A Land of Endless Discovery: How to Spend Two Weeks in New Zealand
Day 13: Moeraki Boulders, Christchurch
Just north of Dunedin are the Moeraki boulders. These almost perfectly spherical boulders were formed completely naturally and are thought to be millions of years old. Your GPS may navigate you to the Moeraki Boulders restaurant, which asks for a fee to use their walkway down to the beach. However, if you continue down the road a bit further you’ll find free parking and beach access.
Continue up the coast towards Christchurch, stopping in Oamaru and Timaru as you go. These places are great for seal-spotting, so get out, stretch your legs and keep an eye out for furry friends. Finish the day with dinner in Christchurch.
Day 14: Fly from Christchurch to Auckland
If you have some time before your flight back up to Auckland, have a look around the city center. The city continues to rebuild after 2011’s devastating earthquake, and you’ll find a number of empty lots and scaffolding covering many buildings. But you’ll also find the new “Cardboard Cathedral,” the simple but striking 185 empty chairs memorial, as well as a number of new bars and restaurants.
Wander through Hagley Park, stroll along Avon River, and enjoy your last moments in this unique country before catching your flight to Auckland and then back to wherever you call home!
When it comes to New Year's traditions, every culture has a unique way of ringing in the New Year — from onions to broken glass to red envelopes!
If You Have More Time
There are many wonderful places in New Zealand I’ve skipped over in this itinerary, but that I would highly recommend you see if you have more time. They include:
North Island
- Cape Reinga lighthouse (very top of the country)
- Giant Te Paki sand dunes
- Waipoua Kauri Forest
- Paihia and the Waitangi Treaty grounds
- Waiheke Island
- In Rotorua: Agrodome, the Zorb
- In Taupo: Craters of the Moon
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing
South Island
- Abel Tasman National Park
- Hanmer Springs
- Akaroa
- Tekapo
- Lake Pukaki
- Aoraki/Mt Cook
- The Catlins
- Stewart Island
