9 Days in New Zealand: A Spontaneous Road Trip Across Both Islands

March 23-31, 2026 | North Island + South Island | Siblings road trip

How This Trip Happened

Believe it or not, this New Zealand adventure wasn’t some carefully planned trip months in the making. I received an award alert for American Airlines business class from Dallas/Fort Worth to Auckland: 83,000 miles. Already tempting, right? Then I noticed it was on the Boeing 787-9 with their new Flagship Suites. As an aviation enthusiast, there was no way I was passing that up.

You can read all about that flight in my American Airlines 787-9 Flagship Suite review. But first, there was a minor issue: I needed a travel partner. My wife could not go on those dates, so I called my equally travel-obsessed brother. About a half second later, his answer was, “Say less.”

We had only 13 days off including international travel, which translated to nine days actually in New Zealand. Luckily, my brother may be an even bigger planner than I am. We went back and forth until we landed on a route covering both islands. I had a few requirements: a couple of Hyatt nights toward Globalist again, Lord of the Rings scenery (Hobbiton was NON-NEGOTIABLE), wineries and breweries, and obviously some great food. The result? A ridiculously ambitious siblings trip that I couldn’t wait to take.

Our 9-Day Itinerary

Day	Location	Highlights
Mar 23	Auckland	Harbor walks, The Conservatory, Park Hyatt Auckland
Mar 24	Rotorua + Hobbiton	Rotorua rafting and a Lord of the Rings dream
Mar 25	Christchurch to Lake Tekapo	Fly south; lake views from Lot 7 apartment
Mar 26	Mount Cook to Wānaka	Aoraki hike, Mueller Lake & glacier views
Mar 27	Wānaka	Modern apartment, local breweries + lakeside dining
Mar 28	Queenstown	Rippon, Cardrona, Lake Wakatipu ferry + The Sundeck
Mar 29	Queenstown	Milford flight canceled; Glenorchy and LOTR locations
Mar 30	Christchurch	Lake Pukaki and Aoraki revisited; Novotel airport
Mar 31	Homeward	Departure from Christchurch

Day 1 | Auckland: Walk First, Plan Later

March 23 | Overnight: Park Hyatt Auckland

We both landed very early, collected our Enterprise rental car and headed into Auckland to check in at the Park Hyatt. I’ll spare you the full hotel breakdown here; that’s what my review is for. What surprised me most about our first day was how easy Auckland was to explore on foot. The waterfront, harbor and central city made for a fantastic afternoon of just wandering around.

If you want the room, service and hotel details, check out my Park Hyatt Auckland review. As for the city itself, we did not need a packed schedule. We walked, stopped wherever looked interesting, and eventually found ourselves at The Conservatory, a short walk from the hotel. Their K-Pop Chicken Burger? Excellent. Honestly, more of my travel days should start with a good meal and absolutely no pressure to rush.

Day 2 | A 3 AM Alarm, Rotorua, and HOBBITON

March 24 | Overnight: Park Hyatt Auckland

Who books a vacation and immediately sets a 3 AM alarm? Apparently, we do. Rotorua was about a three-hour drive from Auckland, and we had an early white-water rafting session booked with Rotorua Rafting. All of the rapids along the Kaituna River were a great experience, but Tutea Falls was something else. That 23-foot drop is billed as the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world, and our raft went completely underwater for a second or two before shooting right back up. Water went straight up my nose and into my ears and eyes. For a moment I barely knew what had happened. It was a 10/10 experience, and absolutely worth that early alarm.

Park Hyatt breakfast tip: If you have breakfast benefits, ask ahead about a to-go breakfast. The team prepared boxes for our very early departure, and that was a lifesaver.

Then came the stop I had been waiting for: Hobbiton. I’m a big Lord of the Rings fan, and walking between those hobbit holes, tucked into perfectly green hills, felt like seeing the Shire come to life. The movie set looks less like a set and more like a tiny village someone might actually live in. This was an absolute must for me, and I would recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in the films.

