Off to Kiwi Land

A 15-day adventure by Travel with the Wicks Read more

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Trip start
March 1, 2025
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Friday, February 28, 2025 at 9:58 PM
☁️ 21 °C
Altitude: 68 m
New Zealand University of Auckland -36.849272, 174.76339736°50’57” S 174°45’48” E
Goodbye Austrailia hello New Zealand
February 28 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Up first thing this morning, left hotel with boxed brekkie in hand at 630am. Checked in, cruised through security and departure check-in; time for coffee and shopping duty free!
Set up comfortably in our usual spot in last row by the washrooms😀. We are flying with Qantas to Auckland on a B787. It is a pleasant flight that includes a meal. Dianne and I are both a little concerned about New Zealand customs, as in my experience, I have never gotten through without being scrutinized as well as X-rayed on arrival. We don’t have any food besides liquorice, but we do have vitamins. We get through customs via the express lane so I guess it was just me that looked suspicious in the past.
Our hotel is a casino in the centre of Auckland. We find it noisy as music can be heard in our room til around 2am.Read more
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Day 1
Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 8:50 AM
☁️ 20 °C
Altitude: 14 m
New Zealand Shoal Bay -36.797453, 174.76467836°47’51” S 174°45’53” E
Auckland
March 1 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Kiwis are generally proud of their home. Aucklanders have a reputation around the north and south isles of being so. Others refer to them as JAFAs meaning just another (friendly) Aucklander. There are 1.5 million Aucklanders in a country of just over 5 million. As you can see, it is a nice placeRead more
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Day 1
Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 12:44 PM
☁️ 25 °C
Altitude: 76 m
New Zealand Mount Hobson -36.860554, 174.77778636°51’38” S 174°46’40” E
Auckland Museum
March 1 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
As museums go, this one is alright. Good insight to the indigenous history as well as the European history. The big dinosaur bird thing is a Moa. Extinct now but was here when the Polynesians first arrived.Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 7:57 AM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 76 m
New Zealand Kapongaru -38.260962, 175.10339538°15’39” S 175°6’12” E
Waitomo Caves
March 2 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
There are a series of caves to visit here. Our tour got tickets for the Glow Worm cave. Of course no photos were allowed in the cave as it might disturb the glow worms. The picture you see is of a postcard that they conveniently sell in the gift shop.Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 2:59 PM
☁️ 24 °C
Altitude: 294 m
New Zealand Rotorua -38.132601, 176.25097438°7’57” S 176°15’4” E
Te puia Thermal Reserve
March 2 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
This place is smokin’ hot. Not the air but the ground. Neither Dianne or I have ever seen a geyser before so this is a nice addition to our travels. The rocks around us are literally hot to touch.

The mud pools are too hot to soak in!Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 5:04 PM
☁️ 24 °C
Altitude: 308 m
New Zealand Pohutu geyser -38.164112, 176.25051938°9’51” S 176°15’2” E
Te Puia Cultural dance and art school
March 2 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Te Puia is the home to the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. The tour guides, artisans and performers are from the indigenous community and I understand that the family as our guide Mr. T, referred to himself as, has been here for about 400 years. They took over the place from another Iwi or tribe as we know it. The dance is a Haku and it comes with the introduction of being a welcome dance. The welcome part is stressed a lot on the verbal introduction. You might have misinterpreted the dance as threatening as you can see from some of the pictures.

