For those of you who are thinking whether it’s possible… its highly possible, except don’t be so adventurous and crazy like me to slot in a campervan in the North Island.
As usual, if you are lazy to read, click on the video to watch what went on the entire trip! You can also scroll all the way down to download the itinerary.
As usual, some tips before you head go:
- MUST APPLY the NZETA in advance!! Singaporeans do not require a visa for NZ but we will still need this NZETA thing which takes up to 72hrs for approval. Refer to my video for more details.
- BRING your driving license. We do not need a IDP as New Zealand recognise Singapore’s driving license but you will need to bring the original ID along. They dont take soft copy/images/singpass.
- Try to pack efficiently- you will most probably need to change hotels on a road trip like this so I try to pack in a way that regardless, I will just need to carry 1 big luggage and 1 handcarry w me to the accomodations though we have 2 big luggages
- BE PREPARED to drive long hours. We tried to space out the driving distance so its not so shag for the drivers but some route really require 3-4hours drive.
- ALWAYS buffer extra time. The driving conditions can be quite unpredictable (e.g a herd of sheeps blocking our way) and travelling time took way longer than expected (due to the speed limit) that we ended up missing some of our bookings and activities. Ie when I planned via google map its indicated 2hrs of drive but it can actually take up to 3hrs.
- Lastly, if you intend to do campervan.. AVOID winter. Its so cold that we hid in the campervan throughout and its so hard to dine outside the campervan let alone BBQ. Even if you are the one who plan to use the shower facilities in the holiday park so you dont have to do the dirty work to empty the drainage system.. walking + showering in the common toilet is torturing if its winter cause most toilets are not heated. Only 1/6 we went is heated. And if you intend to shower in the campervan, the heater is not so good so showering in the cold in winter is torturous as well.
- Actually, just AVOID winter seasons cause most of the activities are weather dependable like our skydive, helicopter, float plane etc so coming in summer/spring you have a higher chance of not having these activities CANCELLED or RESCHEDULED.9/10 of our activities got cancelled due to bad weather.
Else than that, I would say I pretty much enjoy NZ and feel that its way better/more beautiful than Australia in my personal opinions.
Day 01
Took a red eye flight thinking its a great call cause it align with Gem’s sleep thinking (usually she sttn for night sleep) but we were SO wrong.
She got so excited being her first time on the plan (HK wasnt counted cause she is less aware of the surronding) that she is SO over stimulated that she stayed up way past her bed timing. She slept only at 4am which resulted in her over tiredness and over crankiness that she cried the entire plane down.
Luckily we manage to coax her to sleep in the end but she only ended up having 3-4hrs of sleep before we gotta land..
Landed and collected our car, that was when we found out that one of the designated drivers is unable to drive as he didnt bring the actual driving license along.
First thing of course, were to head to the supermarket to stock up all that we need for the 1st house. There is a supermarket, Woolsworth right after you exit Christchurch airport. Then its basically driving 1-2hrs to our lunch place followed by another 1-2hrs to our Airbnb in Lake Tekapo
So far, the accomodations that we booked this trip are pretty good for big families like us. You can find the respective links in the PDF itinerary.
Spent a night in Lake Tekapo – mainly to catch the night star gazing near the Good Shepherd Church.
Back to the airbnb to KO for the night. And because of the lack of sleep during the flight, we hit another over crankiness and over tiredness that Gem cried nonstop for 2hrs btw 10pm-12am before she finally fell asleep.
So parents, do be mentally prepared for this. But kids are really adaptable, all are good the next day as she adapted to the new time zone.
Day 02
Checked out and off to a cafe (Jack Rabbit Cafe) nearby the lake for breakfast and so we can explore the lake area! The view is insane over here, and food is pretty good the view is insane over here, and food is pretty good.
Headed off to Mount Cook area after exploring Lake Tekapo. We stopped by a salmon shop (Mt Cook Alphine Salmon) along the way to have salmon sashimi by the sea. Note that there is no sitting area inside the shop, so basically it’s all takeaway food, and then you will just eat outside on the benches around the shop.
Continue our drive after sashimi to Mount Cook where we did some hiking, and took a short hike up to see the views. Do note that if you’re travelling with a baby, your baby might be sleeping at this hour. Be prepared to baby-carry a 9-10 kg baby and hike up the entire Mount Cook. Make sure you have the strength to do that.