A fun little planning scare: when I booked, there were exactly two tickets left in our time slot. TWO! Availability was disappearing about a month in advance. Thank God I checked when I did. After rafting, a movie-set tour and the long drive back to Auckland, we were more than ready to sleep.

Day 3 | Hello, South Island

March 25 | Overnight: Lot 7 Lakefront Apartments, Lake Tekapo

After two nights in Auckland, we flew to Christchurch, picked up another rental car and set off for Lake Tekapo. We’d barely started the South Island drive before the views began stealing our attention. That’s the beauty of renting a car here: you can pull over whenever the scenery demands it. Just like on the North Island, we rented a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which turned out to be a great call. Gas in New Zealand is very expensive, around US$8 per gallon, and with all the driving ahead of us, that great mileage saved us a lot at the pump.

Once we reached Lake Tekapo, we checked into Lot 7 Lakefront Apartments, and the view was the first thing we noticed. We looked directly out toward that incredibly blue lake and the Church of the Good Shepherd. The apartment also had two separate bedrooms, which was clutch for a siblings road trip. Between the extra space and a full kitchen, it was a practical place to unwind after a long drive. There’s a grocery store about a five-minute walk away, plus plenty of shops around the village, so you can grab what you need without getting back in the car. Even better? T.L.V. Restaurant & Bar was right downstairs. We ordered the lamb shank, and it was INCREDIBLE. That view, a great meal and everything within walking distance? Tekapo did not disappoint.

Day 4 | Aoraki/Mount Cook, Then Wānaka

March 26 | Overnight: Two-bedroom apartment in Wānaka

One thing we wanted to see on this trip was Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand’s tallest mountain. Getting there was a highlight in itself. The road toward Aoraki follows the shore of Lake Pukaki, which was still an incredible shade of blue despite the cloudy weather. I also brought a GoPro with a mount that let me extend it safely outside the passenger-side window, and we captured some excellent footage of the lake and mountain scenery along the way. Between those videos and all our photo stops, progress was a little slower than planned, but we were in no rush.

Unfortunately, when we arrived at Aoraki/Mount Cook, it was cloudy and misting, so we did not get those crystal-clear postcard views right away. We still had plenty to explore. We went on a roughly four-hour hike in the area, and it was incredibly scenic. Walking past Mueller Lake, a glacier terminal lake with stunning turquoise water, was breathtaking even without the sun. As the clouds shifted, we even managed to get some great shots of the glaciers when parts of the sky opened up. Weather or not, this was absolutely worth doing before we continued on to Wānaka.

Day 5 | Wānaka: Breweries, Good Food and a Laundry Lifesaver

March 27 | Overnight: Two-bedroom apartment in Wānaka

Wānaka gave us a welcome two-night reset. Our modern two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment had separate bedrooms and an in-unit washer/dryer, which was a lifesaver mid-road-trip. Fresh clothes without hunting for a laundromat? Yes, please! We were in town but needed to drive to downtown restaurants. Thankfully, a nearby convenience store was unusually well stocked with grocery items, and a full supermarket was only five-to-ten minutes away by car. Perfect for stocking the apartment kitchen.

There were plenty of restaurants downtown, but book ahead for sit-down meals, especially with a view of Lake Wānaka; those waterfront tables fill up! We also visited b.effect Brewing Co. and Rhyme x Reason Brewery, about an eight-minute drive apart. Both were wonderfully laid-back, with ales, IPAs, stouts and specialty beers to explore. Exactly our kind of afternoon. If you want to sample at both, plan a safe ride.

Day 6 | Rippon Winery and the Road to Queenstown

March 28 | Overnight: Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa

Before we left Wānaka, we made a spontaneous stop at Rippon Winery, and the scenery immediately had our attention. The vineyards overlooking Lake Wānaka might be the prettiest winery setting I’ve ever seen. Tastings are by reservation, but the lovely staff kindly let us sample their wines anyway. They offered a flat international shipping rate of approximately US$110-$115 at the time, so naturally I ordered a whole assortment. Six weeks later the bottles arrived at my house, and they were excellent. Book ahead if you want a proper tasting!

