Sunday 11th November 2018 - We flew from Birmingham via Dubai to Auckland on Emirates. Our Son in law Lee and Grandson Digby dropped us off, Digby got very upset as he thought he was coming on the plane with us. We booked lounge access to start the holiday in style. Travel tip don’t forget to switch roaming off in Dubai otherwise you will be stung for data charges. 7-hour flight to Dubai, followed by 16 hours to Auckland. The 2nd leg of the flight seemed endless as we slept on the Birmingham to Dubai leg. Seemed strange to lose a day in flight due to time differences.
Tuesday 13th November 2018 – arrived in Auckland at 11.10am. After collecting our hire car we drove to Ponsonby Manor Guest House. Ponsonby Manor is a lovely Victorian house, we had a great room (the penthouse) with a big balcony with great view of the city skyline. Although, we were tired we caught the local bus into the city (just $7 for 2). We walked around the waterfront and had drinks and fish and chips at Degree Bar on Viaduct harbour. We were absolutely done in, so early night as full day of sight seeing planned for the morning.
Wednesday 14th November 2018 – Breakfast in Ponsonby, followed by a trip up the Sky Tower for fantastic views of the city. We then took the ferry across to Devonport for a wander around. We had lunch in a beautiful, courtyard restaurant called Hemmingsways. Nik had Green Lipped mussels which are a local delicacy. We returned to Auckland and then headed back to our hotel for a chill. Later that evening we had dinner at an Italian on Ponsonby High Street.
Thursday 15th November 2018 – Left Auckland after breakfast for 280km drive up North. On the way, we stopped at Orewa Beach, Tutukaka, Matapouri and Whanagari Falls. We stayed at the Breakwater Motel in Paihia, which had lovely view across the Bay of Islands. In the afternoon we visited Waitangi Treaty grounds for a bit of history and culture. We were treated to a traditional Maori greeting and a cultural show in a Maori meeting house. Dinner in Paihia at Jack’s Rib Shack.
Friday 16th November 2018 – We took a boat trip around the Bay of Islands which was very scenic, but sadly no dolphins spotted. We decided to stop off at Russell, which used to be known as the ‘hell hole of the Pacific’. It is now a very gentile and sleepy seaside town. We had a wander around and a lovely pizza lunch in the garden of a hidden little bar. Ferry back to Paihia for a rest before heading out for dinner. Early night for us as early start tomorrow.
Saturday 17th November 2018 - 6.30am start for drive back to Auckland airport. After dropping off the hire car we caught the 12.40 flight to Christchurch on the South Island. After picking up another hire car we drove to Rendezvous Hotel in the centre of Christchurch. We took a tram tour of the city, which still bares the scars of the 2011 earthquake which devastated the area. After drinks in the OGB (Old Government Building) (Nik’s favourite bar in NZ) we headed to The Nook, Thai restaurant on picturesque Regent Street.
Sunday 18th November 2018 – Breakfast at the OGB before 4 ½ road trip to Dunedin. We stopped off at Caroline Bay, Timaru, where there was a classical American car show, much to Nik’s delight. Second stop Omaru which is a quaint Victorian town and also the Steampunk capital of NZ. There was a Victorian fair going on so lots of people strolling around in costumes. Final stop to see the famous boulders at Moeraki, but we got caught in a hail storm on the beach and got soaked. Arrived in Dunedin at the Amross Hotel at around 3.30pm and did some laundry. Dunedin is Gaelic for Edinburgh and not difficult to see why, lots of Scottish influences and Scottish weather, noticeably colder now we have reached the most Southerly point of our trip. Amross Hotel was within walking distance to the town, so we went a walk and saw the Octagon, complete with a statue of Robbie Burns and the famous railway station. Dinner at El Cantina, a Mexican, housed in a former nightclub, complete with Saturday Night Fever style dance floor. Drink in the Lone Star bar, before turning in for the night.
Monday 19th November 2018 – Pancakes for breakfast at Capers to set us up for a day of sightseeing. Drive up to Signal Hill lookout, but weather closing in. Quick look around the Botanical gardens before the rain. Nik walked up Baldwin Street (the steepest street in the world), I sensibly stayed at the bottom and it turned out to be a good call, as Nik got soaked in another hail storm on the way down. NZ really is four seasons in one day kind of place! We then drove up the Otaga Peninsular and visited Larnach Castle and the Royal Albatross Sanctuary. After returning to the hotel, we walked to the nearby Bog, Irish pub for dinner. It was quiz night and Nik and I discovered we knew nothing about Kiwi music!
Tuesday 20th November 2018 – 5-hour drive along the very scenic Milford Road to Milford Sound. We had been concerned as it had snowed nearby the day before, but the road was clear. We stayed at the Milford Sound Lounge. We had a very swanky lodge with lovely river views. However, we soon discovered why the area is called Sand Fly Point and realised the view was best appreciated through the patio doors. We enjoyed the views and ambiance of our lovely accommodation over a bottle of wine and a packet of crisps (we know how to live). Dinner and breakfast were included which is a good job as it really was the middle of nowhere.
Wednesday 21st November 2018 – Highlight of the trip for me, cruising the Milford Sound. Incredibly picturesque on a lovely bright, sunny day, we saw dusky dolphins, penguins and fur seals. The underwater observatory was also very good. In the afternoon we set off for Queenstown (NZ’s party town). We stayed at the Bella Vista Motel at the bottom of the Skyline. We had a stroll around Queenstown before having dinner on the Wharf overlooking the lake, followed by drinks on a very chilled floating bar.
