Exploring New Zealand

HOW TO SPEND YOUR TIME

On a trip to New Zealand, it is tempting to try to squeeze every “must-do” sight and experience into too little time. Our key recommendations are to slow down your holiday, spend more time exploring and less time driving, or even better, give yourself an extra couple of weeks to really see everything properly.

Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands is a coastal area of Northern New Zealand with a collection of over 140 sub-tropical islands ready to be explored. This area is well known for its quiet and beautiful white sand beaches, sparkling emerald seas and abundant marine life. More

Auckland

New Zealand's largest city is a vibrant melting pot of cultures and a thriving hub of arts, music and cuisine. Known as the City of Sails, the beautiful harbour provides the perfect backdrop to this relaxed and easy-going metropolis. The nearby island of Waiheke; well-loved for its wine and food scene is just a short ferry ride away. More

Coromandel Peninsula

The Coromandel Peninsula is a favourite getaway for Aucklanders and with good reason. This area is blessed with great weather, fabulous beaches and some fantastic hiking trails in the mountainous, rainforest clad interior. Don't miss Cathedral Cove; one of the most picturesque spots on this beautiful peninsula. More

Rotorua

Rotorua is a hive of geothermal activity with bubbling mud pools, explosive geysers, plumes of steam and natural hot springs perfect for bathing in. It is also a great place for adventure with over 90km of world class mountain biking trails, magical redwood forests and plenty of opportunity for adrenaline with zorbing, zip-lining and luging some of the most popular activities. More

Tongariro National Park

This is New Zealand's oldest national park and home to three active volcanoes surrounded by alpine meadows, hot springs and emerald lakes. The park's most popular activity, and deservedly so, is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a one-day trek that traverses the slopes of all three mountains and takes in steaming craters, old lava flows and thermal lakes. More

Hawke's Bay

This is one of New Zealand's warmest and driest regions which has made it one of the country's leading areas for wine production as well as an abundance of delicious fruit. There are dozens of off-road bike trails which have made wine-touring by bike a favourite pastime with locals and tourists alike. It is also home to the quirky Art Deco town of Napier where 1930s architecture has been beautifully preserved. More

Martinborough

Only an hour drive from Wellington is the sleepy rural village of Martinborough; the centre of the region's wine industry and the home of some of the best pinot noir in New Zealand. Most of the, mainly family-owned, vineyards are within walking or cycling distance from the village centre. More

Wellington

New Zealand's capital is a compact little city full of quirky shops, plenty of street art and a fantastic waterfront area. It's an ideal place for exploring on foot. The craft beer scene and coffee culture are in full swing here and there are plenty of great places to sample both. More

Marlborough

Marlborough is New Zealand's largest wine region and there are plenty of vineyards to stop off at here. But it's not all about the wine, the beautiful winding waterways of the Marlborough Sounds make up one fifth of New Zealand's coastline and can be explored on a boat trip, from the air or hiking along the ridges and through lush coastal bush on the Queen Charlotte Track. More

Abel Tasman

Abel Tasman is situated in the sunniest region of New Zealand and is a highlight on any trip. The marine reserve is home to seals, dolphins and native sea birds and best explored on a kayaking or sailing adventure. The picture-perfect, deserted, golden sand beaches are only accessible by boat or hiking through magical, untouched forests. More

Punakaiki

This area is famed for its impressive limestone rock formations. The pancake rocks and blowholes at Punakaiki are the most well visited of these and at high tide, with westerly swells, geysers of sea water shoot skywards creating an impressive display. More

Franz Josef Glacier

The glaciers on the West Coast are some of the most convenient to visit in the world and their low altitude means that you can be on the ice yet still comfortable in just a t-shirt. The glaciers are best explored on a heli-hike or a guided walk on the ice to experience the incredible colours and formations of the frozen landscape. More

Queenstown

Queenstown has it all. A stunning natural setting on the shores of Lake Wakatipu surrounded by dramatic alpine scenery, a plethora of outdoor activities to keep even the most adventurous entertained for weeks plus fantastic restaurants, buzzing nightlife and great shopping. More

Milford Sound

Milford Sound is a remote, breath-taking and spell-binding place where the mountains rise vertically from the dark water and waterfalls plunge hundreds of metres downwards. Explore by boat, kayak or from the air, this place is magical in any weather. More

Mackenzie Country

This area is dotted with remarkable turquoise coloured lakes with a dramatic backdrop of the Southern Alps, making it extremely picturesque. At night, the beauty doesn't fade with the sunset as this area is part of an International Dark Sky Reserve which makes it one of the best star gazing spots on the planet. More

Kaikoura

Kaikoura is home to some of the most nutrient rich waters in New Zealand and is a permanent feeding spot for whales, seals and dolphins. There are plenty of boat trips out to visit the wildlife or if you want to get even closer, swimming with the seals or dolphins is a highlight. It is also a great spot to try some of the local delicacy; crayfish. More

Christchurch

Known as the Garden City, Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island and is well known for its beautiful parks and award-winning botanical gardens. It is a creative hub with plenty of independent boutiques, pop-up restaurants and modern art. More