There are four places you'll need to be familiar with in New Zealand (or at least four): Auckland, Te Awamutu, Matamata, and Tauranga.
Auckland is our biggest city and the place you'll fly into (and we'll pick you up from).
Te Awamutu is the town that Ashleigh grew up in. It's about 1 hour 40 minutes south of Auckland. Her family lives there as well as much of her extended family. Some of you may stay there for all or some of your time in NZ.
Matamata is the location of our wedding. It's home to Hobbiton and is about a 40-minute drive from Te Awamutu. It's also a 40-minute drive from Tauranga.
Tauranga is a beautiful city on the eastern coast of New Zealand. Many of you may visit or stay there during your trip. Specifically, you'll stay at Mount Maunganui (better known as just "the Mount" to locals).
- ride the elevator up to the observation deck on the Sky Tower
- enjoy a meal at the restaurant at the top, if you'd like to be very fancy
- visit Kelly Tarlton's aquarium
- stroll around Mission Bay
- eat dumplings
- shop on Queens Street
- visit Hamilton Gardens
- explore Waitomo Caves and see the glow worms
- hike in Maungatautari and see our native birds
- see a Kiwi bird in Otorohanga Kiwi House
- get real fruit ice cream at Karapiro
- eat pies in Cambridge
- get morning tea in one of Te Awamutu's cafes (we recommend the Red Kitchen or Volare)
- go on a hike in Pirongia
- visit Hobbiton. Even for non-Lord-of-the-Rings-fans, this is a great experience
- hike up Wairere Falls
- get Kebabs in Cambridge
- get Thai food in Cambrgide
- try Alpino's Italian restaurant, also in Cambridge
- walk around the Mount
- stroll down Main Street and shop at a local surf store
- get coffee at the base of the Mount
- try a Copenhagen cone or a gelato
- visit the Mount Hot Pools
- go shopping at Bayfair
- walk up the Mount and see the sunset or sunrise
- watch the cruise ships come in at sunset
- get fish and chips at Pilot Bay
- visit the Blow Hole on Leisure Island
- take a day trip to Rotorua and see the geothermal activity