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