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- Day 1–2
- January 8, 2025 at 4:08 PM - January 9, 2025
- 1 night
- 🌬 22 °C
- Altitude: 10 m
New ZealandFreemans Bay36°50’26” S 174°45’58” E
Stay at the Hilton Hotel, Auckland
Jan 8–9 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 22 °C
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- Day 1–2
- January 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM - January 9, 2025
- 1 night
- ☁️ 31 °C
- Altitude: 19 m
SingaporeSingapore Changi Airport1°21’20” N 103°59’7” E
Flight to Auckland
Jan 8–9 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Took over 2 hours to get through customs, immigration, bio- security etc! Luggage searched and boots and walking poles sprayed!
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- Day 2–4
- January 9, 2025 - January 11, 2025
- 2 nights
- ☁️ 23 °C
- Altitude: 4 m
- New ZealandHobson Beach35°16’14” S 174°4’50” E
Bay of Islands
Jan 9–11 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Two day trip involving a ferry trip to the town of Russell and a boat tour of the islands and surroundings. The trip involved an internal flight from Auckland to Kerikeri. Staying at the CopthorneRead more
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- Day 3
- Friday, January 10, 2025 at 10:00 AM
- ⛅ 20 °C
- Altitude: 6 m
- New ZealandWaitangi Marae35°16’10” S 174°4’52” E
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
January 10 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Protected site of the signing of the first accord between the British Crown and the Maori people. Well presented account of the historical events that culminated in 1840.
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- Day 3
- Friday, January 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM
- ☁️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 4 m
- New ZealandTaylor Island35°16’52” S 174°5’32” E
Boat tour of the islands
January 10 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Tour among the islands culminating in a visit to the Hole in the Rock. Stopped at Waewaetorea island - of Captain Cook fame - for a walk to the lookout point. Lots of birds seen!
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- Day 4–6
- January 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM - January 13, 2025
- 2 nights
- ☁️ 20 °C
- Altitude: 17 m
- New ZealandTe Karaka Island36°50’30” S 175°48’37” E
Campervan & Coromandel
Jan 11–13 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Picked up the campervan from Maui in Auckland and headed to the Coramandle peninsula, staying at Hahei on a campsite next to a gorgeous beach.
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- Day 5
- Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM
- ⛅ 18 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- New ZealandCathedral Cove36°49’40” S 175°47’23” E
Walk to Cathedral Cove
January 12 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
An up and down 1 hour coastal walk from the campsite at Hahei, with spectacular coastal views featuring the pristine waters of the Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve. It's framed by native pōhutukawaRead more
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- Day 6–7
- January 13, 2025 at 2:30 PM - January 14, 2025
- 1 night
- ☀️ 22 °C
- Altitude: 9 m
- New ZealandMission Point37°40’13” S 176°9’41” E
Tauranga pit stop
Jan 13–14 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
A stop near Mount Maunganui in Tauranga at the north end of the Bay of Plenty. Bad traffic delayed our arrival so not much tourism activity! It was our first stay at a 'Freedom' campsite - noRead more
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- Day 7
- Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 1:06 PM
- ☀️ 20 °C
- Altitude: 141 m
- New ZealandMangapapa Stream37°51’28” S 175°40’50” E
Hobbiton
January 14 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
In full touristique mode we had a tour of the Lord of the Rings/Hobbit movie set in Matamata - called Hobbiton.
It's a magical location and easy to see why Peter Jackson chose it. The work that wentRead more
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- Day 7–9
- January 14, 2025 - January 16, 2025
- 2 nights
- ☁️ 24 °C
- Altitude: 281 m
- New ZealandRotorua38°8’10” S 176°14’25” E
Rotarua
Jan 14–16 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
A two night stop in Rotorua, a town on its namesake lake and renowned for its geothermal activity (see video) and Maori culture. A pleasant place, much of which has a strong sulphurous whiff! We alsoRead more
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- Day 9
- Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 12:04 PM
- ☁️ 18 °C
- Altitude: 321 m
- New ZealandWhangioterangi (Echo Lake)38°21’30” S 176°22’10” E
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland
January 16 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
A visit to the active geothermal area at the southern end of the Okataina Volcanic Centre, in New Zealand's Taupo Volcanic Zone. It included the eruption of the Lady Knox geyser (see video)!
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- Day 9–12
- January 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM - January 19, 2025
- 3 nights
- ☁️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 420 m
- New ZealandWaipahihi38°42’14” S 176°5’57” E
Taupo
Jan 16–19 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
A three day stop in the town situated on the edge of lake Taupō, the largest freshwater lake in New Zealand. First up was a visit to the nearby Huka Falls. Day 2 included chilling on the lake shore,Read more
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- Day 11
- Saturday, January 18, 2025
- ☁️ 16 °C
- Altitude: 1,833 m
- New ZealandRed Crater39°8’8” S 175°38’54” E
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
January 18 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
An epic 22 km hike summiting at 1886 m / 6187 ft crossing part of Tongariro National Park - a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a spiritual and cultural landmark recognizing both the Maori cultureRead more
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- Day 13
- Monday, January 20, 2025
- ☀️ 18 °C
- Altitude: 13 m
- New ZealandWellington Ferry Port41°17’24” S 174°46’57” E
Wellington
January 20 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
A chill day soaking up the Wellington waterfront after a long travel day before and a night in a regional park.