In their dance culturally the men stick theirs tongue out while the women bulge their eyes. Only the men get facial tattoos and the women get tattoos on their chin. Both represent status and you require permission from elders!Read more
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Day 3
Monday, March 3, 2025 at 8:49 AM
☁️ 17 °C
Altitude: 361 m
New Zealand Huka Falls -38.6497, 176.08944738°38’59” S 176°5’22” E
Rotorua to Wellington
March 3 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
A few pictures from the road trip.
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Day 4
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 9:29 AM
☁️ 18 °C
Altitude: 9 m
New Zealand Thorndon -41.277378, 174.77743741°16’39” S 174°46’39” E
Wellington City Tour
March 4 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Wellington is the capitol of New Zealand and the parliament buildings were the first stop on todays tour. Next was the Lady Norwood Rose Garden where we took the opportunity to walk for a short time on the Waipiro bush walk.Read more
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Day 4
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 10:20 AM
☁️ 19 °C
Altitude: 176 m
New Zealand Mount Victoria -41.296105, 174.7942841°17’46” S 174°47’39” E
Mt Victoria Summit
March 4 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Nice 360 degree view of Wellington from up here. The runway is 6800 feet.
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Day 4
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 11:42 AM
☁️ 18 °C
Altitude: 95 m
New Zealand Seddon -41.675793, 174.07319641°40’33” S 174°4’24” E
Wellington Museum
March 4 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
We had an excellent guide at the Wellington Museum. He married a Canadian girl from Vancouver island and his mother in law told him to be extra friendly with Canucks. He was. The museum seemed to be equally dedicated to the indigenous history as well as European influence. One wing of the museum is dedicated to the action of New Zealand soldiers in Gallipoli.Read more
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Day 4
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 4:42 PM
🌧 16 °C
Altitude: 6 m
New Zealand Kaiwharawhara Point -41.264088, 174.78686341°15’51” S 174°47’13” E
Ferry Wellington to Blenheim
March 4 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 16 °C
The ferry to Picton is between 3 1/2 to 4 hours. We got off about 4 1/2 hours after embarking, and I was glad to see that ferry behind me. It was a smooth enough ride, it became tedious. When it was time to get off, we all got on the bus and waited for the green light for engine start. It was another half hour to the hotel in Blenheim. It was dark and raining when we arrived so no exploring the town.Read more
TravelerLooks like a great trip!!
3/5/25Reply
TravelerLong ride…
3/6/25Reply
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Day 5
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 10:45 AM
☀️ 14 °C
Altitude: 11 m
New Zealand Blenheim -41.511738, 173.95327841°30’42” S 173°57’12” E
1
Blenheim
March 5 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
A bit of a sleep in today; makes us happy! Went for a morning walk to pick up lunch and travel goodies. Left on the bus for a short ride to a winery!

Wine tasting before 11am! We went to a winery in Marlborough, Lawton’s Dry Hills. Lovely wines, ready for a nap on the bus. We still had a long bus ride to Christchurch.Read more
Traveler You look very comfortable with your MORNING glass of wine!! LOL
3/6/25Reply
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Day 5
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 1:49 PM
☀️ 14 °C
Altitude: 17 m
New Zealand ChristChurch Cathedral -43.531162, 172.63734443°31’52” S 172°38’14” E
Sights on the way to Christchurch
March 5 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
Driving along the ocean we stopped to take pictures of some seals. A few other sights as well.
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Day 6
Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 11:09 AM
☁️ 12 °C
Altitude: 809 m
New Zealand Pegleg Flat -42.888088, 171.55639642°53’17” S 171°33’23” E
Train to Arthurs pass
March 6 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
Christchurch is still recovering from the earthquake of 2010. Our hotel is across the street from the Cathedral and there is a ways to go on the restoration. The city though seems to have shaken it off and is vibrant and friendly.. This morning we all got on a train to Arthur’s Pass. This is a scenic ride through the mountains in a very comfortable train.Read more
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Day 6
Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 1:21 PM
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 154 m
New Zealand Franz Josef -43.387046, 170.1826743°23’13” S 170°10’58” E
Hokitika
March 6 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
Spent about 90 minutes here walking around and having a coffee. Named for the Hokitika river, and where it meets the ocean.
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Day 6
Thursday, March 6, 2025
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 153 m
New Zealand Franz Josef -43.387375, 170.18209743°23’15” S 170°10’56” E
Franz Josef
March 6 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
Franz Josef is a glacier. Today it was shrouded in cloud, so no pictures of the glacier. We walked around the area for about 20 minutes. The town we stayed in is Franz Josef and it small and forgettable compared to some of the places we have been.Read more
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Day 7
Friday, March 7, 2025 at 11:30 AM
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 27 m
New Zealand Omimimi Creek -43.854878, 169.05468943°51’18” S 169°3’17” E
Jet boating!
March 7 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
The Haast River is fed by glaciers, and that is the reason for the aqua colour of the water. The pilot of our jet boat, Amber, is knowledgeable about the area, as well as flora and fauna. She lives in the neighborhood on an acreage where she has a vegetable garden, raises deer, dives for cray fish and generally fends for herself as the nearest grocery store is over 2 hours away. She didn’t mention a partner.Read more
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Day 8
Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 10:02 AM
☁️ 10 °C
Altitude: 351 m
New Zealand Queenstown -45.033808, 168.67964245°2’2” S 168°40’47” E
Queenstown Hike
March 8 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
We had a day off from bus riding so Dianne and I took the opportunity to hike around Queenstown. Walked around 20 Kms. around the lake and through the park. Queenstown is the starting point for fiord boat tours, trekking, jet boating, hang gliding and any other summertime activity you can think of. The population is young and fit, and somewhat transient. Along our walk we encountered heaps of travel vans parked around the lake. Camping is popular in New Zealand with a wide array of RVs on the road and campgrounds in every town and tourist area.Read more
TravelerNice change I bet
3/10/25Reply
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Day 8
Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 4:06 PM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 320 m
New Zealand Peninsula Hill -45.031595, 168.65928745°1’54” S 168°39’33” E
Queenstown sites
March 8 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
I heard that the best burger in town is the furburger . I misheard the reference, it is actually the Fergburger. Even the ducks have heard about the legendary burger.
TravelerYum
3/10/25Reply
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Day 9
Sunday, March 9, 2025 at 8:46 AM
☁️ 11 °C
Altitude: 184 m
New Zealand Pearl Harbour -45.569115, 167.61036745°34’9” S 167°36’37” E
Bus, Boat, Bus, Boat, ….repeat!
March 9 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
What a day we had today. It was quite the adventure. Early start (as usual), road the bus for about 3 hour to Manapouri. From here we hopped on a jet boat (a larger one) to cross Lake Manipouri. That took 45 minutes. Next we boarded another bus to go over the Wilmer pass; another 25 minutes.. Finally, onto a boat and cruise thru Doubtful sound. We spent a couple hours sailing these beautiful waters. The sites around us were just stunning. The waters were calm and even peaceful until we reached open water in the Tasman Sea. There we were rocked quite a bit. We saw some seals sunning themselves.

