We experienced erratic weather on the 1st 2 days with gloomy overcast skies and sporadic drizzles alternating with sunny moments, rendering many beautiful spots less than ideal for photo-taking, with the rest of the trip at the whims of the weather too. We brought along our drone but its usage was hampered as most areas we wanted to film were no-fly zones with frequent helicopter and planes joy flights. 
While I personally favour South Island, North Island does charm in her own ways. Like they always say “E rua te pai ake i te kotahi” (Two is better than One – in Maori language) .

Brief Insights of North Island

The North Island is renowned for its volcanic activity, national parks and cosmopolitan cities. Its largest city Auckland host 77% of New Zealand’s total population of 4.8mil, on 113,729 sq.km of land. Surrounded by bays and islands, it’s known as the “the City of Sails.”

North Island is divided into two ecoregions within the temperate broadleaf and mixed forests biome, the northern part being the Northland temperate kauri forest, and the southern part being the North Island temperate forests. The island has an extensive flora and bird population, with numerous national parks and other protected areas. (excerpts from Wikipedia)

Our North Island Self-drive Route Map

Despite New Zealand’s unpredictable weather where you may experience 4 seasons in 1 day, the good news is that any time is the “best time” to visit – whether you want to go surfing in summer or skiing in the winter, there’s plenty to see and do at any time of year. This self-drive trip commenced in Rotorua, which took just a snappy 20min domestic flight from Auckland. The direct flight from Singapore to Auckland via Air New Zealand took about 9.35 hours. The mileage logged on this trip was 1620km, with the rented car being an Aurion (Camry) from Hertz.

• Tip #01 – Food restriction, even for personal consumption, is very stringent at the immigration checkpoints. When arriving in New Zealand, you must declare on your Passenger Arrival Card ANY food you’re bringing in. You may also need to show the snack (even the little packet of preserved plums in your pocket) to bio-security quarantine inspectors. Even if it is allowed, if you don’t declare the item you’re bringing to New Zealand you will be fined and have the food confiscated. If you are unsure, declare.
• Tip #02 – Driving on New Zealand roads are generally safe as most drivers are law-abiding. New Zealand traffic rules are similar to Singapore and they drive on the left side of the road. Do note that fines for speeding are hefty.
• Tip #03 – Singaporean passport holders don’t need a visa to visit and can travel around the country for up to 3 months per entry. Our passport can be used on their eGate.

Day #01

Day 1 saw me arriving in Auckland at noon after an overnight flight via ANZ airline. After a quick 20min domestic flight, we reached Rotorua and commenced the drive to Lake Taupo after picking up our rental Aurion (Camry) from Hertz. The picture above shows a lovely rest-stop en route to our 1st hotel at Lake Taupo.

A typical scenery by the highway. You will love the neat and gorgeous landscape. Autumn is the best season if you like the various hues of leaves.

Huka Falls

After checking into our hotel at Millennium Manuels Lake Taupo, we visited Huka Falls, the largest falls on the Waikato River. It is the most visited natural attraction in New Zealand and one of the country’s longest rivers and it drains Lake Taupo – the largest freshwater lake in all of Australasia.

We returned to the hotel in time to enjoy the beautiful sunset at the resort jetty, over at Lake Taupo. The weather was a chilly 11-12°C. Finally a shot for myself in the picture, with the camera on tripod and travel mate Cindy as the shutter trigger. 

The natural hot spring oozes steam right at the edge of the lake. Lake Taupo has some of the most famous thermal pools complexes in the region.

Day 2

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

Day 2 saw us visiting the renowned Wai-O-Tapu GeoThermal Wonderland, which features a number of mud pools, geysers and sulphur pools. Highlights include the stunning Champagne Pool and the powerful Lady Knox Geyser.

Lady Knox erupting with the geyser hitting 20m into the air daily at 10.15am, after a presentation by the park ranger who pour bio-degradable surfactants (soap) into the blowhole to generate more foamy hot water discharge. Without the soapy added, the geyser erupts within 24-48 hours.

This picture shows the colourful Central Pools of Wai-o-Tapu, sculptured out of volcanic activities and thousands of years in the making. It is considered to be New Zealand’s most colourful and diverse geothermal sightseeing attraction extending over 18-sq. km.

Misty time at the renowned “Champagne Lake”, one of the most iconic photo spots from New Zealand’s North Island.

The Champagne Pool gets its name from the abundance of carbon dioxide akin to a glass of bubbling champagne. The contrasting vivid colours are due to high sulphur content combining with the ferrous salts in the water. The leading line of the orange sulphur deposit coupled with plumes of pungent steam makes photographing it difficult due to steam constantly hovering at the water surface. The crater is 65m in diameter and depth. The pool holds its heat at about 73°C by geothermally heated water that enters from its depth at 260°C.

This neon green pool of stagnant fetid water is a natural wonder nicknamed the Devil’s Bath. The bright green water gets its colour from deposits of sulphur that rise to the surface and float on top. The green identifies that active mineral while other hues found across the park such as blues, reds, and otherwise signify other volcanic elements. 

Craters of the Moon

Our next destination brought us to the Craters of the Moon thermal park, with loads of thermal energy hissing from within the landscape. Such energetic blessing from nature indeed.

This thermal area sprang up in the 1950s when the nearby power station lowered underground water levels as hot water was drawn from deep within the field. The reduced water level in the deep reservoir and the remaining water boiled more violently, generating even more steam.

A huge crater at the park, you can hear the bubbling and gurgling mud among the vents in the craters, like many kettles boiling over.

A resident Pheasant at the attraction office ground. This is a game bird and pheasant hunting season with strict guidelines, generally begins on the first weekend of May and lasts until mid-August. It is illegal to shoot the hens as they are protected as the providers of the following year’s crop.

Eat Streat – Rotorua Dining Central

Just a 5min drive from our hotel Sudima Lake Rotorua is Eat Streat, one of Rotorua’s coolest places in the city. Located at the lake end of Tutanekai Street, you will enjoy quality restaurants, cafés and bars as well as the famous Lady Jane’s Ice Cream Parlour.

The LED light colours change on rotating cycles, bathing the place in various soothing hues. The covered central walkway with retractable roofing is the focal point for this all-weather alfresco dining area, making it ideal for year-round entertainment. The thermally heated footpath and mood lighting give Eat Streat a vibrant dining vibe.

If you are hungry for spicy food, like me, the Indian eatery serves the most ‘authentic’ dishes or is rather close to what we are used to back home. 

Accomodation – Sudima Lake Rotorua

The Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua, a well-maintained hotel conveniently located just by Lake Rotorua. The breakfast venue faces lake Rotorua and you will experience the rising sun shining into the dining area.

My room was a newly refurbished room but it looked 90% complete with no table-side lamps or wall posters. Cosy, clean, safe and the water pressure is one of the most powerful I experienced to date.

View of the lake from my room in the morning. Just a short walk will get you to the lakeside with bubbling steamy mud pools.

