Kimkim Trip Reviews for New Zealand

Wonderful Trip! Michelle did amazing and we ccouldn't recommend her more! Every event that we did we would highly recommend, and many of the accommodations were very unique and cool as well.

Thanks again!

Hotel Reviews

Sudima Auckland City

Auckland

Good hotel close to downtown; it has everything you need.

Authenticity & Character

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Cleanliness & Comfort

PurePod Waitomo (Matu)

Wonderful! This definitely felt the most unique and most special of the whole trip. The owners put a lot of care into making sure everything was perfect upon arrival. Only complaint would be to have the addition of a fan for the summer; it gets quite hot in there!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very close to downtown Otorohanga but very private.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Regal Palms Resort

Rotorua

Totally fine! Would have been great for kids/families; they had mini golf and games that we didn't use.

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The River Lodge Ohakune

Ohakune

This was wonderful - please use this place in the future! Daniel the owner was so nice, and it was one of the more unique accommodations that we stayed in! Also: "The Cyprus Tree" restaurant in Okahune was one of the better restaurants that we ate at all trip. Really good!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close drive to the national park. I think something in Waimarino would have worked as well, we ended up hiking over closer to there.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Naumi Hotel Wellington

6141

Great! Very unique hotel character.

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Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ramada Suites Queenstown

Queenstown

Everything you could want; clean and friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character

Pretty normal hotel but not bad at all!

Location

Just off the main strip, only a ~10 minute walk to the main streets.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Black Abyss - Abseiling, ziplining and black-water tubing

New Zealand

Wonderful! Guides were great and it was the most unique experience we had. Definitely do the longer "Black Abyss" one if you have the time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides were wonderful!

Transport

Skyline Gondola transport Including 3 rides on the Luge

Queenstown (NZ)

Great views and the activities at the top are fun! The luge was the highlight.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rafting Kaituna River, grade 5

Rotorua

Amazing and highly recommend! It was more intense than I thought but the guides did a great job!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jet Boat the Shotover River

Queenstown (NZ)

Super fun! I was not expecting it to be as fast or as close to the canyon walls as they were.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fly Cruise Fly – Queenstown to Milford Sound by scenic flight

Queenstown (NZ)

Best views and I'm very glad that we did this first; it helped get a lay of the land. Pilot was great as well!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My son and I just returned from an 8 day trip in New Zealand. We had a wonderful time and Nats did an amazing job with preparing our itinerary. He arranged all of our activities, transportation, and accommodations. When the weather intervened and a couple of activities were cancelled, Nats was quick to communicate with us and suggest alternative options. New Zealand is a wonderful country to visit if you enjoy an active trip in beautiful surroundings. I highly recommend working with Nats if you plan to visit there.

Really enjoyed this trip! The sights, food, and activities were amazing and we want to go again! Pretty much everything went off without a hitch from arrival to departure. Monica was even able to adjust the plan halfway through to accommodate a sailboat trip.

There was a good variety of activities and the pacing was just right too. We felt like we did as much as we could while also not rushing between everything. The tour options Monika suggested felt like the best of the best, and we were provided a good selection of solo adventure options when we wanted to branch out on our own. 5 star visit for sure.

Activity Reviews

Glowworm Kayak Tour

Rotorua

This was a totally unique experience for me, I had seen the pictures of the glow worms online but that does not compare to the experience of actually seeing them in person. This tour takes you into some small caves where you get up close and personal, I think I was within inches of the glow worms at one point, and it was so cool!!! The guides were really wonderful and they all knew their stuff. Plus, the kayaking itself was pretty easy. Overall a fantastic time!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Milford Sound - Coach, Cruise and FLY

New Zealand

Everyone said the Milford Sound was a must-see destination, and I completely agree. Our tour guide was funny and informative, and the small group size was perfect for us. The "Fly" portion was cancelled due to the wind, but being out on the boat in those same winds was one of the coolest things I've ever experienced, so it all worked out perfectly.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Progressive Māori Dinner Tour (kai safari)

Christchurch

This was one of the coolest things we did on our whole trip. Our guide Ash was friendly, knowledgeable, and had impeccable taste. I've already recommended this tour to strangers on their way to Christchurch and to friends who aren't even planning a trip yet, it's just that good.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We really enjoy planning trips and were not sure about using a travel service, but our experience with KimKim and our local specialist, Michelle, exceeded our expectations. Our New Zealand trip was a great mix of culture/ tourist sights, activities, beautiful views and off the beaten path places. Michelle helped us to narrow down our itinerary to better match our schedule and allow us to fully enjoy each location. She changed things around for us many times before we settled on the final itinerary. We had to make an adjustment to the itinerary due to a forest fire and Michelle called us as soon as we arrived in Auckland to advise us and help us to figure out an alternate plan.

