Back from 8 Days in New Zealand: Honest Tips and Advice for Future Travelers

“The Garden of God” truly lives up to its name! This is the filming location for The Lord of the Rings, a starry sky reserve, and a paradise for adventurers 💫
💡 Best Season: December to February (Summer temperatures 20°C+, with daylight lasting up to 16 hours!)
⚠️ Fun Fact: The only country in the world without snakes + 1 boat for every 3 people
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About New Zealand
🌱 Spring: September to November
🌻 Summer: December to February
🍁 Autumn: March to May
❄ Winter: June to August
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🌈 Recommended Attractions
🔥 [Must-Do Experiences on the North and South Islands]
📍 Must-Visit Spots on the South Island
Milford Sound: Cruise through waterfalls and rainforests, and occasionally spot sunbathing seals
Mount Cook Helicopter: Land on a snowfield and enjoy champagne from a glacier
Tekapo Hot Springs: Soak in hot springs while watching the Milky Way (Winter exclusive)
Queenstown Shark Boat: Spin 360° and reach speeds of 74km/h
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📍 Hidden Gems on the North Island
Waitomo Glowworm Caves: Take a boat into an underground galaxy
Hobbiton Dinner: Enjoy ginger beer at the Green Dragon Inn + Night tour of Bag End
Rotorua Hell’s Gate: Volcanic mud SPA + Maori war dance
Auckland Sky Tower: Glass floor challenge for a high-altitude walk
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🚗 Suggested South Island Itinerary
Day 1: Christchurch airport pickup – Greymouth – Punakaiki
Day 2: Punakaiki – Shantytown Heritage Park – Hokitika
Day 3: Hokitika – Fox Glacier – Wanaka
Day 4: Wanaka – Arrowtown – TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship – Queenstown
Day 5: Free day in Queenstown – Glenorchy (The Lord of the Rings filming location)
Day 6: Queenstown – Dunedin – Oamaru
Day 7: Oamaru – Mount Cook – Tekapo
Day 8: Tekapo – Christchurch – Airport drop-off
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⚠️ [Local Survival Guide]
🔸 Visa: Electronic visa issued in 3 days (Family can apply as a group)
🔸 Transportation: Right-hand drive! Car rental requires NZTA certified translation
🔸 Safety: Wear a sandfly mask when hiking (West Coast highly toxic!) Buy a tap converter at the supermarket (Direct drinking mountain spring water is super sweet)
🔸 Costs: Average $150 per day for self-driving in the South Island (Fuel prices are 30% higher than in China) Reserve $500+ per activity for skydiving/glacier experiences
🔸 Photography: Use an equatorial mount to shoot star trails in Tekapo, book a window seat at the Queenstown gondola restaurant one week in advance