My Solo Adventure: Ritesh's Thrillophilia Review of a New Zealand Trip
After spending months in a monotonous routine, I decided to break free and do something out of the ordinary. I had been delaying my plans for a solo trip to New Zealand for a long time. I realized there was never going to be a perfect time for it, and I reached out to Thrillophilia. Their detailed yet flexible itineraries made it a no-brainer for me to choose them.
A Day in Auckland
With my plans set in motion, my New Zealand adventure kicked off in Auckland. I didn’t know what to expect, but I figured it was going to be a laid-back start to the trip. The city felt welcoming, and I decided to spend the day just walking around and seeing what it had to offer. After walking leisurely around some places, I ended up at Albert Park.
As I stood there, looking at the statues and fountains, a local man came up beside me. He had a big smile and said, “You’re in the right spot. This park's got a peaceful vibe to it, doesn’t it?” I nodded, feeling like I had found a secret spot in the middle of the city. He pointed to the War Memorial Museum in the distance and added, “That’s got some amazing exhibitions related to Kiwi history if you're into those things.”
I decided to follow his advice and check it out. The museum was great for learning about New Zealand’s past, but what really caught my attention was the view from the museum. Auckland's skyline stretched out, and I just sat there for a while, watching the clouds shift. It was nice to take things slow and not rush into the adventure yet.
In the evening, I headed to One Tree Hill, curious to see if the scenic views I was told about lived up to the hype. When I reached the top, the whole city seemed to open up before me, and I thought, “Not bad, Auckland. Not bad at all.” It was the perfect way to kickstart my trip, a peaceful, relaxed day before the real fun began.
The Hobbiton Set - A Dream Come True
Day two was all about the Hobbiton Movie Set, and I couldn't have been more excited. It was one of those places I’d only seen in movies, so stepping onto the actual set was like entering a dream world. The whole time, I had this smile on my face that I couldn’t shake off. The Hobbit Holes were exactly how I imagined – tiny, colourful houses located among lush green hills.
As I walked through the set, I overheard some tourists talking about how they’d loved the Lord of the Rings movies and one of them turned to me and said, “It feels like we’re walking in the Shire, huh?” I laughed and agreed, feeling the same way. It was hard to believe this was a real place, not just a set. The tour guide even told us a funny story about how they built the set with special tricks to make the hobbits look smaller.
After Hobbiton, I headed towards Rotorua, and that’s when the geothermal magic began. The bubbling mud pools and steam rising from the ground in Hell’s Gate Geothermal Park were unlike anything I’d ever seen. I could literally feel the heat from the earth beneath my feet. I couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that I was walking on a living, breathing planet.
A Thrill-Seeker’s Paradise
Queenstown was where I had the most fun. On my first day, I kept hearing people talk about the thrill-seeking activities here. A walk along the beautiful lakes during the hike up to Queenstown Hill was just perfect. The stunning views really knew how to take my breath away - in more ways than one!
The next day, I decided to experience the Milford Sound Cruise. It’s one of those things you just can't miss out on when you're in New Zealand. As the boat cut through the fjord, I couldn’t help but feel amazed by how beautiful everything looked. The towering cliffs, waterfalls, and lush green forests made me feel so small. At one point, the captain announced, “Look out for the dolphins, folks!” And that's when I saw a group of dolphins swimming beside the boat, jumping in and out of the water like they were showing off.
Later, we also got a chance to spot some seals relaxing on rocks. It was one of those rare experiences you never forget. The whole day felt surreal, and I found myself just taking in the beauty of Fiordland, not wanting the trip to end.
The day wrapped up with a drive back to Queenstown, but I kept thinking about the wild, untouched nature I had witnessed. It was definitely an experience that lived up to all the excitement. Queenstown and Fiordland had shown me a whole new side of New Zealand, one that was full of adventure and awe.
On the final day, I realized that this trip had given me a lot more than just sightseeing. It had given me a sense of freedom that I'd never forget.
Breaking the monotony of everyday life never felt this good - Thank you Thrillophilia!
Read More: Thrillophilia New Zealand Reviews