All of the accommodations were either unique boutique stays or had amazing views, and in many cases both. We traveled around quite a bit and were excited each time we got to a new hotel. There were many highlights to our trip, but some of our favorites: M Social in Auckland, E-Ride Waiheke, Black Swan Inn and Te Pa Tu Maori Cultural Experience in Rotorua, Mountain Bike Rotorua, cycling the Lake Dunstan Trail in Cambridge and the river trail in Taupo, staying at the Taima PurePod, Kinloch Lodge, Milford Sound cruise (overnight) and Cinema Suites in Te Anau. Having all of the transfers, accommodations, breakfasts and activities booked for us made a busy trip feel easy. We were able to focus on the fun part of trip planning and leave the logistics to the professionals.

Activity Review

Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience

Rotorua

This was one of the highlights of our trip - exceeded expectations. The cultural experience was interactive, food delicious and singing/dancing amazing. Highy recommend.

Quality of Experience

The people were passionate and involved the guests in the experience.

Food

Family style meal with a mix of guests to meet and lots of variety in the food. Delicious!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The transport was a little long. The bus driver led a sing along to pass the time.

Transport

Pretty long bus ride. But the driver made it fun.

Absolutely 5 star experience, starting with Noemie. She was so great to work with, carefully taking into account various details to plan a wonderful trip across North and South islands of New Zealand- not only what we wanted to see and do, but also logistical needs noting we were traveling with our 2 year old, wanted accommodations that offered laundry, did not want to rent a car/bring our car seat, etc. She also noted it was my wife's birthday and added a few special surprises for it. Noemie was so patient, revising different details during the planning process to accommodate budget and even taking the time to jump on a Zoom call with us to say hello and make sure we did not have any questions before our trip. All arrangements worked out perfectly- transports, accommodations, experiences. Even when weather forced a couple of changes, Noemie and her team, as well as the provider, quickly communicated and processed refunds. A few of our favorites: (1l Queenstown gondola for spectacular views, (2) steamboat cruise to a working sheep farm and fantastic lunch, (3) dolphin cruise from Akaroa where we saw dolphins, penguins and seals, (4) geothermal park in Rotorua, (5) Lord of the Rings movie set in Hobbiton. Overall incredible scenery throughout the trip, especially considering it was the start of summer. The colors- greens and turquoise blues were amazing. We definitely want to go back and will plan in working with Noemie and team again. Highly recommend!!

Hotel Reviews

Sudima Lake Rotorua

Rotorua

Comfortable hotel. Good lakefront location walkable to town. We were prepared for a bit of the sulfur smell from the proximity to the lake, but it wasn't bad at all and we couldn't really smell it from town anyway.

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sudima

Christchurch

Walkable to various areas. Wonderful staff that gave our daughter a stuffed animal at check in!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Woolshed Suites Tekapo

Tekapo

Spacious with alot of natural light. Walkable to shops/restaurants within small village. Nice view of church and Lake.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ramada Suites Queenstown

Queenstown

Walkable to town and child friendly park. Great little cafe for breakfast and other meals. Very family friendly and wondeful staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Adina City Life Auckland

Auckland

Great location, spacious apartment with laundry. Good gym and pool. Exactly what we needed.

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Wai-O-Tapu

New Zealand

Also a must see if you are in the area! The geyser experience is underwhelming because the eruption is manufactured, but the geothermal park afterward exceeded our expectations. A very pleasant walk around the park at your own pace. Amazing colors and fascinating formations. We were there for about 90 minutes and were able to do the walk with our 2 year old in a stroller.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our transport company from our hotel to the park and back was ReadytoRoll Shuttles- the owner was our driver and he was awesome- funny, friendly, knowledgeable.

