From glaciers and Lord of the Rings-style rolling scenery to hiking, biking and bungee jumping, there’s plenty in New Zealand to leave your more than a little breathless. The notoriously outdoorsy country has more than enough to keep any adventurer entertained, while wine lovers and foodies will find it easy enough to satisfy their tastes at one of the countries many vineyards or restaurants.
1. Rotorua
The unflattering nickname ‘stinky Rotorua’ (it really is) shouldn’t put off visitors. Yes, there is the distinct smell of sulphur in the air, but that’s thanks to the geothermal lakes, hot springs and mud pools dotted around the area. As well as the volcanic topography, Rotorua is one of the best places in the county to learn about Maori culture, and visitors can go on tours to a tribal meeting ground to experience authentic Maori food, culture and entertainment. There’s also plenty for adrenaline junkies – try sliding down a hill in a ball filled with water (zorbing) or take on the twin zipline with a friend.
2. Pay a visit to Hobbiton
Fans of Gandalf, Frodo and the gang will no doubt see a visit to New Zealand as a chance to visit the place where The Lord of the Rings films were shot. The Hobbiton movie set, in Matamata, is a must-see for LOTR fans, and has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. Tours of ‘the Shire’ now include dinners, a drink at the Green Dragon Inn and an illuminated tour of the cute hobbit village. No Ring-Wraiths allowed.
3. Sample the local wine
Those looking to take a day off from adrenaline-filled activities will find a haven on Waiheke Island, a 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland. There are several vineyards tourists can pop into, such as Te Whau, which grows five-star Chardonnary and Cabernet Sauvignon, and Stonyride, which offers wine tastings and café dining. There’s also a noteworthy local food scene on the island, as well as a handful of art galleries and studios which are well worth a visit.
4. Walk on the wild side
Going for a stroll takes on a new meaning on New Zealand’s east coast, where Walk Gisborne has recently launched a two or three-day adventure tour, with the opportunity to take an unguided walk through iconic scenery. Highlights include the opportunity to feed stingray on Makorori Beach, swimming in the Whainukota Stream, passing through valleys, past ancient mud volcanoes, and alongside nature-filled countryside, and bedding up in lodges along the way.
5. Get on your bike
The great outdoors is what New Zealand is all about – and one of the best ways to see everything it has to offer is by bike. There are plenty of places you can hire bikes around the north and south islands, and there is a free network of predominantly off-road cycle trails and mountain bike tracks that will keep even the most enthusiastic of bikers entertained for days at a time. The Alps to Ocean trail is the longest continuous ride in New Zealand, and is well worth it if you have the six days to spare. For something a little different, Rotorua has the world’s first year-round gondola-accessed mountain bike park, Skyline Rotorua, with 8.5km of trails down the mountain – including jumps and an international-grade slope. Helmets at the ready.
6. Get crafty
Craft beer is experiencing something of an upsurge right now, and there’s plenty to sample in New Zealand. Nelson, which has more craft breweries per person than anywhere else in the county (that’s a reasonable amount then), is fast becoming a mecca for hop lovers. For those keen to build some kind of exercise into the day (and burn off some of that beer belly), it’s possible to do a cycle tour between breweries, tasting some of the best ales en route. Hic.
7. Three is the magic number
Most visitors know all about the two islands of New Zealand, but far fewer venture to the country’s official third island, Stewart Island. The sub-Antarctic island, 30km south of South Island, is included in the boundaries of Rakiura National Park. Nature lovers and hikers may find their spiritual home here, with more than 245 km of walking tracks, and chances to spot bush parrots, robins, ruru and kiwis here. There’s also a marine reserve on a smaller island off the west coast of Stewart, where visitors can go diving to see starfish, kelp and other marina life.
8. Go packrafting
A real chance to get back to nature, packrafting gives people the option to visit hard to reach places, using a light inflatable boat that you can carry into remote locations in a backpack. Expedition X has recently launched the country’s first packrafting tour in Queenstown, where tourists can walk through stunning scenery, inflate their boat, paddle across the water, then deflate their boat and carry on the hike. It’s an extreme way to take in nature, but it makes for an interesting few days.
9. Get arty in Christchurch
New Zealand is better known for its adrenaline sports than its art scene, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one. Following the massive earthquake in Christchurch in 2011, galleries and art spaces were closed, meaning exhibitions were shown in makeshift spaces from homes and garages to purpose-built boxes. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and the art scene has become more unique as a result.
10. Get glowing in Waitomo
Well worth spending several hours underground in the dark, the Waitomo caves are home to thousands of tiny glowworms, which light up the caves for a stunning starlight-esque view. First explored more than 100 years ago by Maori Chief Tane Tinorau, the caves are now accessible through several tours, which show the glowworms as well as the impressive stalactites (and mites). There are boat tours on the underground lake, or, for the more adventurous, don a wetsuit and go ‘tubing’ through the caves on a rubber ring. Highlights include an underground waterslide.
