New Zealand: My Bucket List for the Ultimate Trip

‘Wherever you go, go with all your heart.’ – Confucius.

Ticking off my New Zealand bucket list.

When I decided to move to New Zealand in 2014, after I’d completed all the major logistics involved in moving overseas, I sat down to think about what I really wanted to see and do while I was in the country. The result? This bucket list of experiences and adventures that I lay out below.

I was extremely fortunate and during the eighteen months I lived and worked in New Zealand, I managed to tick the majority of these off my list. There was only one activity I never managed to do and you’ll see why when you read the rest of this post.

As any regular reader of HTMW will know, as well as enjoying these incredible adventures, I also had many other wonderful experiences while in New Zealand. You can read all my adventures in the New Zealand Archives.

The bucket list items…

Complete the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

This 19km hike was one of the more physical challenges I undertook while living in New Zealand, but it is so worth the effort. The landscape was out of this world – a moonscape of broken rocks and bare earth. Hiking over an active volcano means that we walked past vents gushing plumes of steam and sat to enjoy lunch beside alarmingly turquoise lakes, while ground heat warmed our behinds. It was an incredible hike, in an alien world, and one I would recommend to anyone planning a visit to New Zealand.

Jump out of a plane!

The adrenaline high I got from this stayed with me for about a week afterwards! The embarrassing video I keep largely secret to this day, showing it only to trusted friends and family members. Skydiving in New Zealand was one of the all-time high points – a rush of fear followed by absolute incredulity that I had actually done it! The parachute had unfolded and here we were, floating thousands of feet above the earth. It was an amazing moment and something that will stay with me forever.

Go on a whale watching tour in Kaikoura.

Even sea sickness could not spoil the moment when I saw, for the first time in my life, a sperm whale breaching the water to the side of our boat. He swam alongside us at the surface for about five minutes before finally diving below and disappearing for good. This was the last we saw of him – his tail fluke as he dove. I’ve had one other encounter with whales since this and had the exact same emotional experience. The feeling of pure joy and privilege to be part of that beautiful animal’s life for just a few brief minutes before it moves on. It’s an amazing feeling.

Spend some time exploring Christchurch.

Christchurch was rocked by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake in 2011. When I visited, it was still very much a city in recovery. I loved Christchurch. It has beautiful Botanic Gardens, the wonderful interactive Antarctic Centre and it’s full of quirky little shops and cafes to be discovered. When I was there, it very much felt like it was still coming back to life. However, when you look beyond the damage, you see a city full of resilient, strong people that will flourish in the future.

Walk on a glacier.

Hearing the ice creak and crack, edging across as I grew used to the crampons and sliding through deep crevasses left me breathless with excitement and wonder when I walked on Franz Josef Glacier. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I ended up with my own guide which meant I could go at my own pace and experience the glacier in a different way to if I’d stayed in a group. A rumble, not unlike that of thunder, echoed across the valley as a huge chunk of ice broke off and crashed down the slope. It was a reminder that the glacier is something to be treated with respect. I departed somewhat humbled by the incredible encounter with this force of nature.

Visit Milford Sound.

What is there to say about Milford Sound? I cannot begin to come up with enough hyperboles to describe how utterly mind-blowing this part of New Zealand is. I have been lucky enough to visit twice now and it is one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever been privileged enough to visit. You cannot help but be awed as you drive the scenic road that winds between sheer cliffs, with a million cascading waterfalls on either side. And as if the drive in isn’t beautiful enough, you are able to feast your eyes on Mitre Peak and the stunning shoreline when you arrive at the visitor centre. If there is one place in New Zealand that everyone should visit, it is Milford Sound.

Learn to surf.

The only bucket list item I did not achieve during my time in New Zealand. I have no regrets about not learning to surf. It would’ve been a fun activity and I did have opportunities to try it out, but this bucket list item dropped down my priority list as other things came up that I decided I wanted to do more! I’m not saying I’ll never give surfing a go, but let’s just say that it’s not high on my agenda. I had so many other wonderful, life-changing experiences while in New Zealand. Some of the things I did instead of surfing have made me memories that I’ll treasure forever.

Travel to the most northern tip of New Zealand – Cape Reinga.

I was still so new to travel when I ticked this item off the bucket list. Barely a week into my time in New Zealand and I found myself at the northern most tip of the country, staring out across the blue horizon. White breakers formed where the Tasman Sea met the mighty Pacific Ocean, a meeting of currents and a mix of water. I was still learning how to travel then, how to be in this strange new land I found myself in. Adapting, feeling my way through, figuring out what it was that made me tick. Everything felt so strange and different. Looking back, I see myself as a naive young woman just dipping her toe into all that the big wide world has to offer. I’m eternally proud of that young woman!

Kayak in the Abel Tasman National Park.

We had the perfect blue sky day for our kayak through Abel Tasman National Park. I slapped on the sun screen, donned a cap and we set out, water droplets sparkling as the paddles slipped easily through the turquoise water. The day passed in a salty, sandy, sun-filled haze. We paddled right around the coast, my heart rejoicing the crystal clear waters, the tropical feel, the white sand beaches. New Zealand kept offering up ever more incredible experiences as I traversed the country, and Abel Tasman was no exception.

Travel to New Zealand’s third island, Stewart Island.

I spent one night on Stewart Island, having endured a seasick-inducing boat ride across Foveaux Strait to reach the island. As such, I did not get to experience the full extent of what this island has to offer, but I am pleased I made it. Not every visitor to New Zealand does! We spent a morning hiking along the coastline, strolling under tall trees with the sunshine in our faces. Oban, the tiny town where the majority of Stewart Island’s residents live, had welcomed us in the night before. We’d drunk beer in a pub that proclaimed to be the southern-most pub in the world. I’ve since learnt this isn’t true – there is a pub in Chile that is further south. I am comforted by the thought that the pub in Oban must be one of the southern-most pubs in the world…