It’s been a long while since I’ve been writing about filming locations cause I’m here in New Zealand right now and I haven’t been catching much on K-dramas but.. guess what! Few months ago, some time in September, my friends (who are BTS fans) started messaging me all of a sudden telling me to keep a look out for BTS as they have just landed in New Zealand. As I was working, I couldn’t really go all out on this needle in a haystack search so.. nope, I didn’t manage to see a single glimpse of them but.. over the next few months, I did visit the attractions and places that they visited (not on purpose) and I thought that I should compile a summary list + insane amount of details (my expertise) for the fans who want to ‘follow their footsteps’ and visit this beautiful country.
This will be a work in progress entry as the Bon Voyage series just started yesterday night and it will be broadcasted weekly till January. So do check back for updates as I strive to keep it as updated as possible 😀
Also, as I am not a fan, please forgive me (and inform me) if I do have incorrect information anywhere. I’m doing this base on google/twitter search plus the help from my ARMY friends. Hope you guys will enjoy it ^^
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Flight Details
Arrive: 17/18 Sep 2019
Depart: 23/24 Sep 2019
According to the information I found online, it seems like they (well 6 of them) took Singapore Airline’s Business Class from Incheon (with a stopover in Singapore) to Christchurch. It is an 18 hours flight, departing Seoul at about 12:35, reaching Singapore at 18:20, followed by a layover of 1.5 hours before departing at 19:50 and arriving Christchurch at 09:40am the following day. (Note that arrival timing will change depending on the ‘daylight savings’ nonsense.)
Guess what, their Singapore to Christchurch flight itinerary was exactly what I did back when I arrive in Christchurch back in end Jun 2019.
Okay so there was also one member (Jin) who flew Seoul > Auckland > Christchurch cause someone got the documents wrong or something along that line.
Car/Campervan Rental
According to the current photos/videos spotted, they rented their Campervan from Britz (yes that orange logo).
(Note: There’s 3 mainstream/popular campervan brands in NZ: Apollo, Maui and Britz.)
Campervan means that you have a kitchen, fridge, bathroom and toilet within the vehicle. It is usually quite a pricey experience given that you have to pay for both your transport and accommodation at the same time. The price ranges a lot from winter to summer. A quote right now (end Nov 2019) will set you back at about $240/day and if you add on the insurance which gives you lower or no excess, it will be additional $45/55 per day.
Cities/Towns Visited
- Christchurch (started and ended)
- Omarama
- Mt. Cook
- Queenstown
Attractions Visited
- Hot Tubs @ Omarama
- Website: http://www.hottubsomarama.co.nz/
- Glider Plane @ Omarama
- Website: https://www.glideomarama.com/
- $386 NZD for 30 mins
- Mt. John Observatory (Astro Cafe) @ Tekapo
- Hooker Valley @ Mt. Cook
- Free
- Helicopter Ride @ Mt. Cook
- Lindis Pass Summit Lookout
- Skyline & Luge @ Queenstown
- https://www.skyline.co.nz/en/queenstown/things-to-do/skyline-luge-queenstown/
- $61 NZD for Gondola + 2 Luge rides
- Nevis Swing; AJ Hackett @ Queenstown
- https://www.bungy.co.nz/queenstown/nevis/nevis-swing/
- $225 NZD, 300m arc swing
- Horse Riding @ ??? (I will figure this out)
- Fishing @ ??? (I will figure this out)
Hot Tubs @ Omarama
The price starts from $56 for one person and you get to have your own private tub!
Website: http://www.hottubsomarama.co.nz/
Address: 29 Omarama Ave, New Zealand Main Omarama Twizel Highway (State HWY 8)
Glide Omarama
Seems like they had their hands on flying their own glider planes! It is definitely not a cheap experience but it is kind of a compromise if you’re not daring enough to try skydiving. I’ve not tried it before but a friend of mine who has tried it said it was really cool! I mean, how often can you get to be your own pilot? Please note that this activity is very weather dependent and strong winds could mean plans cancellation. I guess they were really lucky.
Website: https://www.glideomarama.com/
Address: Terminal Building, Airport Road, Omarama 9448
Mt. John Observatory/Astro Cafe @ Tekapo
I visited this observatory/cafe twice. The photo (or rather tik tok) they took was right outside the cafe which had these stone benches.
The first time (probably 2 weeks before BTS), I drove up and had to pay $8/car to use the access road.