Off to our second Airbnb for the trip after the hike. Likewise, you can find the link to the accommodation in the PDF itinerary. Oh we decided to stay in Twizel area instead of Mt Cook its a much shorter drive to Queenstown the next day.
Anyway, we are only covering the main areas and activities of the different places hence you can see that we really change hotels every 1-2 nights. Of course if you have more time, do feel free to stay longer in each area though some towns really have nothing much I feel.
It was nightfall by the time we arrive so we just had dinner in our Airbnb and call it a night.
Day 03
Head out to breakfast at a cafe nearby our B&B after we check out called Mint Folk & Co. After that is a drive from Twizel to Queenstown.
There’s actually a salmon place nearby that you can stop over at that is called High Country Salmon. We feel that this place is so much better than the Mount Cook salmon shop, as you can catch and even feed salmon here as well, and there’s food as well.
For those of you who are looking for a pit stop from Twizel to Queenstown, you may want to consider this place.
Made our way to Queenstown after that, but we kind of underestimated the drive and the timing required with 2 toddlers in the morning. We actually missed our onsen booking at Hot Pool and Day Spa. Travelling with kids can really be unpredictable so do be prepared to miss 10%-20% of what you planned for the day.
Also, please note that the driving limit in New Zealand is really strict. We were going a little off the speed limits trying to make it to our booking, and we were stopped by the police for speeding.
They totally don’t give any chances. As long as I think you are 1 km above the limit, you may get fined.
Checked into our Queenstown airbnb and its just exploring the town + grocery shop before dinner.
Day 04
Booked a day tour to the Milford Sound Cruise instead of self drive to spare the drivers and give them a break. The tour came with a bus with several photo pitstop on the way till the Cruise, and I specfically booked our airbnb near the pick up point as the pickup is like 7.30am in the morning. With 2 toddlers in toll, I have to make sure that its walking distance within mins so we dont miss the tour.
However, the pickup process wasnt v well coordinated I would say, s we werent given any details except to wait for a bus with specific logo on it and there were several tour buses coming to the same point. So many times we were guessing and wondering if that is our bus as the bus didnt come on time. We waited till 7.45am so can you imagine our anxiety whether did we missed boarding the bus or what??
Anyway the bus with the right logo eventually appeared and off we go to the Cruise for a tour in the Milford Sound.
For those who have been contemplating like me whether to go Milford or Doubtful (trust me I did alot alot research on both) and we ended up going with both.. so here is my honest opinon.
If you want something nice yet short go for the Milford one(10 hours day trip in total). Its pretty and good enough for a “been there done that”. But if you have alot of time to spare and want to experience the whole sleeping the cruise + internet detox (yes there is ZERO connection on board- you cant even buy any) then go for Doubtful. Our Doubtful Sound experience was unfortunately bad due to the weather. Continue to read on to find out why…
Was pretty late when we got back to the drop off point its just grabbing dinner in the town nearby and then we called it a night.
Day 05
This was supposed to be our skydiving day but it got cancelled due to the weather.. infact, this is one of the many activities that were cancelled due to the weather so ya, do avoid winter times if you can. The other seasons have less chances of cancellation.
Was really disappointed as we were really looking forward to the skydive but oh well. So its shopping day in Queenstown and we had Ferg Burger for lunch. It was good but the queue is insane.
Then its off to the luge ride but guess what, after we took the Gondola up and was all ready to play.. IT WAS CANCELLED AGAIN DUE TO THE WEATHER. Yuppp.
Went back down to the town for more shopping  since there’s nothing much we can do before dinner at Finz Seafood and Grill in the town area. Would recommend this place as food is pretty good.
Back to our airbnb to pack cause we are checking out the next day.
Day 06
This day is the Doubtful Sound Cruise. We drove all the way there, parked one night at the main cruise centre, then took a small boat where we had to change buses, and then we changed to a cruise again.
The whole journey there is pretty long and is full of different transport to the final destination. By the time we boarded the actual cruise itself, it was already half a day gone.
Also, we totally did not expect that there will be zero internet connection, so it came as a shock to everyone, especially some of us who had some work to clear and there is no way for us to top up or buy the internet as well, so it’s like an instant internet detox.
However, I have to say that the experience of sleeping overnight on a cruise in the Fjord is pretty not bad. The surrounding is calming.
Just that there’s supposed to be some activities on board whereby we can take a jet boat to an area, I think, to the beach or to somewhere to see something, but all were cancelled. Practically all the activities were cancelled due to bad weather, and all we did was just hang around inside the cruise for two days and one night.