Polynesian Spa

The Polynesian Spa is a must-visit when staying at Sudima as it’s just a few minutes walk away. Local Māori acclaimed the therapeutic benefits of the water and bathed for centuries in the acidic pool ‘Te Pupunitanga’, now called Priest’s Bath.

This hot spring and spa therapy centre will ease your travel fatigue while offering a great view of the scenic Lake Rotorua, especially during sunrise.

Day 3

Hobbiton Movie Set

This attraction will be one of the highlights of any visit to North Island. The venue was designed for the movie shooting and not as a tourist attraction. But with the viral success of the Hobbits and Lord of the Rings movies, it transforms itself into a top world-class attraction.

The beautiful and scenic setting will endear anyone visiting the movie set. The entire location size is 1250 acres with the Hobbiton site at 16 acres.

One of the most beautiful Hobbits houses (there are 37) on the set. You can enter a few assigned units for photography but the actual interior filming viewers saw in the movie are in purpose-built sets in the movie studio as it’s too small here.

Our guide, Beth, taking the group on the guided visit. Visitors can bring along their Hobbits costumes should they be keen to inject more fun into the photo-taking. We are addressed cheekily as “Hobbits” on the site tour.

These iconic rolling hills and lush green pastures of Hobbiton was discovered in 1998 by Sir Peter Jackson’s team of location scouts during an aerial search. The 1250 acre farm belongs to the Alexander family. They noted the area’s striking similarity to The Shire, as described by JRR Tolkien and quickly realised that the Hobbits had found a home.

The visit to the beautifully crafted Green Dragon Inn (the meeting place for all residents of Hobbiton) marks the end of the tour. Signature ginger ale or apple cider will be offered as complimentary (part of the entry fee) refreshments for the tour.

Tauranga – Waimarino Glow Worm Kayak

Our next stop after The Hobbiton was the beautiful town of Tauranga (4th largest in North island), where we were hosted to a 5-stars Glow Worm Kayaking event at the McLaren Falls Park. The founder of Waimarino Glow Worm Kayaking company, Blair Anderson came personally to fetch us from our hotel. The journey took 20min from the hotel.

Enroute to McLaren Falls Park, Blair showed us the McLaren Falls, an amazing place for anyone coming to Tauranga, must-visit. Blair has some connections to S’pore, himself being engaged to train Singapore Navy sailors in kayaking some years back. He stayed for 4 months and counted durians as his favourite fruit!

McLaren Falls Park is 190 hectares of parkland alongside Lake McLaren and is just 15 minutes by car, from Tauranga. One of the highlights of the park is the waterfall track where you can see glow worms after dusk, which was the highlight of this event.

A great snack of biscuits with local NZ cheeses and pastes, fruits paired with warm wine before we commence the adventure on the lake.

A final safety check and coordination before our kayak is being pushed into the lake. We were warm and dry and had our camera gears onboard. No worries, we were all safe, dry with no capsizing on the calm lake.

The lake ambience was serene and filled with swans and water ducks. An exceptionally beautiful lake indeed.

This was the final shot before it got too dark for any more pics, as we paddled into the canyon. (for photography buffs, this pic was shot at ISO 12800).

Accommodation – Trinity Wharf

Our accommodation at Tauranga was the lovely Trinity Wharf, a nice hotel with a lovely view of the sheltered Rangataua Bay and the Tauranga Bridge in the background.

The hotel infinity pool – you can certainly shoot instagrammable pictures here with the pool and the calm bay.

The hotel breakfast menu is typical of most NZ hotels’ continental spread with juices and toasts but served with a great view here.

Day 4

After checking out, we made our way to our next destination for Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove but along the way, we checked out points of interest, like this “honesty selling” booth (unmanned sales booth) at a farm along highway #2. We bought the pack of persimmons and insert the money into the money box.

Just a short distance down, we spotted this Persimmon tree and stop to shoot pictures as most city folks like us have rarely seen a Persimmon tree, let alone a fruiting one.

Along the road, our attention was caught by this gorgeous flowering plant – The Hot Poker (formal name is Kniphofia and a native plant of Africa).

The visiting bees were just so beautiful, the perfect moment for macro photography.

KatiKati Birds Garden

This place named KatiKati Birds Garden advertises itself as a ‘birds garden’ but we discovered the “real persona” of the venue shortly after.

Wherever we go, the garden big flock of chickens would come to us for food. It became more like a chicken farm. Although the chickens are of various species, I had a kingfisher in mind, something more exotic or less commonplace.

The place can also be deemed a Duck Farm, plenty of them around.

A small part of the colonies of chickens in this “birds garden”. I wonder if the garden owner controls their population.

Cindy got accosted and held “ransom” by the feathered residents. No wonder the entry fee was just NZD$10/adult and the packet of bird feed was NZD$1. The rest of the parrots and coloured birds were housed in cages that I have no mood to shoot.

The Porch Kitchen & Bar @ Waihi Beach

After a 25min drive from Katikati Birds Garden, we stopped for a lamb pie at The Porch Kitchen & Bar Waihi Beach as Blair Anderson said we should not miss NZ Pie as “it’s the best in the universe”.

My first lamb pie on the trip, very delicious and can’t tell it’s made with lamb. NZ people are proud of their pies and rightly so.

Hot Water Beach @ The Coromandel

After 2 hrs drive, we arrived at the Hot Water Beach for a short visit. At a certain stretch of the beach, you can use a rented spade to dig your own spa pool by the sea, during low tide.

Typical of most beaches away from cities in New Zealand, you get to enjoy peaceful moments in expansive comfort.

With more time, making your own nature onsen is a highlight on this beach, just like in some parts of Japan.

Cathedral Cove

After another 15min drive from Hot Water Beach, we arrived at the Cathedral Cove which is part of the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve. This lookout point shows a lovely view of the South Pacific Ocean.

A nice look-out point, visitors can walk down to the beautiful Hahei Beach on The Coromandel where you can walk to Cathedral Cove, a naturally formed archway that truly deserves a place on anyone’s album. But as we were scheduled to reach Auckland, about 3hrs drive away, we had to give it a miss.

The beach at Cathedral Cove is often touted as the Top 10 most beautiful beaches in the country. It’s also a film location of the Narnia films and since then has shot to international fame. This amazing attraction is 100% free to visit and requires no national park or entrance fees.

Highway #25

En route to Auckland along the way on highway #25, we could not resist stopping for an Autumn sunset photo session with passing cars, especially with this roll of beautiful trees.

Accommodation – Auckland City Hotel

My hotel room in Auckland. Nice room for sleep, especially after a long drive. The Auckland City Hotel is strategically located in the heart of the city entertainment and business district, with easy access to motorways. An effortless five-minute walk takes you to the Sky Tower, Aotea Square, and the centre of town, Queen Street.

Day 5

Puhoi Valley Cheese Co.

Day 5 see us leaving Auckland for our next destination in Paihia, the northern town where the Bay of Islands is. But along the way, a stop at Puhoi for a cafe break at the Puhoi Valley Cafe and Cheese Store, a very nice cafe. And being so early, we were the 1st to arrive.

