Oceania

New Zealand

New Zealand is one of those rare destinations that truly lives up to the hype. Because the country is so compact, you get incredible variety without spending days in transit. From vineyards to majestic mountains, unspoilt beaches to native forests and fjords, you could wake up surrounded by alpine peaks and end your day with a glass of Pinot Noir among the vines near the coast. It’s like enjoying three or four different holidays in one trip. 

What really stays with you, though, is manaakitanga. This is the traditional Māori welcome, a warm, genuine hospitality that shapes your entire journey.

A trip to New Zealand promises not only breathtaking vistas and endless activities but the chance to reconnect with your senses, yourself, the world, and the people around you.

When to visit

  • Summer: This is the most popular time to visit. The weather is perfect for relaxing on the beaches of the Coromandel or Bay of Islands or heading out on the hiking trails in the South Island.
  • Autumn: A brilliant option if you prefer fewer crowds. The weather stays warm, especially up north. It’s shoulder season, so you’ll often find better rates on accommodation. It’s also grape harvest time - ideal for a vineyard visit.
  • Winter: The long nights are perfect for stargazing. It’s also the best time to spot migrating whales, especially humpbacks and Southern Right whales.
  • Spring: You might see some rain, but temperatures begin to rise. It’s a great season to visit Milford or Doubtful Sound, when the rain makes the waterfalls dramatic and even more beautiful.

If you love getting out in the fresh air, this is the place. With diverse terrain, striking scenery, and a strong sense of history, New Zealand serves up remarkable experiences for runners, walkers, and cyclists. Whether you want a real challenge or just a way to connect with nature, these trails deliver. 

Hooker Valley Track

Hooker Valley Track

If you want alpine grandeur without a gruelling ascent, this is the intelligent choice. It is a relatively flat, 10-kilometre return walk in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park that delivers high rewards for moderate effort. The path leads over three suspension bridges and winds along the Hooker River, ending at a glacier lake often dotted with floating icebergs. The sheer scale of the Southern Alps here puts everything into perspective. It is a popular route, so we recommend an early morning start to beat the crowds and enjoy the silence of the valley.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing

This is widely regarded as the best one-day hike in the country, and the reputation is well earned. It is not a gentle stroll; the 19.4-kilometre trek cuts across a volcanic plateau that feels prehistoric. You traverse a landscape of steaming vents, ancient lava flows, and the distinctively coloured Emerald Lakes. The terrain is stark and commanding, offering a complete contrast to the green hills found elsewhere. We can arrange a private guide to lead you, ensuring you navigate the changeable weather safely while learning the history of the peaks.

Ulva Island (Te Wharawhara)

Ulva Island (Te Wharawhara)

To see New Zealand as it was before humans arrived, you must look south to Stewart Island. A short water taxi ride brings you to Ulva Island, an open sanctuary free from predators. The birdlife here is fearless; it is common for South Island robins to hop right up to your walking boots. As you walk the tracks through ancient podocarp forest, the volume of birdsong is striking - a rare auditory experience in the modern world.

 

Did you know?

Aotearoa New Zealand is home to the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world.  You can ride the seven-metre Tutea Falls on the Kaituna River near Rotorua. 

Did you know?

New Zealand was the first country in the world to recognise natural features as people. They granted legal personhood to Te Urewera Forest in 2014, the Whanganui River in 2017 and most recently Taranaki Maunga (mountain) in early 2025. 

Did you know?

There are two officially recognised public holidays for New Years; with New Year’s Day and Matariki. Matariki is known as the Māori New Year in Te Ao Māori (the Māori world view) and is a star cluster that appears in the early morning sky in New Zealand during the mid-winter months. It’s a time to reflect on the past year, celebrate the present, and plan for the year ahead. 

Did you know?

Some of the world’s smallest dolphins call New Zealand their home. Hector’s Dolphins can be found around the coast of New Zealand’s South Island.  

Did you know?

According to Māori legend, New Zealand was fished from the sea by the daring demigod Māui. Māui carved a magic fishhook from an ancestors’ jawbone and cast it deep into the sea. He caught something and hurled it to the surface of the water. This catch was a huge piece of land ‘Te Ika a Māui’, which is now known as the North Island. Te Waka a Māui’, what is now known as the South Island, is said to be the waka (canoe) that Māui and his brothers fished from. 

Did you know?

Aotearoa New Zealand is recognised for its unique wildlife, with some native forest birds being found nowhere else on earth thanks to its isolation. The only land mammal native to New Zealand are bats. 

Explore the Great Outdoors

New Zealand offers thousands of tracks and trails to explore. You’ll be spoilt for choice with over 1,500 walking and hiking tracks. If you’re keen on cycling, take on any of the 23 Great Rides, a network of trails that spans the country, or try one of the 11 famous Great Walks. 

Embrace traditional wellbeing practices

Recharge at Wai Ariki Hot Pools and Spa, owned and managed by the local iwi (tribe), with healing practices rooted in Māori traditions. The two-hour restorative journey is highly recommended for some real relaxation. 

Witness breathtaking landscapes

For a sense of scale, nothing beats taking to the air. Hop in a helicopter with Heliworks Queenstown for a flight over the Earnslaw Burn Valley. Soar past hanging glaciers, waterfalls, and blue ice in Fiordland National Park, with landings on epic terrain so you can really soak it in. 

