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New Zealand
  • Ida Chew
  • Ida Chew

New Zealand

Self drive North and South Island. Just the two of us. Read more
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  • Trip start
    March 6, 2026
  • Ida ChewNew ZealandTraveler
    Huka FallsStopped at a honey centre otw to Huka FallsLake Taupo at the background.

    D4 Tauranga to Turangi

    March 9 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    After breakfast with Andrew we headed towards Lake Taupo. We stopped by at Huka Falls. We did some hiking here. We swung by Taupo and bought some stuff at Park n Save then headed to our accommodation at Tongariro River Retreat.Read more

  • Ida ChewNew ZealandTraveler
    1The start of the Taranaki Falls trackDifferent route otw back from Taranaki FallsFound the windmill accidentally when looking for a toilet otw to WellingtonDinner with Gabriel Khor and Eve his girlfriend

    D5 Tongariro National Park to Wellington

    March 10 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    We did a 2 hours hike to Taranaki Falls from Whakapapa Village in Tongariro National Park. We stop by Foxton for a toilet break on the way to Wellington and managed to catch a photo with a windmill in NZ. Then we had dinner with Gabriel Khor and Eve his girlfriend in Wellington.Read more

  • Ida ChewNew ZealandTraveler
    As the ferry approached the bay to dock at PictonSeal Colony at OhauAt Kaikoura Lookout Point

    D6 North to South Island

    March 11 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Left Wellington, North Island by the 8 am ferry, Bluebridge to Picton in South Island. Driving to Kaikoura, we stopped to look at seals in Ohau. It's very windy in the South and colder too

  • Ida ChewNew ZealandTraveler
    From the beach in Kaikoura
    The town center of Kaikoura. The museum and library is the building behindBlessed with this local honey by the lady who runs Dolphin LodgeThe view along the coastal driveTrain tracks are running parallel to Highway 1 and I caught a train today.The coastal drive from KaikouraThe country side after the coastal driveCaught some dolphins from the road side shortly out of KaikouraStopped at Amberley for toilet break but ended up buying a pie- beef cheek and had lunch insteadOur cottage for the next 2 nights in Christchurch- Sandy Feet HotelDinner with Catherine, Poh Seng, Hannah & Michael. Korean BBQ cooked by Hannah.

    D7 Kaikoura to Christchurch

    March 12 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    We walked down to the Kaikoura Town Centre, which is next to the beach from Dolphin Lodge. The drive from Kaikoura to Christchurch is beautiful. Started off along the coast then to rolling hills and farms and some vineyards.Read more

  • Ida ChewNew ZealandTraveler
    New Brighton Pier with the Pacific Ocean in the background
    Sumner Beach with Godley Head in the backgroundRock Cave in Sumner BeachView from Sign of KiwiSign of Takahe- the destination of our hike. We had carrot cake and iced latte before heading back.Tram in Christchurch city centreBotanical GardenDahlias in Botanical GardensAvon River

    D8 Christchurch

    March 13 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Went on a local tour with Catherine and Poh Seng. Ist stop was the New Brighton Pier, 2nd stop was the Sumner Beach ( Rock Cave), We then drove to Lyttleton, the port through a very long tunnel. We then drove towards Governor's Bay. 3rd stop was a parking area near Sign of Kiwi cafe and we hiked to Sign of Takahe, had coffee and carrot cake at a cafe before hiking back to the car. 4th stop was Christchurch city centre, we walked from the Cathedral to Riverside Market. 5th stop was the Chinatown of Christchurch where we bought my Fish Oil supplement at Sunson. We also bought Fish and chips and ate it in the park near the Botanical Gardens. We ended the day at a Chinese restaurant, Little Spicy for dinner.Read more

  • Ida ChewNew ZealandTraveler
    Sunset at Lake Tekapo
    Lake AlexandrinaSalmon and Bacon pie at Fairlie's BakehouseChurch of the Good ShepherdSitting by Lake TekapoStargazing from our accommodation in Tailor Made Tekapo

    D9 Christchurch to Lake Tekapo

    March 14 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    Took the Scenic Route through Rakaia, Geraldine and Fairlie. Tasted the famous pie at Fairlie's Bakehouse. After we arrived at Lake Tekapo, we visited the Church of the Good Shepherd and it's surrounding places. We also went to Lake McGregor and Lake Alexandrina. After dinner we gazed at stars.Read more

  • Ida ChewNew ZealandTraveler
    At the hanging bridgeWalking through the 1st hanging bridge.Memorial Stone for those who perished at Mt. CookHiking the Hooker Valley TrackFresh salmon sushi at High Mountain Salmon farmHigh Country Salmon farm in Twizel

    D10 Aoraki Mt. Cook and Twizel

    March 15 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    We did the Hooker Valley Track today but managed to cross only 1 out of 3 hanging bridges as the track was closed for maintenance. Since we were early we went to the High Country Salmon farm just outside of Twizel. Had salmon sushi and we'll be having salmon for dinner tonight.Read more

  • Ida ChewNew ZealandTraveler
    Sunrise at Lake Tekapo
    Drove through some clouds this morning otw to TwizelLindi's Pass Lookout PointWildflowers at Lindi's PassAt the pier in Wanaka town centerGlendhu Bay- Hampshire Holiday ParksMy Wanaka willow tree at the campsiteThe start of autumn. The tree next to our accommodation

