Category: NZ
-
In this final post about our time in New Zealand, I’m combining several destinations into one article, as they were all part of our TranzAlpine train adventure. If you’re visiting New Zealand and have enough time, taking a scenic train journey—through mountains or along the coastline—is something you shouldn’t miss. That’s why, after arriving in…
-
posted on
Lake Tekapo & Aoraki/Mount Cook
After a day in Dunedin, we made our way to Lake Tekapo, where we planned to spend four days. While there aren’t too many activities directly around Tekapo, it makes a great base for exploring Aoraki/Mount Cook—one of the true jewels of New Zealand’s South Island. We chose to stay in Tekapo because accommodation inside…
-
Next up was Dunedin, the second-largest city on the South Island. While it may not be a hiking hotspot, it more than makes up for it with historic landmarks, trendy cafés, and stunning beaches with plenty of scenic walks. The drive from Kaka Point to Dunedin took us just over 1 hour and 20 minutes.…
-
posted on
the 5 best things to do in Kaka Point
After leaving Fiordland National Park, we headed toward Kaka Point—a tiny coastal town we honestly didn’t expect much from. It was just a convenient stop on our route, and we figured we’d spend the night and move on. But sometimes, the places you don’t plan for end up being the ones that surprise you the…
-
posted on
The Ultimate Guide to Milford Sound
After saying goodbye to beautiful Queenstown, we made our way to Te Anau — a small, quiet town that became our base for exploring Fiordland National Park. Fiordland is probably New Zealand’s most famous national park, and it totally lives up to the hype. The stunning fjords, dramatic cliffs, and wild Southern Ocean views are…
-
posted on
Queenstown
After Wanaka, we headed to the famous ski resort town of Queenstown. Since it wasn’t ski season yet, we didn’t have high expectations—but once again, New Zealand surprised us. Nestled by a stunning lake and filled with charming pubs and restaurants, Queenstown quickly stole a piece of our hearts. Visiting in autumn made the town…
-
posted on
Wanaka: Where to Stay, Eat & Hike
After exploring Arthur’s Pass, our next stop was a city that quickly became one of our favorite places in the world—Wanaka. While it’s an obvious choice for those looking to hike in Mount Aspiring National Park, the town itself immediately captivated us with its charm. From picturesque houses and a stunning lake surrounded by colorful…
-
posted on
Arthur’s pass
Our next destination after Paparoa was Arthur’s Pass. Yes, we enjoy making slightly unconventional decisions! Originally, we had a totally different itinerary and planned to head to Hokitika next, but—I think I’ve mentioned New Zealand’s April weather a few times, right? Well, this time, State Highway 6 was completely washed out by a storm, so…
-
posted on
Paparoa National Park
Next, we made our way to Paparoa National Park, home of the Paparoa Track (one of New Zealand’s Great Walks) and the incredible Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. There’s so much to see here that even though we only spent a single day, I’d recommend staying for at least two. The area is stunning and feels completely…
-
The next region we visited in New Zealand was the Nelson region—more precisely, Nelson Lakes National Park. The small town of St. Arnaud serves as the gateway to the park and is known for its popular ski resort. But since we were visiting in autumn, no skiing for us this time! The national park includes…