From there we tackled the Crown Range Road (formerly State Highway 89), New Zealand’s highest main road at roughly 3,530 feet (1,076 meters). The mountain views, untouched fields and sweeping valleys were unbelievable. The road is very winding, with narrow stretches and steep drop-offs. Take your time, use the proper pull-offs for photos, and please don’t drive as if you are filming Fast & Furious.

About midway through the Crown Range Road drive, we reached Cardrona, a historic gold-rush settlement that made an ideal stopping point. First we stopped at the Cardrona Distillery for a tasting. Whisky is a specialty, but they also produce award-winning vodka, so of course a bottle came home with me! An employee at the distillery suggested we visit the Cardrona Hotel for lunch. Established in 1863, it was an excellent recommendation. Between the heritage facade, old-world interiors and gorgeous garden, it felt like stepping into a little piece of New Zealand history.

The Cardrona Hotel is still operating as a hotel, although we only came for the pub. I ordered a burger, which was fantastic, and we relaxed in the garden with the kind of scenery you just can’t manufacture. After a few more designated photo stops, we finally reached the Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa. We each had a Hilton Aspire card, and each card’s US$200 resort credit could go toward the stay: up to $400 in statement credits on qualifying charges. Not bad for our Queenstown stay.

The Hilton is across the lake from downtown Queenstown, but getting into town by water is part of the fun. The Queenstown ferry costs NZ$10 per person each way with a Bee Card or NZ$14 with a bank card; cash isn’t accepted. Our ride took about 15 minutes, and taking in the scale of Lake Wakatipu and the mountains surrounding Queenstown was worth the fare alone. We had even paid for the return crossing, except we stayed out beyond the last boat, around 9:45 p.m. that evening. Whoops! Always check the timetable before heading out.

Walking around Queenstown felt like discovering a whole other world. It’s a compact lakeside town, but the shops, restaurants and crowds give it so much energy. We weren’t especially hungry, so we headed to The Sundeck rooftop bar for a drink and a mountain sunset.

At 6 or 7 p.m. it seemed almost too quiet. By around 8, it was shoulder-to-shoulder. Luckily, we had snagged a table early and spent the evening people-watching. We even got chatting with a group of local Māori people celebrating a friend’s 40th birthday. They told us about their lives, shared plenty of laughs, and even gave us free beers. A nice bonus. For a sunset drink and a fun, social night, I recommend it.

Day 7 | Milford Sound Out, Middle-earth In

March 29 | Overnight: Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa

Our Glenorchy Air flight to Milford Sound was supposed to be one of the highlights, but rain had other plans. Disappointing? Absolutely. Letting it ruin the day? Not a chance. We drove north from Queenstown toward Glenorchy, a peaceful little settlement at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu. The winding lakeside road was spectacular, and the light mist and fog hanging in the forest made everything feel straight out of Middle-earth.

As a huge Lord of the Rings fan, I was determined to see Paradise Forest, about 12 miles (20 km) north of Glenorchy, where parts of Lothlórien were filmed. We drove past those misty woods rather than stopping to walk through them, but it was still magical. Not far away is Dan’s Paddock, the landscape used for Saruman’s Isengard. We pulled over and walked along the river, looking toward the spot where Gandalf rides toward the fortress on screen. No giant tower of Orthanc, obviously (that was added for the movies), but the valley was instantly recognizable. Such a cool experience!

And then my brother and I did what apparently comes naturally to us: we noticed a tiny road and said, “Well, let’s see where THAT goes.” We continued along the narrow, unsealed Glenorchy-Paradise Road toward Chinamans Bluff, passing the actual Dan’s Paddock area along the way. We were deep in nature with barely any signal, and our AWD SUV even crossed shallow streams and a small waterway. We had absolutely not planned for an off-road-style adventure. The trails we hoped to hike from Chinamans Bluff were closed, but even wandering around the road end made the detour memorable.