    D11 Wanaka

    March 16 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Woke up early to catch the sunrise at Lake Tekapo before leaving for Wanaka today. Stopped by Lindi's Pass Lookout Point before reaching Wanaka.
    Our accommodation for tonight is at Glendhu Bay. We are just learning to chill in this place. The lake is in front of us and the mountain is next to it. Last minute we decided to do a short hike at Diamond Lake. Going up to the Lookout Point was steep but good training for NepalRead more

  • Ida ChewNew ZealandTraveler
    A shot of the famous willow tree at Lake Wanaka
    The heritage precint of Cromwell.The Roaring Mag- otw from Cromwell to ArrowtownChinese people anywhere in the world have the same trademark - hardworking, keep to themselves.The main road of Arrowtown

    D12 Wanaka to Queenstown

    March 17 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Stopped by to see the famous willow tree in Lake Wanaka otw to Cromwell this morning. Then we stopped by Arrowtown before making our way to our accommodation at Pinewood Queenstown.

  • Ida ChewNew ZealandTraveler
    Hiked 2 trails today, 4 hours in total
    Lake Sylvan trackIt's like walking through a mossy forestThere's a suspension bridge here tooThe lake Sylvan which is the highlight of the trackThe tourist shot at the boatshed in GlenorchyWe had lunch under a tree and was showered occasionally with tiny droplets of water due to rainThe hike was very steep. A bit challenging.The forest was so dense that it was quite darkThe view of Queenstown from the hills as we descended from the track.

    D13 Queenstown

    March 18 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    We started the day driving to Glenorchy but the Sylvan Lake hiking trail was another 30 minutes away. The hike took us about 1.5 hours through some kind of mossy forest and ended up at Lake Sylvan. After the hike we went back to Glenorchy to have our pack lunch in front of Lake Wakatipu. After lunch we drove back to Queenstown Hill Walking track which was very near our accommodation, but the track was super steep. Another 1.5 hours of tracking. No more energy to go for Ferg burger or pie.Read more

  • Ida ChewNew ZealandTraveler
    The Anau
    The Anau LakePossum Lodge Manapouri. It's next to the lakeManapouri- Jetty for Doubtful Sound cruises

    D14 Queenstown to Te Anau/ Manapouri

    March 19 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    The drive from Queenstown to Te Anau was beautiful along the Lake Wakatipu until Kingston. Did stopovers at Gaston and Mossburn to take breaks before reaching Te Anau. Walked around the town center and bought some 2nd hand stuff at a Hospice and had our packed lunch in the car. Then headed to our accommodation in Possum Lodge Manapouri. The place is actually 8 minutes walk from the jetty for Doubtful Sound cruises.Read more

  • Ida ChewNew ZealandTraveler
    Lake GunnMirror Lake

    D15 Milford Sound

    March 20 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    The highlight was the cruise in the fiord (10.30 am). Woke up at 6am to drive to Deepwater Basin free parking. Arrived at 8.30 and took us .0.5 h to walk to the jetty. Then otw back to Manapouri we stopped at several places, starting with The Chasm (close), Lake Gunn track, Mirror Lake.Read more

  • Ida ChewNew ZealandTraveler

    D16 Manapouri to Dunedin

    March 21 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Left Possum Lodge with light breakfast as we plan to grab a venison and plum pie from Miles Better Pies. Stopped at Gore for lunch and a few Op Shops. Arrived in Dunedin around 4 pm and walked to the City Center.Read more

  • Ida ChewNew ZealandTraveler
    The Tunnel Beach Track
    The Tunnel Beach Track. Certain parts were steepThe tunnel opens up to the beachTunnel BeachThe view is spectacular, both of the cliffs as well as the seaStopped at a lake otw back to QueenstownEnjoyed our Fergburger.Lakefront in Queenstown after our FergburgerWe also had a gelato from Mrs. Ferg. 10% discount.Our accommodation at Queenstown is near a field where paragliders land.

    D17 Dunedin to Queenstown

    March 22 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    We walked around the Heritage Precint of Dunedin in the morning after breakfast then headed for the Tunnel Beach Track (1 hr). Then it was on the road back to Queenstown through Milton, Roxburgh, Alexandra, CromwellRead more

  • Ida ChewNew ZealandTraveler
    The view of Auckland from Mt. Victoria
    Brunch with Mun Wai and Grace at Manuka Cafe in DavenportHiked up Mt. Victoria after brunch to get a view of Auckland.Went shopping at Op Shops and found myself a pair of Clarks leather shoes for NZ 10Chinese dinner near the Westfield mallThe outing is not complete without very good ice cream from Duck IslandA church near our accommodation.Our accommodation in the city center. Auckland Sky Tower in the background

    D19 Auckland

    March 24 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Walked out to check the bus ride to the airport tomorrow and took some photos. Spent the day sight seeing Auckland with Grace and Mun Wai. Went to Davenport, had a fantastic brunch, then hiked up Mt. Victoria. MunWai took us to this place where there are lots of Op Shop, then went back to the' New Market ' , new CBD for Chinese dinner and Duck Island ice cream.Read more

  • Trip end
    March 25, 2026
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