Akaroa Dolphins Cruise

New Zealand

We enjoyed the bus ride to Akaroa and stopping in a village on the way. As for Akaroa, what a beautiful, quaint harbortown. The cruise was great- we saw dolphins, seals, and penguins. Fun staff too. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Historic Steamship Cruise to Walter Peak Farm + Lunch BBQ

Queenstown (NZ)

We loved this experience as did our 2 year old! Riding a coal powered steamboat was a unique experience! Beautiful scenery- the water, mountains, but most of all the farm. We really enjoyed getting to see the demonstration of a sheepdog rounding up sheep. Wonderful buffet lunch too. Highly recommend.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was the second trip I used KimKim for and I was thrilled again! Monika was super responsive and even called to check in when we arrived. She planned an amazing trip, bringing us to places we probably would have missed if we planned on our own but loved. I will definitely be using KimKim again!!

Hotel Reviews

M Social

Auckland

A great big city hotel with good amenities

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hana Lodge

Rotorua

This renovated mansion is beautiful! The grounds are awesome with some amazing art and even a bamboo forest.

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tongariro Lodge

Turangi

This classic fishing lodge is awesome! The staff was super nice and responsive and the food and drinks were amazing. You can’t beat the location for fly fishing or golf.

Authenticity & Character

The fireplaces and decor made for a lovely homey feel

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

QT Wellington

Wellington

This hotel is awesome. Eccentric and quirky art, amazing service and food.

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Ahi Restaurant - 4 snacks and 4 courses

Auckland

I don’t think I’ve ever had a better meal. It was a culinary trip through New Zealand. We did the blind tasting and tried so many new things.

Quality of Experience

Our waiter was amazing

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wai Ariki Spa "Chiefly Waters" restorative experience

New Zealand

I wasn’t sure what to expect but this experience was incredible. Relaxing and self paced.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience

Rotorua

What an amazing was to authentically learn about Māori culture.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Super knowledgeable and friendly

Transport

Electric Bays guided E-bike tour of Wellington (includes cycle hire and guide)

Wellington

So much fun! Lots of great info and incredible views. Our guide (Tara?) was super! I was nervous about being able to do the ride as I’m not in the greatest shape but the e-bike solved that problem.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Monika was excellent in helping us to plan our trip! She had great suggestions and was very responsive and proactive in the few cases where things had to change last minute.

What a great trip! All of the logistics were seamless and made our travel simpler. Kathrin is fantastic. We didn’t have to focus on the little details (like how will I get from the airport to the hotel or from the hotel to town), that was especially great in the moments when we were the most tired and disoriented. Poof! You’re settled in your hotel room and you have time to get your bearings, figure out what you’d like to see and do, maybe even take a moment to relax and enjoy the view. I’ve never had a vacation like that before. All of our activities were curated based on our interests, with tweaks in the planning phase to be sure we made the most of our time in this new place.

Things weren’t perfect, I don’t think that’s possible. Some locations or activities didn’t match our expectations and some events were cancelled due to weather. In retrospect, it’s easy to see where some details were lost in communication—on both ends—but this was a brand-new experience for everyone. We’ve never been to New Zealand and we’ve never travelled like this, meaning we’ve always managed all of our plans and arrangements. There’s a lot of information and preferences in my head that I didn’t think to communicate. And, even though you do this for a living, you’ve never done it for us before. You don’t know us or what we like, but you sure tried really hard to figure us out and accommodate our requests. We’re very grateful for that.

Even when things went wrong or were mildly disappointing, it was still an amazing adventure. How could it be otherwise? We were exploring a new place that is absolutely stunning and is home to really kind and friendly people. Rainy day? Cancelled hike? Time to go for a drive and enjoy the scenery, maybe get a cup of coffee and people watch.

We really appreciate everything you did for us. You were so thorough and thoughtful. Thank you!

Some highlights:

Doubtful Sound. The sound is gorgeous but we also enjoyed the bus ride there. There were so many rainbows!

TranzAlpine Train. Every bit of that day was outstanding. We were booked at the Scenic Plus fare which meant our own table with lots of delicious local food and drinks. The attendants were delightful. After a couple of hours of luxury travel we got off the train and hiked around Arthur’s Pass, then more food and drink on the ride back to Christchurch.

Waiheke Island. The hop-on/hop-off bus was good. We chose to go to a winery that was off the main route so we had to use a local bus and walk for a bit. It was totally worth it. We were the only people there. We sat on a deck with a beautiful view (including highland cows!) and enjoyed yummy wine and cheese.