You can dine al fresco, enjoy the autumn colours and morning chill at 12’C. But we chose indoor for the lighting mood and decor.

Blue veined, Cheddar, Emmental, Gruyere and a wide variety for sale.

Another day, another pie, just to had to eat more to feel the vibe of NZ meat pies. This beef pie is pretty awesome too. together with a cup of latte.

Honey Centre Warkworth

Just a short drive from Puhoi, we dropped by the Honey Centre in Warkworth for some honey retail therapy.

All the honey related products you will ever need and more.

Manuka Honey, NZ’s pride and valued export. It’s a waste not to buy this gorgeous honey when in NZ.

If the cafe at Puhoi does not appeal to you, this cosy cafe at the Honey Centre should convince you for a cuppa. 

Waipu Glow Worm Cave

An unscheduled visit brought us to the Waipu Caves area features a karst/limestone landscape and weathered rocks. The term “karst” refers to a type of topography that is formed over limestone, dolomite or gypsum by the solution of the rock and is characterised by closed depressions or sinkholes, caves and underground drainage.

This was shot with torchlight shining to capture the image. You can see the green light spots behind, which are the light of glow worms.

A small section of the glow worms on the cave ceiling, all these are bioluminescence – light generated not by battery but insects. It’s simply amazing! imagine, the ceiling of the entire cave filled with them, just like looking at a starry night sky.

Without the torchlight, that’s what we see in the cave in total darkness. I mean 100% total darkness. This picture was shot at ISO 12800

Paihia

From the Waipu caves, a 1.5hrs drive took us to the beautiful coastal town of Paihia, this is the gateway town to the Bay of Islands, the northernmost part of New Zealand.

Day 6

Day 6 required us to wake up early to make our way to the pick-up point for the tour bus from GreatSights, on a land tour that will take us through the key areas of the Bay of Islands including the northernmost point of Cape Reinga and the renowned 90-Mile Beach, covering about 500km on the trip. We can’t self-drive as the beach is limited to 4WD vehicles.

A visit to New Zealand is not complete without a journey to the very top of the North Island – Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua), where you will discover the wild beauty of this vast and untouched region that is rich in Māori culture and tradition.

Manginangina Kauri Walk

A boardwalk winds through the matured stand of kauri, swamp forest and associated vegetation. Interpretive panels help you understand and enjoy this special forest ecosystem. In fact, this boardwalk was built for the Queen visit to this spot sometimes back.

1st stop of the tour- we got up close to ancient and majestic giant Kauri trees and native bush in Puketi Kauri Forest. 

Houhoura – Lunch Stop with a View

Our lunch rest stop at Houhoura, looking out to Rangaunu Bay, a lovely peaceful setting to tease our appetite.

One of the best fish and chips ever. We were told not to feed the seagulls and apparently, every visitor, have been obedient. The seagulls did not attack us like those in Australia Sydney Fisherman Wharf. We had our alfresco lunch in peace. Coffee is not included in the meal, only iced water.

Lovely ambience under an awesomely gorgeous tree. That’s the beauty of the Bay of Islands for you.

Cape Reinga Lighthouse

After a 10min walk from the carpark to the lighthouse, we experience outstanding views of the Northern Coast. To the west Cape Maria Van Dieman and Motuopao Island, to the east is Piwhane/Spirits Bay and Hikurua/de Serville Cliffs, the North Island’s most northern point.
Offshore, you can witness the immense power of two mighty oceans merging. The currents of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet in a foaming swell of broken water over the Columbia Bank.

The directional signpost at the lighthouse with loads of stickers giving the signpost a well-visited look.

Sand Boarding @ Te Paki Sand Dunes.

The excitement at this leg of the trip was the driver takes the bus up Te Paki Stream towards the mountainous sand dunes, it’s all part of the off-road experience. Clambering up then sand-boarding down the enormous dunes (if you dare!) will give your legs a stretch after the first part of the tour.

Somehow, these fellas make me feel less young but I am the one with the camera, one by one, they will need my service.

90 Mile Beach

Ninety Mile Beach is another highlight of the tour – you’ll drive along the sand as waves crash a short distance from the custom-built coach. Feel the sand between your toes as you help your driver guide dig for shellfish (conditions permitting).

Everyone gets down for a feel of the beach and the fresh Tasman sea breeze. A very nice experience indeed.

Look at the beach relief, the surface feels firm and non-sticky and feels nice to walk on.

Incoming! The Tasman waves started churning in. Good thing the beach is rather flat and a brisk walk escapes the wave.

Day 7

Bay of Islands

Early morning saw us going for the Bay of Islands cruise, to check out the renowned Hole in the Rock, dolphins sighting and enjoying the sights of the beautiful bay. A 2-hours trip that will give you an idea of why the town is named as such.

This lovely wharf and the surrounding area has some of the best eateries in Paihia, like 25 Degrees South, Charlotte’s Kitchen Restaurant and Bar, The Pier Lounge Bar & Café, Waterfront Restaurant and Bar, Only Seafood and Amazing Thai.

The rainbow seems to be a “permanent” feature here, as in many places in New Zealand, it’s like the wharf signboard!

Getting ready to board the ferry, named Te Maki (Orca, in the Maori language).

This is Russell, an island away from Paihia. A passenger ferry service runs between Paihia and Russell, while a vehicle ferry provides a link between Opua and Russell. On land, enjoy beautiful river and seaside walking tracks or encounter the mighty Kauri Tree in pristine subtropical rainforest.

Clean, neat and spacious deck. This ferry is the latest addition to the fleet from GreatSights.

Te Maki features outdoor seating, an indoor saloon/cabin and main saloon windows that start below the seat level and extend almost to the ceiling, offering amazing visibility.

The Black Rocks are a group of islets off the north and eastern coasts of Moturoa Island and are a very special feature of the Bay of Islands landscape. The islets are the visible tops of basalt lava flows from volcanic eruptions which have not been entirely covered by the rise of the sea to its present level. Believed to be around 1.2 million years old, their distinctive shape makes them very rare and of outstanding conservation value.

The landscape here is simply beautiful, no wonder so many films were made here.

A wild sea lion enjoying the late morning sun, with plenty of seafood around.

This Hole in The Rock is one of the coolest attractions around – an easily accessible island tunnel so big it can fit medium-sized cruise boats through it. It’s dominated by its sheer cliffs that rise 148 metres out of the sea.

Within the Hole – this 18 m high hole at sea level was created over centuries by wind and waves making it one of the most naturally beautiful sites in New Zealand. 

We did not manage to see the resident dolphins in the bay but we spotted a school of Blue Mau Mau Fish congregating at the surface.

Charlotte’s Kitchen

After the cruise returned to the wharf, we had lunch at the lovely picturesque Charlotte’s Kitchen located just at the wharf.

The freshest Pacific Oysters you can find on the island.

I had slow-cooked pork with rice bun, pretty good interpretation but I think our Singapore’s version of “kong ba pao” has the edge.