The second time, I hiked up (1 hour) from the bottom and didn’t have to pay anything.
The wind is very strong up there and they were probably freezing filming it as I suspect it was early in the morning too. The access road only opens to public from 10am and chances are they had permission to go in early for filming purpose. Let me verify this when the actual episode is aired.
Yep, this is a screenshot from my IGstory featuring the stone bench.
The drinks at astro cafe was rather pretty as well.
Address: Godley Peaks Road, Lake Tekapo 7945 (Mt. John summit)
Website: https://www.darkskyproject.co.nz/eat/astro-cafe/
Hooker Valley Track @ Mt. Cook
To get to this view, they would have to walk about 1.5 hours from the carpark. The loop track takes about 3 hours long (for people with long legs and not stop to take photos) and to date, it is my favourite track so far. The difficult level is considered easy and you will be rewarded with very scenic views of the snow mountains on a good weather day. I’m not sure if the snow mountains will still be around in summer. From the photo of the sun positioning, they probably visited really early at about 7-8am in the morning; which explains why nobody spotted them despite it being such a busy and popular walk.
I visited in mid October and this was my view:
It is a very scenic walk and you get to cross 3 suspension bridges.
Helicopter @ Mt. Cook
This is just a guess, not a certainty, that they took a helicopter up to get this scenic views. From the bottom, there’s no way we can get this angle. I’m guessing that it was a sunset shot (given that they spend the morning at Hooker Valley) but let’s wait for the actual episode before concluding.
There are many companies that offer Helicopter rides up the alpines and providing a landing at Tasman Glacier. Let’s see if I can source for the actual company after the episode is aired. Now that I only have the ‘tail’ of the helicopter as a clue, it seems a little hard.
Lindis Pass Summit Lookout
While I am not 100% sure of this exact location but it definitely seems similar to the Lindis Pass Lookout (see instagram location for more photos: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/2167895143526166/lindis-pass-summit-lookout/) You will be able to drive pass this area whenever you’re driving from Omarama to Cromwell/Queenstown/Wanaka area. I did stop by at this place before but my photos look bad as it was a bad weather day.
One thing to note, there’s no mobile signal here and it was one of the drive I didn’t like as there’s a lot of curves and turns. Oh wells, maybe some day my driving will improve.
Address: Omarama-Lindis Pass Road, Lindis Pass 9382
Skyline & Luge @ Queenstown
This is one of the easiest recognizable location of it all! I tried it about three weeks ago. It was pricey but I think definitely worth a try despite myself being not a speed demon. I was constantly breaking all the way.
It is easily accessible from the main town of Queenstown so assuming you can’t drive or don’t intend to drive in your visit to New Zealand, this is the one attraction that you can try out!
Lake Wakatipu @ Queenstown
This is just a wild guess but I believe it should be the main lake @ Queenstown.
Nevis Swing; AJ Hackett @ Queenstown
AJ Hackett is the birthplace for Bungee Jump but it seems like the members took on the ‘Swing’ challenge instead. Unlike the Bungee, you are not tied to ropes at your ankles which makes the blood rush to your brain, but it is equally scary to be dropped down at a height; even if you’re sitting down.
Horse Riding
I haven’t been able to figure this mountain out. I suspect it could be Queenstown/Glenorchy but there’s horse riding everywhere in New Zealand so please be patient with me while I figure it out.
Fishing
I’m equally clueless about this. Given that the only two coastal cities they visited was Christchurch and Queenstown, it should be one of the two. I know Kaikoura have good fishing activities but I doubt they traveled that far for it. Let’s see.
Random Snippets
‘Z’ Petrol Station @ Geraldine
Address: Cnr Waihi Terrace &, Pine Street, Geraldine 7930
W66V+22 Geraldine, Canterbury
Note: Geraldine is a small town about 2 hours drive from Christchurch. You will have to pass by this town on the way to Lake Tekapo.
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Okay, that’s all I have for now!
Glad I made it in time to publish this post one day after the airing of Bon Voyage.
Whoever that’s reading this, hope you fill find this useful and feel free to share your feedback/comments/improvements that I can make to this post.
Well, the ultimate goal is that I will do up a map + itinerary + costing of their entire trip but I can only do so after all the episodes are aired in order not to miss out on anything. Hope that you enjoyed it and please share this with your friends 😀