see towering redwood trees and natural hot springs or take a trip up the scenic gondola and luge back down the hill! Things not to miss: Geothermal activity (and smell!), Skyline Rotorua, Redwoods Tree walk, Lake Tawawera and Tawawera Trail. You could also combine a trip to Rotorua with a stop/night in Mount Manganui (a lovely beach town) which is not far away.
Raglan
Raglan is a small town on the west coast of the North Island, known for its great surf and laid-back vibe! As Raglan is one of the best surf spots in the country we highly recommend you take a trip to one of its beaches and hire a board and wetsuit or even do a surf lesson with one of the local companies. If you want to keep your feet on firm ground, take a hike to the top of Mount Karioi for panoramic views of the coastline, do a yoga class in one of the various places in town, visit the aptly named Bridal Veil Falls or simply stroll around the quirky town! Things not to miss: Ngarunui Beach, Bridal Veil Falls, Raglan town.
Queenstown & Wanaka
No trip to NZ is complete without seeing the South Island. Queenstown is a resort town known for its stunning natural beauty, adventure activities, and vibrant nightlife. First up, take in the stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains. You can take a scenic gondola ride to the top of Bob's Peak for panoramic views, or take a leisurely stroll along the lake. For those who want to get the adrenaline pumping, Queenstown is the place to do it! You can bungee jump, go paragliding, take a jet boat ride, or even go skydiving! For a more relaxed experience, visit one of the nearby wineries for wine tasting and a vineyard tour, play some golf or treat yourself to a spa day in the Onsen. From Queenstown you can drive 1hr onto Wanaka which also has its fair share of scenery! Here you can hike Roys's Peak for stunning views, See the famous 'Wanaka Tree' or head to the huge Lavender Farm. Things not to miss: Ferg burger in QT, Onsen, Roy's Peak, Wanaka Tree.
Milford Sound / Piopiotahi
Also accessible (albeit a long day!) from Queenstown, Milford Sound is a breathtaking fjord. Take a scenic drive along the Milford Road and then take a day cruise to see the stunning waterfalls, cliffs, and wildlife. Kayaking or paddleboarding is also a great way to explore the quieter parts of the fjord. Scenic flights are also available. For a shorter day, stay in the lovely Milford Lodge or slightly further afield in Te Anau. Things not to Miss: Milford sound cruise, Soak up the scenery!
Mount Cook/Aoraki
Mount Cook is the highest mountain in NZ and it's also the name of the National park in which it lies. It offers a huge amount of outdoor activities for every level! The Hooker Valley Track (5km) leading to the Hooker Valley Glacier is one of the best walks in NZ and suitable for almost anyone! Similarly, the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint takes just 15 minutes and offers incredible views. However, a Heli-hike tour which lands on a glacier is magnificent and a once in a lifetime activity that we would really recommend. There are also kayak and boat tours to help people get up close to the glaciers for another viewpoint! Things not to miss: Glacier Helicopter Trip, The Hooker Valley Track, Tasman Glacier Viewpoint, Just soaking up the incredible scenery in the National Park.
Lake Tekapo/Lake Pukaki
The Lake Tekapo/Lake Pukaki area is famous for its bright blue lakes and world class stargazing and is a Dark Sky Reserve. Visit the famous Church of the Good Shepherd or soak in the nearby Tekapo Springs hot pools. For lake views, a hike up Mount John is a great activity or rent a bike and cycle along the lake front. You can also take a scenic drive to the Pukaki Observatory for some more views and stargazing. Burkes Pass, is about 15 minutes from Lake Tekapo and is a great stop off for a look at the unique landscape and shops which mimic a small New Zealand town from the 1950s. Things not to Miss: Church of the Good Shepard, Lake Tekapo & Lake Pukaki, Burkes Pass.
West Coast (Fox & Franz Josef Glacier)
The West Coast is a wild and rugged region that also boasts some spectacular scenery. Similar to the Tasman glacier in Mount Cook, a visit to the Franz Josef or Fox Glaciers is a must, where you can hike or take a helicopter tour to witness the blue ice formations up close. The Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki are another unique natural wonder worth seeing, as are the stunning Hokitika Gorge and the serene Lake Brunner. The region is also famous for its lush rainforests and abundant wildlife, with opportunities to spot native birds and rare kiwis! For an unforgettable road trip, drive the Great Coast Road, one of the Top 10 coastal drives of the World according to Lonely Planet. Things not to Miss: Fox/Franz Josef Glaciers, Pancake rocks, Hokitika Gorge.
Suggested Itinerary
While there are many different ways to see some of the above spots depending on how much time you have to spend, a suggested 2 week Itinerary could look something like the below: North Island - Auckland (3 nights), Mount Manganui or Raglan (1 night), Rotorua (1 night), The Coromandel (2 nights). South Island - Fly into Queenstown from Auckland (2 nights), Te Anau/Milford Sound (2 nights), Wanaka (1 night), Mount Cook/Tekapo area (2 nights), Or West Coast (2 nights). Fly back to Auckland from Christchurch. When planning road trips, note that driving from place to place can take at least as much time as Google Maps recommend (especially in the South Island) as roads are frequently winding and you could easily get stuck behind a campervan!