Our guide to New Zealand
From tasting world-class wines in Hawke’s Bay, to relaxing in the stunning, sandy Bay of Islands, meeting tattooed Maoris, trekking snowy peaks, surfing big waves and exploring outback lakeside wilderness, New Zealand is our pick for the ultimate outdoorsy tailor-made holiday. Whether you prefer cosy or cutting edge boutique hotels, panoramic views and party capitals or quite simply, all of the above; the land of the long white cloud really does have it all in bucket loads. Fresh rejuvenating air and a delicious crisp wine come here as standard.
At a glance
Not one but two islands we give to you, lucky things. There may be a few competitors on a global scale but New Zealand is right up there as one of those countries made for a road trip, in fact, we think it might literally have been designed with an epic road trip in mind. Known for its blockbuster movie worthy locations (one very iconic trilogy springs to mind), this place has got landscapes on a grand scale. From the mystical entrancing mountainous scenes of the South Island and the otherworldly thermal mud pools of Rotorua to chilling out in The Bay of Islands and sipping fine wine in Marlborough, not to mention the ancient traditions and rich Maori culture, one trip here will just have you coming back for more.
What to see
For world-class beaches, bays and boutique hotels, the northern tip of New Zealand’s North Island is where it’s at. The Bay of Islands is the ultimate spot for some seriously scenic chill-out time, interrupted only by jaw-dropping helicopter trips to around the Northern Cape, Cape Reinga, as well as Ninety Mile Beach and Doubtless Bay. New Zealand is globally reputed for its delicious wines, and in our opinion there is no better wine country to visit than Hawkes’ Bay. Home to over 70 vineyards, from the oldest in the country to the most cutting-edge, exploring the area with a connoisseur is the ultimate wine-lovers dream. Hop over to Lake Taupo (Australasia’s freshwater lake, no less) to breathe in the freshest mountain air, and see stunning lakeside landscapes with your own eyes. Hike, or heli, over steaming volcanoes and hot pools, bubbling mud (jump in, it’s great for your skin) and glacial valleys, and head underground to see glow worms radiating by eerie subterranean waterfalls.
Then for some high drama (of the scenery kind) head to the South Island. Queenstown may be known as the adventure capital of the world (and yes, we do love a hair-raising hang gliding trip every now and then), but there is so much more to see than white water gushing over the side of your boat. On the other side of Queenstown, the Wanaka Mountains may look familiar. That’s because they are the iconic peaks from the film Lord of the Rings, so why not head up by foot or helicopter for some jaw-dropping photos (and epic skiing in winter). Freewheeling 6,000 feet back down to earth on a bike made for this dramatic terrain, with no up-hill cycling first, is simply incredible.
Why we love it
The air is so fresh; it makes us feel all healthy inside. It’s the ultimate place to cleanse the body and the mind with iconic landscapes, jaw-dropping scenery and enough adrenaline fuelled action to wake anyone up from their 9 till 5 coma. Guaranteed. All washed down with some incredible wine (well… wine is good for you, right?), could there be a better sounding holiday?