🇳🇿 New Zealand trip | South Island - Part 1 🚗✨
✈️ Singapore → Christchurch
Once we reached Christchurch, we picked up our rental car and immediately drove to Kaikōura 🚙
📍 Kaikōura
Plan was to watch dolphins 🐬 but weather wasn’t good and it was raining heavily ☔️ so we could only stay in our Airbnb and chill. Went supermarket to buy some steak and cooked ourselves hehe 🥩 which was quite nice actually. They also have a very good bakery there — the pie is CRAZY good 🥧 must try.
📍 Christchurch (Day 2)
Honest take, this place is not really for me 😅 it’s quite quiet. But they do have Riverside Market and Quake City, which shows what happened during the 2011 earthquake, and that was very interesting for me.
📍 Lake Tekapo (Day 3)
This day was really all about sightseeing 💙 very chill and very pretty. BTW Tekapo has a super famous fish & chips called The Better Batter 🍟🐟 and it’s sooo good, highly recommend.
📍 On the way to Queenstown (Day 4)
Guys please don’t forget to stop at Lake Pukaki 😭 the view is INSANE, literally so nice. You can easily chill there for quite a while. Along the way, make sure to stop by Anatoki Salmon 🐟 their salmon is super fresh.
📍 Wanaka (optional)
You can visit Wanaka too, but personally if you’re rushing, you can skip it. If I had more time, I’d definitely picnic there 🧺 because a lot of people do that and it looks super chill.
📍 Queenstown 🤍
Stayed here for 3 days and not gonna lie — this place is SO GOOD. Food is good, vibe is good, everything just feels right. Literally my dream city to stay in 🥹
🚗 Rental Car (South Island)
During my whole South Island trip, I know everyone will panic about researching rental cars. For my trip, I rented from Snap Rentals and honestly it was very efficient and convenient. I did quite a lot of research and found that their prices are mid-range, but the service is really good.
🍽️ BTW I had a lot of good food during my New Zealand trip, might do another post just for food hehe 😆
This is Part 1 – South Island, Part 2 will be North Island ✨
During my trip, I was lucky to visit the famous bakery in Kaikōura, which truly lived up to the hype with its delicious beef pies—a highlight that I highly recommend to any visitor. If you’re planning a trip, be sure to allocate some time to explore local bakeries along the route, as New Zealand bakeries often serve up unique and tasty treats you won’t want to miss. Additionally, for those curious about where to buy Kathmandu kettle items in New Zealand, local outdoor stores in Christchurch and Queenstown usually carry a good selection. It’s worth popping into stores like Macpac or Kathmandu’s dedicated shops to find their signature kettles and gear. Lastly, self-driving throughout the South Island was super convenient. I chose Snap Rentals for my car, appreciating their efficient service and mid-range pricing, which made getting around stress-free. Remember, stopping by places like Lake Pukaki for a break not only recharges you but also lets you soak in some of the island’s most breathtaking scenery, which can be pretty overwhelming if you rush through. Take it from me, these spontaneous pit stops enrich your trip experience tremendously!
hi! how much did you pay for your car rental?