Glowworm cave and kayak trip. Tom was our guide. He was really personable and patient, he had to deal with three inexperienced kayakers and it was pretty windy. He cooked for us, told us stories and kept the conversation going. We were treated to an enormous, orange moonrise. Spectacular! And the stars. Then we got to see the glowworms, so cool. We were soaked to the bone and really tired, but we loved it.

Lupines. They’re beautiful. It’s a shame they’re an introduced species.

Driving. There are views everywhere! It was nice taking it all in.

Hotel Reviews

M Social

Auckland

Super modern and clean. Very attentive staff. But everyone was very helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Staff was too attentive for our tastes. We realize they were doing their jobs the way they've been told to, but we don't like being asked by everyone we pass--every meter or so--if we're okay.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Regal Palms Resort

Rotorua

Decor and some of the amenities (no USB outlets) are dated, but everything is spotlessly clean and the staff are really helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Adina Heritage Christchurch

Christchurch

Decor and some of the amenities (no USB outlets) are dated, but everything is spotlessly clean and the staff are really helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Peppers Bluewater Resort

Lake Tekapo

Decor and some of the amenities (no USB outlets) are dated, but everything is spotlessly clean.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Heritage Queenstown

Queenstown

Decor and some of the amenities (no USB outlets) are dated, but everything is spotlessly clean and the staff are really helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Waiheke Explorer Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

New Zealand

The ferry to Waiheke was relaxing with pretty views. The hop-on hop-off tour was cute and allowed many opportunities to explore the island.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Zipline Canopy Tour (Ultimate)

Rotorua

Terrifying and fun all at once.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour - Glowworm Caves

Rotorua

Really beautiful nighttime adventure. The glowworms were cool, but just a small part of it.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hell's Gate Experience (Geothermal site and Mud Bath and Sulphur Spa)

Rotorua

The mud baths were soothing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We didn't really interact with staff, it was mostly self-guided

Transport

I drove myself

Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience

Rotorua

We had a nice time and we enjoyed learning about the Maori culture. The entire experience felt a little exploitative to us. We were glad to support the Maori.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Christchurch - Scenic train to Arthur's Pass return (TranzAlpine) in Scenic Plus class cabin

Christchurch

Great! Luxurious. Really lovely attendants and absolutely delicious food.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tekapo Springs - StarGazing

Lake Tekapo

Hard to rate the experience because it was cloudy, which is obviously not their fault. They provided a VR experience instead of stargazing, it wasn't very interesting to me.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I drove myself

Dart River Funyak Safari

New Zealand

Fun, but a little too long. The boats were fun and so was the rafting, but taking an extended lunch break wasn't necessary. Maybe it would have been more enjoyable if the weather was nicer, but it was raining and I think most people would have preferred to end the trip.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Doubtful Sound Day Cruise from Queenstown

New Zealand

Staff and guides were super communicative. We knew exactly what to expect and where to go and they provided a lot of information about NZ history and culture

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Blenheim / Christchurch / Lake Tekapo / Queenstown Trip

We had an unforgettable trip from start to finish - we kicked things off in Picton, where we did a combo tour of the Marlborough wine region and seafood cruise in the Marlborough Sounds. Both expereinces saw a great balance of stunning views, calm waters (on the cruise), and nonstop photo opportunities.

Christchurch surprised us with its charm, walkability, and mix of historic and modern vibes. We did a self-guided walk of the town, including a stop at The Church Pub for food and drinks.. It made a great transition point before driving deeper into the South Islands natural beauty.

Lake Tekapo featured unreal turquoise water, open skies, and peaceful atmosphere. It may have been one of the most photogeneic places we visited on this leg of the trip.

Wanaka was a wonderful lake town, where it featured one of the most photographed trees in the world. I wish we could have spent another day here to experience the town more.

we wrapped up our trip in Queenstown, where you could easily spend a week there and not do everything. While there though we did get a chance to do a number of excursions, including a plane ride, horse-back ride, jet-boat ride, and river funyak excurions, where we were able to see the snow-capped mountain ranges known famously in many Hollywood blockbusters, including Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and Misson Impossible!