Doubtful Sound has 4 permanent waterfalls and if it rains many temporary falls. We were treated to a few of these temporary falls.

By definition Doubtful Sound is actually a fiord, carved by a glacier during the ice age. A Sound is carved by a river.

We all enjoyed a boxed lunch and a glass of wine cruising the fiord. ( fiord is spelt correctly).Read more
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Day 9
Sunday, March 9, 2025 at 12:49 PM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: Sea level
New Zealand Nee Islets -45.260696, 166.88676545°15’39” S 166°53’12” E
Doubtful Sound
March 9 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
More pictures from Doubtful Sound. It was truly a magical day!
TravelerBeautiful pictures! 🙌
3/11/25Reply
TravelerSuch beauty!
3/11/25Reply
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Day 9
Sunday, March 9, 2025 at 5:41 PM
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 200 m
New Zealand Te Anau -45.417789, 167.71229645°25’4” S 167°42’44” E
Te Anau
March 9 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
“Glowing land” on the banks of Lake Te Anua . Te Anua is a quaint lakeside town where we arrived in time for dinner, sleep and on the road by 830am.
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Day 10
Monday, March 10, 2025 at 8:24 AM
☁️ 11 °C
Altitude: 8 m
New Zealand Owaka -46.449792, 169.66123846°26’59” S 169°39’40” E
On the road again…
March 10 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
Today, another big trip. We are on our way to Dunedin. Our lunch stop was in a little town of Owaka. I think it is a quirky place from what I’ve seen, but the people are certainly friendly.
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Day 10
Monday, March 10, 2025 at 1:56 PM
☁️ 16 °C
Altitude: 92 m
New Zealand Nugget Point -46.446297, 169.81117246°26’47” S 169°48’40” E
Nugget Point
March 10 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
We made a stop at the lighthouse on Nugget Point. A bit of a walk and some pictures.
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Day 10
Monday, March 10, 2025 at 4:26 PM
☁️ 17 °C
Altitude: 8 m
New Zealand Dunedin -45.875446, 170.50796545°52’32” S 170°30’29” E
Dunedin
March 10 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
About 125 thousand people live in Dunedin. It is considered to be a sister city to Edinburgh Scotland, and I can see why. The area reminds you of Scotland. It seems pretty quiet though. The train station was almost deserted, and not many people were out and about.
The train station is pretty famous because of the black and white sandstone exterior and ornate interior. There isn’t much passenger traffic here anymore.Read more
TravelerLooks familiar 😊
3/12/25Reply
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