New Zealand's Autumn | A Fairytale World

The ultimate New Zealand road trip guide is here 🚗! Explore both the South and North Islands to your heart's content—glaciers, lakes, volcanoes, grasslands... New Zealand's beauty is truly beyond words ✨

-
🚐 8-Day Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Auckland → Hobbiton → Rotorua
📍 Hobbiton (501 Buckland Rd): Step into the Middle-earth from the movies, tickets recommended 3 days in advance
📍 Rotorua Government Gardens: An English garden in a geothermal city

Day 2: Rotorua → Waitomo Glowworm Caves → Lake Taupo
📍 Waitomo Caves (Waitomo Caves Rd): Take a boat ride under a sky of "blue starlight"
📍 Lake Taupo: New Zealand's largest lake, try The Bistro by the shore

Day 3: Taupo → Tongariro National Park → Wellington
🍃 Tongariro Alpine Crossing takes 6-8 hours; beginners can opt for the shorter Taranaki Falls route

Day 4: Wellington → Picton → Kaikoura
⚓ Take the Interislander ferry to the South Island
🐳 Kaikoura whale watching (take seasickness pills in advance!)

Day 5: Kaikoura → Christchurch → Lake Tekapo
🌌 Stargaze at Lake Tekapo and visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd

Day 6: Tekapo → Mount Cook National Park
🚁 Try a glacier helicopter tour (weather permitting), Hooker Valley Track is breathtaking

Day 7: Mount Cook → Wanaka → Queenstown
🌳 See the famous Wanaka Tree, then ride Queenstown's Skyline Gondola for sunset views

Day 8: Queenstown → Glenorchy → Departure
Half-day trip to Glenorchy, a Lord of the Rings filming location

-
🍔 Food Recommendations
▪️ Depot (Auckland): Super fresh oysters
▪️ Fergburger (Queenstown): Legendary giant burgers
▪️ Rollickin Gelato (Christchurch): NZ's best ice cream

-
🚗 Road Trip Tips
1. Adjust to right-hand driving for the first 3 days; speed limits are strict
2. Most gas stations are self-service—pay before pumping
3. At "one-lane bridges," check give-way signs carefully
4. Best travel season: November-April; July-August for skiing
5. Check freedom camping permit zones beforehand