New Zealand: Our bucket list trip

Every year May gets me dreaming about New Zealand. When we got married ten years ago we wanted a honeymoon completely unique to us and not your typical beachy getaway. Thankfully, my mother-in-law is a travel consultant so we had a great resource for planning the perfect trip of a lifetime. 

Even ten years after our trip I’m amazed at how few people (the well-traveled included) have been to the beautiful country of New Zealand. Following the release of the Lord of the Rings trilogy of movies there was an uptick in interest as people wanted to see the place that served as Middle-earth. There is a movie site tour and a reconstructed Hobbiton set that you can visit, but we were more interested in the actual beauty of this wonderful place. 

We spent almost two weeks exploring the two islands that make up this nation and I’ve been ready to go back for more since the day we flew home. Here is a taste of what we saw and did on our trip and hopefully serves as a jumping off point for you to plan your own adventure to Aotearoa, as the Maori call it. 

Queenstown

4 nights with one night overnight on Doubtful Sound

This city nestled in the Southern Lakes district is known as the Adventure Capital of the World and that is exactly why we went there. When we picked New Zealand the item top of my list was bungy jumping and with a little convincing my hubs signed on. 

Besides our unforgettable jump from Kawarau Bridge, the Ledge Swing with views of the city, and a breathtaking ride on a shotover river jet boat, the city itself was truly awe-inspiring. We found friendly shop owners, tasty eats, and even a host who baked a plateful of homemade cookies and shared the recipes to boot. 

Doubtful Sound

 Most visitors take a quick day trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound, but the overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound is worth the extra expense and effort. This was the most peaceful experience I’ve ever had and some of the most breathtaking scenery I’ve ever seen.

 Franz Josef

1 night

New Zealand is perfect for a driving holiday. Rent a car and hit the road between destinations so you can fully appreciate the beauty and serenity of this island nation. From Queenstown, it is a leisurely 4.5 hour drive to Franz Josef. This is the one experience on our trip that I was unsure of doing. I’m not much of a cold weather person and this was all about the glacier. I am so glad we did it because it became one of the most memorable things I’ve ever done. 

Punakaiki

1 night

Punakaiki is all about the scenery. We stopped here for the famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes, but the surrounding mountains, rainforest, and ocean views are just as spectacular. 

Nelson

1 night

Nelson is one place I wish we would have spent more time. A three-hour drive from Punakaiki, it is the northwest corner of the South Island and really the epicenter of the region. Packed with great restaurants, art galleries, and the one-of-a-kind World of Wearable Art. 

Marlborough Sounds

3 nights

This was without a doubt my favorite part of the trip. It was what you think of when you think of completely romantic getaways. We took a boat to the Portage Resort Hotel which has been hosting guests for over 100 years in a beautiful and peaceful bay. 

The comfy accommodations gave us plenty of excuses to relax. The world-class restaurants and wine lists gave us opportunities to indulge. But the location gave us the chance to disconnect from everything else and fully enjoy where we were. 

We spent a full day hiking the Queen Charlotte Track and I would go back in a heartbeat and do the three-day version. 

The Bay of Islands

2 nights

The Bay of Islands region is a must visit in my opinion. It is really the seat of history for New Zealand. Visit Waitangi to learn about Maori culture and the historic signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. The fully carved Maori Meeting House and war canoes are some of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. 

Hokianga

1 night

This was a magical ending to a truly special trip. We spent our final night in New Zealand taking a twilight tour of the kauri forest. Our energetic Maori guide showed us the many plants of the forest that are traditional medicines while telling us the stories that make up the history and story of the Maori and the islands. The sounds of the forest told a story of their own. 

New Zealand might be a small nation, but it is full of unmatched beauty, fantastic people, excellent food and wine, and experiences that you will find nowhere else. If it isn’t on your bucket list, get it on there NOW. You will thank me later.