We are Kate and Jeff. Welcome to our blog that will chronicle our first trip to New Zealand.
First, our itinerary (all dates are Nov2016):
02 Wed Victoria > San Francisco > Auckland
04 Fri Arrive Auckland @ 7:55AM local time, all day/overnight in Auckland
05 Sat Start our Stray Travel tour @ 7:00AM (detailed description here)
Bus from Auckland to Paihia, with stops in Parry Kauri and Waipu Cove
06 Sun Boat trip @ Bay of Islands, then bus to Opononi
07 Mon Ferry @ Hokianga, sand-boarding, visit Waipoua + Kai Iwa, overnight in Auckland
08 Tue Walk @ Cathedral Grove, Hot Water Beach, overnight @ Hahei
09 Wed Bus to Rotorua where we can visit Hobbiton, then get Mauri meal + song/dance
10 Thu Bus to Whakahoro where we get a 4WD wilderness farm adventure
11 Fri Tongariro alpine crossing (Mount Doom!) hike
12 Sat Bus to Wellington, where we get a tour of the studio + lots of free time
13 Sun Ferry to Picton, winery tour, then bus to Abel Tasman
14 Mon Full day at Abel Tasman for beach hiking, beach meals, and beach accommodation
15 Tue Bus to Hanmer Springs to visit thermal pools in an alpine setting
16 Wed Bus to Christchurch, where we walk to a seal colony + tour the town
17 Thu Bus to Franz Josef, where we tour a Jade factory
18 Fri Full day at Franz Josef for hikes, and maybe a view of the glacier
19 Sat Bus to Makorora, via walk @ Matheson Lake and a jet boat tour
20 Sun Bus to Doubtful Sound where we take an overnight cruise
21 Mon Bus to Queenstown where we have a special night out
22 Tue Full day in Queenstown where we may hike or bike around
23 Wed Another full day in Queenstown where we may explore the Skyline lift + luge
24 Thu Bus to Otago where we mountain bike the Otago Rail Trail
25 Fri Bus to Christchurch where we get a guided city tour
26 Sat Flight to Wellington where we get more time to tour that city
27 Sun Express bus ride back to Auckland
28 Mon Day hiking with Mat in Waitakere Ranges, then dinner with him + Jillian
29 Tue Shopping/touring in Auckland, then sunset kayak to/from Rangitoto
30 Wed Auckland > San Francisco > Victoria
You should be able to track us using this link.
I think that's about it ... until we start this adventure and start posting our experiences.
