Auckland is the kind of city that gently welcomes you which is much needed after long flights from the UK. I flew via Singapore with just a couple of hours to change planes – very easy and the journey went by surprisingly quickly, even in economy! Arriving around 10pm was perfect - a quiet airport, easy journey into the city then a quick cuppa before falling into bed.

Downtown Auckland is pretty compact so finding a hotel in a good location is easy. We stayed at Hotel Indigo - a newly opened boutique hotel on a quiet street, easy walking distance to all the city has to offer. 

A leisurely first day, we explored the city on foot with Liz from Auckywalky tours, visiting an Auckland institution for lunch, Mezze Bar, and sweet treats at Cocoa Wilds – very indulgent! We then experienced New Zealand’s rugby culture at the All Blacks Experience, which was a such an immersive and fun way to understand the nation’s passion for the game.

Rounding off our first day perfectly with dinner by the water at Soul Bar & Bistro — great food, great atmosphere, and the ideal spot to watch the city lights across the harbour.

A short stroll back to Auckland Harbour the next morning to hop on the ferry to Waiheke Island — just 40 minutes later, it felt like we’d arrived in a completely different world.

First stop: EcoZip Adventures. Flying over native forest with sweeping views across the bay and vineyards below — such an exhilarating way to start the day (and definitely worked up an appetite).

For lunch, wine tasting and a beautiful Spanish inspired meal at Casita Miro. If you’re into food and wine (especially reds), Waiheke is a must - boutique vineyards, farm-to-table dining among the vines, and relaxed beachside cafés all centred around fresh seafood and local produce.

With ferries running until late in the evening, it’s ideal for a day trip or to really wind down, I recommend staying a night or 2 - explore hiking trails, grab an e-bike or relax on one of the many beaches with calm waters & breath taking views. 

Auckland to Rotorua via Middle Earth

Even if, like me, you’ve not seen or read any Lord of the Rings, visiting Hobbiton is an absolute must. If you have, the excellent tour guides bring the films and books to life. 
Everything is so perfectly done — right down to the washing hanging on the line and vegetables growing in the gardens. It feels peaceful, cosy and is so magical - you’d think everything here is real!

Ending the tour exploring the Hobbit holes was so much fun & turns out I’m perfectly Hobbit sized!

The one thing that definitely hasn’t changed about Rotorua in the 22 years since I was last here is the smell! Sitting on one of New Zealand’s most active geothermal regions, the town is famous for its bubbling mud pools, steaming geysers, natural hot springs — and, of course, the unmistakable sulphur aroma they create.

One of the best places to experience it all is Te Puia, home to the famous Pōhutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, which can erupt up to 30 metres into the air. Wandering through the geothermal valley, you’ll pass steaming vents, boiling mud pools and beautifully coloured mineral terraces, all while learning about the powerful geothermal forces that shape this unique area. A perfect time to visit is late afternoon, as the sun begins to set over this fascinating landscape. 

Te Puia is also one of the best places in New Zealand to experience Māori culture and traditions. Alongside cultural performances and storytelling, it is home to the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute. Traditional carving and weaving skills are still taught and preserved today and you can sense the pride the students and teachers have in their work. I particularly loved the woodcarving - known as whakairo, its far more than decoration — every carving tells a story and represents ancestors, tribal history, spirituality and their connections to the natural world. You see these works of art on meeting houses, with each iwi (tribe) having its own distinctive styles and traditions.

The experience is rounded off perfectly with a traditional hāngī meal, cooked underground using natural geothermal heat.

The National Kiwi Hatchery is an unassuming but fascinating little place near Rotorua. Taking on abandoned kiwi eggs, we saw the journey from incubation through to hatching & had the privilege of meeting a kiwi in a behind the scenes experience. Not being particularly friendly birds, I’m not so sure she was as pleased to meet us! 

Southern World have sponsored an egg this season and since we came home it’s hatched! Still to be named…Sarah has been suggested….

 Then time for some relaxation before flying down to the South Island at Wai Ariki HotSprings & Spa.

Owned and curated by the local iwi (tribe), the signature experience is a seven step therapeutic journey blending the natural elements of geothermal heat, water, mud, and steam with the rich cultural traditions of the Ngāti Whakaue Maori values. All with spectacular views across Lake Rotorua - much needed after a few days on the road.

Rotorua is the adventure capital of the North Island - enjoy rafting, hiking, treetop walks, kayaking - plenty to do here for a few days & you do get used to the smell! 

Onto the South Island with a short flight to Christchurch. Air New Zealand has an extensive network of regional flights so if you're short on time here, flying is ideal - quick and easy as no need to arrive hours before your flight.

