Whether it’s forest bathing amongst lush native tree ferns, finding your flow on a winding trail, or simply sleeping under the stars in a remote location. 

Here are some ways to soothe a restless mind in New Zealand’s great outdoors. 

Get in the zone on a trail 

For active relaxers, the joy of focusing on the task at hand can lead to a “flow state” – also known as being in the zone. Originally coined in the 1970s, it is also described as the mental state of being fully and joyfully immersed in the activity you are undertaking, leaving no room to worry about anything else. 

Mountain bikers call smooth, winding trails, “flow trails”, as they allow thoughts to retreat to the back of your mind as your bike flows along the trail. There are hundreds of these dotted around New Zealand – the mountain bike meccas of Rotorua, Nelson and Queenstown are just the beginning.

For some, the focus on the reward at the end of a day in the saddle might be enough to banish all worries.  As diverse as they are beautiful, the 22 Great Rides on the nationwide Ngā Haerenga (New Zealand Cycle Trail) showcase a satisfying blend of natural wonders, cultural sights, food and wine. 

New Zealand’s walks and hikes venture into unspoiled nature – through native forests, alongside lakes, rivers and golden beaches to rugged mountain peaks and vast valleys. Cell phone towers are scarce in parts, allowing for true moments to disconnect and unwind. The iconic Great Walks are best known to international visitors, but there are many scenic day hikes and short walks that showcase New Zealand’s nature at its best. 

Take to the water  

With thousands of kilometres of coastline, vast freshwater lakes and rivers, New Zealand offers many opportunities to enjoy the serenity that being near or on water can bring.  

Enjoy the mindful focus required for exploring crystal clear Lake Taupo by paddleboard, or the rhythmic teamwork of paddling a traditional waka hourua (double-hulled canoe), the type that carried the first Māori settlers to the “land of the first light”, Tairāwhiti Gisborne.

The blissful bays of the Abel Tasman National Park in the Nelson region are ideal for a gentle kayak or sail. Here, inviting golden sand beaches fill the spaces between trees and tide line, and fur seals lounge on the rocks around headlands cloaked in lush native forest. Summer is a popular time to visit, but shoulder seasons offer crisp mornings, calm waters and quiet beaches.

Also known as the “Sound of Silence”, Doubtful Sound in Fiordland is the deepest of the South Island’s fiords. To truly experience the tranquillity of the place, you should stay once all others have left for the day, spending the night on the still waters, looking out for bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and Fiordland crested penguins at dawn.

Rest your head in a peaceful place  

Some are off the grid, some off the beaten track – one thing New Zealand’s boutique eco- and luxury lodges have in common is their dedication to their guest’s total relaxation in stunning natural surroundings. 

In the North Island, luxury lodge Treetops is dedicated to preserving its natural environment while allowing travellers to experience New Zealand’s natural surroundings in five-star luxury. Set among 1000 hectares (2500 acres) of carefully managed private wilderness in a sheltered valley, the lodge accommodates up to 40 guests in eight luxurious villas tucked away in the bush or overlooking one of the lakes.

Treehouses reach new heights at Hapuku Lodge in Kaikoura, on New Zealand’s South Island. Ten metres high, in a canopy of manuka trees, you will have views of Kaikoura’s dramatic mountains and Pacific coastline that will take your breath away. Clad in native wood, the treehouses give guests the feeling they’re sleeping in the treetops, nestled into the environment.

Architecturally designed, glass-roofed accommodation on a vast high-country station near Twizel, the SkyScape pods have expansive views that extend all the way to the Southern Alps. Off grid and with the closest house 10 km away, you will really have the place to yourselves. Made almost entirely of glass and located in a dark sky reserve, this is the perfect place to marvel at the magnitude of the universe, putting day-to-day worries into perspective.