Why only one visit to New Zealand is all it will take to keep you coming back for more!
Auckland | Queenstown | Te Anau | Glenorchy
A small but proud country, New Zealand has no trouble standing shoulder to shoulder with its enormous neighbor, Australia, especially when it comes to things like quality of life and natural beauty. Despite having once been a part of Australia, the two countries are now so strikingly different that, we assure you, going from one to the next will absolutely not feel like “more of the same.” Where Australia is known for its modern cities, beaches and wildlife, New Zealand is more recognized for its epic mountains, expansive greenery and other unique landscapes like crashing, black sand beaches and misty fjords. Sounds magical? Well, it is!
Made famous by iconic movies like the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, New Zealand draws tourists by the droves, many of whom fall in love, first, with its amazing land then with the pace of life and the people inspiring them to seek residency in the country. Although we visited for a relatively short time, it was evident to us how in tune New Zealanders are with their land and how protective they are of it. This extends to their native people and the native language which, in an effort to preserve, New Zealanders now place ahead of English on most of the signage in the country. New Zealand is also extremely progressive, being one of only a few countries producing a negligible amount of emissions thanks to the commitment to the use of renewable energy only. With all the things that New Zealand seems to have gotten right when it comes to universal healthcare, sustainable living and quality of life, we could go on all day singing its praise, but we’ll take a break and, instead, tell you just how to get to this phenomenal place and how to make the most of your time when you get there. More enchanting than any other place on earth we’ve been to, we’re sure that, like us, you’ll fall in love with New Zealand too!
What's the best way to get there?
Take a flight! Bet you didn’t see that coming! Seriously, though, the best way to get to New Zealand is to fly. If you are coming from the US, then brace yourself for the 24-hour plus flight or save yourself some pain and see how we circumvented our similarly long flight to Australia.
The easiest way to get to New Zealand is by flight from neighboring Australia. In fact, we found that it took less time to fly from Australia to just about any city in New Zealand than it took to get from one Australian coast to the next. The exception is Perth, of course, which is considered so out of the way that it’s an exotic vacation spot to even Australians.
Our flights into and out of New Zealand from Australia were relatively short at a duration of 3 hours. All major cities in New Zealand have an airport so you’ll be just fine no matter where you choose to go. Now, where exactly in New Zealand should you go?
Even though they are close to each other, there is a 3-hour time difference between New Zealand and Australia so don’t forget to factor this into your plans!
New Zealand Entry Requirements
To enter New Zealand many travelers need to fill out a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorization or NZETA prior to arrival. The NZETA is in essence a temporary visa. It can be applied for online for a small fee HERE and is valid for 2 years after approval. If you’re traveling from the USA then you must apply for the NZETA to enter New Zealand. Be sure to check the above website to see the requirements for your country prior to traveling. Approval typically takes 48 to 72 hours so not too much advanced planning is required. Just don’t forget to do it or you may end up admiring New Zealand from the airport windows!
Be sure to go directly to New Zealand’s official government website (linked above) to access the NZETA. There are many travel agencies with official sounding names that provide visa services and while they are legitimate businesses and are not scammers, they can charge 60% more than the actual cost of the ETA to apply for it for you! If the additional cost is not an issue for you, consider that you will still have to fill out the exact information to send to the travel agencies online as you would if you simply went to the website and filled in the brief form yourself meaning that you’ll be doing all the same work but paying more!
North vs. South Island
As you probably know, New Zealand is comprised of around 600 islands however not all of them are populated. The two most inhabited of these islands are the North and South Islands where most New Zealanders live, and tourists converge. So how to choose which island to visit? You can’t! You just have to work enough time into your schedule to visit both islands or risk missing out on some truly phenomenal scenery. When you consider that the North Island is famous for black sand beaches, trendy cities like Auckland and Wellington and the one-of-a-kind Hobbiton while the South Island is the embodiment of wild adventure thanks to its terrifying canyon swings, pristine ski alps and hidden fjords, how could you possibly choose just one to visit?
