Beach,children,education,Family,Lifestyle,Research,Restaurants,Travel

Kia Ora New Zealand

Keri   14 Jul , 2017   Video

New Zealand had always been on my mind since seeing amazing Instagram photos on different locations in the country.  When Cathay Pacific had a BDO  promo, I knew it was a sign to make New Zealand our next destination.  We spent 18 days, travel days included, and yet I felt it wasn’t enough.  There was just too much beauty to discover, I felt every location looked liked a painting.  Honestly, I was a bit nervous thinking my kids might end up bored with too much nature but they loved it and all the outdoor activities offered.

Here are the places we went to and the activities we did 🙂

AUCKLAND

 

Our apartment in Auckland was right on the wharf and had a fantastic view of the Sky Tower :)

Our apartment in Auckland was right on the wharf and had a fantastic view of the Sky Tower 🙂

 

We took the Fullers ferry to Waiheke Island and back to Auckland.  The boat ride is only 30mins each way .

One of the beautiful beaches in Waiheke Island

One of the beautiful beaches in Waiheke Island

Noah enjoying the roads on Waiheke

Noah enjoying the roads on Waiheke

Mudbrick Vineyard on Waiheke

Mudbrick Vineyard on Waiheke

Mudbrick Vineyard, Waiheke

Mudbrick Vineyard, Waiheke

Mudbrick Vineyard , Waiheke

Mudbrick Vineyard , Waiheke

Mudbrick Vineyards

Mudbrick Vineyards

Man O War Vineyards, Waiheke - theirs is the largest in the island

Man O War Vineyards, Waiheke – theirs is the largest in the island

Man O War's rose is really good !

Man O War’s rose is really good !

Tiritiri Mantangi is a wildlife sanctuary. You’ll have to take a 75 minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland.  Make sure to pack drinks and sandwiches (but you’ll have to take all your trash with you when you leave the island).

One of the bird feeders at Tiritiri Matangi

One of the bird feeders at Tiritiri Matangi

Hike to the top for a 360 view on the highest peak of TiriTiri Matangi

Hike to the top for a 360 view on the highest peak of TiriTiri Matangi

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Shopping along Queen Street. My husband was so happy to know that New Zealand carries his size in rubber shoes- size 14!

Shopping along Queen Street. My husband was so happy to know that New Zealand carries his size in rubber shoes- size 14!

Jervois Steakhouse

Jervois Steakhouse

Jervois Steakhouse

Jervois Steakhouse

Cornwall Park

Cornwall Park

Cornwall Park

Cornwall Park

HOBBITON

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Hobbiton- Lord of The Rings Tour

Hobbiton- Lord of The Rings Tour

Hobbiton, Lord of The Rings Tour

Hobbiton, Lord of The Rings Tour

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ROTORUA

Te Puia Cultural Show

 

Te Puia geyser

Te Puia geyser

Te Puia

Te Puia

We were also able to visit Wai-O-Tapu’s famous thermal pools and geyser.

Wai-O-Tapu's Champagne Pool

Wai-O-Tapu’s Champagne Pool

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Wai-O-Tapu's Champagne Pool

Wai-O-Tapu’s Champagne Pool

 

TAUPO

Beautiful Lake Taupo

Beautiful Lake Taupo

Huka Falls at Taupo

Huka Falls at Taupo

Do not miss a visit to Huka Falls

Do not miss a visit to Huka Falls

The world's coolest Mc Donald's can be found in Taupo. There's an airplane which you and your kids can dine in after taking your orders from the restaurant

The world’s coolest Mc Donald’s can be found in Taupo. There’s an airplane which you and your kids can dine in after taking your orders from the restaurant

WAITOMO

Gloworms and Ruakari Cave

No photos allowed inside the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, So this was taken on our way out

No photos allowed inside the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, So this was taken on our way out

Souvenir photo from Waitomo Glowworms Caves

Souvenir photo from Waitomo Glowworms Caves

 

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Getting ready to explore Ruakuri Cave

Getting ready to explore Ruakuri Cave

Ruakuri Cave

Ruakuri Cave

We took a short flight to Queenstown from Auckland.  The view from above was spectacular.

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As soon as we landed, we picked up our rental vehicle and headed to Mt. Cook ( about 4 hours to get there).  The drive was really gorgeous, beautiful landscapes.  We stopped a couple of times to take a million photos 🙂

Lake Hayes

Lake Hayes

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MT.COOK

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to go on the chopper tour and land on the glaciers.  The weather was really foggy for 2 days.  So we managed to do a some hiking instead.

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Tasman Valley

Tasman Valley

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The Hermitage Mt. Cook

The Hermitage Mt. Cook

The Hermitage Mt Cook

The Hermitage Mt Cook

at the Hermitage, Mt. Cook

at the Hermitage, Mt. Cook

 

QUEENSTOWN

waking up to this at Platinum Villas <3

waking up to this at Platinum Villas <3

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Skytown Queenstown Luge

Skyline Queenstown Luge

Skytown Queenstown Luge

Skyline Queenstown Luge

Skytown Queenstown Luge

Skytown Queenstown Luge

Skyline

Skyline

 

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yummy Tip Top ice cream- hokey pokey flavor is my favorite

yummy Tip Top ice cream- hokey pokey flavor is my favorite

 

When in Queenstown, Fergburger is a must!

When in Queenstown, Fergburger is a must!

Double Ferg with cheese

Double Ferg with cheese

The burger is almost as big as Noah's face :)

The burger is almost as big as Noah’s face 🙂

Gibbston Valley Winery

Gibbston Valley Winery

Gibbston Valley Winery

Gibbston Valley Winery

Bike Rentals are available at Gibbston Valley Winery

Bike Rentals are available at Gibbston Valley Winery

Bike rentals available at Gibbston Valley Winery

Bike rentals are available at Gibbston Valley Winery

waiting for our turn to get on the Shotover Jet

waiting for our turn to get on the Shotover Jet

No.1 must do activity in Queenstown on Tripadvisor - the ShotOver Jet

No.1 must do activity in Queenstown on Tripadvisor – the ShotOver Jet

 

GLENORCHY

Book Exchange- Take One, Leave One

Book Exchange- Take One, Leave One

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MILFORD SOUND

Several stops are a must  when driving  from Te Anau to Milford Sound.

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Mirror Lakes

Mirror Lakes

Beautiful drive to Milford Sound

Beautiful drive to Milford Sound

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Milford Sound Lodge's Room with a View

Milford Sound Lodge’s Room with a View

Right outside our room at Milford Sound Lodge

Right outside our room at Milford Sound Lodge

Outside our Milford Lodge Room

Outside our Milford Lodge Room

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Milford Sound Cruise

Milford Sound Cruise

Milford Sound Cruise

Milford Sound Cruise

Milford Sound

Milford Sound

Milford Discovery Centre & Underwater Observatory

Milford Discovery Centre & Underwater Observatory

Milford Discovery Centre & Underwater Observatory

Milford Discovery Centre & Underwater Observatory

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