Let the adventure begin!...
Fun fact: in March, New Zealand is only one hour ahead of Hawaii, although it's already the next day. That means you're heading mostly down, not across, which makes the long-haul flight surprisingly easy on jet lag, you take off at night, arrive in the morning local time. Traveling east is smooth sailing: you’ll likely wake up early and be ready for bed a bit sooner, which works perfectly with the pace of the trip.
You’ll lose a day heading there (leave Friday night, arrive Sunday morning), but on the way home, you’ll gain it right back. You can leave Sunday evening and still get home by Sunday afternoon.
Suggested Itinerary
Fly into Auckland
We'll pick you up in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city and the main international hub. This gives you a chance to break up the journey and explore parts the North Island before heading south.
Base ourselves in Whangamata
From Auckland, we suggest heading to Whangamata in the Coromandel, a laid-back beach town that's perfect for recharging after your flight. We’ll stay in local Airbnbs and using it as a base for day trips and adventures. It’s a relaxed, beautiful spot to enjoy the coast and spend time with friends before the wedding.
Then head to Queenstown
After Whangamata, fly down to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. This is where bungy jumping was born, jet boating was commercialized, and where you’ll find over 400 ways to thrill yourself, chill yourself, or just soak in the mountain views. There’s a reason Queenstown is on every travel bucket list. It’s unforgettable.
For those who have more time, we highly recommend staying on in the South Island after the wedding. The landscapes are spectacular and the whole place is magical. We’re even happy to help coordinate a group road trip to see more of the island’s highlights.
Let us know what kind of experience you’re looking for, whether you want to join a group trip, do your own thing, or mix and match. We’re here to help you get the most out of this amazing place.
What's in store, the North Island...
Whangamata...
Kayaking into Donut Island — paddle through a cave into the middle of the island. Visit secret beaches and swim to hidden lookouts. Take a short walk to Cathedral Cove in Hahei, dig a hole at Hot Water Beach for a self-made hot tub, or go deep sea fishing with Ben and his dad, Bruce. If you’re lucky, we’ll cook up the catch for dinner back at home.
Road trip option:
Head to Hobbiton, the movie set for The Lord of the Rings, then continue down to Rotorua (where Ben was born) to check out the geothermal geysers and bubbling mud. Drive through kiwifruit country to Mount Maunganui, stop in to see Bruce and Tessa, and then cruise back up the coast to Whangamata.
Queenstown...
Queenstown is like if Aspen and Lake Tahoe had a baby; think mountains, nightlife, adventure activities, lakeside vibes, and a touch of luxury, all with a laid-back Kiwi twist.
There’s so much to do here and in the surrounding areas. Take the gondola up for incredible views, try the luge or enjoy the buffet dinner at the top of the mountain. But one thing’s for sure—you have to do something that gets your heart racing. This is where Ben worked as a skydiving photographer, and it’s hands down the most scenic place in the world to jump. Jetboat through canyons, bungy jump, paraglide, 4x4, raft, or take on a giant swing. Below is a link with discounted rates for most activities.
Ben’s happy to offer suggestions, help organize, and even book—he lived in Queenstown for 13 years.
Greater South Island...
If you’re staying on and have ticked off everything you wanted to do in Queenstown, there’s still so much more to see. You could take a day trip—by bus or scenic flight—to Milford Sound and cruise through the dramatic fiords. Head over the mountains to Wanaka, a beautiful but smaller lake town about an hour away. Or, for a real adventure, we can help plan a South Island road trip that could include Franz Josef or Fox Glacier, the Pancake Rocks on the West Coast, kayaking around golden beaches in Abel Tasman, swimming with dolphins in Kaikōura, or salmon fishing in Tekapo.