Honestly, visiting both islands isn’t difficult to do and you may just organically end up doing it without having to plan much. To take the guess work out of it for you, we suggest accessing North Island via Auckland and South Island via Queenstown. Continue reading to find out what things you absolutely don’t want to miss doing on each island!
Fancy yourself a fan of the Lord of the Rings? Then don’t miss your chance to see the Shire on North Island or Middle Earth on South Island! Keep reading for more on this!
When to visit and what to pack?
To hear it told by a native New Zealander, the weather is always perfect for a visit! Never too cold, never too warm! Like the perfect bowl of porridge. If we were in your shoes though, we’d take this with a grain of salt because even though the weather does remain temperate throughout most of the year, it does rain quite a bit which can put a damper on things! From what we can tell, Auckland and most of North Island seem to have stable temperatures ranging from 50ºF to 70ºF throughout the year while Queenstown in the South Island literally turns into a frozen wonderland in the winter and rarely gets warmer than 60ºF in the summer.
We suggest planning your visit for Spring (September to November) or Summer (December to February). Although the temperature difference between these seasons may not be much, the amount of rain you face may be better in summer. We visited New Zealand in November and found the weather cool and mostly cloudy, but we didn’t get half as drenched as we feared and got many more sunny days than we expected!
For this type of climate, we recommend packing layers once again. It is the proven way to stay perfectly comfortable in any weather. In addition to your layers, make sure to bring sturdy, waterproof hiking boots, waterproof and windproof outer layers, and an umbrella.
New Zealand has only a handful of trees that drop their leaves so rather than a “Fall” season, they have an Autumn. This means that you will be hard-pressed to find the lovely orange, yellow and red hues often associated with this season in other parts of the world anywhere in New Zealand!
What cities to visit and where to stay?
It’s generally common knowledge that New Zealand is more about the beautiful countryside than the cities, but even those are rather charming. We didn’t visit as many cities and towns as we would’ve liked but got around enough to be useful at least in helping you find a few good places to stay.
Not surprisingly, our first stop in New Zealand was Auckland. Despite it being the largest city in New Zealand, Auckland was easy to navigate so we had no difficulty getting around. We stayed at Rydges Auckland in the city center from where we could easily walk to restaurants and the waterfront. The hotel was in a safe and trendy neighborhood with easy access to transportation. Auckland reminded us very much of Sydney with its lively atmosphere, glass skyscrapers, and delectable food scene. See our favorite things to do in Auckland!
Our second stop in New Zealand was Queenstown where we arrived after a 2-hour flight from Auckland. The contrast between the two cities was evident immediately. Surrounded by snowcapped mountains and glittering sapphire lakes, Queenstown’s vibe reminded us more of a fancy ski resort town rather than a metropolis. Low buildings to prevent blocking the lovely views, all manner of cafes and quaint restaurants, a hopping town square to gather and watch the sunset over the mountains were the hallmarks of Queenstown. We stayed at the Heritage Queenstown where our room had unmarred lake AND mountain views. Our room was essentially the size of a small apartment and came equipped with everything we needed. The hotel was 5 minutes outside of the city center however the included parking and unobstructed views made the short commute into town worthwhile to us. See our must-dos in Queenstown!
Our absolute favorite stay in New Zealand was in the small town of Te Anau. Located a pleasant 2-hour drive away from Queenstown, Te Anau sits at the base of a jagged mountain range on the shores of Lake Te Anau and is home to a very small community of hardy New Zealanders. As the small city boasted only a handful of hiker’s inns and small hotels, we chose an AirB&B on Pounamu Drive with splendid views of Lake Te Anau and the mountains. If you’re looking to leave the crowds behind and truly immerse yourself in the innumerable wonders of New Zealand, then Te Anau is just the place you need to visit. In contrast to the looming and often turbulent mountains surrounding it, the village exudes peace and calm. The quiet streets lined by quaint homes with well-tended yards may give a sense of inertia on the surface however don’t be fooled! This little town is in fact the jumping off point for many looking for some bonafide New Zealand adventure! Not only is Te Anau an excellent base for anyone wanting to visit the three Great Walks of New Zealand, it is also one of the closest access points to the Milford sound! We’re not talented enough to do this incredible place justice with words but scroll through our pics and check out the must-dos in the area and we promise you’ll be just as enamored with Te Anau as we were!