Accommodation – Castaways Resort Waluku

My accommodation at this beautiful resort was a chalet-style villa, which can sleep up to four people in two bedrooms, with each bedroom having its own en suite. An ideal option for families, corporate or wedding guests.

Tired as we were we could not miss out on photographing the Milky Way just above the resort. But with the full moon was on her way, we only managed to grab a couple of shots as the light from the moon reduces the visibility of the Milky Way.

Day 8 (final day in North Island)

It was wonderful waking up to a most beautiful view of the Tasman Sea, with wispy clouds coloured a warm orange by the morning sun, with cooling 12’C made more chilly by the ocean breeze.

Castaways’ two-bedroom chalets offer panoramic views over Karioitahi beach. Featuring super king beds (or two singles), full kitchen and laundry facilities, dining set and lounge area and balcony to enjoy the stunning west coast sunset. Each Chalet can sleep up to four people in two bedrooms, with each bedroom having its own en suite. Just look at that million-dollar view.

What gorgeous and serene ambience with not a single ship in sight. Can you hear the whisper of the Tasman in the distance?

The chalets on the hill slope. Beautiful resort with a spectacular view of the Tasman Sea.

The resort Balinese-inspired Bersantai Day Spa relaxing surroundings high on the cliff tops will set you at ease immediately.

The soothing spa lounge with a wall-like poster view of the sea.

The newly renovated Castaways Restaurant & Bar is my favourite place in the resort, with a supreme view of the Tasman Sea. You will especially love the spectacular sunset during early dinner.

That Little Cottage (Sushi Cafe)

From the resort, we check out early to our next destination at Hamilton which takes a 1.5hrs drive. But of course, a rest stop for a cuppa along the way when we chanced upon a unique Japanese sushi cafe, manned by a couple of Japanese ladies.

Simple and cosy cafe with homemade sushi for a quick bite.

The late morning was still misty around giving the place a peaceful feel.

Hamilton Gardens

Finally, we reached the beautiful Hamilton Gardens, an award-winning destination located halfway between Auckland and Rotorua, Auckland and Waitomo and just 45 minutes from Hobbiton.

There are several themed gardens and the Japanese Zen-style with falls colours was my definite favourite.

This is the reason autumn is the most ideal season to visit North Island.

Spotted a beautiful Mallard Duck with its reflection at the garden pond. Would have been even better if it was a Mandarin Duck.

The strong mid-afternoon sun is perfect to render Autumn colour in its fiery vibrant hue.

The serene Bamboo Trees Grove in the Chinese Scholar’s Garden will be one of your favourite photo moments.

The art of Chinese gardening is one of the oldest artistic expressions in existence with a heritage that stretches back to the Han Period, at least 2,000 years ago. Because Chinese gardening has been a very influential art form it is sometimes called the ‘mother of gardens’.

Had a productive time shooting bees pollinating the flowers at the Indian Char Bagh Garden, inspired by a small hunting palace near Agra, called Lal Mahal.

Lovely view at the garden cafe. The cooling autumn weather makes sitting outdoor all the more enjoyable. 

Had the last beef pie before ending the trip. Delicious to the last bite.

Zealong Tea Estate

Our last stop on the trip brought us Zealong Tea, widely touted as a Waikato icon, it is the only commercial tea estate in New Zealand, producing 100% organic award-winning tea and a world-leading destination for tea, art and hospitality.

It is hard to believe that this magnificent 48ha tea estate was once a dairy farm. Today, 1.2 million Camellia sinensis bushes are loving nurtured by the farm team with the impressive tea rows providing a safe haven to an abundance of native birds and wildlife.

The tea estate exquisite retail boutique, a beautiful showcase of all things tea. You might even find something ultra-rare as it is the first to have all of their teas before their release.

The estate tea house is the perfect place to conclude a visit to the North Island at a leisurely pace.

This is the estate sleek and modern purpose-built venue facility nestled in rolling hectares of tea fields. Royalties and celebrities have graved the place on numerous occasions.

A nice peaceful ambience to better enjoy the tea, especially in the cooling retreating dusk skies.

The estate sommelier helping us with our tea. The estate team of chefs and world-class tea blenders deliver exquisite infusions.

The tea estate is renowned for creative pairings and dishes infused with tea. Our order of Miso Tofu came perfectly presented, like an artwork.

A Tea Ceremony session in progress – a very involved process. The tea tasting teaches the art of tea appreciation, of appearance, aroma, and taste, followed by an optional Signature High Tea at the Tea House overlooking the Estate.

Conclusion

I like to term this visit to the North Island as a “wrap up” trip after the South Island a year ago. Shorter drives, more urbanised and populated, it’s a marked contrast to her more laid-back southerly sister. With proper planning and a good travel companion, a trip here will definitely serve up a memorable time. And I like to repeat that one visit to either island is never enough. There is something for anyone, anytime in New Zealand.

Thanks for coming along the pixels journey. For other self-drive adventures, do check out my other travelogues here.

P.S – All pictures used in this blog are all rights reserved and copyrighted to Jensen Chua Photography 

The post New Zealand North Island Self-Drive Road Trip appeared first on Jensen Chua Photography.

South Island carries the reputation of being the prettier of the country’s two main islands, so I guess if you have limited time, South Island would be a better pick. This island has glaciers, Mt. Cook and the renowned Milford Sound. North Island has the famous Tongariro National Park, Rotorua for the famous Hobbiton set and the Waitomo glowworm caves. Although logging about 1800km over the 7D6N autumn road trip in May, I feel I am barely scratching the surface.

A Brief Insight into New Zealand

The country comprises two main landmasses geographically—the North Island and South Island and around 600 smaller islands. The capital city is Wellington while its most populous city is Auckland.  The population is about 4.7 mil (2016 census). It’s situated about 1,500 kilometres east of Australia across the Tasman Sea. Sometime between 1250 and 1300, Polynesians settled on the islands that later were named New Zealand and developed a distinctive Māori culture. The country has a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy, although its constitution is not codified. Elizabeth II is the Queen of New Zealand and the head of state.

South Island Road Trip travel route and tips

New Zealand’s weather is renowned for being unpredictable and locals say you can get 4 seasons in one day. The good news is that any time is the “best time” to visit – whether you want to go surfing in summer or skiing in the winter, there’s plenty to see and do any time of year. My adventure commenced in Dunedin, which I reached after a 1-hour domestic flight from Christchurch, the gateway to the South Island. The direct flight from Singapore to Christchurch via Singapore Airlines took about 9.45 hours.

• Tip #01 – Food restriction, even for personal consumption, is very stringent at immigration checkpoints. When arriving in New Zealand, you must declare on your Passenger Arrival Card ANY food you’re bringing in. You may also need to show the food to biosecurity quarantine inspectors. Even if it is allowed, if you don’t declare the item you’re bringing to New Zealand you will be fined and have the food confiscated. If you are unsure, declare.
• Tip #02 – Driving on New Zealand roads are generally safe as most drivers are law-abiding. New Zealand traffic rules are similar to Singapore and they drive on the left side of the road.
• Tip #03 – Singaporean passport holders don’t need a visa to visit New Zealand and can travel around the country for up to 3 months per entry. But our passports can be used on their eGate (as of Feb 2019).

