New Zealand 2026

Auckland

Hilly, close to water

Day 1

Arrived by air in the afternoon, and went by bus to Sky City. Took a cab to the hotel.

Day 2

Rented a car. Rainy, but walked a bit to the harbour and visited the Maritime Museum. Walked around Ponsonby in the afternoon.

Day 3

Took a ferry to Devonport and North Head. Looked at view of Auckland. Fantastic weather, got pink neck and arms. Went by bus to Mt Eden with another view of Auckland. Went up the tv tower in Sky City in the evening.

North Head view — Auckland view from North Head

Mt Eden view — Auckland view from Mt Eden

Day 4

Went to Art Museum. Went by car to Mercer Bay. Walked a bit on the loop, but turned back after a while. Went to Piha Beach to look at the black sand.

Rotarua

Flat, no visible water. Gondola, thermal activities.

Day 1

Arrived in the evening after having spent the day in Hobbiton. Bought breakfast to cook at the motel.

Day 2

Went to Wai-O-Tapu to see the geyser Lady Knox. We also walked around the park and watched all kinds of smoke and coloured water. Had lunch on the country side at a gas station. Sausage and strips. Tasted good, and very good coffee. Went up the mountain with the gondola and enjoyed the view. Used the washing machine at the motel.

Wellington

Hilly and windy, with very old cable car up the mountain, close to water and harbour.

Day 1

Cable car and walk in the harbour. Walked in Te Aro, Leed Street & Cuba Street

Day 2

Te Papa Museum. Walked up Mt Victoria viewpoint. Walked in Te Aro, Leed Street & Cuba Street

Day 3

Weta workshop and maritime museum at the harbour.

Day 4

Continued at the museum and flew to Christchurch.

Christchurch

Couldn't see Mountains or water from the town, but still close. Antique trams. Gondola to mountain nearby.

Day 1

Arrived by air. Bus to city center.

Day 2

Went around town with trams, hop-on, hop-off with day pass to trams. Visited the botanic garden.

Day 3

Went by bus to gondola and enjoyed the view of Christchurch and Lytteltown. Strolled around a bit at the top.

Day 4

Parts and labour cafe. Banksy exhibition. Harley store in Christchurch. Picked up rental car.

Queenstown

A small place, hilly, close to lake with a steam boat. Many backpackers

Day 1

Arrived in the evening by car. Passed Lake Tekapo on the way.

Day 2

Went to Wanaka. National Transport Museum and Wanaka Beach with the Lone Tree a bit out in the water. Gondola in the evening.

Worlds fastest indian sign at National Transport Museum

Day 3

Kiwi Park and steam boat on Lake Wakatipu.

Day 4

Went to Arrowtown, an old gold digging town, where many Chinese men have worked. Went to a historic bridge where bungy jumping was done.

Te Anau

Larger than we expected.

Day 1

Arrived in the evening after visiting Milford Sound, where it was foggy and rainy.

Invercargill

A rather big town, flat and widespread.

Day 1

Arrived and went to see E Hays Hardware Store, where Burt Munro's Indian and Velocette are on display. Went to the address where Burt's shed was. Went to Oreti Beach where he used to run his bikes.

Burt Munro's shelf with offerings to the God of Speed

Day 2

Went to Classic Motorcycle Mecca och Bill Richardson Transport World.

Burt tribute at Classic Motorcycle Mecca

Dunedin

Nice town. Rather large and a little hilly, with many older buildings. We maybe should have spent an extra day here.

Day 1

Went south from Invercargill to Bluff, to reach south on the South Island. Small fishing village, but they have Hill Climb competition for motorcycles too. Followed a small coastal road a bit up north. Scenic but slow. We were hoping to see dolpnins, sea lions and penguins, but didn't. A walk in Dunedin in the evening.

Christchurch

Day 1

Went by car to Kaikoura. Trying to see whales, dolphins, sea lions or penguins. We saw sea lions or maybe seals, on cliffs in the distance. Nice sunny wheather and nice views. Returned the car in the afternoon.

Day 2

Went by the tram with day passes. Looked at wall paintings and visited Art Museum and Ravenscar Home and Museum.

Auckland

Day 1

Arrived by air and bus to Sky City around noon. Left bags at the hotel and went for lunch. Met Emily in the evening for a beer/water. Had dinner at a fish restaurant in the harbour.

Day 2

Went by bus to St Heliers Bay, and walked a bit back to town. Very scenic. Took the bus the last part of the return trip. Walked around the harbour a bit, and took the ferry to Devonport and back. Tested wagyu cut meat at a restaurant in Ponsonby in the evening. Walked back to the hotel, nice weather.

Day 3

Walked a bit in the harbour. Took a bus to Museum of Transport and Technology. Had fish and chips at the museum, then back by bus for a coffee. Picked up bags and went by bus to the Airport.