Phebes and Ed get Wed!
Aug 9th, 2025
•
498 views
We'll be gallivanting around the South Island following the wedding, and you're more than welcome to join us for as long or as little as you wish. We've plotted our route here, but also thrown in our favourite recommendations to help you build the trip of a lifetime to NZ.
General tips
Rental car information:
www.gorentals.co.z/deals/promotion/?code=lovernwedding for 15% discount on your rental car! Quote 'Lovernwedding'
Accommodation: Please let us know if you would like us to secure you a room at the Wedding Venue for the 31st-2nd April! Otherwise, all other accommodation we will politely ask you to organise for yourselves. We will be staying in our own Air BnB in both Tekapo and Wanaka, but you will be spoilt with options of motels, guest houses and Air Bnb's along the way.
Booking.com and AirBnB are my go-to everytime.
Most will arrive at Christchurch International Airport.
1
Christchurch International Airport
International airport
Airport
We are going to be driving down ourselves from Tauranga in the North Island. However, we are going to make a point to not catch up with anybody at all until 31st March in Akaroa (unless somebody is stranded!!!) as we want to see you ALL and it'll be chaos.
Accommodation: Heaps of Hotels, Motels, Guest Houses - you'll be totally fine here! Perfectly fine to stay central so you can explore by foot. This is one of the few places that you'll encounter that charges for parking!
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Things to do in Christchurch
1
Port Hills
Mountain range
Nature & Parks
From the web: Hiking, bicycling & bird watching are popular activities in these picturesque, low-lying hills.
2
Sign of the Kiwi Cafe
affordable
Cafe
Coffee shop
3
Christchurch Gondola
Mountain cable car
Transportation
From the web: Iconic mountain cablecar offering panoramic views & a cafe & gift shop at the summit.
4
Punting On The Avon (Antigua Boat Sheds)
From the web: Sightseeing rides in a small, flat-bottomed boat poled by a guide dressed in Edwardian clothing.
5
Hagley Park North
Park
Nature & Parks
Botanical garden
From the web: Sprawling urban park with botanical gardens, a small lake, tennis & other sports courts & a museum.
6
Sumner Beach
Beach
7
Taylors Mistake Beach
Park
8
Godley Head
Peninsula
Food and Drink
1
Riverside Market
Market
From the web: Buzzy indoor market with retailers selling locally sourced food, plus restaurants, cafes & bars.
2
Little High Eatery
affordable
Food court
Restaurant
From the web: Trendy food court featuring restaurants, cafes & bars serving international cuisine.
Day Trips from Christchurch
1
Castle Hill
From the web: Castle Hill Village is an alpine village in Canterbury, New Zealand that was established in 1982. Wikipedia.
2
Peak Hill track
Hiking area
3
Mt Hutt
Mountain peak
From the web: Snow-capped 7,185-foot peak & top winter sports resort with lifts, jumps & runs for all abilities.
4
Mount Somers
From the web: Mount Somers is a small town in Canterbury, New Zealand, nestled in the foothills of the Southern Alps. The population in the 2021 census was 160. Due to its scenic location, it has seen growth in the number of holiday homes. Wikipedia.
5
Arthur's Pass
6
Rakaia Gorge Walkway
Hiking area
Outdoor Activities
Hiking Trails
Day 2
Where we'll be getting married!
1
Akaroa
Museums
History Museums
From the web: Akaroa is a town on the Banks Peninsula, southeast of Christchurch, New Zealand. Akaroa Beach is on the eastern shore of Akaroa Harbour, where rare Hector’s dolphins swim. The Akaroa Museum includes 3 heritage buildings and chronicles the town’s development, especially its 19th-century British and French colonial history. The Giant’s House has terraced gardens and features colourful sculptures and mosaics.
18 min · 0.94 mi
2
Mt Vernon Lodge Akaroa
Lodge
Conference center
You'll be here for the cermony / reception and the accommodation if you're staying on-site.
21 min · 1.1 mi
3
Ākaroa Bowling Club
Sports club
Lawn bowls club
Join us for Lawn Bowls on 31st March! Always more fun with a beer in hand.
