9 Days Itinerary of New Zealand Trip

I've shared my 9 days of New Zealand's itinerary in this post, must-go places, and a lot of tips! Do read it and watch my travel vlog if you're planning to go to New Zealand! :)

This was my first time to New Zealand. For those who have never been here before, I reckon that planning the trip is going to be worth it. New Zealand is really by far the most beautiful country I’ve ever been, with beautiful scenery everywhere as if a painting is  following you around. I am glad to come here with my boyfriend, he basically did all the researches, as this was a surprise trip from him ahem.

My boyfriend and I rented a car when we were in Queenstown and Auckland. There is no need to apply for international license to drive in NZ for Malaysian. There were so many car rental services in New Zealand, so it's better to do some research, on car type as well. As you're going to hike up the hill or take a awesome shot with the car HAHA.

A little advice for you, I strongly recommend (or compulsory) you guys to rent a car if you’re coming to Queenstown. It’s much more convenient because you’ll be driving a lot to places outside of Queenstown. On top of that, you can stop by anywhere and anytime for photos and enjoy the magnificent view. And I do not recommend you to rent a car in Auckland, due to the difficulty of finding a parking and the convenience of using their public transports.

Also, we actually booked a few activities such as Heli glacier, skydiving, mount cook trekking and so on, but these activities got cancelled due to the weather. So here’s a little advice, check the weather forecast before your trip and try to arrange your activities on the first few days so you are able to arrange at later dates of your trip if your activity gets cancelled due to the weather.

Regarding the airbnb that we stayed in Queenstown, it was facing an incredible view with an outdoor spa! Most importantly, it was a crazy bargain at only around RM300-400 per night (it could have been more expensive by now). You can also look for cheaper air bnb. After all you definitely won’t be spending much time in the stay other than sleeping in it.

Here's the link to airbnb (https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/11422391?s=51), for first time airbnb user, get MYR105 off by using this link (www.airbnb.co.nz/c/cloh116).

10 days has never been enough to explore the whole NZ, I guess it takes a month to travel the south island. We spent most of our time in south island, for north island we only travelled to Auckland. I personally prefer south island more and had the opportunity to visit Milford Sound, Glenorchy, Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, Wanaka, and so on.

For more photos, you can check out #chenellewentravels or #ChenelleInNZ on my Instagram here. For video, I will put it in the end of the post, watch the entire journey!

NEW ZEALAND ITINERARY 

DAY 1

Breakfast at ivy&Lola’s 

Gondola ride up to Skyline Queenstown
Paragliding (A must-do, to enjoy the whole scenic view of Queenstown)

Buffet lunch at Stratosfare, skyline (Must book in order to get a best spot for dining. panoramic view of Queenstown)

Back to stay for Jacuzzi

Dinner at  Botswana Butchery

DAY 2

Breakfast at Vudu Cafe 

Glenorchy (stop by a few spots for photos)

Glenorchy waterfront reserve (Photo spot)

Glenorchy animal experience (feed alpacas, sheeps and kunekune pig and so on, entry fee is NZD$20 and NZD$5 for one pack of animal food)

Kinloch lodge (stop by a few spots for photos and trekking)

Take out Fergburger (best burger in town, the wait is about half an hour)

Have Fergburger at Perky’s floating bar (a boat where you can bring your own food and enjoy the view at Lake Wakatipu)

DAY 3

Spend morning time at stay (cereal and milk)

Lunch at Eichardts (tapas) 

Ice cream at Patagonia Ice Cream (best ice cream in town)

Queenstown Gardens (a lot of photogenic corners, beware of the bees)

Jacuzzi at stay (the view is too amazing)

Arrowtown for photo and dinner at Arrow Thai Food (a cute small town, but nothing much to do there other than taking photo and eat)

Grocery shopping

DAY 4

Head to lake pukaki (2.5 hours drive)

Had salmon shashimi as lunch (well-known for its freshness, a must-try!)

Head to mount Cook (an hour drive)

Heli ride and tracking canceled due to weather (we did not take any photo at Mount Cook due to the bad weather, and we could only stay in the car)

Head to Lake Tekapo 

Check in pepper’s blue resort at Lake Tekapo (amazing view at the stay facing Lake Tekapo)

Dinner at Kohan Japanese restaurant (famous Japanese restaurant in town, the food is good!)

Photo taking at the Church of Good Shepherd (Lupin blooming) 

Star gazing at the church of Good Shepherd (Attempt to watch Milky Way but didn’t see it, please do research for the best time to see Milky Way, as Lake Tekapo is one of the best spot in the world to observe Milky Way, but it all depends on the weather and moonlight.)

DAY 5

Breakfast at Reflections cafe

Clay cliff while otw to wanaka (half an hour drive from Lake Pukaki, surprisingly it is a beautiful spot to have a short hike)

Head to wanaka (2 and half an hour drive from Lake Tekapo)

That wanaka tree for photo (famous photo spot)

Alchemy restaurant for late lunch 

Kika restaurant for dessert 

Head to Hilton Queenstown resorts & spa for check in 

Dinner in the room 

DAY 6

It was a pretty chill day due to a lot of activities have been cancelled.
Onsen hot pool (famous hot pool in Queenstown, surprisingly it shares the same view as our first airbnb stay)

Breakfast at Bespoke kitchen (healthy meal)

Remarkables ski scenic area (It was impromptu, we went up by following waze. It was a hell of an adventurous ride, and it was full of snow up there. Not for those who are afraid of driving on very narrow trails at very high altitude)

Take out Fergburger (eat in the hotel and enjoy the lake view)

Grocery shopping at fresh choice

DAY 7

We followed a day tour called xxx to Milford Sound because we think that it's a long journey ride.
9am depart to Milford Sound 

3pm reach Milford Sound

9pm back to Queenstown 

Dinner at My Thai Lounge 

DAY 8

Back to Auckland

Check in Stay at Queens Street

Cornwall park and One Three Hill (the sheeps here are not really friendly compared with Queenstown one, it's hard to get a shot with them around.)

Dinner at Lucky Buddha (with my homegirl Vanessa)

DAY 9

Photo taking at Pink Cycleway (kinda pretty photo spot because the cycleway is in pink)

Buy souvenir at Aotea Gifts (if you do not have enough time, can buy from the airport)


Remember to give a thumb up if you like my video. :)

That's all for my New Zealand's itinerary! Feel free to leave a comment and ask me if you have any question regarding the trip that I have not mention in this post. I am more than willing to answer you. :)