For more New Zealand holiday inspiration click here
From glaciers and Lord of the Rings-style rolling scenery to hiking, biking and bungee jumping, there’s plenty in New Zealand to leave your more than a little breathless. The notoriously outdoorsy country has more than enough to keep any adventurer entertained, while wine lovers and foodies will find it easy enough to satisfy their tastes at one of the countries many vineyards or restaurants.
1. Rotorua
The unflattering nickname ‘stinky Rotorua’ (it really is) shouldn’t put off visitors. Yes, there is the distinct smell of sulphur in the air, but that’s thanks to the geothermal lakes, hot springs and mud pools dotted around the area. As well as the volcanic topography, Rotorua is one of the best places in the county to learn about Maori culture, and visitors can go on tours to a tribal meeting ground to experience authentic Maori food, culture and entertainment. There’s also plenty for adrenaline junkies – try sliding down a hill in a ball filled with water (zorbing) or take on the twin zipline with a friend.
2. Pay a visit to Hobbiton
Fans of Gandalf, Frodo and the gang will no doubt see a visit to New Zealand as a chance to visit the place where The Lord of the Rings films were shot. The Hobbiton movie set, in Matamata, is a must-see for LOTR fans, and has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. Tours of ‘the Shire’ now include dinners, a drink at the Green Dragon Inn and an illuminated tour of the cute hobbit village. No Ring-Wraiths allowed.
3. Sample the local wine
Those looking to take a day off from adrenaline-filled activities will find a haven on Waiheke Island, a 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland. There are several vineyards tourists can pop into, such as Te Whau, which grows five-star Chardonnary and Cabernet Sauvignon, and Stonyride, which offers wine tastings and café dining. There’s also a noteworthy local food scene on the island, as well as a handful of art galleries and studios which are well worth a visit.
4. Walk on the wild side
Going for a stroll takes on a new meaning on New Zealand’s east coast, where Walk Gisborne has recently launched a two or three-day adventure tour, with the opportunity to take an unguided walk through iconic scenery. Highlights include the opportunity to feed stingray on Makorori Beach, swimming in the Whainukota Stream, passing through valleys, past ancient mud volcanoes, and alongside nature-filled countryside, and bedding up in lodges along the way.
5. Get on your bike
The great outdoors is what New Zealand is all about – and one of the best ways to see everything it has to offer is by bike. There are plenty of places you can hire bikes around the north and south islands, and there is a free network of predominantly off-road cycle trails and mountain bike tracks that will keep even the most enthusiastic of bikers entertained for days at a time. The Alps to Ocean trail is the longest continuous ride in New Zealand, and is well worth it if you have the six days to spare. For something a little different, Rotorua has the world’s first year-round gondola-accessed mountain bike park, Skyline Rotorua, with 8.5km of trails down the mountain – including jumps and an international-grade slope. Helmets at the ready.
6. Get crafty
Craft beer is experiencing something of an upsurge right now, and there’s plenty to sample in New Zealand. Nelson, which has more craft breweries per person than anywhere else in the county (that’s a reasonable amount then), is fast becoming a mecca for hop lovers. For those keen to build some kind of exercise into the day (and burn off some of that beer belly), it’s possible to do a cycle tour between breweries, tasting some of the best ales en route. Hic.
7. Three is the magic number
Most visitors know all about the two islands of New Zealand, but far fewer venture to the country’s official third island, Stewart Island. The sub-Antarctic island, 30km south of South Island, is included in the boundaries of Rakiura National Park. Nature lovers and hikers may find their spiritual home here, with more than 245 km of walking tracks, and chances to spot bush parrots, robins, ruru and kiwis here. There’s also a marine reserve on a smaller island off the west coast of Stewart, where visitors can go diving to see starfish, kelp and other marina life.
8. Go packrafting
A real chance to get back to nature, packrafting gives people the option to visit hard to reach places, using a light inflatable boat that you can carry into remote locations in a backpack. Expedition X has recently launched the country’s first packrafting tour in Queenstown, where tourists can walk through stunning scenery, inflate their boat, paddle across the water, then deflate their boat and carry on the hike. It’s an extreme way to take in nature, but it makes for an interesting few days.
9. Get arty in Christchurch
New Zealand is better known for its adrenaline sports than its art scene, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one. Following the massive earthquake in Christchurch in 2011, galleries and art spaces were closed, meaning exhibitions were shown in makeshift spaces from homes and garages to purpose-built boxes. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and the art scene has become more unique as a result.
10. Get glowing in Waitomo
Well worth spending several hours underground in the dark, the Waitomo caves are home to thousands of tiny glowworms, which light up the caves for a stunning starlight-esque view. First explored more than 100 years ago by Maori Chief Tane Tinorau, the caves are now accessible through several tours, which show the glowworms as well as the impressive stalactites (and mites). There are boat tours on the underground lake, or, for the more adventurous, don a wetsuit and go ‘tubing’ through the caves on a rubber ring. Highlights include an underground waterslide.
For more New Zealand holiday inspiration click here