Our flight from Melbourne to Auckland was over the night. It took only four hours, but due to time difference, it was suddenly morning when we arrived to Auckland! Hamish, the coolest guy in New Zealand, came to pick us up. Long time (11 years) no see!

Auckland is New Zealand’s prime gateway and largest city – but not the capital! The first thing Hamish showed us was the volcanic cone Mt. Eden (196 m above the city). From there we saw into the quiet crater and all directions of the city. Running after him up to the hill was quite a task first thing in the morning, but it was a great way to start the day!

We had only one day to spend in Auckland before getting our rental car and heading to South Island. This day we spent wandering around in the city like zombies, as the night in the plane wasn’t really long sleep (if any). Nevertheless, we saw for example the Ponsonby suburb (cool new shopping area), Auckland Art Gallery (new Maori art exhibition) and bit of Queen Street. More of Auckland stories will be published once we are again back!

Next, we had the ferry across the Cook Strait to Southern Island, so no time for the northern island this time. The ferry sails from Wellington to Picton.

TIP! Book your ferry tickets (two options: Bluebridge or Interislander) early enough! In the holiday season (starting few days before Christmas), it’s really hectic!

We needed to drive from Auckland to Wellington in one day (almost through the whole northern island)! What more, we had to catch our hotel before they close the reception. It took about 9 hours, and we didn’t even stop too much on the way. Not to be recommended, rather take your time!

In Wellington, we stayed in a nice hotel (reasonable price) with cooking and laundry possibilities, our recommendation: Gilmer Apartment Hotel (http://www.10gilmer.co.nz/).

In the morning, just before our ferry departure, we had time to do little run in the harbor area. The coolest thing was that we saw stingrays resting on the pier, really big ones and many of them! Great!

We had in the southern island 12 nights, and after that we returned again in Wellington by ferry. That time we had more time (one whole day) to check the city itself. There is a shopping street called Cuba Street (said to be the coolest street of NZ), the government buildings and pretty botanic garden. The garden can be reached by cable car, but we took a little morning run there.

Our top recommendation is the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongareva (https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/). It’s the national museum and art gallery with free entrance. They have a really spectacular exhibition over the World War I fight in Gallipoli. Besides, there is a skeleton of Phar Lap, the most famous New Zealander 😉