Day 1: Dunedin – Gateway City to South Island Adventures

After the overnight flight from Singapore, a rest stop at this lovely city to better prepare for the adventures ahead. Dunedin is the 2nd largest city in the South Island and has a very young population as it’s an education hub with many local and international students. Modelled on Edinburgh in Scotland, it is one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere. The city has plenty of dining options along the vibrant George Street which carries a wide range of cuisines.

We woke up early, picked up our rental car from Hertz and started our trip by visiting Baldwin Street, which is the world’s steepest residential street, according to Guinness World Records.

A short straight street a little under 350 metres. The 161.2-metre-long top section climbs 47.2 metres vertically, with an average gradient of 1: 3.4. At its maximum, about 70 metres (230 ft) from the top, the slope of Baldwin Street is about 1:2.86 (19° or 35%). That is, for every 2.86 metres travelled horizontally, the elevation changes by 1 metre. (excerpts from Wikipedia) I would recommend staying no more than 10min here as there are more exciting attractions ahead.

Artisan Cheese @ Evansdale Cheese Factory

Our 1st stop of the day was at Evansdale Cheese Factory, just about 30min drive from Dunedin. Evansdale Cheese was the first small cheese-making factory in New Zealand, beginning in 1978 and growing from harvesting 150 litres of milk each day, up to 1,500 litres daily. It’s one of the last few artisan cheese makers in the country.

The cheeses are made naturally free of preservatives and calf rennet. The farm now sells and produces 20-30 different varieties of cheese, sold throughout New Zealand to supermarkets, boutique eateries and restaurants.

The farm cheesemaker showed us a newly prepared tub of cheese for a 3-4 month curing process.

Moeraki Boulders @ Koekohe Beach

With just another 30min drive, we arrived at the Moeraki Rocks. This location is jokingly known for its “dinosaur eggs”. But these spherical boulders scattered across the beach weighs several tonnes each and are up to two metres high. Scientists explain the boulders as calcite concretions formed about 65 million years ago.

You will love the location for its surreal photographic opportunity as such natural geographic occurrences are rare.

The use of a tripod and neutral density filters is necessary to produce this dreamy seascape.  Be prepared to spend about an hour photographing as well as toilet break at the venue.

Elephant Rocks @ Duntroon

This beautiful site was used as a filming location for the first Chronicles of Narnia movie in 2005 when it was transformed into Aslan’s camp.

An aerial drone shot of the location. Are you able to pick us out among the rock?

Church of Good Shepherd @ Lake Tekapo

This one venue where a man-made structure has gained as much fame as the nature around it. Opened in 1935 the Church of the Good Shepherd is the sole church in Lake Tekapo, a lake which is both beautiful as well as being useful as the waters of the lake are harnessed for electricity through the Tekapo Canal, flowing 27km to the Lake Pukaki powerhouse then onwards through the impressive Waitaki Valley hydro system.

I like to think this church is one of the most photographed in the world. With fame, come hordes of tourists. The venue is perpetually fringed by picture-hungry tourists, so it’s wise to avoid the peak hours. Early at dawn and late at night would be better choices to be there. We were doubly blessed with a slight show of Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) during our session.

Lake Tekapo is part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserves, as such, the night skies around Lake Tekapo are perfect for stargazing and astrophotography due to the low density of light pollution. And one of the best spots for Southern Lights. Just pray the clouds’ cover does not get excessive.

Lake Tekapo at dawn offers some of the most beautiful sunrise views anywhere in New Zealand. You just need to pull yourself out of the comfort of your hotel bed.

Peppers Bluewater Resort

Our choice of accommodation at Lake Tekapo was the Pepper Bluewater Resort. The resort is set among the pristine natural landscapes and just a few minute’s drive to the lake (but you can walk to the lake if you like). The cosy room and furnishings ensure excellent sleep quality and the service level is superb.

A picture of the resort at dawn. Peaceful and inviting ambience. Convenient amenities like external restaurants and convenience shops are just a short walk away.

A scene you can enjoy while you await your turn at the breakfast table. The resort food and beverage option are diverse as it is of high quality.

Day 2 – Movement from Lake Tekapo to Mount Cook National Park

Day 2 saw us check out early to start our journey to Mt.Cook National Park, about 1.15hrs drive away.

Peter’s Lookout Point (Lake Pukaki)

Along the way, you will definitely enjoy a photo session (as well as a toilet break) at the gorgeous Peter’s Lookout Point overlooking Lake Pukaki, about a 40min drive from Lake Tekapo.

Tasman Glacier Hiking with Mount Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters by Mt Cook Glacier Guiding

This glacier hiking event is guaranteed to be one of South Island road trip highlights. You can either opt for the helicopter or ski plane package. The experience comes at a premium but the memories will last a lifetime. But do be mindful that this activity is subject to the whims of weather at the glacier. We were told by the guide that the bookings for next-day activities are unlikely to be conducted as heavy fog was forecasted.

Our glacier guide conducts a safety briefing on the event ahead. Safety is paramount and the tour operator is very strict about that. Gears like crampons and thermal wear (even socks) are provided as part of the package. The Mt. Cook Glacier Guiding partnership with Fox Glacier Guiding brings over 40 years of accumulated knowledge and experience.

Our ride for the glacier hike, the Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) Squirrel helicopter, is a trusted aircraft with an excellent track record.

An adventure ahead. Nothing quite prepares you for the immense beauty of the mountain ranges. Remember to have sufficient batteries and memory cards before you start your journey.

One of the gorgeous aerial scenes of Mt.Cook National Park as seen during the flight.

View from within the helicopter as the pilot hovers to land at the glacier surface. Due to the undulating surface and crevasses, it takes an experienced pilot and glacier guide to work closely together to ensure a safe outing at the icy location.

The powerful downwash from the helicopter’s spinning rotors is one of the highlights of the event. It’s the closest experience to a military training exercise for those who do not have the opportunity in real life and an exciting one indeed.

Our glacier guide shoveling the landing site to even out the icy surface to prepare for the landing when the helicopter returns about 1 hour later to retrieve us.

The guide regularly chats along the way to impart nuggets of knowledge as well as to let us catch our breath. It can be a rigorous hike as you need to use strength in each step at the glacier.

Another highlight of the event was trekking into a gigantic ice cave that was naturally formed. A section of the ice overhead was removed by the guide in view of safety.

Old Mountaineers’ Cafe, Bar and Restaurant @ Mt. Cook Village

Prior to checking in at our hotel of the day, we had a great early pizza dinner at the gorgeous eco-conscious Old Mountaineer Cafe & Restaurant, which comes with a vantage view of the  Aoraki Mt.Cook. This is the only business within the Aoraki Mount Cook Village officially opened by the late Sir Edmund Hillary.