In Wellington we stayed in a free van car park in the middle of the waterfront. LunchRead more
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- Day 14–15
- January 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM - January 22, 2025
- 1 night
- ☀️ 23 °C
- Altitude: 12 m
- New ZealandPicton41°17’49” S 174°0’6” E
South Island arrival
Jan 21–22 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
The ferry crossing across the infamous Cook Straights was very pleasant, with the water like a millpond. The entrance to the port of Picton was very scenic! An overnight stay at Picton before headingRead more
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- Day 15–18
- January 22, 2025 at 4:00 PM - January 25, 2025
- 3 nights
- ☀️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 17 m
- New ZealandTotaranui Beach40°49’18” S 173°0’17” E
Abel Tasman: Totaranui Campground
Jan 22–25 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
A long but glorious drive from Picton to the Abel Tasman national park, over mountains and along coasts. It's famous for its stunning coastal scenery, crystal clear waters, golden sand beaches andRead more
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- Day 16
- Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 1:05 PM
- ☁️ 21 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- New ZealandTotaranui Beach40°49’21” S 173°0’18” E
Abel Tasman: Coast Explore
January 23 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
A day exploring the coast by foot and sea - there are no roads in the region. A stunning coastline with several gorgeous bays and beaches.
On a cloudless night - the 'starscape' is truly amazing, dueRead more
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- Day 17–18
- January 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM - January 25, 2025
- 1 night
- ☁️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 204 m
- New ZealandBuller River41°45’20” S 172°23’34” E
Murchison Pit Stop
Jan 24–25 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
An overnight stay on the road from Abel Tasman to the west coast at Murchison Motorhome Park, situated on the bank of the Buller River in a picturesque mountainous area. A lovely site with its ownRead more
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- Day 18–20
- January 25, 2025 at 2:53 PM - January 27, 2025
- 2 nights
- 🌧 19 °C
- Altitude: 9 m
- New ZealandPunakaiki42°6’25” S 171°20’12” E
Punakaiki
Jan 25–27 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
A grey day with our first drops of rain as we reach the wild west coast at Punakaiki, after a journey that followed the Buller River with its dramatic gorges. Staying at a lovely scenic site on theRead more
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- Day 19
- Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 6:51 PM
- 🌧 17 °C
- Altitude: 7 m
- New ZealandPororari River Gorge42°6’24” S 171°20’23” E
Pororari River Track Hike
January 26 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 17 °C
A 14 km circular hike along the spectacular limestone gorge of the Pororari river, with great views and atmospheric forests. A particular highlight was a sighting of a Tomtit, an endemic NZ bird, plusRead more
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- Day 20
- Monday, January 27, 2025 at 9:30 AM
- 🌬 14 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- New ZealandPancake Rocks, West Coast, South Island42°7’1” S 171°19’37” E
Pancake rocks - part 2
January 27 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 14 °C
On leaving Punakaiki we revisited the pancake rocks as there was a strong south westerly wind and a rising tide.
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- Day 20
- Monday, January 27, 2025 at 3:00 PM
- ☁️ 15 °C
- Altitude: 156 m
- New ZealandFox Glacier43°27’51” S 170°0’32” E
Fox Glacier
January 27 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
After another stunning scenic drive we arrived at the Top 10 campsite, not far from the end of the Fox Glacier. First up was a walk around the nearby Mathison Lake.
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- Day 21
- Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 10:15 AM
- ☁️ 3 °C
- Altitude: 2,178 m
- New ZealandHarpers Saddle43°34’39” S 170°7’18” E
Glacier Flight
January 28 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 3 °C
A helicopter ride and landing to the top of Fox Glacier, with great views of Mounts Cook and Tasman. Awesome trip! A couple of short video clips are included.
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- Day 22–24
- January 29, 2025 at 4:30 PM - January 31, 2025
- 2 nights
- ☀️ 22 °C
- Altitude: 290 m
- New ZealandRoys Bay44°42’7” S 169°7’37” E
Journey to Wanaka
Jan 29–31 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
A long drive to the next location, but once again it was characterised by wonderful scenery - along the western coast on world heritage state highway 6, up the mighty Haas river valley and pass withRead more
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- Day 23
- Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 6:09 PM
- ☁️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 279 m
- New ZealandBull Island44°39’28” S 169°7’48” E
Wanaka Lakeside Walk
January 30 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
An 18 km walk mainly on the shore of Lake Wanaka around the Wanaka township. One of the most stunning walks of this kind we have ever made! Wanaka is a gem of a place.
TravelerTasting white wine!
Traveler
My first 'flight' of Sauvignon Blanc and winner was Vavasour.