Tayla Divitini: February 2015

The Trip of a Lifetime!

After three weeks away, Mum, Dad and I have arrived home from a holiday of a lifetime. We spent a fun-filled week in Sydney and two incredible weeks in New Zealand. Over the span of our holiday, we managed to capture many memorable photo's and video footage (coming soon). So I am happy to share our collection of memories with you all.

From day 1 to day 7, we spent our time in the heart of Sydney. Then from day 8 to 21 we enjoyed a fortnight in picturesque New Zealand. One week in the South and our last week in the North.

Flights:

Perth to Sydney & Sydney back home to Perth - Virgin Australia.

Sydney to Wellington (then transferred to Christchurch), Aukland to Sydney - Air New Zealand.

Places we visited:

Sydney
Christchurch
Dunedin
Te Anau
Queenstown
Milford Sound
Wellington
Napier
Taupo
Rotorua
Auckland

~ Sydney ~

Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales and the most populous city in Australia and Oceania. It is located on Australia's south-east coast along the Tasman Sea and surrounding one of the world's largest natural harbours.

MUST SEE: Port Jackson - Sydney

Port Jackson, also called Sydney Harbour, is the natural harbour of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The harbour is an inlet of the Tasman Sea. It is the location of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

~ Christchurch ~

Treat yourself to a myriad of experiences in Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city is a cosmopolitan and cultured centre and perfect base for exploring a region packed with adventures. Regularly appearing on ‘top places in the world to visit’ lists, post-quake Christchurch offers a wealth of things to do – and a one-of-a-kind glimpse of a city rebuilding. In 2011, two earthquakes struck at the very heart of Christchurch city, flattening the CBD’s high-rises and most of its inner-urban infrastructure. Two-and-a-half-years later, most of the unrecoverable structures have been pulled down, leaving entire blocks of gravel where buildings used to be.

CANNOT MISS: Lone Star - Christchurch

As my family arrived at Christchurch in the evening, I was unable to take many photo's to capture the beauty of this small town. This photo was taken while we had dinner at Lone Star - Christchurch. The Lone Star is famous for providing quality with quantity, using only the best and freshest local produce. It's not only the size of the meals that are memorable- the service too, is legendary. Your meals are served with a genuine smile in generous portions.

~ Dunedin ~

The city of Dunedin and the coastal Otago region offer an unforgettable blend of natural and human heritage; world-class wildlife encounters on the coast and beautiful historic architecture in the city itself.

MUST SEE: Cadbury World - Dunedin

Is this the most magical place you’ll ever visit? Our chocolatiers certainly think so. It’s here they make some of the fantastic, incredible chocolates and lollies that bring us joy. Visit our site in the centre of Dunedin and you’ll be able to see, smell and taste a huge variety of wondrous chocolate creations.

~ Te Anau ~

The township sits on the edge of Lake Te Anau, lying on the border of Fiordland National Park and Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area. Te Anau is the town that connects Queenstown to Milford Sound by road. 2 hours drive from Queenstown, the famously scenic Milford Road begins in the centre of Te Anau. Guided tours to Milford Sound depart or stop at Te Anau, and the town has over 4000 beds to offer to travelers wishing to stay the night.

MUST STAY: Distinction Luxmore Hotel - Te Anau

Get away from it all, and escape into the serene surroundings of Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Lake Te Anau before heading out to explore the world-famous beauty of Fiordland including Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound.

~ Milford Sound ~

Milford Sound is a fiord located in the beautiful Fiordland region in the south-west of the South Island. It was named after Milford Haven in Wales and lies roughly 287km from Queenstown (about a three and a half hour drive) and 757km from Christchurch (nearly a nine hour drive). The road to Milford is one of the most beautiful alpine drives in the world.

MUST DO: Great Sights Lunch Cruise - Milford Sound

The pristine Milford Sound is part of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, in the south west of the South Island, and is famed for its pristine natural beauty and remote atmosphere. It is New Zealand’s best known fiord and the only one that can be reached by road. Maori are believed to have discovered Milford Sound more than 1,000 years ago, returning seasonally to collect the prized pounamu (greenstone). The fiord extends 15km inland from the wild Tasman Sea and is regularly visited by wildlife including penguins, seals and dolphins.