The Hermitage Hotel, Mt.Cook

Situated within the spectacular Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, you will love this hotel as it’s the perfect base for adventures within the vast park. Recognised as part of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area, the National Park is a breathtaking environment of glaciers, terminal lakes, turbulent rivers and mighty Aoraki Mt Cook soaring above at 3,724 metres.

The rooms at the resort have a superb view of the Mt.Cook mountain range. There’s even a mini binocular provided in the room for a closer look.

The resort’s main wing is amidst the stunning mountainscape. The Hermitage also owns and operates the two other accommodation wings within 600-800m away – the Mt Cook Lodge and Motels and also Chalet style. Truly an inclusive resort that caters to all travellers.

A statue of Sir Edmund Hillary just outside the resort restaurant,  a tribute to the renowned personality who is a humanitarian, ambassador and one of the world’s greatest explorers. The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre at the resort showcases the Aoraki Mount Cook region, its people and its place in the universe.

Day 3 – Tasman Lake Cruise with Glacial Explorers

Day 3 saw us waking up bright and early to go on the Glacier Explorer tour on Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest glacier.  This is the one and only tour of its kind in New Zealand and one of the only accessible glacial lakes containing icebergs in the world.

Our custom-built MAC Boats with experienced guides getting ready for the cruise ahead. MAC boats are virtually indestructible and almost unsinkable. Icebergs of various shapes and sizes periodically break away from the face of the glacier into the rapidly growing lake. Lateral moraines rear up almost 200m to remind us of the scale and greatness that the glacier has reached in previous times.

A chance to come up close and personal with a gigantic piece of the iceberg, which is about 300-500 years in the making.

Amazing natural “ice art”. Almost like an artist’s abstract painting.

Our glacier guide conducting an information-sharing session – “the lake scene is not quite the same from day to day, the water is stained a milky colour from rock “flour” created as glacier rocks rub against each other as they make their way down the lake. And yes, animal life is not sustainable in the lake “.

The effects of global warming and other climatic processes are taking their toll on the glaciers. Currently, it’s approximately 27km long and 600m deep, the Tasman Glacier is melting and calving at an exponentially increasing rate. In recent years the Tasman Glacier has changed from a ‘melting’ to a ‘calving and melting’ situation, resulting in a terminal lake that is rapidly increasing in size.

Our guide fished out a 300-500 year old piece of ice floating on the lake for us to taste. Tasted just like a piece of ice but the experience is surreal.

Picture Perfect Moment @ Twizel

This postcard-perfect location was a “chance” discovery as we drove along State Highway 80, about an hour’s drive from Tasman Lake, to look for our next stop at High Country Salmon. Like many other drivers, you simply cannot resist stopping here for a photo session.

The town of Twizel was purpose-built in the 1960s to provide a home ground for workers involved with the Upper Waitaki Power Scheme. Today it has developed into a base for mountain climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, horse trekking and hiking. But to most of us who drive along this gorgeous section of Wairepo Arm, it’s simply a page out of an impossibly beautiful calendar page.

The amazing colours of autumn have an indescribable and magical charm on everything around. The colours will be different come another season.

Fresh Salmon @ High Country Salmon

Established in 2000, this is one of three salmon farms on the hydro canals surrounding Twizel. This farm employs a dedicated team of close to 20 experts in salmon processing, production and cooking and this number is bolstered during summer when they attract up to 1000 visitors daily.

A place all salmon sashimi lovers must stop to try their fresh off-the-pond salmon. This is New Zealand Salmon at its best., with the fish feeding on the pristine glacial waters of Wairepo Arm.

You can enjoy freshly brewed coffee and salmon-seafood based menu (but there is 1 meat pie on the menu for non-fish eaters) in the cafe, as well as a chance to feed the fish (subject to timing) or take away some fresh salmon, wrapped in ice.

Salmon sashimi, clam chowder and a beef pie and we are done for lunch. Guests have regularly praised the salmon for its nice firm texture. Certainly, a great place to load up on Omega-3!

There is a perpetual queue for the farm’s fresh salmon and pies. So service may be slower at peak periods. Relax and adjust to the cosy environment, there’s enough salmon to go around.

That Wanaka Tree @ Lake Wanaka

From the High Country Salmon, after an almost 2 hours drive, we arrive at Lake Wanaka where the iconic Wanaka Tree is located. You might have seen this simply beautiful solitary tree posted in many Instagram or travel picture postings. I believe this is the world’s most photographed tree.

The story is that it the famous tree started out as a fence post about 80 years ago and sprouted into a crooked tree. Depending on the lake level can be walked out to or is surrounded by water. With a backdrop of Mt. Aspiring National Park and the clear blue waters of the lake in the foreground, it’s a natural magnetic focal point for any visitors, be they photographers or not.

You can also rent a stand-up paddle boat and paddle out to the tree to get up close during higher water level. Truly a surreal pixels moment.

A drone video screen grab for a vantage view of the lake showing the tree and its surrounding. There is always a group of visitors close by admiring this one-of-a-kind tree.

The Rees Luxury Hotel and Luxury Apartment @ Queenstown

Day 3 saw us checking into the best hotel of the trip – The Rees Hotel and Luxury Apartments in Queenstown, just beside the beautiful Lake Wakatipu.  The premium rates reflect the superlative quality you enjoy at this magnificent hotel.

After a long drive on the scenic roads, pulling up beside the exquisite hotel entrance certainly warms up the expectation of a promising night ahead.

This is one cosy hotel lobby you could just sit for a long time, reading volumes of books or enjoying the lovely lake view.

No one can say no to this view of Lake Wakatipu. For the record, this pic was not enhanced with photographic software. It was a perfect morning with perfect lighting.

A spacious living room with high-end furnishings and a fully equipped kitchenette ensure a comfortable stay.

Plush sleep quality and the room cooled by chilly autumn “natural aircon”. The bath amenities were simply superb with excellent toiletries.

Sunrise at Lake Wakatipu clothes the ambience with a sense of surreal tranquillity. In the distance, you can see the backlighted layer of mist rising from the lake’s surface (see pic below). It is a natural phenomenon when the air warmed by the rising sun, hits the lake chilled surface. 

See the mist rising from the lake, “smouldering” as the cold and warm air meet. By the lakeside, are residential houses. I really envy the people staying there.

Day 4 pre-dawn saw me waking at 5am to shoot the stars from the room balcony. During a solar storm, guests can actually see the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) right here. But I am satisfied already, shooting the Milky Way as it is, from the comfort of the balcony, with warmth from the living room fireplace balancing the 1ºC autumn chill.

Day 4 – Adrenaline moment with Iconic Shotover Jet @ Queenstown

It seems that New Zealand attractions have plenty of No.1s- the most photographed church at Lake Tekapo, the most photographed tree at Lake Wanaka, and at Shotover Jet, this is certainly the world’s most exciting Jetboat Ride. This is definitely no idle claim. Shotover Jet started operations on the upper Shotover River in 1965 and was one of Queenstown’s pioneering adventure activities over the years, it’s one of the activities that have helped to cement New Zealand on the global tourism map.