Step back in time at Te Ao Māori

Step into history at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in Northland. Afterwards, join Footprints Waipoua to see Tāne Mahuta, the country's largest known living kauri tree, estimated at between 2,500 and 3,000 years old. 

Star gaze from a whole new vantage point

Visit the Dark Sky Project at Aoraki Mount Cook, a Gold Standard Dark Sky Reserve with some of the world’s darkest skies. On a clear night, you’ll see stars, planets, and the Milky Way as you’ve never seen them before. 

Waiheke Island for wine and walks

Combine gentle walking with some of the best wine New Zealand has to offer. Your guided stroll through restored bushland on Waiheke Island gives you time to take in spectacular coastal views before you arrive at two standout vineyards. Expect to taste award-winning Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Pinot Gris while lunch showcases the freshest local produce - think perfectly grilled seafood, artisan cheeses, and homemade bread.

A traditional Hāngi feast in Rotorua

Experience a true taste of tradition at Te Pā Tū, where a Hāngi feast brings Māori cooking to life. Meals are prepared in an earth oven, infusing meats and vegetables with layers of smoky flavour from heated stones. Depending on the season, you might enjoy slow-cooked lamb, kumara (sweet potato), and root vegetables - all beautifully tender from hours underground. Special events like the winter Matariki feast feature storytelling, kapa haka performances, and community celebration, making it a genuinely immersive evening.

Kai Safari in Christchurch

Join a progressive dining adventure through Ōtautahi Christchurch. Led by local Māori food experts, you’ll move between handpicked eateries, sampling delicacies such as green-lipped mussels paired with local wines or freshly baked Rewena bread. The hosts share the stories behind each dish and its ingredients, offering a window into Canterbury’s thriving food scene. Stop off at local breweries for craft beer tastings and finish with something sweet - a dessert inspired by the region’s produce.

Fresh seafood in Kaikōura

Surrounded by pristine coastline, New Zealand’s seafood is second to none. In spring, adventurous eaters can try freshly harvested kina (sea urchin), widely prized for its delicate flavour. Kaikōura is famous for its crayfish, often served buttered and hot from the boats at roadside shacks. If you fancy shellfish, seek out green-lipped mussels - these local favourites are steamed or grilled to perfection and served with lemon or a drizzle of garlic butter. For a special treat, many restaurants feature pāua (abalone) and local oysters when in season.

Amisfield Restaurant and Cellar

Amisfield, set in the heart of Central Otago’s wine region, takes pride in offering outstanding tasting menus starring local ingredients. Chef Vaughan Mabee brings together the likes of wild venison, Central Otago stonefruit, and foraged herbs in beautifully prepared courses. The cellar door staff are experts in food and wine pairing; you’ll be guided through top Pinot Noir and aromatic white wines, often poured at just the right moment to complement each bite.

On the Point, Rotorua

This is not your standard hotel stay. On the Point is a heritage 1930s mansion that has been lovingly converted into an exclusive lakeside retreat. It sits perched on the edge of Lake Rotorua, offering uninterrupted views across the water to Mokoia Island. What we love here is the sense of history combined with genuine luxury; it feels less like a hotel and more like staying at the private estate of a wealthy friend. You can enjoy breakfast on the lawn while watching the steam rise off the lake, or feed the resident animals for a bit of down-to-earth charm. It is intimate, characterful, and perfectly positioned for exploring the geothermal wonders nearby.

PurePods

For a complete digital detox and total immersion in nature, PurePods are unbeatable. These are individual glass cabins located in secluded spots across the country, from the jagged coastlines of the South Island to the rolling hills of the North. The concept is simple: the floor, ceiling, and walls are all made of heavy-duty glass. There is no Wi-Fi and often no mobile signal, which is entirely the point. It is just you, the landscape, and the stars. Privacy is guaranteed (you often have to hike a short distance to reach them), making it one of the most romantic and grounding experiences you can have here.

Bay of Many Coves, Marlborough

Accessible only by water taxi or helicopter, this luxury resort in the Marlborough Sounds is the definition of seclusion. It is set right in the heart of the Queen Charlotte Track, making it a perfect base for walkers who want to return to fine dining and a soft bed at the end of the day. You are surrounded by native bush and the sounds of the water. The suites are dotted up the hillside, giving you privacy and exceptional views over the bay. It is the sort of place where you can do as much or as little as you like - grab a kayak, walk the track, or simply sit on your balcony with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

Kinross Cottages, Gibbston Valley

For wine lovers, Kinross is a must. Located in the famous Gibbston Valley (often called the 'Valley of the Vines'), these cottages place you right in the vineyard. You can step out of your door and walk among the Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris grapes. Kinross is unique because it acts as the cellar door for five superb local boutique wineries, so you can taste a wide range of Central Otago wines without leaving the property. The atmosphere is social and relaxed, with a fantastic bistro on-site that pairs local wines with hearty, seasonal food.

The Hotel Britomart, Auckland

If you are spending time in Auckland, The Hotel Britomart is the place to be. It holds the distinction of being New Zealand’s first 5 Green Star hotel, meaning sustainability is baked into every brick and beam. Located in the Britomart precinct, you are right in the centre of the city’s best shopping and dining laneways. The rooms are textured and cosy, using timber and hand-made ceramics to create a sanctuary from the urban buzz outside. It is smart, sophisticated, and ideal for the design-conscious traveller who wants to tread lightly without sacrificing comfort.