User:(WT-en) New Zealand Traveller

Recent Travels

HotelsCombined has hired me to help spread the word about things to do in this city. You can see their list of New Zealand hotels. Their engine searches for hotels and rates across all major travel websites. It’s the most complete accommodation list I’ve come across for this area which has provided very useful for my trip.

Just recently I embarked on a driving trip from Auckland to Queenstown and want share the highlights of my trip.

I found out that Auckland sits on top of a large volcanic field that has produced around 53 volcanic scoria cones in the last 140 thousand years. Each of the cones is monogenetic, which means it was formed by a single bubble of magma that rose from deep within the earth.

So if you are ever in Auckland, a green volcanic cone is never far from view. Two of the more prominent examples are Maungawhau (Mount Eden) and Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill). Maungawhau, Maungkiekie and many of the other larger cones offer long-range, 360 degree views of the surrounding land and sea. Since Auckland is on a narrow isthmus you can easily see from one side of New Zealand to the other. The views from cones are stunning and are a must see if you visit.

Just like green volcanic cones in Auckland, Hotels are never far away as I recently found out while trying to find a place to for the night, a fellow tourist pointed out to me try using HotelsCombined.com. Wow was I amazed at the amount of hotels in Auckland they have over 146 hotels since I was on a budget I decided to sort the hotels by price so if your ever in Auckland and need a place to stay this page Auckland Hotels might be helpful to you.

WiFi Hotspots I have used while traveling through Auckland;


 * Vulcan Cafe: - Vulcan Lane, Auckland, 1, New Zealand.
 * Viaduct Walk - Viaduct Harbour, Auckland, 1, New Zealand.
 * Milano Restaurant - Viaduct Harbour, Auckland, 1300, New Zealand.
 * BP Connect Newmarket - Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Auckland, 1300, New Zealand.

I then decided to make my journey down south to Hamilton to check out the home of the Chiefs Super 14, the Waikato Stadium was impressive although not as big as other Stadium located around the world. I found out that it was only built 6 years ago and will fit about 25,000 people. I was planning on stay for the night in one of Hamilton's hostel but decided to grab a snack at Metrpolis Cafe and also used their WiFi, before heading off for another two hour drive to Lake Taupo in Taupo.

After Taupo I decided to drive down to Tauranga which I found out was called "a sheltered anchorage" in Maori. The drive was quiet pleasant with a nice open country side that Tauranga offered, most of the land on either side of the road that I was driving on was horticultural land. I stopped on the side of the ride and decide to visit one of the farms and found out that what most people know as the Kiwi fruit originated from China called the Chinese Gooseberry. I then decided to stay in Tauranga another day and visit more farms learning more about how they grow the Kiwi fruits, I decided to stay at one Tauranga Motels closest to the farms before embarking on my next destination.

Leaving Taupo after a wonderful and refreshing stay I decided to head south to Napier which is considered an art deco city. The city was amazing it was like no other city I had visited during my time in New Zealand. The buildings look like they were from a 1940s movies set in which they were distinctly styled. I then decide to make my way to Wellington the capital city of New Zealand.

Wellington would be my last stop in the North Island before crossing over the Cook Strait to the South Island by boat. I planned on staying in Wellington for a few days so I needed a place to stay and I found hotel rooms to stay at while enjoying a cup of coffee using the Internet searching for Wellington Hotels and found a place to stay that had vacancies for the next three days I was going to be there. My plan for Wellington was to enjoy all the look out points around the city and try different activities they offered.

What a stay in Wellington was I never expected my self to try out extreme sports, I went on the to Bungy Extreme and tried out their version of bungy jumping with out actually bungy jumping. Instead of your legs being strapped you are strapped between a metal bench and flung around by a crane. I decided not to try any more extreme activities while in Wellington and decided to visit gardens and museums around Wellington, I took the cable which provided me with a spectacular view of Wellington an amazing site that anyone visiting should try.

I headed to the South Island taking a ferry across the Cross Strait to Picton which took 5 hours since I had a car. I was there 1 hour before everyone else and also had to wait for everyone to exit before I was able to depart from the ferry. Once I reached Picton I grabbed a snack from a local cafe and started my drive to Nelson. Once I reached Nelson it was dark so I needed a place to rest for the night before embarking on more activities planned for Nelson. I stayed at the customhouse since it was the cheapest place I could find in Nelsonsince the ferry crossing was expensive at NZ $229.

I then decided to head down to Christchurch the Garden city, which can not be mistaken while driving through the suburbs heading towards the city it was an amazing site with the number of tress growing. I decided to visit the International Antarctic Centre where you can experience what it would be like to live in the Antarctic, riding around in ATV and watching penguins waddle around. I then need to warm up so I found a hotel close by with my laptop, there were many hotels in Christchurch to choose from. I just chose the closer and cheapest which provide the essential where I could have a great night sleep before I head down to Queenstown the adrenalin and adventure capital of the world.

Queenstown was awesome to say the least I decided to give Jet boating a go and it was extremely fun and dangerous at the same time flying through shallow water and hairpin turns around the streams. I did say I was not going try to bungy jump anymore after the experience in Wellington but decide to give real bungy jumping a go with the cord wrapped around the feet and not tied to a bench. All I can say is Queenstownwas the most exciting stop so far definitely a must for any thrill seekers. There is still more activities to try but I was limited to two because of budget but definitely try when I visit Queenstown again in the near future.

I then headed to Dunedin the check out the worlds steepest street Baldwin Street, the street was so steep that my car was struggling to go up the street unless I pushed it to the limits. It was a fun drive though trying not to roll back down with cars right behind you. I then headed to the University of Otago, the atmosphere was quite nice and refreshing had to say when you have been in Uni for 3 years. The accommodation available was varied which were not only limited to Dunedin hotels but also motels, lodges and others.

Finally I reached my destination to the most southern city in New Zealand the city of Invercargill, I decided to take it easy and not do any extreme activities while in Invercargill and visit only museums and beaches. The Southland Museum and Art Gallery was amazing since it was designed in the shape of a pyramid and so much to see and take in after I decided to make the trip to the most southern point in New Zealand. I headed to slope point although it was nothing spectacular I can say I been to the most southern point in New Zealand. I then decided to make my way back to my hotel room in Tay Street InvercargillI love the room since its design was chic.

What an amazing journey even though the trip was on a budget. I had the best trip every and will definitely coming back and exploring more of this amazing country