Kia Ora NEW ZEALAND

Aotearoa, the Māori name for New Zealand, has long been on our bucket list, and this December, the Mantri family was fortunate enough to immerse ourselves in its breathtaking beauty. This adventure truly ranks among our best holidays ever, and I would happily return! 😊

Our journey began with a flight into Queenstown, where we rented a car and set off for Te Anau, the gateway to Milford Sound. While many travellers choose a day trip from Queenstown, we realized that spending a couple of nights in Te Anau was the better option. The Croft B&B, nestled on a working sheep farm, provided stunning views of the lake and mountains—an ideal introduction to a country where sheep outnumber humans five to one!

We decided to go with a small local tour operator for our trip to Milford Sound, and it turned out to be a fantastic choice. The journey included stops for short treks and a tea break where we got delicious scones. We were lucky enough to spot a kea, the iconic alpine parrot, by the roadside. Interestingly, that kea was the only one we saw during our entire trip! Once we arrived at Milford Sound, we boarded a cruise with RealNZ, and it did not disappoint. Everywhere we turned, we were surrounded by stunning scenery and breathtaking waterfalls, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

Next, we made our way to Queenstown, our favourite town of the trip. Known as New Zealand's adventure capital, it offers an exciting array of activities on land, water, and in the air. The boys ticked skydiving off their bucket list in what was an exhilarating experience with NZone. Anand also went jetboating through the Shotover canyons with Shotover Jet on the recommendation of one of his close friends. We also highly recommend taking a cruise on the TSS Earnslaw across the beautiful Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm where we indulged in a gourmet barbecue and enjoyed a farm show. The TSS Earnslaw is a historic twin screw steamer and one of the oldest tourist attractions in Central Otago. It's also the only remaining coal-fired passenger steamship in the Southern Hemisphere, making the experience even more special!

Our accommodation was conveniently located just a short walk from town, making it easy to explore. We had the perfect introduction to New Zealand’s culinary delights, enjoying a fabulous tapas-style meal at Soda and indulging in the incredible ice creams, chocolates and desserts from Patagonia. While Fergburger comes highly recommended, we found it undeserving of the hype and wouldn’t suggest queuing for it as there are far better options in town. To top it off, the Queenstown Gardens provided a lovely backdrop for a morning walk.

Queenstown also serves as the perfect gateway to explore Arrowtown, a charming historic gold mining town nestled in the picturesque Otago region. Established in 1862, Arrowtown is enveloped by majestic mountains and set in a serene river valley, making it a good mix of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. Strolling through the town, we wandered through many boutique shops and visited the Lakes District Museum housed within three historic buildings on Buckingham Street. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the Queenstown Lakes District's history, which stretches across 8,719 km² from Makarora to Kingston. With its extensive collection of artefacts, engaging displays, compelling local stories and fun quests for kids, you’ll find yourself absorbed for at least an hour.

No trip to Central Otago is complete without exploring its renowned wine region. We spent an afternoon wine-tasting at some of the area’s most famous wineries, including the Gibbston Valley Winery, Kinross, and our personal favourite, Amisfield. Each stop offered a unique taste of the region’s exquisite vintages. On your way back to Queenstown, consider stopping at one of the many breweries in Frankton, such as Altitude Brewing, for a refreshing craft beer. With so much to explore, Arrowtown and Central Otago beautifully complement the allure of Queenstown.

Our next stop was Lake Tekapo, renowned for its stunning stargazing opportunities. The drive from Queenstown through the breathtaking Crown Range, passing through Cardrona and Wanaka, was truly a highlight of the journey. We highly recommend a stop at the historic Cardrona Hotel, where we indulged in one of the best sandwiches of our trip. Meanwhile, at the Cardrona Distillery, we enjoyed a complimentary tasting of their exquisite vodka, gin and whiskey, and even picked up a bottle of their unique single malt vodka. As we continued to Wanaka, often dubbed a quieter version of Queenstown, we found it to be an ideal spot for a quick lunch. However, we did find the famed Wanaka Tree a bit overrated; while picturesque, it didn't quite live up to the hype. Nevertheless, the overall charm of the area made for a lovely pit stop on our way to Lake Tekapo.

At Lake Tekapo, we were treated to breathtaking views of this stunning lake. Here, we enjoyed the best meal of our trip at TLV – short for Tekapo Lake View. We decided to spend two nights in Lake Tekapo to maximize our chances of stargazing, which is highly weather-dependent. This turned out to be a brilliant choice as although both tours on our first day were cancelled, we were lucky enough to embark on a stargazing adventure the following night, just past midnight. Despite some cloud cover, we caught glimpses of Jupiter and its four moons, as well as three mesmerizing nebulae. It was an unforgettable experience to cozy up under the chilly night sky, wrapped in warm blankets with hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows by a crackling fire. We went with a small company called Chameleon Stargazing, and we couldn’t have been happier with our choice.

