We flew from Sydney to Auckland with Air New Zealand. There were cheaper options that didn't include checked luggage, but once we accounted for baggage, the price difference was minimal, and Air New Zealand had a solid reputation, so we went with them.
The flight
Boarding was straightforward, with only a minor weather delay, and we still arrived more or less on time. The flight was a bit bumpy, which caused the meal service to start and stop several times. It wasn't severe turbulence, just a constant light chop throughout the flight.
My seat neighbor, a local woman from New Zealand, told me this was unusual because the two-and-a-half-hour route is normally very smooth. She also complained quite loudly about the service and how unprepared the crew seemed. Honestly, they seemed fine to me... maybe my standards are just too low.
For lunch, I had beef with pasta (I didn't eat much because of the turbulence), my wife had a chicken salad, and the kids enjoyed a chicken option from the children's menu we had pre-ordered. The food was Ok (typical airplane food), but the small loaf of garlic bread was a nice surprise.
Upon landing at Auckland Airport, we went through passport control, picked up our bags, and walked to the biosecurity inspection through the Express line. Even having declared that we were bringing medicine (some prescription things for my allergies) and food (candy and snacks) —we knew we should be Ok, but better safe than sorry—, the process was really smooth, and we were done in less than 30 minutes.
Our plan was to drive directly to Matamata so we'd be close to Hobbiton for our 10am tour the next day. This was the longest drive of the trip (about 2.5 hours), happening right after the flight, and it was my first time driving on the left side of the road. I was a bit concerned, but I felt alert and ready for the challenge. Safety first.
Car Rental and Drive to Matamata
I had booked a car with Ezi Car Rental, which was our first stop after exiting the terminal. After a brief introduction to New Zealand road rules (which felt quite similar to driving in Spain), along with some paperwork, we were ready to hit the road. Having spent a few days in Sydney beforehand also helped us adjust to the time difference. Again, safety first.
However, because of our arrival time, we ended up leaving the airport right in the middle of Auckland rush hour and immediately ran into traffic. We informed our hosts at Walnut Lodge B&B, and they were accommodating about our delayed arrival.
The drive to Matamata was easy and uneventful. I had been warned that New Zealand "state highways" are not highways in the European or American sense, so I wasn't surprised to find what, in Spain, would be considered a national road: two lanes, one in each direction, with no physical separation between them.
In fact, driving in New Zealand felt quite similar to driving in Spain: roundabouts, narrow lanes, familiar road signage... Even the cars felt more European than American. The main adjustment was simply staying on the left side, especially when turning.
Another thing I had been warned about was restaurant closing times. Our flight landed at 3pm, I estimated one hour for customs and luggage, and another 30 minutes for the rental car. So most places would close while we were driving... and they did.
By the time we arrived in Matamata, most restaurants and cafés were already closed. To the kids' delight, there was a 24-hour McDonald's, which solved dinner for the night. Not my first choice, but it did the job.
Walnut Lodge B&B
Finding Walnut Lodge B&B was easy. It was a really nice place to stay: calm, cozy, and spacious enough for the four of us to unwind, shower, and get some rest. Unfortunately, we didn't get to meet our hosts in person, as we arrived late and left early, but they were very responsive over the phone and had everything ready for us.
Breakfast had already been prepared in the kitchen for the following morning: freshly baked bread, cereal, fruit, and milk, butter, and jams in the fridge. It was tasty and gave us the energy we needed to start a long day.
But that would be the following day. And for now, we just needed some rest.
Kids' Verdict
- Score: 6.5/10
- Favorite Activity: Eating McDonald's
- Biggest Surprise: Driving on the other side of the road. The car was beeping all the time papa drove too close to the left (A LOT!), and he kept activating the windshields instead of the blinkers
- Complaint of the Day: Too much traveling and driving in one day
- Driving Time: Medium
Continue to Day 2: Hobbiton and Ruakuri Walk.
...Or return to the main guide.