Day 07
Breakfast on the cruise before we take all the various transports back to the main cruise area again lol. Picked our car and off to Wanaka for 1 night (pitstop). I would have to say I wished we stayed abit longer there as the hotel is the NICEST that we stayed in this trip.
You can find the links inside the PDF.
Also, the Wanaka Tree is… underwhelming. Its really just a normal tree standing in the middle of the sea lo. I would say if you are dropping by as a pit stop its okay, but if you need to specifically detour/route here.. then forget it.
The views right outside the accommodation is super gorgeous its like out of a postcard and there is a huge lawn area for the kids to run about. But as for things to do in Wanaka, I dont think there is much hence we only stayed a night.
We also wanted to try a famous restaurant there, but it was fully booked for the night.
So guys, do your research well and make reservations for dinner places beforehand.
Day 08
Checked out next day and off to Franz Josef. We choose to stop in this area cause we wanted to take the heli ride over the glaciers (yes kids below 2yo are allowed to take so we were really excited) BUT GUESS WHAT. YES, IT WAS CANCELLED AGAIN DUE TO THE WEATHER.
So far for this entire trip, it felt like we are just on a road trip to different places thats all, no activities done at all.
By the way this is the hotel that we stayed the previous night.. grabbed some pics before we left!
We ended up going to see a “glacier” but there were no glacier.. all melted lol. There was also another onsen in this town which I wanted to try since we missed the Hot Pool one but sadly, they were fully reserved by the time we checked and we do not have any spare days cause we are heading off the next day. So yeah, another thing is if you want to come during winter, I would recommend staying 2-3 nights in a place so you can factor for reschedules. Dont follow us and stay 1 night in most places so we dont have any buffer.
So this day felt like a day wasted with nothing much going on.
Dinner was luckily, an awesome one and we had good wine that we manage to enjoy the night.
Also, our airbnb actually come with our own onsen pool outdoor but due to the cold weather + a toddler in place.. we are too tired to set it up and soak in there after making the kids sleep. We cant wait to KO every night as well.
Day 09
Tried our luck once more on the heli ride (rescheduled to this AM before we head off to another place) but ya no chance. In fact, our hopes were really high cuz we were all suited up and brought to the heli pad ready to board when suddenly, the pilot gave the call to cancel due to the weather. What a trip…..
Parted ways from the rest of the family here as our flight back were in Auckland (no more redemption back from CC and I am not gg to pay for business flights as usual) so we have to make our way to the North Island. Also.. I wanted to try campervan cause I thought it will be a super great idea with a toddler but boy, I was wrong (you will find out why as you read on).
Returned the car and took the TranzAlphine Train to Christchurch for a night stay before collecting our campervan the next day.
Its a scenic 4hrs train ride from Greymouth > Christchurch. Finally an activity we manage to get Gem to experience!
Checked into our hotel once we reach and off to dinner around the hotel area.
Day 10
Checked out and spent 1/2 a day in Chrischurch to explore the city before we head to collect our campervan.
This day was fun cause finally the weather was nice and we get to do some activities!
Took the punting boat > Riverside Market > Tram around the city > Playground!
Then we headed off to pick the campervan and this is where our trip went so so wrong. First, we underestimated the introduction of the campervan that by the time we made our way to our destinated holiday park, it was pretty late and the drive took way longer than expected due to the configuration of the campervan.
We CANT drive fast as everything will start falling off the table etc so we got really nervous as it was really late. We wanted to drive to a campsite near the Interland Ferry terminal so we dont have to wake up early the next day (500m to the terminal) but it was a 6hrs drive instead of a 4hrs drive per my research that we ended up stopping at a further campsite instead.
Then, we were so tired out by the drive in the dark + anxiety to get to a rest point that we have zero strength and mood to cook dinner, whats more having to wash up after that. Also, since its winter, dining outside the campervan is impossible as its SO cold and walking to and fro the shower facilities were a torture too.
By this time, we already knew its a bad call to book a campervan but it is what it is, and we need to make our way to Auckland. Also, we thought that Gemma can be sleeping on the bed while we drive but nope, EVERYONE has to be seated and buckled up during the drive so ya its really no difference from a normal car except you can stop and sleep anywhere.
Day 11
Thye woke up real early to start driving as what is supposed to be a 10mins drive became a 2hrs drive from our substitute rest point. Thank god we made it to the ferry that we really heaved a sigh of relief when we boarded.