A word of caution if you drive this unsealed route: pay close attention to the weather. Rain can raise stream levels quickly, making water crossings dangerous. Check conditions before setting out and turn around if the road or crossings look unsafe.

Naturally, the sun came out as we drove back to Queenstown. We picked up All Blacks jerseys for ourselves and my nephew (who looks adorable in his), then joined the line at Fergburger. After about a 30-minute wait, we took our burgers back to the hotel. My verdict? 6.5/10. Tasty enough, but not quite worth all the hype.

Day 8 | Back to Christchurch: A Long Drive

March 30 | Overnight: Novotel Christchurch Airport Hotel

When I checked flights, departing Queenstown was egregiously more expensive than flying out of Christchurch, for reasons I still cannot explain. So yes, we committed to one final long drive. At least the weather gave us a reason to celebrate: after our cloud-covered first visit to Aoraki/Mount Cook, we made a return stop under clear skies. And WOW, was that worth it.

Lake Pukaki was glistening under the sun, and I genuinely don’t know if I’ve ever seen a more picturesque lake. Aoraki/Mount Cook’s peaks were completely visible this time, so naturally my phone storage took another beating. After the roughly six-to-seven-hour drive back toward Christchurch (longer with all our photo stops), we reached the Novotel Christchurch Airport Hotel late at night, dropped off the rental car and finally settled in. My flight home was at 6 a.m., which meant another painfully early alarm. But that flight? An experience of its own… and a story for another time.

Day 9 | Bon Voyage, New Zealand

March 31 | Christchurch departure

And just like that, our nine days were over. My first leg home was the early Christchurch-to-Sydney flight. We started with an 83,000-mile award alert and wound up on an adventure across both islands. We rafted a 23-foot waterfall, walked through Hobbiton, found spectacular wine, drove through Middle-earth and took more mountain and lake photos than my phone could handle. We missed Milford Sound, but we got an unexpected Glenorchy road trip instead, and that turned into one of my favorite stories from New Zealand.

Would I recommend nine days? Absolutely, if you don’t mind early mornings, a lot of driving and a schedule that occasionally needs to change. Would I want more time next time? Also absolutely. More than anything, I got to do this trip with my brother, which made the whole spontaneous decision even better.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Leave some breathing room. Even if you’ve plotted the perfect Point A to Point B route, don’t schedule every minute. Cardrona wasn’t the main destination, but stumbling across its distillery and historic hotel became one of our favorite surprises. A little buffer time makes those detours possible.
• Lord of the Rings fans: plan ahead. Map your filming locations before you drive, group stops that fit your route, and try to visit popular spots outside peak hours. We weren’t the only ones chasing Middle-earth, and some places are much easier to appreciate without a crowd.
• Book the must-dos early. Hobbiton was selling out weeks ahead, and I grabbed the final two tickets for our slot. For activities you absolutely can’t miss, book first and fit the rest of the day around them.
• Respect the weather and the roads. Milford Sound was canceled, and the drive toward Glenorchy had unsealed sections and stream crossings. Check the forecast, rental-car restrictions and road conditions, and give yourself more time than the map suggests.
• Ask for a hybrid at the rental counter. Gas is expensive in New Zealand, and with long drives between stops, a hybrid like our Toyota RAV4 can save you a lot of money at the pump.
• Set up a PIN for your credit card before you go. Self-service gas pumps in New Zealand usually ask for a PIN to authorize your card. I was able to add a PIN to my Bilt card in the Bilt app, and it worked at the pumps with no problems.

Where We Stayed and Booked Our Activities

• Hotels: Park Hyatt Auckland | Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa | Novotel Christchurch Airport Hotel
• Apartments: Lake Tekapo lakefront apartment | Wānaka two-bedroom apartment
• Tours and transport: Rotorua Rafting | Hobbiton Movie Set Tours | Glenorchy Air (Milford Sound flight) | Enterprise Rent-A-Car
• Related reviews: Park Hyatt Auckland | American Airlines Flagship Suite

Until the next adventure,
Trailblazin’ Half Asian