Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Full Itinerary - With Limited Commentary

2 Week New Zealand Itinerary
August 22-September 5, 2018


*Use the sidebar to navigate or you can click on each date to redirect you to the daily posting*
*Also, if you are viewing on a computer, click on the pictures to make them bigger!*
*Also, also - I did zero editing. So if errors are driving you crazy, feel free to send me an email with all of your corrections....I know 'you people' are out there*

August 22 
  • Depart Honolulu for New Zealand (Air New Zealand)

 August 23

 August 24
  • Depart Auckland for Christchurch, NZ (Jetstar)
  • Accommodations:
  • Food:
  • Activity:
  • Food:
    • Greedy Cow - Start your day off with a Flat White (and some WiFi)
    • Doughbough - Meat Pies and Bagel Sandwiches - and so many cakes to choose from
    • Reflections -  Great Choices for dinner - make reservations as they fill up fast and almost couldn't seat us
    • Lake Tekapo Tavern - Chips are good! Didn't eat here but it has good reviews - open later than most places we saw 
  • Accommodations:

  • Drive from Lake Pukaki to Wanaka (2 hours - 170km)
  • Activity:
    • Wanaka Tree - You can't got to Wanaka and not see the tree (be basic)
  • Food:
    • Lake Bar - Amazing Mulled Wine, Gorgeous Outdoor Views, Great Lunch
    • Urban Grind - Coffee and Restaurant looks very cute as well - didn't eat
  • Accommodations:
    • Wanaka Kiwi Holiday Park - Close to town, Heated bathroom floors, swings, hot tub, comfortable indoor common area, shuttle into town
  • Activity:
  • Food:
    • Wanaka Speight's Ale House - Cobbler. Just get cobbler, who needs dinner. 
    • Francesca's - We didn't actually eat here but if you want to, make sure to make a reservation - actually, make a reservation everywhere. 
    • Cork - Late night drinks (Ashley's Favorite Thing Ever)
  • Accommodations:
    • Wanaka Kiwi Holiday Park - Close to town, Heated bathroom floors, swings, hot tub, comfortable indoor common area, shuttle into town

August 28

  • Long Way Around Drive from Wanaka to Queenstown (1.5 hours / 110km)
  • Activity:
    • Skyline Queenstown - Gondola ride with birds eye view of the city. Tourist trap - but we're tourists.
  • Food:
    • Meat Pies - Just eat each and every one you see
    • Ivy & Lola's - We only had a light lunch, but I have been told everything is amazing
    • Fergberger - The Southern Hemisphere's Best Burger - maybe. 
    • Surreal - Quaint bar - potential turns into dance club, karaoke bar or open mic night
  • Accommodations:
  • Activity:
    • Cardrona Alpine Resort - Great little resort. Prices were reasonable and if you are there in winter it's worth the detour for a day
    • Real Journey - Tour company the holiday park booked us through
  • Food:
    • Captain's Cafe - Lodge on the slopes of Cardrona where the Disney medleys flow like water
    • Roaring Megs Restaurant - Super good meal. Known for their award winning lamb dishes and the cobbler was also superb. 
    • Pog Mahone's - Fun Irish Pub. Good for rowdy bunches. 
  • Accommodations:
  • Queenstown to Fiordland National Park (2.5 hours/220km)
  • Activity:
    • Shotover Jet Tour - Looks far scarier than it really is - lots of fun and worth the thrill! 
  • Food:
    • Joe's Garage - Come hungry - you'll eat multiple meals of your own and others
    • The Ranch - Country feel - the normal favorites for lunch
  • Accommodations:
  • Mackay Creek Campsite to Milford Sound (1 hour/60km -- will take you double stopping to take photos)
  • Activity:
    • Mirror Lake Walk - Short super easy stroll - see if you can catch a mirror view
    • Chasm Walk - Another easy, short walk through water sculpted rocks 
    • Milford Sound - Have your camera ready! I think every day brings a new photo opp
  • Food:
    • Good ole noodles and cooking - although the lodge we stayed at does have a little restaurant
  • Accommodations:
    • Milford Lodge - Range of cabins, rooms, and RV hookups. Lots of Kea's to entertain you and try and steal your stuff
September 1
  • Milford Sound to Crown Range Road (4 hours // 300 km)
  • Activity:
  • Food:
    • Pio Pio Cafe - Ian & Lauren grabbed some breakfast to go pre-kayak and it looked great!
    • Gas Station Meat Pies
    • Wonderful Lamb by Emily
  • Accommodations:
    • Crown Range Road - Never thought I would sleep up here but it was where the RV decided to stop for the night

September 2
  • Wanaka to Fox (3.5 hours // 260 km)
  • Activity:
  • Food:
    • Alchemy - Great for a big breakfast if you want it - might even see Chloe Kim
    • Cook Saddle - Bar food - great cobbler
  • Accommodations:
    • Gillespie Beach Camping - I could see this place getting super crowded in the busy season but ample parking and restrooms where you may be greeted by a sheep
  • Fox to Lake Mahinapua (2 hours, 150 km)
  • Activity:
    • Fox Glacier Heli-Hike - Helicopter up to Fox Glacier and guided 3 hours hike (just pull the trigger and do it)
  • Food:
  • Accommodations:
  • Hokitika Gorge to Hamner Springs (4 hours, 280 km)
  • Activity:
  • Food:
    • No. 31 - We didn't actually end up eating here (see blog) but Em & Jason said it's amazing
    • O'Flynn's - Pub food to the rescue!
  • Accommodations:
September 5
  • Hamner Springs to Christchurch (1.5 hours, 130km) -- thanks Jason =)
  • Activity:
    • Home to Honolulu by way of Christchurch to Auckland to Honolulu
  • Food:
  • Accommodations:
    • Auckland Airport 12 hour layover 


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