New Zealand is a country that is located south of Australia, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The most common error that most people make is that the country is a part of Australia. Well no, it is not and it has never been. It is a cluster of small islands with a total of two main islands called the North Island, also called Te Ika-a-Māui by the natives, and the South Island also called Te Waipounamu, that comprise most of the land area of the country.
It has a diverse topography. The country features mountains, beaches, forests and even volcanoes. The views offered by these areas are one of a kind. It might be a little tough to believe but some of the southern areas even have glaciers. On the south island, you will witness extremely beautiful beaches whereas when you go to the north the beaches may become rockier. There aren’t many places in the world where you can witness and experience all of this topography and biosphere in one country.
Airports, Airlines and Accommodations
The country has 62 airports in total and Auckland Airport is the largest and busiest airport of them all. Each year more than 15 million passengers travel via or to this airport. It is followed by the second and third-largest airports of the country, Christchurch Airport and Wellington Airport, respectively. If you have Queenstown up on your bucket list you can start your country tour from there only and book your flight to the Queenstown Airport.
When it comes to accommodations, there are many luxurious hotels and resorts all over the country as it’s one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. But you will also find budget-friendly and cheap stay-ins if you want to save your money!
A solo trip to New Zealand for 6 nights and 7 days might cost the travellers around INR 1,00,000 to INR 1,20,000.
Experience the big city life in Auckland!
Auckland comes off as one of the best cities to visit in the world!
It is the largest city in New Zealand where you can experience the actual big city life and city rush. There are many skyscrapers, two harbours that feature many luxurious yachts and sailboats.
The city is extremely vibrant and full of diverse cultures and neighbourhoods. With the topography, city, fashion and culture the city is a feast to the viewer. It will take especially those in awe who have not witnessed a big city life ever.
The outskirts of the city feature many hot springs, wineries, farmland and a magnificent series of islands. Also, this city has been voted as one of the best places to live in the world.
It also features some of the country’s best museums and cultural institutions, including the Auckland War Memorial Museum and the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. Many family-friendly attractions are ranging from the city’s Sky Tower to spots like the Auckland Zoo and the Tiritiri Matangi Open Sanctuary.
If you’re a nature enthusiast, you are going to fall in love with the breathtaking landscapes found at Waiheke Island, Mount Eden and Rangitoto Island. Drive just a few hours outside the city and you will find kiwi attractions like Waitomo Glowworm Caves etc.
Queenstown – An ultimate vacay destination!
Queenstown, snuggled into the shoreline of Lake Wakatipu, is completely devoted to tourism. It offers numerous ways for travellers to get high on adrenaline.
It is famous worldwide as the home to bungee jumping and similar adventurous activities. Other activities include things like
jet boating, rafting, ziplining, parachuting, and paragliding opportunities, as well as hot air ballooning, trekking, fishing, climbing, and many more!
When it’s the winter season, the whole town is turned into a skiing and snowboarding site.
It features two of the country’s best ski destinations: The Remarkables and Coronet Peak.
This town lies on the South Island and is full of finger-licking and luxurious dining options, fun and entertainment and house to some of the country’s best thrilling activities.
To experience all this and to avoid missing out on any of the fun, keep this city on the top of your bucket list and we promise you won’t regret it!
Hiking in New Zealand!
The two of the best places to go hiking in New Zealand are a Hike to lake Marina and Hike to Moke Lake.
Hiking to Lake Marina is a 3-hour trail. It leads you through the native forest areas of Fiordland before the trees suddenly disappear and in front of you sits the most stunning glacier lake for you to ever witness!
This hiking spot is well known and it’s not that people don’t know about it, but more like people keep it very low on their bucket lists and sometimes miss to witness as time doesn’t allow them to. It remains to be one of the best things to do in New Zealand.