However, we couldn’t help but wonder if the weather at Mount Cook (Aoraki) might have been more favourable for stargazing. If you’re planning your trip, consider making Mount Cook your base for a night before heading to Lake Tekapo. This not only saves you from backtracking but also allows you to immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of Mount Cook National Park. One of the highlights of our trip was the Hooker Valley Track, an easy but scenic 10 km return journey that we highly recommend. The trail features three suspension bridges that span rushing rivers, offering gorgeous views of snow-capped mountains, glaciers and pristine lakes. Since there are no food options along the way, we opted to pack a light lunch and some snacks from the supermarket, enjoying a picnic by the serene Hooker Lake (the halfway/ U-turn point) before our return. While you’re in Lake Tekapo, don’t miss the drive up to the Mount John Observatory. The panoramic views of the town and its stunning surroundings are simply spectacular and make for the perfect way to cap off your day.

Next, we set off toward the Marlborough wine region, using Blenheim as our base. But first, we couldn’t resist stopping in Kaikoura to experience its renowned NZ fur seals and indulge in some fresh crayfish and seafood—local specialties that the seaside town is famous for. I must admit, though, that the much-hyped meal at the ‘world-famous’ Kaikoura Seafood BBQ left us feeling a bit underwhelmed. While it’s worth trying the crayfish while you’re in town, don’t expect it to live up to the hype. Fortunately, our short walks to the seal colonies at both Kaikoura and Ohau Point more than made up for the dining disappointment. We were lucky enough to spot loads of adorable seal pups in their natural habitat - truly a sight to behold.

Blenheim served as the perfect base for exploring the exquisite Marlborough wine region, where vineyards stretched as far as the eye could see. It is the largest wine region we've visited, and we couldn’t wait to continue our anniversary celebrations at my husband’s favourite vineyard, Cloudy Bay. The accompanying Marlborough oysters and scallops were divine! Among the wineries we explored, Cloudy Bay stood out as the most picturesque and classy. We also discovered some gems, like Astrolabe Small Town Winery—an authentic find recommended by a local—along with Wither Hills, Allan Scott, and Jackson Estate. Wine and food lovers will be in heaven here, as the region showcases the superior quality of its culinary offerings, perfectly paired with world-class wines.

A highlight of our trip was the wildlife cruise and mini trek at Motuara Island with E-ko Tours, departing a short 25-minute drive away from Blenheim, in a small town called Picton. We were incredibly fortunate to spot around 15 different species of wildlife, but the stars of the show were the Queen Charlotte Sound Hector dolphins and a small colony of King Shags (cormorants)—both endangered species. In fact, we saw 10% of the global population of Hector dolphins and 4% of King Shags! Needless to say, I was a happy camper! 😊

After indulging in the culinary delights of Marlborough, it was time to drive to our final destination in the South Island: Christchurch. We opted for a longer, scenic route through Arthur’s Pass National Park. Unfortunately, the rainy weather didn’t cooperate for a trek to the Devil’s Punchbowl. However, the Mantri family always finds hidden treasures along the way, and our stop at the Otira Stagecoach Hotel was a nice surprise. This historic hotel, built during the gold mining boom, is recognized as a museum. The elderly couple who run it are lovely, and their cafe was one of the few open along the long drive on Christmas Day, allowing us to grab a bite. The delicious coffee and toasties, combined with my amusing attempt to play the unusual piano with just my legs, made it a memorable stop.

We stayed at the Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square, which was the perfect location to explore the city's highlights in just a day. A stroll to the gorgeous Botanic Gardens is a must, showcasing a stunning array of flora and fauna. Adjacent to the gardens, Hagley Park is equally lovely and perfect for a leisurely walk. The highlight of our time in Christchurch was the gondola ride to the top, where we were treated to breathtaking views of the city. It was also a great opportunity to do some souvenir shopping at the gift shop up there. All in all, it was a wonderful way to wrap up our South Island adventure!

Finally, we hopped on a short flight north to Auckland, where we met with friends and family. They ensured we made the most of our visit, with some of the highlights including a scenic drive to Muriwai, home to an impressive gannet colony,  a leisurely stroll through the lush Kauri Glen Reserve, and a  trek up Mount Eden for some sweeping panoramic views of the city. And of course, no visit would be complete without indulging in a couple of dinners with loved ones. We felt thoroughly spoiled by everyone, which made for a perfect ending to our inaugural trip to New Zealand. Our journey was filled with beautiful landscapes, incredible experiences, and cherished moments with friends and family. It’s a trip we will always treasure!

Kia ora Aotearoa. Kia tutaki ano tatou (Till we meet again in Maori-language 😊).