The home ground of jetboat ride. It’s not for the faint-hearted and you must be strong and be ready for THE 30min ride of your life.

Shotover Jet operates on an exclusive area of the Shotover River and is the only company permitted within its spectacular canyons. Since its opening, it has thrilled more than 3 million people. You will feel your adrenaline coursing through your veins as the boat jets spin and speed around the tight turns and over water as shallow as 10cm deep at the river.

Historic Gold-mining town @ Arrowtown

Be charmed by this quaint little town with just a 25min drive from Queenstown. The town is a remnant from a bygone gold-rush era in the 18th century. Today Arrowtown has around 70 buildings and features inherited from the gold rush era. The heart of the town is Buckingham Street where a roll of small-town heritage buildings stretched into a tree-lined avenue of tiny miners’ cottages. The buildings house shops, galleries, bars, and restaurants – many classy and mostly individual and not one from an international chain.

Imagine a bygone era of horse-drawn carriages and gold miners trudging through this road. The heritage houses on both sides of the road are little pockets of treasures waiting to be discovered.

One of our fave discoveries was this cosy little Italian Trattoria named Terra Mia, where we felt like being “teleported” to Italy.

The unpretentious and cosy ambience set you at ease and the staff chatting in Italian gave that added European vibe. Godere! La Vita è Bella!

This Parma Ham and cheese pizza are simply to die for! Prosciutto e Arugula 13″ NZD$12.95 – 16″ $15.95, with cherry tomatoes, homemade mozzarella, shaved Parmigiano, prosciutto crudo & arugula. Worth a detour just for this pizza. The mushroom soup was supremely delicious too.

The colour of Fall whispering beautifully in the town wrapped up the lovely outing at the town, you will want to be back here again when you visit Queenstown again in the future.

Stargazing @ Bob’s Hill, Skyline Queenstown

New Zealand is stargazing heaven, especially when you are in the national parks. But the low light pollution in the city of Queenstown means you can also enjoy a night out to learn more about the galaxies and constellations. Skyline Queenstown is the perfect venue for this astronomical quest while it is also the hub of fun activities like luge and gondola rides.

Held at Bob’s Hill, a short stroll from the main activity centre, the knowledgeable stargazing guide will let you get better acquainted with the universal. A couple of high-tech telescopes costing NZD14,000 each is also set up to see the stars and planets in fuller detail.

The Milky Way, impossible to be seen in cities with light pollution, can be seen here with just your naked eyes, right above the stargazing venue.

Day 5 – Exploring Milford Sound

Day 5 saw us heading out early in the direction of the Fjordland National Park where the renowned Milford Sound (almost 4 hours drive) is located. I would safely say that no visitors coming to the South Island would skip this spectacular venue which has been touted as the “8th wonder of the world’. For the best experience, you should stay at the beautiful lakeside township of Lake Te Anau as it is the perfect base to explore the area.

Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the Ice Ages. When it rains, which it often does, waterfalls from as high as 1000ft cascade down the cliffs with a magnified effect.

The fjords are frequently enveloped with low-lying clouds creating a surreal painting effect.

The immense scale of the fjords dwarfs a cruise ferry at the base. You will marvel at the power of nature in crafting such natural works of art.

Our ferry gets as close as safely possible to the towering waterfall so that the guests can be “blessed with enhanced longevity”.

One important note is that the scheduled ferries depart punctually. This meant you have to be disciplined and time conscious when driving deep into the valley to the ferry departure terminal. To avoid missing your ferry, it is crucial to factor in a generous time allowance as there might be traffic bottlenecks at some stretches of the winding roads and at Homer Tunnel.

Fjordland National Park

This stunningly beautiful national park was established in 1952 and is now over 1.2 million hectares in size and encompasses mountain, lake, fiord and rainforest environments. Fiordland has achieved World Heritage Status and of the fourteen fiords in the Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound is the most famous and accessible. We stayed two nights at Te Anau from day 5 and 6 to better explore the expansive park. The following are some pictures captured within the two days.

An amazing moment that is possible only if you are on self-drive. The scenery along Te Anau-Milford Highway around Knob Flats yielded this surreal moment when the sun rays broke momentarily through the late morning clouds above flocks of sheep grazing on the grassland.

The morning was foggy but it cleared when we stopped by a deer farm. Personally, sheep are more “friendly” and photogenic compared to deer.

A line of trees along a farm boundary presented a photogenic moment, one of many photo opportunities along the road.

At the Milford Sound access tunnel linking Te Anau named Homer Tunnel, we saw a few tourists milling around a burly animal. I thought it was the NZ Kiwi bird initially but come to realise this is the Kea, an alpine parrot of the fjordland.

This pair of parrots was going through a courting ritual. Kea parrots are on the red alert endangered list, with only an estimated 6000 left in the national park.

An hour from Te Anau, along the Te Anau- Milford Sound highway, we chanced on this flock of sheep on a farm. The country has the highest density of sheep per unit area in the world. For 130 years, sheep farming was the country’s most important agricultural industry. The ratio of sheep to people in New Zealand is about 6: 1 in 2017.

At Knobs Flat, a popular area for a photo session. The day before, we drove past the spot en route to Milford Sound when the mood was misty and foggy.  But the following day, it’s bright n chirpy. In nature, we accept what we are given.

A New Zealand fantail bird is a small insectivorous bird and the only species of fantail in New Zealand. In Maori, it’s called Piwakwaka.

A common bird, the Brown-Capped Rosy Finch provided us with 30min of bird photography sessions as we trailed it around a rest stop.

The Falls Creek waterfall stream is simply a stunning location for long-exposure photography. This is where a Neutral Density (ND) filter comes in handy.

Fall Creek Waterfall, adjacent to the river, provided a must-shoot situation. It was drizzling that day but the ambience is still lovely.

At Mirror Lake, you will certainly love the reflection at the lake. But do avoid the peak hours when hordes of tourists unload from their tour buses en route to Queenstown after their cruise on the Milford Sound.

The Gorgeous Town of  Te Anau

The serenely beautiful town of Te Anau revolves around its beautiful lake, with a spectacular backdrop of Mt. Luxmore and the Murchison mountains. It is also the gateway to Fjordland and is the closest town to Milford Sound, just a scenic 2.5 hours drive away. The proximity of 3 of New Zealand’s 9 Great Walks affirms Te Anau as ‘The Walking Capital of the World‘. Fiordland is home to The Milford Track, Kepler Track and Routeburn Track.

We reached Te Anau and were blessed to see this gorgeous scene of a sight-seeing seaplane on the lake. Felt so fortunate as I was able to capture it before the pilot moved the plane to a secured buoy in the middle of the lake.

Dusk comes beautifully to Lake Te Anau, clothing the lake with a sense of magic.

The stillness of the air around the lake makes it mirror-like, a perfect opportunity for a reflection shot.

Just a short 8-10 mins drive out of Te Anau, we chanced upon this beautiful photo opportunity of morning mist backlighted by the rising sun.