Between the scenery, activities, and unforgettable moments captured, our NZ trip exceeded expectations, it is purely a magical country, and the itinerary provided by KimKim was the perfect way to experience it.

Overall, we had a great experience with the outings planned by our kimkim travel agent, Michelle. She gave some good insights that we would not have known about (like a marathon in Queenstown the original date we wanted to go). The accommodations were nice in Auckland and in Queenstown the views were amazing. We appreciate the help with planning out our trip.

Our trip to New Zealand was a great success and this is the most important, far more than some difficulties during preparation phase.

Good things first:
- Complete timing was good; we followed the schedule, attended all planned activities and we even added some additional ones.
- Hotels were all appropriate, the Lake Ohau Lodge was very different and somehow unique with their group dinner, but we enjoyed this one also
- All organized transportations were correct and timely
- Both rentacars were good and spacious; the roads on both islands are good without too much traffic, so I did not have problems driving on the left side
- Both organized walking tours were good, guides very professional and knowledgeable
- I like to specially mention Wine tour in Wellington, which was exceptional. We had great fun and we learned much more then just pure facts about wine and the region
- All included activities were good; our highlight activities were Tasman glacier cruise and Te Puia geysers in Rotorua.

In preparation phase we had to invest much more of our time as in any other of our previous Kimkim trips. Kathrin was always eager to help, but there were various reasons we had more problems than usual
- At very beginning we proposed to base our trip on one already prepared trip published on Kimkim but we ended up with fairly different final plan.
- This caused a lot of communication and modifications, and 12 hours’ time difference was the main reason that preparation took much longer than expected
- Some unfortunate mistakes happened during the preparation phase too, but as I said previously the important point is that we had very nice trip to New Zealand.

Best regards

Zvonko

We are so lucky to have found Michelle! We had the most incredible trip to New Zealand and everything was perfect. We had beautiful hotels, fun activities, and lots of support along the way. The Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel, Fiordland Lodge, and Lakestone Lodge were the nicest hotels we've ever stayed in and the shotover jet in Queenstown, glow worms in Te Anu, and cruise on the Milford Sound were fabulous once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Thanks Michelle!

Uma was absolutely amazing and the entire reason we had the trip of our lives to New Zealand! Her local knowledge, expertise and attention to detail was superb. She gave the best recommendations considering our likes with respect to activities, venues and locations. She followed up on every detail when we were traveling. She is truly extraordinary, and our only disappointment is that she doesn't plan travel in other countries! If you are traveling to New Zealand, please use Uma. She is a must have for a spectacular experience in New Zealand!

Love the trip planned all the right activities. Wish she was a bit more communicative about her travels when she wasn’t going to respond and make sure we had someone to communicate with but she planned a great trip with great activities

Everything was first class except the very last night. I know John Mattarella was a little kind in his words, but I won’t mix the words that was way beneath what you guys should’ve gave us. Everything was excellent until that moment it was like going to a hostile quite honestly is bullshit but everything else was great except exceptionally great except that last moment, which then the last moment is what you remember I hope for your future guests you get rid of that location cause that was a joke again thank you for everything with a great time John my wife, Yvonne, and Heather did all the coordinating with you. I was a silent partner and like said it was great fantastic over the top until last night. Quite honest I think we should get a refund for that night, but that’s beside the point please do better for your next guest on that port otherwise spot on thank you Ron Zielinski

we had the most amazing time during our trip to New Zeleand. Monika was of great help! Not only she gave us really good recommendations of places to visit and experiences , but she was also extremely helpful in accommodating changes along the way. Highly recommend this platform and Monika!

Activity Reviews

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise (Real NZ) on Navigator or Wanderer

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hell's Gate Experience (Geothermal site and Mud Bath and Sulphur Spa)