~ Queenstown ~

One of New Zealand’s best-known visitor destinations, Queenstown is a beautiful lakeside resort and all-year-round outdoor adventure playground.

MUST SEE: Skyline - Queenstown

Located an easy five minute walk from central Queenstown, Skyline Queenstown offers awe-inspiring views of the region and an abundance of entertainment and adventure for the whole family. Take the journey on our iconic Gondola up Bob’s Peak to enjoy award winning cuisine in our scenic Stratosfare Restaurant & Bar, Kiwi Haka Maori culture performances and theSkyline Luge our very own thrilling downhill ride!

~ Wellington ~

New Zealand’s much-loved political and cultural capital of Wellington lies on a sparkling harbour at the bottom of the North Island, not far from forest-clad hills and a delightful wine-growing region. Explore urban precincts where shopping, dining and culture abound, each with their own distinct character, then take to the harbour and the hills for outdoor experiences on the edge of the city.

MUST SEE: Botanic Gardens - Wellington

Visit Wellington Botanic Garden and enjoy its 25ha of unique landscape, protected native forest, conifers, specialised plant collections, colourful floral displays, and views over Wellington city.

~ Napier ~

Napier is a New Zealand city with a seaport, located in Hawke's Bay on the eastern coast of the North Island. The population of Napier is about 61,100 as of the June 2014 estimate. About 18 kilometres south of Napier is the inland city of Hastings.

MUST SEE: Cafe strip - Napier

A national disaster resulted in Napier becoming one of the purest Art Deco cities in the world. On the morning of February 3rd 1931 a massive earthquake - 7.9 on the Richter scale - rocked Hawke's Bay for more than three minutes. Rebuilding began almost immediately, and much of it was completed in two years. New buildings reflected the architectural styles of the times. Napier's city centre has the feeling of a time capsule - the seamless line of 1930s architecture is quite extraordinary.

~ Taupo ~

In the Taupo region you can base yourself on the shores of New Zealand’s largest lake in the centre of an area that offers a myriad of outdoor activities in an unforgettable landscape. From hiking and fishing to culture and geothermal activity, there’s a lot to do!

CANNOT MISS: Dixie Brown's Restaurant - Lake Taupo

Located on the shores of Lake Taupo, the largest fresh water lake in the Southern Hemisphere; enjoy views of Mt Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe while dining on Dixie Brown’s extensive menu. Open early through late Dixie Brown’s caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a relaxed friendly atmosphere. With vegetarian and gluten free options complimenting a menu of lakeside treats; made on site daily by our passionate kitchen you’re guaranteed to take home another great memory of your time in Taupo.

~ Rotorua ~

Rotorua is an unforgettable place where otherworldly geothermal features, from geysers to boiling mud pools, are the backdrop for adventure activities and some of New Zealand’s most accessible Maori cultural experiences. World-class geothermal spa resorts ensure a well-balanced vacation!

MUST SEE: Te Puia - Rotorua

A brilliant blend of Maori cultural and geothermal wonders. See Maori cultural performances, watch ancient Maori crafts being taught, discover a geothermal and natural wonderland, and get up close with endangered kiwi – a day at Te Puia is packed with amazing things to do.

~ Auckland ~

Feast your senses on Auckland’s dazzling array of activities, plentiful dining and shopping options, and stunning landscapes in New Zealand’s biggest city; the cosmopolitan and culturally diverse ‘City of Sails’. Perfectly positioned between two harbours and bordered by rainforest, Auckland’s modern and multicultural Pacific centre is unique in the world.

MUST SEE: Sky Tower - Aukland

A truly captivating experience awaits visitors to Auckland's Sky Tower. At 328 metres, it is the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand and offers breathtaking views for up to 80 kilometres in every direction.

* Post travel tip *

Gone with the days of the photo album, the revolutionary photo book is the way of the future! I highly recommend creating your own personalised photo book. It was the best decision my family and I made when we arrived home back in Perth, Western Australia. There are many different websites that provide photo book services.

My recommendation for best price and quality - Big W Photo's.