Entry into New Zealand requires an electronic travel authorization (ETA) to be completed within 3 days prior to arrival but no earlier. You are also required to complete a Traveller Declaration prior to arrival. This can be done electronically using the app or by completing a paper version that is handed out on the aircraft prior to landing. The declaration can be completed on landing but will substantially delay clearing passport control. See apps below.
I used Marlborough Jade Tours for a winery tour; they pick up in Blenheim which is a half hour bus, taxi or train ride from Picton. Some good quality wines. A Pinot Noir from Jackson Winery was voted the best Pinot Noir in the world in 2019. At Allan Scott Bistro winery I had their sparkling wine Cecilia Brut Marlborough Cuvée NV. The most sparkling of any sparkling wine I have had. Bubbles were still forming intensely from the base of the glass 10 minutes after it was poured. As they mention in their description, the wine has “a fine and persistent mousse.” (Cost $24NZD). Saint Clair Sauvignon Blanc Wairsu Reserve was voted the best SB in New Zealand. Lawson Dry Hills Winery sells a very minerally Riesling bouquet and on the palette. Some of their wines are sold at the LCBO. Whitehaven is a big exporter - their SB is sold at the LCBO. 80% of the wine produced in Marlborough is Sauvignon Blanc. AMW is a guarantee that the wine is authentic and unadulterated (like our VQA).
Picton is the landing point for the ferry from Wellington. Ferry ride is 4 hours. Interislander and Bluebridge are the two main ferry services between Wellington and Picton, and they have different docks in Wellington. (I took the Interislander on the Premium Lounge which has excellent seating and food. The premium lounge seats 56.) To get to Blenheim take the Intercity bus that goes to Nelson. Buy tickets at the Picton Information Centre which is about 50 feet from the ferry terminal. The bus stop is about 20 feet from the Information Centre. Cost was NZD$24.
Secure Storage have luggage storage throughout NZ.
MARLBOROUGH
Ferry from Wellington to Picton then InterCity bus to Blenheim - take the Picton to Nelson bus. Jade Tours does pickup from Riverside Hotel Marlborough.
I booked 2 nights at Riverside Hotel Marlborough, Blenheim. It is a very nice hotel, though more like a motel. About a 15 minute walk from the bus stop (which is also the train stop). There is a good Japanese restaurant on the premises; a fish & chips shop is a block away (in the direction of the bus stop). Room was okay but breakfast is very sparse.
Picton has many car rental agencies located at the ferry dock. Blenheim is called "New Zealand's sunniest place" - it was cloudy most of the day of the winery tour!
Hiking is very popular on the South Island with many established hikes. You can also try skydiving.
Assistant on train recommended using only Blue Bubble or Co-op taxis.
WELLINGTON
I stayed Gilmer Apartments, 10 Gilmer Terrace. It is good if you need an apartment with a kitchen (2 burner hotplate, fridge and microwave), and there is even a cloths washer/drier in the apartment. Room size is not bad but there is no air conditioning.
I stayed at Mövenpick Hotel Wellington, The Terrace. Nice hotel but not close to downtown. The nearest bus stop is Salamanca Road at The Terrace on the #4 bus route.
Cable car to Botanical Garden is a good city break. Starts at Lambton Quay and takes about 4 minutes.
Leuven Belgian Beer Cafe, 135-137 Featherston Street - had an excellent venison burger topped with a poached pear and cherry compote. Also sampled the excellent Zeffer Green Apple cider.
Grocery stores: Woolworths, Lambton Quay (at Cable Car Lane or Grey St.); Lambton Goods, 180 Lambton Quay (at Farmers Lane); Metro Supermarket, Willis Street (at Mercer).
From Wellington station, take the MetLink Airport Express to the airport.
I took the Northern Explorer railway from Wellington to Auckland. (Train runs Friday, Sunday and Wednesday.) The best side to be on for viewing is east. So try to book the right side going north, left side going south. A and D are the window seats, right and left side respectively. Interesting variety of natural sites. From the train there is a good view of snow-capped Mount Ruapehu.
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| Northern Explorer route |
Besides the Northern Explorer there are scenic railways on the South Island. These are the Coastal Pacific that goes from Picton to Christchurch, and the TransAlpine that goes from Christchurch to Greymouth. Tickets can be purchase online (as I did), but for the Coastal Pacific tickets can also be purchased at their counter inside the Interislander Ferry terminal in Picton. So you can take three trains in succession: Auckland to Wellington, cross the strait to Picton and take the train to Christchurch and then another to Greymouth.
Grocery stores in Wellington: Woolworths, Lambton Quay (at Cable Car Lane). Lambton Goods, 180 Lambton Quay (at Farmers Lane). Metro Supermarket, Willis Street (at Mercer).
There are many hikes on the North Island. A guy on the train mentioned going on the Timber Trail.
AUCKLAND
In Auckland stayed at La Quinta by Wyndham. Wouldn’t stay again: the front desk only open til 8:00pm. Also not in a great location.
Mint Laundry, 2 Anzac Ave. Woolworths, 76 Quay St.
Luggage storage at the city waterfront: Self-storage lockers at Pier 11.
Visited the Auckland War Museum which was excellent.
Had a great pastry at Vaniyé Patisserie, 1/7 Windsor St., off Parnell St. Excellent.
At Auckland International Airport, pick up the Airport Link bus at the pillar A located right after Pillar 1 on the G Level. This bus goes to the Puhinui metro stop for the Southern and Eastern lines that you can then take into the city centre.
CHRISTCHURCH
Must try Dimitris Greek restaurant.
APPS TO DOWNLOAD
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| New Zealand ETA | NZ Traveller Declaration | Great Journeys Railways |
