Visit New Zealand: Fergburger

The Fergburger

Queenstown, New Zealand is a resort town and home to many bars, restaurants, and shops.  We were out our first night in search of a restaurant, but kept seeing people sitting on benches chowing down on some great looking burgers!  Taking it as a sign, we decided to try it out.  In between bites, they gave us directions to Fergburger and told us to look out for the line of people.

On the menu, they offer burgers made with New Zealand prime beef as well as lamb, chicken, pork, fish, and vegetarian variations.  They also offer a venison option made with Wild Fiordland deer.  Since it was my first time, I went with the classic Fergburger with cheddar.  The hearty burger is served with lettuce, tomato, red onion, aioli, and tomato relish.  The burger was delicious and as a fan of ketchup, I enjoyed the tomato relish.   

Even if the line is long, it goes by fast to order.  The real wait time is for your burger, but there is a lot nearby, like Ferg's Bar next door, to keep you busy.  Highly recommend!  

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Visit New Zealand - Wanaka Lavender Farm

Wanaka is a popular resort town in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand.  It's also home to a beautiful 20 acre lavender farm.  At Wanaka Lavender Farm, you will find lavender fields, gardens, animals and more.  There is also a tea room, honey tasting, and gift shop that serves delicious lavender ice creams.  Perfect for families with children.

Where does this door lead to?

We were lucky to visit while the fields were in bloom.

Plenty of photo opps around the farm,

The fields are especially fragrant when in bloom.

Wanaka Lavender Farm is open daily and only closed for Christmas.  For more information, visit their website here.  

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Visit New Zealand: Huka Falls

After visiting three different geothermal parks in one day, we were exhausted, but we couldn't leave Taupo without a stop at Huka Falls.

More than 220,000 liters of water per second is sent over an 11-meter high waterfall.

A footbridge takes you right over the rushing Waikato River, New Zealand's longest river.

You can opt to for a riverside walk with various viewing stops, but since we did not have the time nor energy, we simply took a quick glimpse and some photos.

The power of the water was undeniable!  It was an incredible force of nature to witness.

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Driving in New Zealand

When planning our trip to Auckland, New Zealand, we initially planned to hire a driver to take us to attractions further South.  My husband was hesitant about driving in a country where drivers drive on the left side and are seated on the right side of the car (I definitely was not going to give it a try - I have enough anxiety driving anywhere!).

However, the costs started adding up after communicating with numerous tour companies.

After speaking with several people who had recently visited New Zealand and rented a car, I was convinced (and ended up convincing my husband), that we should rent a car and drive on our own.

We rented through Avis, since it was a short walk from our vacation rental, and the staff was extremely helpful.

There were many signs and instructions reminding drivers of which side of the road to be on, and my husband did a great job on his first international driving adventure, although he did acknowledge hugging the left side of the curb too often.  

During our drives there seemed to be a lot of road work and construction, which made travel times slower than typical.

Navigating on the opposite side of the road did take some getting used to, but we are glad that we rented a car versus spending hundreds of dollars more on a rental.

If you can afford it, hiring a driver will save you some anxiety, but renting a car in New Zealand was definitely a good decision for us.

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New Zealand Omiyage

My favorite thing to do while traveling, besides eating, is buying omiyage (even better if it's edible!).

I admit I went a little overboard with the omiyage while in New Zealand (but not as crazy as I do when I go to Japan).

Some of the must-buys are Whittaker's Chocolates, Marmite, Rotorua Mud products, Manuka Honey products, and anything Hokey Pokey.

Here is a list of the brands / items we bought:

• Beauteous Collagen Mask
• Bluebird Foods Chips
• Bonnie Goods Oatcakes
• Cookie Time Triple Chocolate Chunk Rookie Cookies
• DQ Missy Sheep Lanolin Intensive Moisturiser
• Donovans Chocolates
• Golden Churn Butter
• Griffin's Hokey Pokey Squiggles
• Hogarth Chocolate
• I Love Baking Cookies
• Little Bird Organics
• Nestle Milky Bar
• Sanitarium Marmite
• ViBERi Organic
• Whittaker's
• Wondermud Rotorua Natural Mud Mask
• Zesti Cookies

And don't forget - ingredients to make Traditional Kiwi Dip: Nestle Reduced Cream and Maggi Onion Soup!

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Visit New Zealand: Victoria Park Playground

We visited a number of playgrounds while staying in Auckland, and Victoria Park Playground was one of several that was within walking distance to our lodging.

It was a fairly large playground adjacent to an even larger park (which I strolled around to get my daily exercise).
 

There were swings, gyms, balance beams, and slides.  

The playground had a great view of the Sky Tower!

The kids climbed, swung, and spun until it got dark, at which time we walked back to our apartment. 

Victoria Park Playground
203-271 Victoria St W, Auckland CBD

Auckland 1010, New Zealand
+64 9-301 0101

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Visit Auckland: Silo Park Playground

Another playground we visited in Auckland was at Silo Park.  Named after the silos on the grounds, Silo Park hosts a number of events, and is basically a fun place to hang out and stroll.