Christchurch is a small city with a very English feel – go punting on the river Avon, wander or cycle through parks with a coffee (New Zealand has fantastic coffee btw!) or enjoy a lazy picnic. Prefer something more energetic - just 15 minutes from the city is Christchurch Adventure Park where you can enjoy ziplining, biking and hiking through forests or the uphill trail for city wide views. 

Since the devastating earthquake hit the city in 2011, there’s been a carefully planned rebuild & restoration so you see an interesting mix of old and new. 

Riwai from Amiki Tours, guided us through the changing city, showing us the regenerated areas & thriving food scene. The food was so good, I’ve no pictures of it!! 

Christchurch to Queenstown via the West Coast

We all know, travel doesn’t always go as planned & likely the main reason you may have a hiccup in New Zealand will be the weather. 

The Tranz Alpine train usually runs from Christchurch to Greymouth on the West Coast….not today. With heavy rain forecast, we could only travel as far as Arthur’s Pass then the rest of the journey was by road to Franz Josef. We still had plenty of time to experience this beautiful train though, enjoying brunch served with mimosa's (we're still kind of on UK time!) and the scenery  rolling past under storm clouds.

Following heavy overnight rain, we knew our planned helicopter flight to Franz Josef Glacier was very likely to be called off & it was. This did mean an earlier arrival in Queenstown….or did it?

One broken down bus just outside Franz Josef fortuitously came alongside a break in the weather so we thought the heli was back on. Literally within 10 minutes, whilst we were watching the safety video, the weather had turned once more & it was 100% cancelled. 

This meant we had time to stop in Wānaka, a gorgeous lakeside town that’s looking splendid in the autumn colours. This was one of my favourite places on my last trip so it was great to have the chance to stop here again. Also had my first kiwi pie – not kiwi in a pie, a meat pie – NZ is famous for their pies and this one hit the spot for a late lunch with stunning views across the lake.

Queenstown 

We’ve all been looking forward to Queenstown as we can unpack for 3 nights! Hosted by The Rees Hotel & the hospitality here has been superb. A gorgeous setting on the lake a few minutes’ drive from central Queenstown, it’s the perfect base to explore from, then come back to comfortable luxury after a busy day. 

A meander with a coffee through Arrowtown was a lovely start to the day, then we ramped up the adrenaline on the Shotover Jet…so much fun & a must do…it’s not as scary as it looks! 

Surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery, it's famous for adrenaline activities like bungy and skydiving but also ideal for a more relaxing stay with fabulous restaurants, lake cruises, wineries and luxury lodges. 

We travelled from Queenstown to Milford Sound - one of New Zealand’s most iconic natural wonders - even the journey to get there takes your breath away! If you prefer a shorter journey on the day though, stay in the picturesque lakeside town, Te Anau, our morning coffee stop.  

We’ve been very spoilt today, experiencing RealNZ’s business class day trip - small group, luxury coach with cosy blankets and ginger shots to wake us up, then cruising on the MV Sinbad - Cloudy Bay fizz on arrival and a seasonal tasting menu to accompany our Fiordland cruise. 

Of course the real luxury is the destination - Mirror Lake en route is magical & the towering peaks, waterfalls & wildlife of Milford create an unforgettable day. 

Mount Cook - Lake Tekapo 

We’ve had the most beautiful weather the last few days. It’s autumn here & it’s been lovely crisp mornings & glorious blue skies, perfect for exploring.

Also ideal weather for seeing NZ from the air. Our luxury Milford experience ended with a scenic fly back to Queenstown & this morning we took to the skies again near Mount Cook - New Zealand highest peak. A bucket list experience helicopter tour with a landing on the Tasman Glacier. 

If the day wasn’t perfect enough, we ended it stargazing & relaxing in hot spring pools at Tekapo Stargazing.

Our final day on this amazing trip! 

Another early start this time to meet Tekapo Adventures for 4WD adventure through Mackenzie country. This isn’t your average trip as you’ll get beyond the tarmac deep into the Cass Valley where the only traffic jams will be cows & sheep! 

From crystal-clear alpine streams to sweeping mountain views, this off-road experience takes you deep into untouched landscapes that most visitors never get to see. Perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and adventure seekers looking for something truly special near Lake Tekapo. Morning tea and home made muffins in the middle of nowhere really sums New Zealand up....wonderful hospitality, great food and a feeling of being somewhere calm and peaceful but exciting all at the same time. It's the kind of place to go when you need to escape the world for a bit and fill your cup. 

Then our final drive back to Christchurch where I said goodbye to the most of our group as they fly up to Auckland. I had another night to explore Christchurch so a bit of shopping, a mooch & dinner at the Riverside Market.

We packed so much into our short stay – I definitely recommend longer so you can enjoy more of this incredible country at a more relaxed pace!

 It’s a long way to New Zealand but 1000% worth it...