Written by Mandi Forrester-Jones
Travelling in New Zealand is a plethora of options to delight the senses. For a small country, it is big on experiences.
Despite the size of the country with both islands combined, the North and South Islands have very different scenery to each other. I know there is a temptation to lump them all together as a country with more strangulated vowels than Aussies, a cute way of saying things like “fush and chups” and the words greatest Rugby team (no bias here!), but in reality there is quite a lot of variety.
As mentioned previously, as a self-confessed honorary Kiwi who has travelled the country extensively, I can wax lyrical about all the amazing places and experiences. With New Zealand travel a lot will depend on your time frame, your preferred style of travel, and your budget, but it is definitely a place that caters for everyone.
Where would we be heading?
Take some time and head up to the Coromandel peninsula for some truly laid back towns, and stop off at Hot Water Beach for your very own private once off spa!
Or travel up the North Coast to the beautiful town of Russell, before heading up to Paihia. Paihia is a gateway to the Bay of Islands, and also home to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where you will learn about the founding of modern New Zealand. Take the trail to the horseshoe-shaped Haruru Falls.
Heading the other way from the cosmopolitan city of Auckland, (but allow time for a quick visit over to Waiheke – best locally produced wines ever!), stop to witness the culture of Rotorua where you can see the geysers (but hold your nose for the smell – you do get used to it!).
Have some rest at Lake Taupo, perhaps head down to the East Coast, which is a beautiful region, and the only true Art Deco city in the Southern Hemisphere at Napier. Wellington is a pretty funky city and make sure to visit Te Papa museum.
Once you get to the South Island, you immediately see the difference in scenery. From the wineries of Marlborough where you can taste seriously THE best Sauvignon Blanc – ever (I think there is a theme here!), to the charming city of Christchurch – detour up to the Akaroa peninsula for some amazing cheese.
Then head across via Mt Cook, and the majestic glaciers and peaks on the West at Franz Josef Glacier, finally coming to a stop in the adventure capital of the Southern Hemisphere at Queenstown.
The bottom of the South Island is also worth spending time, if you don’t feel like jumping off a perfectly good bridge with a glorified elastic hair tie around your ankles, visit Lake Wanaka and certainly down to Milford Sound.
New Zealand offers travellers such an incredible variety of experiences. There is so much more to see there than mentioned here, so much good food (apart from the aforementioned “fush and chups”), and of course, incredible wines. And maybe catch a Rugby match! Go the mighty All Blacks!
If you do want to explore this amazing place, you can check out our packages here, or contact Mandi and have a chat.
