8-Day New Zealand Tour: The Ideal Qingming Festival Getaway
An 8-day tour of New Zealand is the perfect choice for the Qingming Festival holiday! Savor the deliciousness of alpine salmon and roast leg of lamb, try the fun of rock barbecue, and enjoy fjord lobster tail meat and rare black gold abalone. Don't forget to watch the heartwarming scene of penguins returning to their nests, get up close and personal with alpacas, and experience the unique charm of the Southern Hemisphere!
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🎈Itinerary:
Day 1: Christchurch -> Southern Alps -> Castle Hill
Departing from Christchurch, we will head to the magnificent Southern Alps and experience the grandeur and mystery of nature. In the evening, we will go to Castle Hill, overlooking the beautiful scenery of the entire city and enjoying a peaceful night.
Day 2: Pancake Rocks -> Franz Josef Glacier
Now, we will explore the peculiar landforms of Pancake Rocks and marvel at nature's craftsmanship. Afterwards, we will head to the Franz Josef Glacier to appreciate its magnificence and mystery.
Day 3: Lake Wanaka -> Wanaka Town -> Cromwell Town
By Lake Wanaka, we will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains. Then, we will go to Wanaka Town and Cromwell Town to experience the tranquility and charm of the small towns.
Day 4: Free time in Queenstown
You will have a full day of free time in Queenstown. You can explore this beautiful town, taste local delicacies, and experience various outdoor activities.
Day 5: Lake Te Anau
Now, we will head to Lake Te Anau to experience the tranquility and beauty of the lake and mountains. Here, you can fully appreciate nature's gifts.
Day 6: Dunedin Railway Station -> Baldwin Street -> The Octagon -> Moeraki Boulders -> Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
Starting from the historic Dunedin Railway Station, we will stroll along Baldwin Street and experience the charm of this city. Next, we will go to The Octagon to enjoy the city scenery. In the afternoon, we will head to the Moeraki Boulders to explore this natural wonder. Finally, we will go to the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony to witness the adorable blue penguins returning to their nests and experience the magic of nature.
Day 7: Mount Cook National Park -> Aoraki / Mount Cook -> Lake Tekapo
Now, we will head to Mount Cook National Park, climb the spectacular Aoraki / Mount Cook, and experience the magnificence of the mountaintop. Afterwards, we will go to Lake Tekapo to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains and the tranquility of nature.
Day 8: Lake Tekapo -> Church of the Good Shepherd -> Shamarra Alpaca Farm
By Lake Tekapo, we will once again experience the beauty of nature. Next, we will go to the Church of the Good Shepherd to appreciate its unique architectural style. Later, we will go to Shamarra Alpaca Farm to get up close and personal with the adorable alpacas, bringing a perfect end to this trip.🐏✨
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**Must-See Attractions**:
**Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony** ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Address: 17 Waterfront Road, South Hill, Oamaru 9400, New Zealand
- Opening Hours: 10:00am–6:30pm
- Duration: 2–3 hrs
- Here, you can see blue penguins up close in their natural environment. They are super cute!
**Shamarra Alpaca Farm** ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Address: 328 Wainui Main Road, Akaroa 7582, New Zealand
- Opening Hours: January 1–December 24, 10:30am–5:00pm
- Duration: 1–2 hrs
- Lots of alpacas, each one is super cute! You can also overlook the beautiful harbor scenery. Don't forget to buy some hand-woven goods as souvenirs!
**Lake Tekapo** ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Address: Canterbury 7999, New Zealand
- Opening Hours: All day
- Duration: 1 day
- A picturesque turquoise blue lake with snow-capped peaks in the background. Every glance is a beautiful photo opportunity!
**Church of the Good Shepherd** ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Address: Pioneer Drive, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand
- Opening Hours: 8:00am–8:00pm; 9:00am–5:00pm
- Duration: 1–3 hrs
- This stone church by the lake is even more beautiful under the starry night sky. It's a paradise for photography enthusiasts!
**Mount Cook National Park** ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Address: Canterbury 7999, New Zealand
- Opening Hours: 8:30am–4:30pm
- Duration: 1–3 days
- Want to experience New Zealand's large glaciers up close? This is definitely the ideal place, a favorite for explorers!
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Pre-trip Essentials: What to Bring for Your New Zealand Trip? These Items Are Essential!
📞 A phone card is essential for easy communication, online searches, and avoiding getting lost.
🔌 Remember to bring a plug adapter, as New Zealand has different plug specifications.
🪪 Passport, visa, and flight tickets are all indispensable. Check them carefully before your trip!
👕 The weather in New Zealand in March is mild, but you should also bring a light jacket to cope with the temperature difference between morning and evening.
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Join a group tour of New Zealand for a hassle-free exploration of natural wonders and enjoy the pure scenery! We hope this journey will become an unforgettable memory for you!🌈
Dunedin's Octagonal Square is the central square here. As the name suggests, this square is an octagonal square with a very famous local building on each corner. It can be said that this is the undisputed center of Dunedin and it is definitely a must-visit place when visiting here.
Octagonal Square is the city center of Dunedin. It is octagonal in shape. Dunedin City Hall and St. Paul's Cathedral stand on the edge of the square. The lower part is the bar promenade. Pigeons fly and stop in the square. Everything is leisurely. St. Paul's Cathedral is a European castle-style building built in the 19th century. It is very rare in New Zealand. The 40-meter-high stone pillars carry the only stone arched roof in New Zealand. In the center of the square stands a large statue of Robert Burns, a famous Scottish romantic poet. This peasant poet who died young at the age of 37 wrote more than 600 extremely beautiful poems in his short life. You may not know his name, but you will definitely sing his poem "Auld Lang Syne". In the southeast of the Octagonal Square, there is also the famous Dunedin First Church. The 60-meter-high spires on the top of the church are stacked up, which is the most eye-catching landmark in the city of Dunedin. Opposite the Burns statue is the Dunedin Railway Station, a small and exquisite station, which is very interesting.
It can be regarded as the city center of Dunedin. Although it is called the Octagonal Square, it actually looks more like a circular square. A main traffic artery runs through it, and other roads end here. It feels a bit similar to Shanghai's Wujiaochang, but it is much smaller in scale and all traffic is flat. Surrounding the square are churches, town halls, many shops and restaurants, and a cinema. It is a place where citizens and tourists like to hang out.
A must see when in Dunedin. There are statues, public spaces, some markets and some nice shops. There are shops selling souvenirs and other items. The Visitors Centre is also there. The staff at the Visitors Centre are helpful and knowledgeable and can help with sightseeing directions. My favourite shop was Sue Todd Antiques, Sue had some lovely stuff in the shop and that is where I spent most of my money!
Octagonal Square is the city centre of Daniding. Around the Octagon Square, there are Gothic St. Paul's Church, City Council Hall, Municipal Government, Art Exhibition Hall, Tourist Service Center, as well as shady green space and several main avenues leading to all directions. It is also a commercial landmark of Danidin, surrounded by numerous shops and shopping malls.
Dunedin's Octagonal Square is the central square of the city. It is named Octagonal Square because it looks like an octagon when viewed from a high place. The City Hall and Parliament Building are both located here. It is also the main transportation route of Dunedin. With this as the center, you can go to various attractions around it. It is definitely a must-visit place.
Octagonal Square is the downtown of Danidin. Its central location is Danidin City Hall. Because there are eight corners around the square, it is named Octagonal Square. Generally, tourists take this as their starting point and go to all sides of Danidin for sightseeing. This is the place they will pass by.