Want to take on some of the most insta-worthy hikes in the world? Scroll to see how from Te Anau!
Depending on the season accommodations may be scarce in Te Anau. If you’re faced with this, consider booking your stay in the nearby town of Manapouri, another excellent base for visiting the Great Walks and Fiordland National Park.
Driving in New Zealand: What to expect?
Driving is without a doubt one of the best ways to see New Zealand. Thanks to the well-maintained roads, excellent signage, and very tolerable traffic even in the major cities, driving in New Zealand is rather easy. As you likely suspect, driving is done on the left-hand side of the road which may take some getting used to if you typically drive on the right-hand side of the road. Honestly though, the adjustment period is very short, and you’ll find yourself cruising along just fine before too long.
To make your New Zealand roadtrip as smooth as possible there are two main things to keep in mind. The first is that parking in any of the cities can be a challenge. Look for metered street parking or a parking garage. Do not, we repeat do not, pull into an available space and just sit there idling in your vehicle. You will get a parking citation! New Zealand uses automated parking enforcements such as traffic cameras to scan license plates and ticket offenders. If you stop in a paid parking area, no matter how briefly, be prepared to receive a parking fine by mail or email once you return home! In most cases, these sorts of tickets can be contested since you’re not technically parked in the spot however this is hard to do after the fact when you’re potentially thousands of miles away by the time of receipt of the fine. It’s better to just avoid this headache altogether and find a legitimate parking spot. If you’re as oblivious as we were and do get a ticket, don’t panic! They’re easy to pay online and are not usually outrageous in cost!
The second thing to keep in mind when driving in New Zealand is that the speed limit is really the speed LIMIT! Not even a kilometer per hour over the limit is tolerated and if you’re thinking “well there’s no one else on the road, who’s gonna know?” — well be ready for your first meet and greet with the New Zealand Police! Don’t believe us? Then let’s tell you a quick story. On our way from Queenstown to Te Anau, typical tourists that we are, we were cruising along a two-lane blacktop devoid of any other vehicle and enjoying the amazing views when a police cruiser just magically materialized behind us. We’re still not sure where he came from! We were pretty sure we weren’t speeding so were taken by surprise.
The officer then walked up to let us know in fact that we were, in fact, going 14km/hr over the speed limit. We repeat…14 km/hr! We were surprised we were going that much over, but we totally got lost in the beautiful landscape? To his credit he was exceedingly polite, let us know what the cost of the ticket would be, that it would be mailed to us and that it would not prevent us from leaving the country. He was so efficient that everything was processed, and we were back on the road in under 4 minutes! After we resumed our ride, we realized we just got ticketed for going about 8 mph over. But were honestly too impressed to stay annoyed for too long. We did wonder if it was just a stroke of bad luck that landed us in his path at just the wrong moment, but this was not the case as we saw another vehicle pulled over along the same quiet road a few days later as we were making our way back. Anyway, learn from our mistakes and set your cruise control and you’ll have a fantastic time driving around New Zealand!
If you’re planning to drive in New Zealand, make sure to check whether you need an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) to rent a car. New Zealand does not require that ALL visitors get an IDP. For example, travelers with valid US or Australian driver’s licenses do not need an IDP. Be sure to check the requirements for your country at least 2 weeks prior to your trip as it can take that long to get an IDP if necessary.
Do you need cash in New Zealand?
No! Every city and town that we visited accepted major credit cards. This meant that we did not need to exchange currency on arrival to New Zealand! We do recommend having a small amount of cash on hand in case of emergencies although we’re confident that you won’t need to spend even a dollar of it! The main currencies accepted are New Zealand Dollars (NZD) and Euros.
Make sure to carry a credit card as well as a debit card that do not have foreign transaction fees. This way you can shop without penalties!
What to eat in New Zealand?
Reflecting their belief in healthy eating and sustainable living, the food in New Zealand was very wholesome. We enjoyed just about everything we ate there and will detail our culinary adventure for your reading, or drooling, pleasure here! In the meantime, though, we suggest seeking out New Zealand Lamb and Rewena Bread, two things you absolutely must try while you’re there!
