Once and awhile we do leave the Bay Area! Our recent travel adventures brought us to New Zealand and Australia. We absolutely loved New Zealand, with stunning views wherever you look. It’s the perfect place for outdoor adventurers and thrill seekers.

Just a short plane ride away, we hitched a ride to Melbourne and explored the city before heading to Cairns and Port Douglas. Feeding kangaroos, and snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef…we checked off quite a few things off our bucket list!

Below are some photo highlights of our trip. Enjoy!

Gorgeous view from Skyline Queenstown. Take the gondola up for sunset views.

Queenstown at Sunset and their pretty blue lake

Definitely a vacation highlight! Flying in a tiny plane from Queenstown to Milford Sound via Air Milford. Oh, the views! The car ride to Milford takes around 5 hours each way. The plane ride is only 20 minutes and you’ll get to experience mind blowing aerial views.

After we flew into Milford Sound with Air Milford we hopped on a ferry for a cruise tour of the sound. We saw fairy penguins, seals, and plenty of waterfalls.

There are a few permanent waterfalls, but most of them come and go depending on the rainfall

Queenstown eats: Ferg Burger, Cookie Time, Caribe

Beautiful lake view town of Wanaka from atop Mt. Iron. Wanaka is roughly an hours drive from Queenstown and was our favorite city on ther trip.

Rippon Vineyard and That Wanaka Tree (the worlds mos instagrammed tree!), both must sees

Wanaka eats: Kai Pai’s award winning Veggie Hand Pie and Wanaka Gourmet Kitchen stone grilled steak

Climbing up a waterfall with Wildwire Via Ferrata

The many waterfalls of Haast Pass. Thunder Creek Falls and Fantail Falls. We rented a car and took a day trip from Wanaka.

Blue Pools Walk in Haast Pass

New Zealand definitely values food presentation! Auckland eats: Rockefeller Oyster Bar, Best Ugly Bagels, Bedford Soda Co., & Sushi

Breakfast at Little and Friday in Auckland

Hobbiton Movie Set: so fun, even if you aren’t a Lord of the Rings nut

Exploring hobbit holes

Train Station, exploring the many malls, and the State Library Victoria in Melbourne. One of the most beautiful libraries I’ve ever seen and great shelter on a rainy day!

Fairy Penguins at St. Kilda Pier, Melbourne. The penguins come out every night at dusk.

Picking sushi by the piece at Sushi Hub in Melbourne

Exploring the Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles. The road is modeled after California’s Highway 1. Amazing views! Take a tour if you are crunched for time, or if you have a few days drive yourself.

Cairns Esplanade and snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. One off the bucket list!

Prawn Star restaurant on a docked boat and bats flying at night in Cairns

Watching the Super Moon in Port Douglas with cider in hand. One of the prettiest pink sunsets ever!

St. Mary’s Church in Port Douglas and Mossman Gorge Rainforest

Feeding the kangaroos at Wildlife Habitat and the Port Douglas Beach