Accommodation tips: If you'd like a room at Mount Vernon, PLEASE LET US KNOW , so that we can secure you a bed from 31st-2nd. However, if you're planning on staying elsewhere or wishing to stay in Banks Peninsular a little longer, you can find heaps of great places on Air BnB. There are Guest Houses available on Booking.com too, but I've noticed AirBnb to be better value in this area, especially for larger groups.
Walks and activities
1
Akaroa Guided Kayak Safari
Canoe & kayak tour agency
Sightseeing tour agency
2
Stony Bay Peak
Historical landmark
3
Childrens Bay
Bay
4
Hickory Bay
Surf beach
5
Okains Bay
just ever so nice.
Coffee and Food
1
Crater Cafe Akaroa
Coffee shop
2
The Common
affordable
Cafe
3
Tīni Gin Bar & Eatery
affordable
Restaurant
Cracking pizza
Day 3
WEDDING DAY!!!!
1
Mt Vernon Lodge Akaroa
Lodge
Conference center
Potential morning surf at Hickory Bay, morning run along Stony Peak +/- some golf... Ceremony scheduled for 2.30pm!
Day 4
Travelling from Akaroa to Tekapō
1
Lake Tekapo
Nature & Parks
Bodies of Water
Where we got engaged, ran half marathons and star gazed. We are staying in a cabin here for one night.
Accommodation tips: Best to use Booking.com for this one in order find a space that's right in Tekapo, as most of the Air Bnb's are a little way out from the town.
Things to do
1
Tekapo Stargazing
Tour operator
2
University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory
Observatory
Sights & Landmarks
Walk up a big hill, or drive up and pay a small charge to get epic 360deg views. So worth it. There's a cafe up here too for your coffee and cake fix.
3
Cowans Hill Walkway
Hiking area
Observatory
Easypeasy lake front walk
4
Tekapo Springs
Recreation center
Bar
Awesome hot pools, with mini golf and good food etc. You can book star gazing experiences here and enjoy the stars whilst soaking in the pools :)
Food and Drink
1
The Greedy Cow Cafe
affordable
Cafe
Gets very busy, but a good spot for breakfast and good coffee!
2
25 Degrees Burger Bar
Hamburger restaurant
American restaurant
3
Dolce Pizza
Pizza Takeout
(takeaway pizza only, but so nice to take down to the lakefront if the weather is playing ball!)
Day 5
Tekapo to Wanaka
1
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
National park
A detour, but worth it. Note that Hooker Valley track is only partially open at the moment, but still worth it! Sealy tarns walk is more of a challenge, but rewarded with better views! Please only do Mueller Hut if you really know what you're doing (you probably don't).
1 hr 41 min · 67.2 mi
2
Clay Cliffs
Awesome stop off on the way! $10 entry per vehicle I believe, but worth it!
1 hr 46 min · 79.9 mi
3
Wānaka
Outdoor Activities
Ski & Snowboard Areas
Bodies of Water
We'll likely stay here for 7 days.
Big walks that we're eyeing up near Wanaka
1
Isthmus Peak
Mountain peak
2
Roys Peak
Mountain peak
From the web: A 5,177-foot peak overlooking the lake covered with tussock grassland.
3
Rob Roy Glacier Track
Hiking area
4
Aspiring Hut Trail
Hiking area
5
Mount Aspiring National Park
National park
Just unreal area to explore (a lot of the walks above are here)
Day Trips from Wanaka
1
Glenorchy
From the web: Glenorchy is a small settlement at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu in the South Island region of Otago, New Zealand. It is approximately 45 km by road or boat from Queenstown, the nearest large town. Wikipedia.
2
Arrowtown
Outdoor Activities
Beach & Pool Clubs
BLOODY BEAUTIFUL IN AUTUMN
3
Queenstown
Events
Music Festivals
Lots of things to explore - this is where you'll do your Nevis Swing / Bungee jumping etc! Also has an airport, if you need to fly back to Christchurch.
Accommodation tips:
Wanaka: SO MUCH choice from hotels, airbnb and motels, guest houses etc. You can take your pick. Air Bnb's are fairly pricey in the town, but places like Albertstown are nearby and a little more affordable.
Queenstown: Again, a little pricey as it's a popular spot. However, you'll likely get something with some jawdropping views!
Other places nearby to consider staying: Lake Hawea if you'd like get away from it all a little more. There are some beautiful Air Bnb's available that are much more afforable than in Wanaka/ QT!
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