New Zealand – The Perfect Road Trip Destination

Anumeha Mittal
Mar 18, 2018
3 min read

Updated: Jul 7, 2021

New Zealand is not a destination but a dream! PARADISE

This February, we went on a 15 days road trip in New Zealand, exploring the Middle Earth! We were so awe-struck by the beauty that every new day felt better than the previous. When we tried to recall, each day was amazing and that’s when I decided that this trip deserved not only a food blog but a complete travel blog. New Zealand has rivers, mountains, sea, ocean, glaciers, meadows, grasslands, volcanoes, name anything in nature and its there! It is impossible to cover 15 days of awesomeness in 1 blog. So, trying to capture the snapshot of the full road trip here.

I have also captured the Detailed Itinerary with superb photos on Tripline. Do check it out if you are planning a trip to New Zealand (covers both North and South islands). You can also check out my Skydiving and Bungee Jumping experience on YouTube. We took a combo and did both the adventure activities on the same day for the maximum thrill!

FUN FACT: New Zealand has ~4.5 million people and ~40 million sheep! A super safe natural paradise.

1. Brief Itinerary (North Island – South Island)

We decided to explore both North and South islands in a 15 days road-trip.

Flight from Delhi, India to Auckland, New Zealand

1.1 North Island

Auckland (1 N) – Hobbiton
Rotorua (2 N) – Waiotapu
Wellington (1 N)

Ferry from Wellington to Picton

1.2 South Island

Linkwater, Marlborough Sounds (2 N) – Queen Charlotte Drive
Ross Beach (1 N) – Franz Josef Glacier
Fox Glacier (1 N) – Wanaka
Alexandra (2 N) – Te Anau
Milford Sound (1 N)
Queenstown (3 N) – Glenorchy, Paradise

Flight from Queenstown to Auckland

Day trip Coromandel Peninsula

Return flight from Auckland to Delhi

2. MUST DO Activities

New Zealand has everything – from natural geysers to glaciers, relaxing beaches to adventure activities, and definitely MAGIC! So, get the most of the full experience. Very difficult to choose the best from the best.

2.1 Thermal Activity

Hells Gate Geothermal Park and Mud Bath Spa, Rotorua
Kuirau Park Walk, Rotorua Hidden Gem (free)
Wai-O-Tapu, Rotorua (No doubt, it is the best)
The Lost Spring – hot pools, Coromandel Hidden Gem

2.2 Adventure Activities

Sea Kayaking, Linkwater
Nzone Skydiving (15,000 ft), Queenstown
AJ Hackett Nevis Bungy Jumping (134 m), Queenstown

2.3 Hiking/Walking

Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest walk, Rotorua (free)
Franz Josef glacier valley walk (free)
Kepler Walk track, Te Anau (free)

2.4 Best Drives

Fox Glacier – Wanaka Drive (Lake Paringa, Blue Pools)
Milford Te Anau Road
Glenorchy – Paradise drive (off-road driving)

2.5 Others

Hobbiton Tour, near Auckland
Glowworm Caves, Smiths Farm, Linkwater (There are various other locations)
Fox Glacier scenic flight (Try for Heli Hike, if not available then go for scenic flight)
Wine tasting, Alexandra (Central Otago is famous for Pinot Noir and Gris)
Milford Sound cruise (Try for early morning)

3. Accommodation

Don’t just go for a regular hotel but explore beautiful cottages amidst scenic beauty, try out experience stays such as vineyard/farms, or even try camping/caravan!

3.1 Airbnb

Use my promo code to get discounts – Airbnb

3.2 Camping (Recommended)

Ross Beach Top 10 Holiday Park
Fox Glacier Top 10 Holiday Park
Knob’s Flat – Te Anau Milford Sound Road (Caravan)

3.3 Vineyard (MUST)

Weaver Estate Wines & Weaver Estate Vineyard Cottages – Alexandra

3.4 Farmland (MUST)

Smiths Farm Holiday Park – Linkwater, Marlborough Sounds

3.5 Hotel

Cleveland Thermal Hotel – Rotorua

4. Best Cafes/Restaurants/Bars

Fresh Fresh Fresh – fruits, fish, and dairy products! Also, try the ultimate breakfast combos.

4.1 Breakfast/Brunch/Cafes

Autobahn Cafe(en route to Rotorua from Auckland)
Third place cafe(Rotorua) MUST
Slip Inn Cafe(Havelock, Marlborough Sounds) MUST
Hobnail Cafe (Fox Glacier)
Cafe Neve (Fox Glacier)
Miles Better Pies(Te Anau)
Bailez Cafe (Te Anau) MUST
Fat Badgers Pizza(Queenstown)
Vudu Cafe (Queenstown)
Fergburger (Queenstown)

4.2 Dinner/Drinks

Brew – crouchers brewing co, Eat street! (Rotorua) MUST
Stratosfare (Rotorua, one in Queenstown as well) MUST
The Malthouse – Te Aro (Wellington)
The World Bar & Restaurant (Queenstown) MUST
Smith’s brewery (Queenstown)

5. Other Tips

Find your own hidden gems
Definitely, have the fresh berry ice-cream MUST
Try camping – carry camping stuff for more fun and spontaneous plans
Swim in the blue lakes/rivers/water bodies
Be prepared for all kinds of weather (hat, sunscreen, shades, raincoat, light jacket, everything)
Taste the local whitebait (it’s a small local fish)
Go bird watching (Kea, Kiwi) MUST
Do stargazing MUST
Try local beer (Wild Buck and other Craft Beers)
Have a great coffee