Top 5 things to do in New Zealand by city
Things to do in Auckland:
Albeit not the capital city of New Zealand, Auckland is, once again, the largest city in the country and has plenty to do that’ll keep you busy. Here are some of our top choices of things to do in and around Auckland.
Hike Mount Eden
Located 20 minutes away from Auckland city center by car, Mt. Eden is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Auckland. A dormant volcano covered entirely in grass, Mt. Eden has a prominent crater at its summit and unparalleled 360-degree views of Auckland. Access to the mountain is free and there is some free parking at the base of the mountain as well. Although there is a paved road leading to the summit, vehicles are not allowed to enter hence the summit can only be reached on foot.
The climb to the top of the mountain is around 15-30 minutes and is moderately strenuous. Once at the summit, there are stairs to bring you close to the enormous green crater and plenty of places to sit and admire the sublime views. Locals recommend visiting at sunset or sunrise to capture the best photos. We incidentally visited at sunset and caught magnificent shots of the crater in the fading light.
The Sky Tower also provides panoramic views of Auckland however there is a fee of 26 NZD per person, and many believe that the free Mt. Eden views are superior. We agree!
Take a tour of Auckland
A safe pedestrian city, there are tons of things to do in Auckland within reasonable walking distance of the Auckland City Center. Whether you feel like visiting the famous One Tree Hill Monument, checking out the Auckland Museum, or cycling across the scenic Waitemata Harbour on the Auckland Harbour Bridge, you’ll find yourself fully entertained by Auckland and loving every moment of it, we’re sure!
Grab a bite to eat at Viaduct Harbour
A mere 10-minute walk away from Auckland CBD is Viaduct Harbor, a trendy waterfront neighborhood with upscale shops, hotels and restaurants. If you’re looking for the perfect way to unwind after a long day of touring the streets of Auckland, then this exactly where you need to be! Just pick your favorite view, grab a cocktail, kick off your shoes and bask in the lovely sunset.
Spend a day at Piha Beach
Admittedly, there’s plenty to do in Auckland to keep anyone busy for at least a few days however if you feel like stepping out of the city and into an adventure then we recommend making a trip to Piha Beach. Just one hour outside of Auckland, Piha Beach may well appear to be a different planet altogether. Black sand beach, keening wind strong enough to knock you off your feet in just one gust, crashing waves, ever-present steel-grey clouds and unpredictable bursts of rain create a rather phenomenal landscape. Plan to spend at least a half day in the area and bringing waterproof and windproof gear would be a wise move!
Visit Hobbiton Movie Set and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves
The one thing you have to do and that should be at the top of your must-do list when in Auckland is pay a visit to the iconic Hobbiton Movie Set. This goes without saying for fans of the Lord of the Rings movies, but even if you’re not a die-hard fan of the movies, the unique movie set warrants a visit just to see the majestic farmlands on which it’s built.
To get there, we booked a tour from Auckland CBD. We were picked up from our hotel lobby early then taken on a scenic two-hour drive to the Alexander farm, a 1200-plus-acre sheep farm with rolling green hills covered in a patchwork of wispy fog that put even the lush landscapes of Ireland to shame. We were then deposited at the onsite restaurant from where we joined the Hobbiton Tour Bus for the 10-minute ride into Hobbiton itself. Once off the bus, we were paired with a tour guide who then brought us into Hobbiton where we spent an hour exploring each and every Hobbit Hole including the infamous Bag End, taking a turn around the party tree and grabbing a pint at the Green Dragon!
As many of the Hobbit Holes were simply clever staging with windows and doors set into the hillside, we of course could not enter however, great news, for those planning to visit Hobbiton after 2023, there will be a fully developed Hobbit Hole where anyone can enter and explore. Sadly, we were too early to partake of this but were given limited edition Green Dragon mugs for consolation. Not a bad deal if you ask us!