Thursday 22nd November 2018 – After breakfast we took a trip on the Skyline Gondola for the views. Bungy jumping, sky diving, zip wires and Luge are available for the brave, we just watched. We then walked into Queenstown and Nik had his haircut by a Welsh barber. We had a cruise around the lake on Million Dollar Cruises (which despite the name was very reasonable!). As it was a hot day, we had to make sure we stayed hydrated with plenty of refreshment stops. Dinner was at a lovely Indian overlooking the lake.
Friday 23rd November 2018 – Scenic drive to Fox Glacier. On the way we stopped at Arrow Town a quaint gold rush settlement, Fantail Falls with lots of rock cairns and numerous scenic lookouts along the scenic, but windy Crown Peaks Road. At Fox Glacier we stopped at another Bella Vista Motel. Fox Glacier is a very small township, so on the advice of the hotelier we drove to Lake Matheson. We had a walk around the lake, often know as reflection lake as it features on many tourism advertisements for NZ. We went to the lookout point to view the glacier and Mount Cook, before returning to Lake Matheson for a lovely Gourmet dinner.
Saturday 24th November 2018 – 2-hour drive to Hokitika. We stopped at Franz Josef Glacier for breakfast enroute. Hokitika is a quiet seaside town. We were stopping at the Beachfront Hotel in a lovely room, with a balcony overlooking the beach and a large spa bath, which I made good use of. After a stroll around the town we had dinner at Stumpers Bar and Café.
Sunday 25th November 2018 – 4 ½ drive to Nelson. Enroute we stopped at Shanty Town near Greymouth, which is a sort of Kiwi Black Country Museum. In Nelson, we stopped at the Harbourside Lodge, which as the name suggests had a lovely view of the harbour. Whilst I did another load of washing, Nik popped to the pub next door for a cheeky beer. But, obviously I soon joined him for a glass of Sauvignon. The hotel was a little out of town and it was raining, but luckily the pub next door was so good we just had dinner there.
Monday 26th November 2018 – 2-hour drive to Picton to catch the ferry back to the North Island. Stopped at Havelock Marina for coffee. Torrential rain all day, thought the car might float onto the ferry. Due to the weather, the trip across the Cook Straits was not as picturesque as expected. In Wellington we stayed at the Boulcott Suites, very well-equipped studio apartment with oven, dishwasher and washer/dryer. We had dinner at The Hudson in Chews Lane.
Tuesday 27th November 2018 – Very wet and windy so went a walk to Wellington Museum. Rain subsided a bit so we walked along the water front and had lunch at Mac’s Brewery – worse fish and chips we had, very dry! In the afternoon we took a ride on the cable car and had tea and cakes at the top. We decided we had had enough of eating out, so went to the supermarket for provision (and wine of course) to eat in.
Wednesday 28th November 2018 – 4-hour drive to Napier. We had a stroll around Napier which is a beautiful Art Deco town, completely rebuilt after an earthquake in 1931. We were staying at East Pier Hotel, in the port area, just outside of town. Lots of bars and restaurants close by though. After a few drinks in the hotel bar we headed to the Masters of Indian for dinner.
Thursday 29th November 2018 – 2 hour drive down the Geothermal Highway to Taupo. Glorious hot weather today. We visited the Moon Crater Park Geothermal area and saw steam jets and bubbling mud. We then went onto the very impressive Huka falls. Drinks by the lake before checking into Le Chalet Suisse. Our duplex apartment had a lovely balcony overlooking the pool, hot tub and lake. We had drinks on the balcony along with a pet sparrow who ate our crisps crumbs. Burgers for dinner in one of the many restaurants along the lakeside. Also managed to work out the time difference to Facetime our granddaughter Isla.
Friday 30th November 2018 – Short drive to Rotorua after breakfast in Taupo. Torrential rain again, so we drove around a bit to see the sights. Sun came out in the afternoon, so we went to Whakarewarewa thermal area, a traditional Maori village. As well as the village you can see impressive Geysers, bubbling mud and fumaroles. Later we walked around the lake front and park before checking into Rotorua International Motor Inn in Fairy Springs. Hotel room had a private outdoor hot tub which we made good use of with a glass of wine. Another night in, so we went to the supermarket for salad, nibbles and more wine.
Saturday 1st December 2018 – Took the scenic coastal road to the Coromandel Peninsular. Stopped at Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove for a quick photo stop, but rain meant we didn’t stop for long. Drove down the 309-gravel road to Coromandel Town, which was pretty hairy in places. The Olive Motel was lovely, with a very spacious apartment, even had a place outside to clean your fish! Dinner at the Star and Garter pub with a few drinks, then back to the apartment for wine and snacks before sorting our suitcases ready to go home.
Sunday 2nd December 2018 – Leisurely drive back to Auckland on the Pacific Highway.
Beautiful sunny day and spectacular scenery. Coffee stop in Thames and lunch in Clivedon. Ice cream and a last stroll by the ocean at Mareatai Beach. On arrival in Auckland, dropped off hire car and checked into the Strata Lounge before our epic flight home. We considered upgrading to business class but couldn’t really justify the extra costs. Actually, the flight home passed fairly quickly, and we landed at Birmingham airport on Monday 3rd December 11.25am. Tired, but enriched from our travels around a fabulous country.
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