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Michelle, taking a break at the Westwood lodge after the Heli Hike today and thought we should give you some feedback so far. In a word, AWESOME!
We enjoyed Christchurch on our own, walking 10 miles both days we were there. The Earthquake Museum is worth it and the Tram hop on hop off also a good idea especially for those who don't want to walk 10 miles a day. We had a tremendous meal at 27 steps in CC. Also, the roses in the Botanical gardens were spectacular.
The train ride to Greymouth was terrific too. We wound up with three breakfasts basically and barely recovered before they fed us lunch. The scenery was awe inspiring and the audio tour pretty good if a bit long near the end. Rental Car is pretty cool.
Probably the best part of the trip so far has been Selwyn and Elizabeth at the Awatuna Lodge. We ate dinner there the first night and it was so good we did again the second. I doubt you'll find a better restaurant meal anywhere. They sat with us both nights for Cocktail hour and have super interesting pasts. The view from their place is beautiful overlooking a wild beach.
The bike ride was pretty spectacular, especially going through the rain forest. It was a bit more challenging than expected. The distance is deceiving. The elevation changes are pretty big so we had to walk the bikes some and go really slow on the steeper downhills. Also, a bit rougher. Great experience, but at the upper bound of our abilities. "easy" apparently has different definition in NZ!
Drive to Franz Joseph was a bit of an adventure because we left some stuff in a closet at Awatuna and had to double back. No worries. Made our Kayak trip and enjoyed the guides and the lake.
Westwood Lodge is good, but nothing really can compare to Elizabeth and Selwyn.
We have gotten super lucky on the weather everywhere. Had a bit of rain to start our bike ride but that stopped after 2 hours and were fine. Yesterday it rained all day when we were driving but stopped as soon as we got to the Kayak site. We had one of the best days anyone could remember today for our Glacier hike. Heli Hike was a hit too. Everyone was great and hike itself just the right amount of challenge and time. It's just a unique experience.
Last, we have really enjoyed the people everywhere. NZ is a beautiful place filled with genuinely nice people. We've met more great people from the AU, Britian, and for some reason, tons of Dutch!
We'll check in later as we head into our next adventures.
Kevin and Marge
Michelle, just wanted to let you know the rest of the trip has gone smashingly well. Wanaka was so interesting, and you were right about the 4-wheel drive adventure. We had 5+ hours with a native Kiwi and learned everything about your country. The Alpine Resort Wanaka accommodations were our least favorite of the 4. Not a good walk to town and we had a couple of minor issues with the unit we had. It is a great place for folks who have kids though. For us the more intimate setting of a B&B is best. Which brings us to our second favorite stop the Monte Cristo. What a treat. The staff was fantastic, the wine tasting really fun and the location is beautiful. The two bike rides out of Clyde were fun but pretty challenging. Especially the one around the lake. E bikes were a must. We would never have made it pedaling. The track is pretty challenging, and we got to experience lovely 75KMH NZ winds. We were fine if not a bit tired. The second day ride was the opposite. Flat to downhill the whole way with a huge tail wind. Very different landscape. I would recommend both trips just let folks know it will be challenging.
The fly-cruise-fly was also another unbelievable experience. We got lucky that they had a lot of rain before we came so the waterfalls were spectacular. The flights were a lot of fun too especially with Ben our pilot looking like our son in law.
We're in Queeenstown now staying at spectacular place, the Queenstown Park Boutique. People are just as nice as all the other places and it's a great location.
Thank you again for an outstanding trip. We love your country and your people.
Cheers
Kevin and Marge

Hotel Reviews

Awatuna Homestead

Hokitika

Awatuna Homestead, which you referred to as the Sunset Lodge, was absolutely spectacular. The location is breathtaking, right on the beach, and the accommodations are very intimate with just four rooms. The hosts were delightful and provided outstanding meals; we even chose to dine with them twice, which was unplanned. Their cocktail hour for guests was a wonderful way to meet new people and add to the experience. I would highly recommend this place.

Alpine Resort Wanaka

Wanaka

Our stay in Wanaka at Alpine Resort Wanaka was probably our least favorite. The condo had several minor issues, and apparently they were under new management, which may have caused some of the hiccups we experienced. While it might be a good fit for families due to amenities like the pool, the location was not ideal for us. Walking into town was not convenient, making us feel it lacked the personal touch we received elsewhere.

Westwood Lodge

Franz Josef Glacier

Westwood Lodge in Franz Josef Glacier was good. It's more of a ski lodge type setting, which gives it a less personal feel compared to smaller lodgings but it's still very good. We had a satisfactory experience there with no major concerns. It fits well with the vibe of the area and offers a comfortable stay.