Although we personally could have spent all day exploring Hobbiton, our tour included a stop at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves located about 20 minutes away from the movie set. A popular tourist attraction, the glowworm caves were wondrous to behold. The caves are located underground. We were assigned a guide to help us navigate into the dark depths of the cave and, eventually, into canoes. The further we descended, the darker the cave became. Minimal lighting was used to guide the way to allow our eyes to adjust to the dark. Once in the canoe, we were silently guided through the water while we took in the hundreds of thousands of glowworms above us coming together to create a glowing starry night sky. We were not allowed to take pictures so as to avoid disturbing the glowworms, but we were offered the chance to have our pictures taken and superimposed on glowworm backgrounds which we totally did!
To be amongst the first to glimpse Hobbiton, be sure to sit on the right side of the tour bus and keep an eye out for the Green Dragon. Also, in the glowworm caves, feel free to look up in awe but keep your mouth close otherwise you may get a little more than you bargained for with a taste of glowworm excrement dripping into it!
Things to do in Queenstown:
Queenstown, with its snowcapped mountains and lakes, is considered the capital of high adventure in New Zealand. As you would expect, activities change by season with skiing and snowboarding in the winter and practically everything else outdoorsy available in the summer. Since our trip was during Springtime, here are five epic warmer weather things that you must do on your visit to Queenstown.
Take a dip in Lake Wakatipu
A shimmering blue dream, Lake Wakatipu is around 46 miles in length and can be seen practically anywhere from Queenstown. Wakatipu’s claim to fame is its unusual “tide” or standing wave which causes the water to rise and fall 10 cm every 20 minutes. The lake is safe for watersports, so we recommend coming prepared to take advantage of this. Whether you’re into wakeboarding, kitesurfing, paddle boarding, kayaking or just want to take a brisk swim, you’ll find that this is one of the most scenic places in the world to indulge yourself! If you’re looking for something a little less taxing then consider taking a cruise along the lake, this way you can sit back, relax and enjoy the striking views of the rugged mountains rising above the sapphire waters.
Drive to Glenorchy
Famous for dramatic mountain scenery, undulating green hills and the historic red boathouse, Glenorchy is small slice of paradise located a mere 45 minutes away from Queenstown.
To get there, we took the Glenorchy-Queenstown Rd which meandered along the coast of Lake Wakatipu and afforded us spectacular panoramas with every turn. There were lots of lookout points along the route, but our favorite was Bennett’s Bluff.
The Bluff was well marked and served by a small, free parking lot so it was hard to miss. From the parking lot, we took the trail and climbed uphill for around 10 minutes, arriving to a platform with views overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the nearby mountains. It was from here that we first saw Mt. Earnslaw better known to the Lord of the Rings fans as The Misty Mountains! There wasn’t a whole lot to do at the look out so after the 1000th picture was taken, we made our way back to the car and continued on to Glenorchy.
A few minutes more of driving along verdant green hillsides brought us to the Glenorchy Wharf and boathouse. From here, we witnessed the Dart River flowing into Lake Wakatipu and got an up-close view of the enthralling Misty Mountains. After admiring the skills of the kite surfers who dared to take on the gusting winds, we made our way back to Queenstown.
For even more spectacular scenery and the chance to see other filming locations for the Lord of the Rings, continue driving past Glenorchy to the town of Paradise.
Take a tour to Mount Cook
The highest mountain in New Zealand, Mt. Cook is a nature enthusiast’s dream come through. To get there, you can either drive to or take a tour of Mt. Cook National Park. What to do in Cook National Park? The options are endless thanks to the miles of hiking trails leading to suspension bridges, glaciers, iceberg dotted lakes, and sweeping valleys. To truly spend time exploring the park, consider staying in the small nearby town known of Mt. Cook Village or the Whitehorse Hill Campground.
If you’re strapped for time but are not on a budget, consider taking a helicopter tour to Mt. Cook. Not only will you save time you’ll also be able to visit the glaciers without all that exhausting climbing!