Distinction Te Anau Hotels and Villas

Our choice of accommodation was the lakefront Distinction Te Anau Hotels and Villas. Conveniently located near the town centre with many amenities, this beautiful resort is ideal for couples or families alike. The complimentary and easy access car park, great service and cosy ambience make this hotel the natural choice for anyone staying in Te Anau.

I particularly love the hotel’s The Explorer Bar and Lakefront Terrace, which is a great spot for relaxing and enjoying the uninterrupted views of Lake Te Anau with a wide range of drinks.

The hotel’s main dining hall, where we had our breakfast the next day. The restaurant was set up for a season-ending celebration for one of New Zealand’s biggest tour operators.

Cosy well-appointed room with unlimited WiFi. Some hotels come only with limited daily data.

Glow-worm Spotting @ Cavern House

This activity to observe glow worms is located in Cavern House, an impressive young cave structure estimated at 12,000 years old. The ferry ride takes about 40min each way from the operator’s lakeside office. Other than the glow-worm, which is unique to New Zealand, you will be amazed by the network of limestone passages filled with sculpted rock, whirlpools and a roaring underground waterfall. Deep inside the darkness of the caves, visitors will be transported on small boats into a silent hidden grotto inhabited by thousands of glowworms on the cave ceiling. In total darkness, it’s like looking at a “starry night sky”.

All pictures taken in the caves are provided by the tour operator as photography is disallowed. Flash will affect the progress of the glow worm and only in pitch dark ambience can you truly appreciate the beauty of the phenomenon.

Glow-worm larvae catch their food on lines of sticky threads. When tiny insects get caught on the lines the glow-worm pulls up the thread with its mouth until the prey is close enough to eat.

The glow-worms emit a pale light which attracts insects toward the sticky threads of their snare. The blue/green light is a product of a chemical reaction between luciferin (a waste product), the enzyme luciferase, adenosine triphosphate (ATP – the energy molecule) and oxygen.

The picture shows a prey being trapped by the larvae. The glow-worm’s entire cycle takes 10-11 months to complete, most of which is spent in the larval stage. Although glowworms can be found at all stages of the cycle at any time, more eggs are hatched into larvae during winter than at any other time. The eggs are laid by the adult and hatch into larvae about three weeks later.

After the trip, a resident entomologist conducts a sharing session to ensure visitors have a better understanding of this unique “national treasure”.

Day 7 – Movement back to Queenstown

Day 7 marked the last leg of the trip as we check out of the hotel at Te Anau and drove slightly over 2 hours back to Queenstown Airport to catch our domestic flight to Auckland and from thereon, back to Singapore. The late afternoon flight via New Zealand Airlines frees up some valuable time to enjoy our final hours in the beautiful city of Queenstown.

Bracken Hall – a “Hidden Gem”

A must pit-stop on the Mossburn-Lumsden Highway en route to Queenstown. The famed Bracken Hall was once the “Social Centre” of the district, this building was largely used for a variety of community activities. Erected in 1908, through the sale of 250 £1 shares to members of the community, it has since been replaced by a community centre which was opened in January 1982. 

The old hall lay idle until October 1993 when it was reborn as “Bracken Hall Gift Shop” through the entrepreneurial spirit and passion of 5 ladies of the area. Many features of the original hall are still intact as evident in the flooring, stage and fittings still being used throughout. 

This cafe is renowned for its signature venison pies, the meat which they obtain daily from a hunter who hunts on a licensed hunting trip.

The cafe interior sells a wide range of snacks as well as loads of souvenirs, winter clothing, books, etc and is managed by a few very nice ladies.

The hot chocolate was superb and the muffin (caramel with chocolate) was to die for! The best I have eaten in a long time.

Some retail therapy at the cafe curios section, loads of one-off cute stuff to buy, like this moody kiwi bird table edge decor.

Travel mate Cindy with one of the cafe ladies who proudly exclaimed herself to be a “pure Southerner” – born, bred and grew up here.

Looking at the White Hill Wind Farm, just a short few minutes’ drive from Bracken Hall. The wind farm has 29 two-megawatt turbines with a combined capacity of 58 megawatts and generates electricity annually for 30,000 homes.  A lovely sight and also a great place to fly a drone.

Coffee Bomb

Just about 30min drive away from Bracken Hall, you will have arrived at the Coffee Bomb. It serves some pretty awesome coffee as well as burgers. Certainly a boon for self-drive vacationers.

Interesting artwork on the coffee trailer. If feeling hungry, do try their true Southland food like pork belly burgers, bacon and egg pies. cheese rolls and home-baked cakes and muffin squares.

Sojourn @ Queenstown

Queenstown is widely known as a 4-seasons lake and alpine resort. You will be stunned by the spectacular scenery and spoiled by the wide range of activities. Surrounded by majestic mountains and situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, the natural beauty of the region creates the perfect backdrop for a rejuvenating and adventure-filled vacation.

Wish I could just stay here for a long time, maybe forever.

In the lakeside area at Lake Esplanade, the gorgeous vibe is palpable.

Some of the residential units on the hill at Melbourne Street.

Locals enjoying the serenity of Lake Wakatipu and the feathered residents mingle freely.

One of the more exciting activity, Seabreacher Jet boat,  you can dive in short depth and break the surface. Just like a dolphin indeed.

Cruise going out to Lake Wakatipu. Not quite like Milford Sound but still lovely ambience.

Fergburger – World’s Best Burgers

When in Queenstown, you just have to try the Fergburger- The World’s Best Burger. Even non-burger lovers will be converted. It’s quite renowned internationally despite not being a chain and only having one location. Established in February 2001, operating out of a garage off Cow Lane, its obscure location making it hard to find but conversely giving it something of a novelty status.

Was it an empty claim? definitely not, a look at the constant queue will convince anyone. It’s the epicentre of activity in this part of the town.

You will be so lucky just to get a seat in the bustling diner.

It’s a  mini united nation at this venue, people from all over the world in Queenstown descend here for a taste of the gourmet burgers.

Their queuing system is fast and efficient with the staff handing out menu along the queue line. Once at the counter, you are issued a queue number and wait for your order. Our order took just about 20min to be called in spite of the peak hour crowd. The burger is about NZD15-18 each and can feed 2 person. And the taste? Out of this world indeed! Must eat again if in Queenstown.

We ate our burger in our car as we could not get a seat. No picture can sufficiently convey how delicious the burgers are.

Conclusion

Vacation is something highly valued and anticipated, especially to city folk like us from densely build-up Singapore. I like to describe a vacation to New Zealand as more like an adventure, where the spectacular sceneries and immense natural beauty are not quite similar to most places you have been to. Adrenaline junkies will find themselves at home with the multitude of sporty offerings while families, singles and couples, both young and old, will be amply catered for. There is something for everyone and anyone at any time in New Zealand. One visit is never enough.

Thanks for coming along the pixels journey. For other self-drive adventures, do check out my other travelogues here.

P.S – All pictures used in this blog are all rights reserved and copyrighted to Jensen Chua Photography. 

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