Also, we manage to have proper breakfast onboard the ferry cruise so all are good. Reached the North Island, picked our camper and off we go again.
PLS DONT BE CRAZY LIKE ME to plan a 3-4 days in Auckland with a campervan. When we returned the campervan the person is SO shocked we drove a total of 300km++ for 3 days whereas normal people is 100km+ hahahha. I dont know how we did it but it was real madness. Kudos to Thye for really embracing it and enduring it to push us through – I took over couple of the drives but he did most of the heavy lifting.
Anyway, days in the North Island were much better as we manage to do some activities (altho some got cancelled as well).
Stopped by a fish shop to grab some lunch before heading to a camp site at Lake Taupo. We booked holiday parks for all the night instead of freedom camping as we do not intend to shower or use the toilet in our camper so we dont need to clear the pee and poo. Its def more ex (about $60 per night) but due to the cold weather, its not fun to freedom camp too. I was imagining bbq-ing outside the camper but nah, too cold and tired to set it up and do that.
So it was really like just driving a movable hotel, park at a facility to sleep for the night. Thats all.
Day 12
Stopped in Lake Taupo cause we wanted to take the floatplane but guess what? Yes, cancelled due to wet weather again.
But the never say die spirit in me (also as of now, Gemma only get to experience a train ride???) manage to find a heli ride who is willing to take us for 10mins in the air!! Better than nothing!!
Actually, we did have another Heli ride booked for the next day but at this point my hopes were all so low that I was prepared for the ride to be cancelled tomorrow as well so we decide to go for this 10mins one.
Off to Argodome Farm after that and its pretty fun given that there is a tram ride and we get to feed some animals like sheeps, alpaca and Elk. But it was raining so it was muddy and dirty that we didnt really enjoy it as much.
There was also a sheep show where there will be some interactive performance with the audiences. Of course I have to volunteer Gemma up!
Anyway this will be a good pit stop for kids.
Head off to Rotuorua City after that and we decided to have some good dinner to treat ourselves for bracing through the campervan drives so we went to a steakhouse in the city.
Day 13
Back to the floatplane area but they took the plane out of the weather due to the weather and it will be out for a couple of days.
Then they changed to a helicopter ride for us and this time round, luck is on our end and we manage to take it! Though we just took it the day before but its a much bigger heli + we took off from the lake so its still a different experience, though the floatplane ride would have really been an awesome one.
And guess what, we were actually the last ride cause after us.. all the flights for the rest of the day got cancelled.
I think you guys can follow my itinerary but use it for summer/spring season! You will def enjoy it way better.
Then off to the Rotorua Skyline Luge- this wasnt in my planned itinerary but because the one in Queenstown got cancelled and I was so sian of not having done much this trip that we decided to just go for it.
NO REGRETS cause the luge is so fun!!! Its very different from Sentosa one in terms of the route, scenary and even speed. Highly recommend to try if you can!
Chiong to Auckland City after that caues this last min Luge thing ate into our day. The moment we reached the city we were so so happy cause at this point, we were practically done with the entire campervan shit (sad to say, we really didnt enjoy it at all) that we decided to book a hotel to stay for a night!
We manage to find one that can accommodate the parking of our campervan and we were so happy when we shifted to the hotel. Its like life is back to normal again.
Spent the rest of the day exploring the city- Viaduct Harbour for lunch > Japanese Skewer for dinner.
Best thing is being able to go back to the hotel for the night with proper shower and rest.
Day 14
Checked out of the hotel and off to return our camper!
By the way, they have a shuttle that will take us to the airport but do buffer extra time for the drop off, checks and shuttle.
Also, a note to dump all the rubbish, waste and water before you return the camper.
Overall, I would say that the camper is not that bad just that a normal car may suit my crazy itinerary better. I would feel the camper will be good if we fly into Auckland and just do the camper around the main city for 4-5 days, perhaps like a 1-2hrs drive away to each campsite and activities thats it. Not like 4-5hrs drive per journey kind, a road trip with a huge camper is no joke.
Also if you ask me again, I will def plan more nights in each place and perhaps just do South Island for 14 days instead of squeezing Auckland in. With Auckland in, I would feel a 19-21 days trip would be better to cover both island.
Too Kiasu and not good for this trip. This is actually the first time I felt even more tired on a trip than back in Singapore. We were so glad to be back home.
But, I REALLY LOVE NEW ZEALAND!! Its SOOOO PRETTY, CALMING and the everywhere is so picturesque!
Wouldnt mind heading back again.