Brave the Nevis Swing
If you’re not afraid of heights, then a one-of-a-kind adventure awaits you in Queenstown. The Nevis Swing is the highest swing in the world and those brave enough to tackle it are launched from a platform across an enormous canyon. If you’re looking for the ultimate adrenaline rush, you’ll definitely find it here. The swing is operated by AJ Hackett Bungy Queenstown but is not the only adventure offered by the company. If flying high on this famous swing isn’t hair raising enough for you, the company also offers bungy jumping, catapulting, and zip lining.
Queenstown is considered one of the safest places in the world to skydive, so if this is on your bucket list then consider getting it crossed off here!
Visit Middle Earth!
Approximately 30 minutes outside of Queenstown is Cardrona Valley and Crown Range Road. Taking the road up to the Crown Range Summit and lookout point provides a sweeping view of the surrounding land. To those who are not die-hard fans of the Lord of the Rings, the view is a splendid panorama showcasing the magnificent surrounding land. To the fans though, this panorama is the real-life version of Middle Earth! From the viewpoint atop Crown Range Summit, fans can take in the Anduin River where the Pillars of the Argonath stood, Dimrill Dale and Amon Hen!
Middle Earth was actually shot in several parts of New Zealand so don’t fret if you miss this location. Check out Wellington on the North Island as well as Hobbiton where you’ll also be treated to some epic landscapes used to film the movies.
Things to do in Te Anau:
Although we personally love this sleepy little mountain town, we do have to admit that it is definitely not a hotbed of exotic experiences and thrilling adventures. Don’t get us wrong though, we’re not saying there’s nothing to do here just that the activities are different compared to Queenstown or Auckland. What attracted us and many others, we’re sure, to the town is its proximity to some of the most pristine and spellbinding scenery in New Zealand. If you’re looking for a way to truly immerse yourself in the wildness of New Zealand, then this is where you need to be! Continue reading to see how best to spend your days in Te Anau.
Hike one of the nearby New Zealand Great Walks
Thanks to the amazing scenery as well as the access to native flora and fauna that they provide, ten hiking trails in New Zealand have been designated as Great Walks. These are well-maintained tracks are relatively easy to access from different cities and often require multiple days to complete. The longer tracks all have well-built shelters for overnight use by hikers and typically include a cot and, incredibly, running water. Don’t be overly excited about the water though as it’s liable to be cold and unsafe for consumption. Of the 10 Great Walks, three are easily accessed from Te Anau; the Milford Track, the Routeburn Track, and the Kepler Track. Although we didn’t have time to hike them all, we did climb the Kepler Track to Luxmore hut.
To access the Kepler Track, we had the option of taking a 6-mile one-way hike to the trailhead BEFORE accessing the trail or taking a water taxi across Lake Te Anau and getting onto the trail directly. As we were not at that moment glutton for punishment, we took the water ferry across which cost around $50 NZ round trip per person. Note that the ferry runs only 3 times a day with the last trip taking place at 4:30 pm. If you miss the last ferry, then be prepared for long walk back to town.
The Kepler Track itself was quite stunning. Entering the forest from the beach, we came upon the trail head sign immediately then began ascending through the lush fern forest. The trail was well marked and easy to follow and we knew our target end point would come after clearing the treetops. We were prepared for a climb but still got a good whipping from the intense 2-hour-plus uphill battle that was the first section of the hike. Clearing the treetops and coming face to the face with the snowcaps on the nearby majestic mountains was worth it though.
The expansive views of Lake Te Anu and the surrounding mountain ranges were breathtaking. The adorable Kea bird that randomly popped up and began toddling behind us at the top of the trail made the hard climb even more worth it. After all the hard work to get to the top, we wanted to keep going on the trail but definitely did not have the the three days needed to complete it. Despite this and the back-breaking climb though, we had an incredible time and can’t wait to hit a few more of these Great Walks on our next trip to New Zealand.
If you’re planning to complete any of the Great Walks, be sure to make reservations to use the huts along the trail. Keep in mind that the huts can become fully booked in the high season. Some trails also require reservations to hike in the busy season as well so plan ahead otherwise you may end up being unable to hike at all! Also, there are no bears, snakes, or other overtly dangerous wildlife in New Zealand hence you’ll be embarking on a practically worry-free hike on any of the Great Walks you choose to tackle.