 The kids had fun on the small playground, which was located in a large sandbox.

 It was quite hot, with not much shade, but I managed to find a seat under a tree.

There is a court to play on, as well as a large grassy area for picnics.

It was a short, but fun stop at Silo Park Playground!

Silo Park Playground
Corner Beaumont Street and Jellicoe

Jellicoe St, Auckland CBD

Auckland 1010, New Zealand

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Visit Auckland: Federal & Wolfe

One of my favorite breakfast spots in Auckland was Federal & Wolfe.

Free Range Eggs with Balsamic Mushrooms and Potato Hash

French Toast

Panna Cotta Granola

Dukkah Eggs

Courgette Fritters

The food was as beautiful as it was tasty!

I had the Courgette Fritters - courgette, lemon, and Halloumi fritters, which were served with a harrisa aioli.  It sure was yummy - loved the combination of veggies and cheese!

The Dukkah and Eggs and French Toast were plated so gorgeously! Everyone ate up their meals, and the service was great.

I highly recommend Federal & Wolfe for breakfast!


Federal & Wolfe
10 Federal St, Auckland CBD

Auckland 1010, New Zealand
+64 9-359 9113

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Visit Auckland: Auckland Fish Market

I wasn't keen on going to the Auckland Fish Market initially. Everyone who knows me knows I can be quite seafood-averse. But turns out, although the Auckland Fish Market does offer all sorts of edible marine life to eat and purchase, it's like a food court offering all sorts of cuisine!

We had Japanese food from Azabu, pizza from Super Pizza, an oyster Roll from Market Galley, and gelato from Little 'Lato!

Junior Pizza from Super Pizza

Bluff Oyster Roll

There is something for everyone at Auckland Fish Market!



Auckland Fish Market

22-32 Jellicoe St

Freemans Bay

Auckland 1010, New Zealand
+64 9-303 0262

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Visit Auckland: Sky Tower

On our last day in Auckland, we decided to visit the Sky Tower. We walked through the 328m tall Sky Tower's observation deck, and stood atop glass panels that were quite unnerving (despite how solid they were).

The views were great - we could see the numerous buildings, the harbor, the parks, and more. 

However, we dined at Orbit prior to visiting the observation deck, where in my opinion, it was so much better to see the views.  There were a lot less people at the restaurant, and you could enjoy the views at your leisure, while you dined.

Either way - through Orbit or through the Observation Deck, you will get spectacular views of Auckland from the Sky Tower.

Sky Tower
Victoria St W

Auckland, 1010, New Zealand

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Visit New Zealand: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Although I've watched a couple movies in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set while in New Zealand was not something I was very interested in doing. But the tour turned out to be a highlight of our trip!

The guided tour begins on a bus, as it takes guests to The Shire.  Ole, our guide, explained to us how Sir Peter Jackson, director of The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, chose Alexander Farm as the site of The Shire.  The rolling hills bore a striking resemblance to The Shire, as was depicted in J.R.R. Tolkein's novels.

After the first movie, the set was demolished.  But after filming The Hobbit trilogy, it was realized that The Shire should be preserved, and all Hobbit Holes remain permanent, allowing fans from around the world to experience The Shire.

As if on cue, as soon we set foot into The Shire, butterflies started fluttering amongst vibrant flowers, and the scene was just magical.  It's no wonder that Sir Peter Jackson chose this location.  

The Shire, which sits on a working farm, was full of whimsy.  I expected Hobbits to pop through the doors at any second! 

The guided tour took us past the different Hobbit Holes, including Bag End, and Sam and Rosie's.

Ole gave us lots of interesting tidbits of information, such as how apple trees were painstakingly manipulated to become plum trees, and how a different type of sheep had to be used to fit in with the movie, since the hundreds of sheep already on the farm were too modern.

As you roam The Shire and look at all the different Hobbit Holes, you can try to figure out what each Hobbit did for a living based on the props (e.g. fishing, honey-making, baking, woodworking, etc.)

 The scene couldn't have been more perfect, with the blue skies and the lush landscape!

At the end of the tour, we went to The Green Dragon Inn, where all guests are treated to one of three types of beer or non-alcoholic ginger beer.

You can also grab a quick bite to eat at The Green Dragon Inn, or you can go to The Shire's Rest, where we had lunch:

Tuna Wrap

Egg Sandwich

Fish and Chips

Lamb Burger

Kids Hot Dog and Fries

Lolly Cake

Ole was a fantastic guide.  His enthusiasm was infectious!  He was very passionate and knowledgeable about The Shire and the movies.  You could tell he was a true fan.  

Even if you're not a fan, I would highly recommended a visit to The Shire.  It truly is magical!

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
501 Buckland Rd

Hinuera, Matamata 3472, New Zealand
 +64 7-888 1505

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