Monte Christo Winery

Clyde

Accommodations are 5 star, the staff were spectacular and the view even better it that is possible. Location was perfect for our access to our bike rides. We would highly recommend Monte Christo to anyone staying in the region.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail (from Clyde)

New Zealand

The Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail from Clyde was quite challenging, although we were given ebikes to help. The scenery was beautiful, with some high winds on our ride making it even more of a challenge. It's definitely not the casual ride we expected and should be noted for its difficulty, maybe even compared to the Midwest landscapes. We witnessed an accident which highlighted the need for caution.

Wild Hills 4WD Safari tour

New Zealand

Michelle recommended the Wild Hills 4WD Safari tour, and I was so glad I took her advice. It turned out to be a personal tour with a lifelong New Zealander who shared an incredible wealth of knowledge about the area. The scenery was stunning, and the personal nature of the tour made it a standout experience. Driving around a sheep and cattle farm while learning about the local geography and history was unforgettable.

Fly Cruise Fly – Queenstown to Milford Sound by scenic flight

Queenstown (NZ)

Fly Cruise Fly’s scenic flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound was truly spectacular. We were fortunate with the timing, arriving after rains that made the waterfalls along the sound particularly beautiful. The whole experience was breathtaking and one that I would enthusiastically recommend to anyone visiting New Zealand.

Otago Cycling Trail from Clyde

Clyde

The Otago Cycling Trail from Clyde was a really enjoyable ride, mostly downhill and along old railroad tracks, making it the easiest bike trip out of the ones we did. I'd recommend it especially with an ebike for ease, though it's manageable without one. The scenery is stunning and provides a relaxed ride through beautiful landscapes.

Michelle listened to our trip goals carefully, then created a fantastic itinerary! The lodging, activities, and pace were great. Over 20 nights, 3,000 km of auto travel, 6 hikes, 2 cycling trail rides, and many other fun activities, everything went perfect! We appreciate the creativity when we had to delay the start of our trip by two days to jump in and start as if nothing was missed. Many thanks to Michelle for a terrific experience on the South island of New Zealand!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Montreal

Christchurch

We loved staying at the Montreal! Close to the entertainment section of Christchurch and spacious rooms. We saw the best of Christchurch from this welcoming hotel.

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Hotel St Clair

Dunedin

The right place to be in Dunedin! Beach. Surfers, and great evening fun!

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Staff

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PurePod Rakiura Stewart Island (Hananui)

Christchurch

This was one of the most unique experiences we ever had! The Pure Pod was spectacular and the provided food excellent! Stewart Island is a special place! We loved our 20km hike to Prince William hut. Enjoying a clear night and the southern sky from the pod is breathtaking!

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Staff

Great food prep and spotlessly clean pod.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fiordland Jewel

Milford Sound

Cruising Milford Sound and staying onboard this ship was fantastic! Captain Jack is an amazing host. We were guests during a torrential rainstorm and the waterfalls were unbelievable! Kayaking was really fun, even in the rain and cold! A great time!

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Staff

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Prospect Lodge

Te Anau

Joan and Ross have an amazing lodge! What a special experience Prospect Lodge is. Only two guest rooms makes this unique. The breakfasts were the best ever! The view of Lake Te Anau and the mountains is Georgeous! Rooms are first class! Our 15km heli-hike on the Kepler Track was unbelievable fun. Seeing the glow worms in the cave was the most unique experience and great fun!

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

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Monte Christo Winery

Clyde

What a great experience! The chalets were very, very nice! The wine tasting terrific, and in room breakfasts really nice. Cycling the 40km Dunstan Lake Trail was the best activity of our trip!

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Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel

Queenstown

Where one night in Queenstown is enough, this is the place to stay! Welcoming staff, great happy hour, wonderful rooms!

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Staff

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Edgewater Wanaka

Lake Wānaka

Great hotel/lodge! Rooms a bit spartan, but the common areas, bar, and patio were exceptional. The jet boat on the river and the 4wd on the nearby livestock station made for an exciting and informative day!

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Westwood Lodge

Franz Josef Glacier

Rooms were a bit dark and not comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

Cleanliness, decor, and staff cheerfulness.

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rimu Lodge

Ruatapu

Sue Ellen is a terrific host at this special lodge! Her happy hour and breakfasts were fantastic. The lodge is beautiful, has great views of the Hokitika River, and is luxurious. Our 50km cycle on the Western Track was so much fun!! Hokitika is one of our favorite beach towns! So original!

