New Zealand

…Fresh, visually stunning, remote, friendly…

New Zealand is one of our favorite travel destinations, especially now that we live in Australia and it’s a short hop across the Tasman (“the ditch”).  

It offers great hiking, stunning scenery, excellent food and wine, and some of the friendliest people on the planet.  We’ve done most of our exploring on the South Island, but have both individually travelled to the North Island.

Here are highlights (DINK TRIP Tips) from our various trips...for more details or to help plan your own visit, contact us!

Christchurch / Marlborough / Abel Tasman / Nelson

• Drinking lots of Pinot Noir in Marlborough (we have a few favorites!)
• Hiking the Abel Tasman Coastal Track - water taxi service
• Craft beers in Nelson

Wellington / Paekakariki / Martinborough

• Coffee in Wellington (we have a few favorites, including a coffee tasting flight!)
• The Wellington food scene (seems like every meal was memorable)
• Strolling around Queen Elizabeth Park in Paekakariki
• Drinking lots of Pinot Noir in Martinborough (we love the cool climate regions)

Queenstown / Routeburn Track

• The Queenstown food scene (some really delicious places...not just Fergburger)
• Trekking the Routeburn Track with Ultimate Hikes (quite the “glamping” experience!)

Te Anau / Doubtful Sound / Milford Sound / Stewart Island / Catlins

• Cruising through Doubtful Sound and enjoying freshly caught lobsters on an overnight boat trip
• Trekking the Milford Track with Ultimate Hikes (more “glamping”!)
• Celebrating New Year’s Eve on Stuart Island with a massive bonfire on the beach
• Driving through the Catlins to stop off at a number of great sights and waterfalls

Wanaka / Central Otago

• Hiking up to Rob Roy Glacier
• Drinking lots of Pinot Noir in Central Otago (one of our favorite wine regions)

Christchurch / Marlborough Sounds

• Riding the Coastal Pacific Train from Christchurch to Picton
• Hiking the Queen Charlotte Track

Christchurch / Arthur’s Pass / Punakaiki

• Riding the TranzAlpine Train from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass (with a stopover for some hiking, including summiting Avalanche Peak) and then to Greymouth
• Seeing the blowholes at high tide at the Pancake Rocks​​