Visit Fiordland National Park
About one and a half hours away from Te Anau is Fiordland National Park which, true to its name, is a national park packed with mountains, streams, and fjords. The park houses two particularly popular fjords, Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound. To get to the sounds, the scenic road from Te Anau passes through Eglinton Valley with its golden grass swaying in the wind bordered by yet another set of misty mountains. We pulled off at a valley lookout point where we ended up spending more time chasing a pair of playful Kea birds more than admiring the scenery.
We then made our way to the Mirror Lakes, a collection of small lakes that were said to provide a perfect picture of the mountain range in front of them. A small boardwalk connecting the Mirror Lakes allowed us to easily move from one to the other to capture the best views. So as not to give you too high an expectation, we need to mention that these lakes were more like mirror ponds. Small as they were though, they still managed to capture a satisfying reflection of the mountains before them. We were charmed by the spectacle and were further enchanted when a rainbow appeared out of the mist across the face of the mountains!
We arrived at Milford Sound thirty minutes or so after our stop at Mirror Lakes. Here, we purchased tickets to board a ferry tour of the sound. At the time of our arrival, a light rain and steady fog obscured the fjord but as we made our way into it, sunshine broke through affording us a view of sparkling green waters, steep slopes, and waterfalls everywhere! We were also treated to frolicking dolphins, sleepy fur seals, and tiny blue penguins. The tour traversed the entire sound, taking us out to the Tasman Sea and back which is, incidentally, the closest we’ve ever been to Antarctica!
On our way back into the sound, we made a stop at Lady Bowen Falls, one of only two permanent waterfalls in the Fjord. Our captain pulled right alongside the falls for picture taking and, possibly, immortality for those willing to be sprayed by the waterfall. We’re not sure about the immortality bit but have to admit that the pictures were worth getting wet!
Although we did not have time to visit Doubtful Sound, we do want to tell you a little about it to pique your interest should you have the time to visit. Doubtful Sound is larger and less touristy than Milford Sound with incredible scenery. The Sound is harder to get to but can be reached by taking a cruise from Manapouri. Despite the extra planning required, locals assured us that for perfect serenity coupled with unspoiled waters Doubtful sound was the spot to be!
Our tour of Fiordland National Park also included brief hikes at strategic locations throughout the park. Some of our more memorable stops were Falls Creek with its arctic blue waterfalls and Lake Gunn Nature Walk. The Lake Gunn hike portion of the tour was self-guided, and we enjoyed walking through the mossy forest at our own pace. The hike was a relatively short loop and getting lost would’ve taken some expertise hence we felt perfectly comfortable on our own and were thrilled to be able to explore as we pleased. The bright green forest abutting the foggy beach of the nearby lake made for spectacular photography and the perfect way to end out Fiordland National Park visit.
You can fill you water bottle from any river or stream in Fiordland! The water is fresh, untainted and delicious!
Meet the unique birds at Te Anau Bird Sanctuary
Along the edge of Lake Te Anau is a sanctuary housing local birds that is free to enter and roam about. The sanctuary is not large but does have unique birds the likes of which we had never seen before. Of note were the Takahē, a once almost extinct species native to New Zealand only and the colorful and shockingly large Antarctica Parakeets. Free parking is available at the sanctuary so make sure to check out this local gem while you’re there!
Take a Cruise on Lake Te Anau
Larger than even Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown, Lake Te Anau is of a less brilliant color but is known for its gorgeous sunsets. There’s plenty to do on the Lake from fishing to any manner of water sport that strikes your fancy. You can even experience the lake by Float Planes however we recommend taking a cruise along the lake to have an unmatched and decidedly romantic view of the vibrant sunsets.
Take a Jet Boat down the Waiau River
Another exciting thing to try in Te Anau is Jet Boating. This is essentially a small speed boat that travels at dramatically fast speeds while propelling water in jets behind it. You can hop a jet boat and speed down Waiau River (also known as the Anduin River to Lord of the Rings fans) towards Lake Manapouri. We couldn’t imagine a more fun and thrilling way to experience this famous river with its mesmerizing Arctic blue water. Can you?
