This blue is real!!!
10-Day New Zealand Travel Guide: Explore God's Favorite Country
New Zealand, a picturesque land, is like a pure paradise kissed by God. The mountains and lakes create a beautiful picture, and the scenery of the wilderness gives the soul a place to rest. Now, follow this guide and start your dream trip to New Zealand.
Preparation
Visa: Prepare a passport valid for more than 6 months in advance, apply for a New Zealand tourist visa online, and prepare materials as required, such as proof of funds, travel plans, etc.
Air tickets: Depart from Hong Kong, book round-trip tickets in advance, and pay attention to airline promotions to save money.
Local transportation: Public transportation in New Zealand is not well developed, so it is recommended to rent a car for self-driving, which is convenient and flexible. Book a car in advance on the car rental platform and familiarize yourself with local traffic regulations.
Itinerary
Day 1: Hong Kong - Auckland
Depart from Hong Kong, arrive in Auckland, and start your New Zealand trip. When you first arrive in Auckland, get used to the jet lag, stroll around the city, and feel the urban atmosphere.
Day 2: Auckland - Devonport - Christchurch
Visit Auckland's iconic attractions in the morning, such as the Sky Tower. In the afternoon, head to Devonport, which is full of artistic atmosphere and you can stroll along the seaside. Then climb Mount Victoria and overlook the panoramic view of Auckland and the harbor. Take a flight to Christchurch in the evening.
Day 3: Christchurch - Akaroa
Depart from Christchurch and head to Akaroa. The town is full of strong French style, and the colorful houses and exquisite cafes on the street are worth stopping by. You can taste French cuisine and buy special souvenirs.
Day 4: Christchurch - Lake Tekapo
Head to Lake Tekapo and check in at the famous Church of the Good Shepherd. This church is as beautiful as a fairyland against the backdrop of the blue lake and snow-capped mountains. The surrounding area is an excellent place for stargazing, and you can see the starry sky at night.
Day 5: Lake Tekapo - Mount Cook - Wanaka
Head from Lake Tekapo to Mount Cook and enjoy the magnificent mountains along the way. Arrive in Wanaka at noon, stroll along the lake, enjoy the lake and mountains, and see the "lonely tree."
Day 6: Wanaka - Queenstown
Head from Wanaka to Queenstown, stroll along the lake in Queenstown, see the sparkling water and mountains, and feel comfortable. Queenstown has many gourmet restaurants where you can taste local specialties such as salmon and green-lipped mussels.
Day 7: Queenstown - Glenorchy - Arrowtown - Queenstown
Head to Glenorchy, where "The Lord of the Rings" was filmed, and the grasslands, snow-capped mountains, and lakes create a beautiful picture. Go to Arrowtown in the afternoon to feel the historical atmosphere of the gold rush era, and return to Queenstown in the evening.
Day 8: Queenstown - Dunedin
Arrive in Dunedin and start a city walk. Explore iconic buildings such as Dunedin Railway Station and the University of Otago and feel the unique charm of the city.
Day 9: Dunedin - Christchurch
Visit Tunnel Beach, a unique beach, and return to Christchurch in the afternoon. You can shop in the city and buy wool products, honey, and other specialties.
Day 10: Christchurch - Hong Kong
End your trip and fly back to Hong Kong from Christchurch, marking a successful end to your New Zealand trip.
Food Recommendations
New Zealand steak: The meat is tender and juicy, paired with local specialty sauces, and tastes great.
Seafood dishes: Green-lipped mussels, oysters, etc., are fresh and delicious, and there are many ways to cook them.
Ice cream: Made with fresh local milk, it has a rich flavor and is not to be missed.
Accommodation Suggestions
Auckland: You can choose a hotel in the city center, which is convenient for travel and offers a view of the city at night.
Lake Tekapo: Lakeside homestays are a good choice, and you can see the beautiful lake view when you open the window.
Queenstown: You can choose a hotel or resort according to your budget and enjoy a comfortable stay.
Precautions
The weather in New Zealand is changeable, so carry rain gear and warm clothes with you.
Pay attention to traffic rules when driving. New Zealand is a right-hand drive country.
Respect local cultural customs, especially Maori culture.
5 stars for Ctrip. Skydiving is so much fun! I thought I'd be scared, but after taking off and seeing the snow-capped mountains, I quickly started enjoying it! However, the service was absolutely mediocre! I booked a 13:00 skydive and checked in at the airport before 12:45. After using the restroom, I was still sitting at the airport waiting until 12:55. At around 13:20, I heard everyone with a 13:30 schedule was starting the safety video. I went to the Chinese staff at the check-in desk, and they told me the 13:00 shuttle to the base had already left...excuse me...I just sat there and left?! I originally booked 15,000, but after arriving at the base and changing, I learned I could only jump at 12,000. No one told me that; I didn't even have an oxygen mask, so I figured it out! There was no explanation of the refund process either. I checked with the front desk and Ctrip customer service followed up. No one even asked, "You can only jump at 12,000, are you still going?" They just got on the plane.
Skydiving is super fun, 15,000 feet, the free fall feels like life is free! The package comes with a handheld camera, with photos and videos. After the jump, it will be sent directly to your email for you to download. It takes about 20 minutes to drive to the base.
Very good experience. I chose 15,000ft for my first skydive, which was perfect. Except for the slight weightlessness for 3-5 seconds after leaving the cabin, there was no weightlessness at all afterwards. I spent an extra $200 to buy a GoPro video. It is basically impossible to get a third-party shooting appointment during the peak season.
High-altitude parachute jumping is a more fun project in Queenstown, because it can not only experience the thrilling excitement of parachute jumping, but also watch the whole magnificent scenery of Queenstown. Skydiving is one-to-one help from professional coaches. It's very safe. You just open your eyes, feel the pleasure of falling, and the beauty of Queenstown. It's so exciting that you can't miss it.
The moment we leave the cabin door, we are very nervous. The coach will not communicate with you whether we are ready or not. After counting down three times, tilt your head backwards, let your hands hold the strap, and then go out. We start to spin in the air, just like the parachute jumping program we saw on TV before. It's very funny and interesting. At this time, there is no fear or fear at all. It's all kinds of novelty.
I didn't dare to experience it myself, but I saw skydiving scenes several times along the way and took videos for everyone to watch. It's a more exciting game, suitable for young people to play
We chose 15,000 feet, which is the highest height. We jumped in the mood that this would be the first and only time in our life. The weather was very good that day. The view of Queenstown was beautiful from high altitude, but I didn't enjoy the free fall time. The air was too cold and the pressure in my ears was unbalanced. The whole head seemed to be unbearable until the coach. Pull out the parachute, my talent slows down and enjoys the scenery.
Queenstown was full of skydivers and came to Wanak, 12,000 feet. I regret not choosing 15,000 feet. Never end! How about staying cool? The scenery is super beautiful! How could there be such a fun sport! It's so exciting!!! Want to jump 50 more times