You will find the Lake Marian Track car park is on Hollyford Road, 38 kilometres from Milford Sound. To get there you will have to head down the road to Milford Sound between Te Anau and Milford and keep going until you reach Hollyford Road. Here, turn right and the carpark is on your left. You won’t have much trouble finding the Hollyford Road and the Lake Marian Track as their signs are there only stating what is what.
The next one is a hike to Moke Lake. Just like hiking to Lake Marina, this is also a must visit. You spend evenings watching the setting sun and nights stargazing. It’s located only 15 minutes away from Queenstown. So while exploring other parts of the city, you can come here, take a breather and enjoy nature!
If you explore more around the lake area you will find a hidden trail that is known to a very few locals only. It leads to the most beautiful viewpoint high above Moke Lake. Most of the tourists miss it because most of them don’t even know that such a spot exists. So if you’re going to New Zealand and especially here, to hike, we suggest you not miss this secret spot!
Since it’s not a very well known spot you can enjoy peace with wine and peaceful silence. It is somewhat a bit tough to find but where there is will there is a way!
Food In New Zealand!
New Zealand is a paradise for seafood lovers. It is home to some of the best seafood in the world.
Starting from the small town of Kaikōura, famous for the crayfish, there are ‘seafood caravans’ dotted along the coast. The most popular one is the Nin’s Bin which is run by a local family who has been in this business since 1977.
You need to visit Mount Cook. There you can have the delicious king Salmon that will leave you biting your tongue for more!
New Zealand is also very famous for its lamb. It is one of the country’s top export meats. So when in the country, roasted Lamb is something you should feast upon. It is served with side vegetables and tastes best when flavoured with rosemary. You will find this dish in almost all the best dining restaurants across the nation.
A very famous style of cooking in the country is Māori hāngī. It is a traditional earth oven style of cooking. Now, this style is saved mainly for special occasions, but you can still enjoy the meat cooked in this style in the central North Island. The food items that are cooked in a hāngī include chicken, pork, mutton, as well as pumpkin, potato and sweet potato. For dessert, savour a delicious hāngī-steamed pudding and you will not regret it!
A very important part of kiwi culture is the act of cooking outside, famously known as a ‘barbie’, barbeque, barbecue or BBQ. Meats like lamb, beef, sausages and poultry are usually barbecued at home in the backyard during the summer months. Vegetable salad made with potato salad and garlic bread are also prepared.
Who doesn’t like ice cream? So be sure to try hokey pokey. It is a creamy vanilla ice cream with tiny balls of crunchy honeycomb.
The native people of the country love pavlova. It is a meringue-based dessert that’s topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit. It is a dish which is mandatory at the Christmas table. And if you’re a health freak and want something healthier you can always try some New Zealand stone fruit or a fruit salad.
Wine and wineries are an important part of a good New Zealand tour. Pinot noir, light and fruity sauvignon blanc and the deep, peppery flavours of a New Zealand syrah is a drink not to miss!
Recently craft beer breweries have started gaining a lot of popularity.
Another drink, Lemon & Paeroa known as L&P is a non-alcoholic soft drink that was created in 1907. It is made from lemon and carbonated water, and tastes delicious!
Best time to visit New Zealand
The best time to visit New Zealand is from December to march. During these months the temperature varies from 16 degrees Celsius to 24 degrees Celsius and the days are long and bright. This temperature is ideal to visit the lovely beaches and enjoying other outdoor activities like hiking and mountain biking.
But the country is filled with magnificent natural landscapes and destinations that will make your visit worth it during any time of the year.
In the South Island, sinks are likely between June and September. The spring and autumn months are minimal and witness fewer visitors but are very pleasant times to visit.
Trip Summary
A country where you can experience it all, New Zealand features everything from big city life to farmlands and volcanoes to glaciers. Its exploration will never be enough once you step into the country but don’t forget to miss the highlights and best things mentioned above!
The cities and things mentioned above are the highlights but there is so much more to explore in both South and North island, many other cities and activities that will not let you get bored even for a minute.
To summarize, this trip would leave you in awe and would be one of the best travel experiences in your lifetime!
