One of the great things for traveler in NZ is that the transportation is very convenient, and the people are very helpful. If you stay at one place then you have booked a reservation of an activity/tour - for example: sky diving or Blackwater rafting - and you don't know (or too lazy to think) how to get there, just ring them and they will be happy to pick you up. And some of the transportations can also take you to the doorstep of your hostel. No worries.
All information was based on my actual booking in October - November 2011.
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| Jalur perjalanan dimulai dari Christchurch dan berakhir di kota yg sama |
Day 1
@Christchurch
Landed in Christchurch at midnight and went straight to the pre-booked hostel Jailhouse Accommodation (NZD30/night/person)- It used to be a real prison which was turned into a very nice accommodation facility. From airport to hotel, you can take a pre-booked bus (it was actually a van), ordered by online. The bus took me directly to the hostel :-)
Day 2
@Christchurch
Exploring Christchurch : Botanic Garden, some shopping malls and just going around the city, taking some snaps. You can also go to see Pinguin at International Antartic Center. There are shuttle busses provided at several pick up points and the ticket can be bought at tourist information - one of them is located at Botanic Garden.
Day 3
Leaving Christchurch for FranzJosef via Greymouth. The journey took about 4 hours by TranzAlpine scenic train and continued with a bus, who parked right in front of the station. The bus has one stop at Hokitika - a small city of jade factory. The ticket can be booked online NZD93/person, which you need to exchange at the train station prior to the departure, so make sure you reach the station earlier / 1 hour before. If you stay at Jailhouse Accommodation, there will be a shuttle car who will take you to the train station (how convenient!).
Arrived at FranzJosef township at around 5:00PM and stayed at YHA FranzJosef. (NZD33/night/person). The bus took me right to the doorstep of the hostel.
Day 4
@Franz Josef township
Hiking at the magnificent FranzJosef Glacier and enjoying a hot spring spa (included in the package). The half day package costs NZD 123/person.
Day 5
@Franz Josef township
Leaving Franz Josef for Queenstown by pre-booked (mini) bus - www.nakedbus.com. The trip to Queenstown is amazingly magnificent. I even pushed myself to stay awake as I didn't want to miss a thing. Just put the music on from your earphone, sit by the window, and enjoy the trip. There was one stop to grab a lunch (at your own cost, of course).
Try to book the ticket way in advance, you may get lucky to get the ticket only NZD 1.
Day 6
@Queenstown
Queenstown is a very nice city to go around (and probably to live in). Cycling and shopping souvenir are among the interesting things to do, but the highlights will be road trip to Paradise (one of the shooting spots of LoTR) and "Bar hopping" until dawn. The information about what's happening in the city can be easily retrieved from the many free leaflets at the hotel or tourist information in the city, or you can just ask the hotel staffs.
You should also try lunch-picnic by the Lake Wakatipu! Don't mind about the wind and the cold weather, it was just simply great! And it is strongly recommended to take a road trip to Paradise - its name is really Paradise, one of the shooting spots of LoTR. Really! It's really a trip worth taking. You can consider to drive with a friend so you can exchange the seat - one takes a picture from passenger seat and the other drives, the other way around when returning. You can rent a car from several providers at the city (or book online in advance).
If you think you are up to more challenge, try the Bungee Jumping. Well, anyway, NZ is known as the world's capital of adventure. Take the best out of it while you're there! :-)
Stay at Bumble Backpacker Hostel. It is quite close to the city center (5-10 mins walk) and the view is magnificent. You can choose the room overlooking the Lake Wakatipu.
Don't forget to also have a bite of Fergburger - the famous giant yummy burger.
Day 7
@Queenstown
Milford Sound one full day (with several stops: mirror lake and Te Anau). Book a tour with Real Journey
North Island
Day 8
@Auckland
Flying by Air New Zealand (or Jet Star) to Auckland in the north island. Ticket price: NZD 82.50 - it was one way ticket. From the airport, you can take bus to the city center - depend on your destination in the city.
Stay at Frienz Backpacker Hostel
Going around the city (Thanks to Tracy who took us to Mount Eden and city tour!)
Day 9
@Waitomo
Going to Waitomo by pre-booked bus.
Waitomo is a very small town, but offers many attractions. If the time allows you, a sheep sheering is worth a visit too. Or you can also check out one nice hotel that has rooms like the Hobbit's house (or even better, you can stay at this hotel... but rather expensive for me).
Stay at Kiwipaka
Day 10
@Waitomo
Caving - Blackwater Rafting (NZD 198)
The provider can pick you up at the hotel. If you stay at Kiwipaka, it's about 2-3 km away, so I'd suggest to ring them and ask if they can pick you up.
Taking off to Taupo - by pre-booked bus (Waitomo Wanderer Shuttle - NZD 55). The pick up point will be at the city center - very close to the Kiwipaka hostel.
Check out my experience here
Day 11
@Taupo
Skydiving!!
Stay at Blackcurrant backpacker hostel
Off to Wellington by (private) IC (Inter City) Bus IC6501.
Check out my skydiving experience "Dancing in the sky! My first skydiving..."
The cost may be varied, depend on the package you take. Mine was approx. NZD 500.
Day 12
@Wellington
Tour of LoTR (Wellington Rover Tours).
Going around the city - Don't forget to pay a visit to Te Papa Tongarewa museum where you can learn more about the history of NZ and the origin people of NZ and their daily lives. There is even an earthquake simulation - you enter a room which will shake you up as the earthquakes really happens.
Day 13
@Wellington
Going around the city.
...And enjoy a fine dining at Logan Brown Restaurant and Bar as a sweet closure to your trip... still within the budget, well... a bit excess but you're on holiday right? Treating yourself a bit better than any ordinary days won't be a harm. At certain hour and day, they offer special package. I can't really remember how much was it but it might be around NZD 65.
Day 14
Going home! (via Christchurch)
From Wellington to Christchurch by Air New Zealand (approx. NZD 90).
Christchurch - Kuala Lumpur by Air Asia.
