🇳🇿 New Zealand Budget Travel Guide | North Island Road Trip 🚗💨

New Zealand is the kind of place you visit once and dream of moving to! 🌿✨ This 7-day North Island itinerary is perfect for budget travelers who want a relaxed, scenic road trip without breaking the bank. 📍 Day 1: Arrival in Auckland | Explore Newmarket ✈️ Flight: China Southern Airlines (00:30–15:30 direct) 🚗 Car Rental: Got a free upgrade to an SUV! (Score!) 🏠 Homestay: Stayed with a lovely Chinese couple who cooked us a huge breakfast every morning. 🥞☕ 🛍️ Evening: Quick grocery run + chill at the Airbnb. 📍 Day 2: Postcard Views | Mt Eden + City Walk 🌋 Mt Eden Summit: Breathtaking 360° views of Auckland Golden-hour sunset made the grassy crater glow 🏞️ 🍽️ Dinner: Melt-in-your-mouth steak (so good we kept ordering it all trip!). 📍 Day 3: Hobbiton + Blue Spring 🧙 Hobbiton Movie Set: Pre-booked tickets (Mandarin/English tours available) 2-hour guided walk through the Shire 🏡 Free beer at the Green Dragon Inn! 🍻 💧 Blue Spring (Te Waihou Walkway): Crystal-clear turquoise waters 💙 🚗 Drove to Rotorua for the night. 📍 Day 4: Wai-O-Tapu + Skyline Buffet + Hot Springs 🌋 Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland: Champagne Pool (where Liu Shishi took wedding photos!) Morning geyser eruption (must-see!) 🍽️ Lunch: Skyline Rotorua Buffet (unlimited steak/lamb racks!) 🌲 Redwoods Forest Walk ♨️ Evening: Private hot spring soak (bliss!). 📍 Day 5: Huka Falls 💦 Huka Falls: Jade-green rapids (looks like liquid gemstones!) Short scenic walks nearby 📍 Day 6: Waitomo Glowworm Caves 🪼 Waitomo Caves: Small-group boat tour (45 mins, NZ$49) Thousands of glowworms like a starry sky ✨ 🏠 Overnight in Hamilton 📍 Day 7: Hamilton Gardens → Fly Home 🌺 Hamilton Gardens: Themed gardens (Japanese, Indian, surrealist!) ✈️ Drove back to Auckland, returned car, flew home at 10PM. 💰 Budget Tips: Self-catered meals (Airbnb kitchen access) Free attractions (Mt Eden, Huka Falls, Redwoods) Book tours early for discounts! #NZOnABudget #NorthIslandRoadTrip #HobbitonMagic