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Awaroa Lodge

Abel Tasman National Park

Great experience to stay at this lodge in the NP. Unique experience to arrive and depart by water taxi. Loved the food too! Our 15km hike through forests and beaches was exhilarating. Could have stayed longer! This is a favorite of our trip!

Authenticity & Character

In the Forrest by the sea.

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The Mayfair

Christchurch

A little outside the entertainment and shopping district. Nice otherwise.

Authenticity & Character

Cozy

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Activity Reviews

Yellow-eyed penguins

Dunedin

We enjoyed learning about the penguins and walking the track. Absolute beauty! Great time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Milford Sound overnight Cruise - Fiordland Jewel

New Zealand

This is must do in when travelling NZ! We lucked out with a rainstorm during our first day creating hundreds of waterfalls. Captain Jack was terrific!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Heli Hike Kepler track from Te Anau

Te Anau

Absolutely great hike! We had 100km wind and driving rain shortly after being let off the heli! Wow! Such beautiful views at the top, and great forests on the way down.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Te Anau Glowworm Caves

Te Anau

Really fun experience! The caves are spectacular to see.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail (from Clyde)

New Zealand

This was the best cycle adventure we could have imagined! Challenging and beautiful. Of course we were on standard bikes!

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Transport

Wild Hills 4WD Safari tour

New Zealand

Chris was our 4wd guide and did a great job teaching us about the station (farm) operations. Fantastic!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jet boat and wilderness walk

New Zealand

Our jet boat captain Ben was so much fun! But he was also very knowledgeable and made this a really enjoyable experience. Loved learning about the beech forests!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Trusting Monika with my trip was the best decision I could have made, she was so helpful throughout the planning process and during the trip. She picked excellent excursions that we throughly enjoyed and made all the arrangements necessary for the trip to go so smoothly. The was wise enough to pick hotels that were in walking distance to great restaurants and activities and was very helpful in accommodating my travel partner, who had a lot of allergies. I would absolutely recommend her for planning a trip to New Zealand.

Activity Reviews

Glowworm Tour Nocturnal Adventure

Rotorua

Stephen was incredible. His knowledge of the landscape and local flare and fauna was top notch. We had an absolutely incredible time and he takes beautiful pictures if you at a waterfall that he promptly emailed to us the next morning, do not miss this!!

Quality of Experience

you are in a small group and it does not feel touristy or commercial, its intimate and fun

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Stephen is an incredible tour guide, he's is so knowledgable and respects the environment and his patrons

Transport

he took us to see the sunset, looking over the lake before we went to see the glowworms

Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience

Rotorua

Do not skip the experience, it's so educational, entertaining and the food was the best we had the entire trip!! The love, care and welcoming attitude that the performers have for visitors is unparalleled. The knowledge they provide leaves you deeply interested in Maori culture and the performances and food were excellent. The staff is so talented!! I would absolutely go back and do this again.

Quality of Experience

Food

best meal we had the whole trip

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hell's Gate Experience (Geothermal site and Mud Bath and Sulphur Spa)

Rotorua

It was raining but that didn’t detract from the experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Skydive Taupo Tandem 12000 feet

New Zealand

Staff was friendly and knowledgeable

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Swim with dolphins

New Zealand

I didn’t end up swimming and they arranged for us to take a boat ride instead where we still got to see dolphins

Christchurch Tramway Restaurant

Christchurch

Excellent food and amazing service

Quality of Experience

The quality and food portions were excellent

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The staff was so friendly and professional

Coach and Cruise to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi

Queenstown (NZ)

I wish I caught the name of our bus driver, he was so friendly and entertaining and took some great photos of me and my friend!

Quality of Experience

The views and the driver

Guides, Drivers and Staff

He was so friendly, funny and informative

Transport

The bus had some problems on the way back but that’s not anyone’s fault

Denise provided excellent guidance in developing an itinerary. We enjoyed every day of the trip. Denise and Uma were readily available to assist when we had questions along the way. I would highly recommend Denise to anyone planning a trip to New Zealand.

Hotel Reviews

The Langlands Hotel

Invercargill

Excellent lounges and breakfast

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Heritage Queenstown

We were upgraded to lake view and were blown away by the setting. Access to town was great.

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Activity Review

Te Pā Tū Māori Feast & Performance

Rotorua

This was a fun evening and a feast

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Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport