I love looking after Christine and John - they always embark on the most fascinating adventures! Their latest journey took them to the stunning landscapes of New Zealand. Here’s their incredible month-long experience, in their own words…
Gillian has organised some incredible trips for us over the years - Ecuador and the Galapagos, Peru and Bolivia, Alaska, Canada and the Rockies. Now, we can happily add New Zealand to that list.
Some of our journeys have been quite complex logistically, but they’ve always gone off without a hitch. Gillian always helps us see and do exactly what we want. On this amazing trip, she even made sure we avoided what we didn’t want — white-water rafting! We were much happier wine tasting. 😊
Neither of us had been to New Zealand before, but we’d heard so many great things about it. We knew we needed a full month to see as much as possible, and we’re so glad we made it happen. It’s truly one of the nicest places we’ve ever visited, and of course, now we want to go back - especially after hearing about other travellers’ must-see spots.
On the way out, we stopped over in Singapore and had a wonderful visit to the old Botanic Gardens. The orchid collection is stunning, and downtown, the riverfronts are really lively at night.
The stopover helped minimise jet lag, making our first days in New Zealand more enjoyable.
On the way back, however, we flew straight through with just a few hours in an airport lounge, which was a bit gruelling. But the flights with Singapore Airlines, both ways, were excellent.
The North Island
Bay of Islands
This was our favourite place in New Zealand. Visiting during the Kiwi summer was incredible - verdant islands with snow-white beaches, all surrounded by a sea as warm as bath water.
While you can see similar sights in many parts of the world, here we sailed by the very island where Captain Cook first made landfall. Navigating through a Durdle Door-style hole in a cliff was quite a thrill, especially with the swell.
We were lucky to be there on Waitangi Day, the anniversary of the treaty signed between the Māori and Britain in 1840. We sailed past the treaty grounds, which were packed with people, and watched rival Māori teams racing in traditional boats. It was quite a day.
Auckland
We stayed in all the major cities, but Auckland, virtually surrounded by water, was a highlight. We had dinner at the marina, where we saw more spectacular yachts than we’d ever encountered. We also enjoyed a drink at the top of the city’s Sky Tower, taking in the amazing views, including Eden Park, the national stadium. However, it would have taken a whole lot more drinks to make us join the daredevils bungee jumping off the top of the building!
The Hobbiton Movie Set
Hobbiton in Waikato was something special, even though John slept through most of the Lord Of The Rings movies! The Tolkien tourism destination and guided set tour were well worth it. Walking inside a Hobbit home is a memory that will stay with us for a long time
Rotorua
Rotorua feels like the heart of Māori culture. We had a fascinating cultural evening with one community that started confrontationally with the Haka but quickly became warm and welcoming. We tried Māori food and learned about natural medicines.
Rotorua is also a hub for hot springs, and we visited a Māori village built around these geothermal wonders.
Napier
Napier is a charming city with a unique history. After being flattened by an earthquake in the 1930s, it was completely rebuilt in Art Deco style, making downtown a visual treat.
The area, known as Hawke’s Bay to Brits, is also famous for its wines and vineyards, offering a delightful experience for wine lovers.
Wellington
We really enjoyed our time in Wellington, despite it living up to its reputation as the 'windy city'. The national museum, Te Papa, was a highlight. The Gallipoli exhibition, with its giant figures telling individual stories in each room, was particularly moving. The Patagonian dinosaur exhibit was equally impressive.
Gillian booked us on a tour of the Weta Workshop Studios, where the make-up and special effects for the Lord Of The Rings films were created. It was an absolute must-see, even for those who might have dozed off during the movies. 😊
We also took a scenic walk on the wooded slopes around Wellington, visiting various Lord Of The Rings filming locations. The views of the city were fantastic, although the walk is probably best suited to true Tolkien fans.
The South Island
One of our favourite experiences was the ferry crossing from North to South Island. The Roaring Forties, the strong winds that blow from the west in the Southern Hemisphere, made the journey a bit choppy, but it was well worth braving the deck. Watching albatrosses effortlessly riding the winds felt like they were out for a leisurely stroll - a truly memorable sight.
The South Island required a lot more driving due to the distances involved, but with such quiet roads and breathtaking scenery, every mile was more than worth it.
Marlborough
We made a pilgrimage to Marlborough, whose wines have brought us joy for years. On Valentine’s Day, we visited the vineyard of our favourite tipple, Cloudy Bay. While the wine was as good as ever, the experience felt a bit as if they were doing us a favour.
The following day, we enjoyed a wine-tasting trip organised by Gillian. We sampled whites, reds and rosés from a small organic producer, followed by a tasting at a much larger estate.
In glorious sunshine, we capped off the day with a fjord trip, accompanied by - what else - more Sauvignon Blanc! The scenery was just as delightful as the wine.
Franz Joseph
Wow. We absolutely loved Franz Joseph, where we took a helicopter trip up to one of the glaciers on Mt Cook. Stepping out onto the glacier and taking in the views was unforgettable. Our first attempt was cancelled due to bad weather, but fortunately, we had three nights there and could rebook. It was definitely worth the wait.
Milford Sound
Our fjord trip on Milford Sound was absolutely stunning, with sheer mountain walls soaring up from the sea and sea lions lounging on the rocks. We just missed out on seeing the Fjordland penguins, as they were only just returning after a few months at sea, but others may be luckier.
Queenstown
Queenstown is in a fantastic spot, right at the halfway point of Lake Wakatipu. The town buzzes with bars and restaurants, giving you plenty of options to choose from.
We stayed at the Kamana Lakehouse, which boasts breathtaking views and a highly-rated restaurant. However, securing a table can be tricky, so it’s worth booking ahead.
Despite the stunning views, we found the hotel a bit frustrating as a place to stay - it often felt like guests were meant to be seen, not heard.
Mt Cook
NZ’s highest peak, Mt Cook, was breathtaking. We were blessed with clear skies, allowing us to see the snowcapped summit from miles away, even in summer.
Gillian did us proud - our room had a floor-to-ceiling window with a direct view of the mountain. We also enjoyed a walk to the glacier-fed lake, where icebergs floated serenely halfway up.
Dunedin
Dunedin, with its strong Scottish influence, was another highlight of our trip. Even the local rugby team is called The Highlanders!
The city's history museum is massive and incredibly impressive - well worth setting aside ample time to fully appreciate. Unfortunately, we found ourselves rushing through, so we'd recommend not making the same mistake.
Christchurch
Christchurch is still recovering from the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, which forced the city to improvise in many ways. One of the most striking examples is the “Cardboard Cathedral” which is more substantial than it sounds and remains in use today.
The earthquake museum is also a must-visit, offering deep insight into the city's resilience.
Christchurch is certainly worth a visit and could use the support as it rebuilds. The city has a charming, almost quaint feel, reminiscent of a Dorset town, as English as Dunedin is Scottish.
Our Top 3 Restaurants
Our New Zealand adventure wasn't just about the sights - our culinary experiences were unforgettable too.
Here are our top three standout restaurants...
Sails, Auckland
Sails is a fantastic fish restaurant by the marina near the Harbour Bridge. The food and views were exceptional!
Schnappa Rock, Bay of Islands
We stayed in Tutukaka, about an hour south, and discovered Schnappa Rock. It was so good that we went back for a second visit.
Shed 5, Wellington
Shed 5, a fish restaurant on the harbour, was absolutely superb and a must-visit for seafood lovers.
This was one of the best holidays we’ve ever had. New Zealand is the first place we’ve visited where we both felt we could happily live. It truly is a special place, and we had a wonderful time exploring it.
A huge thank you to Gillian for her fantastic organisational skills and hard work in making this trip so memorable.
Christine and John