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Aotearoa New Zealand
Choose your favourite experiences to unlock your New Zealand itinerary.
The travel insider Trip Builder
Experience
epic natural landscapes
EXPLORE buzzy cities and MĀORI culture
ExplorE cosmopolitan cities and
MĀORI CULTURE
Te-Ika-a-Māui / North Island
Begin your North Island adventure by checking into one of Auckland’s newest stays, Hotel Indigo. It offers all the creature comforts – including a pillow menu, local minibar snacks and an in-house French-style bistro – and is close to many of the city’s top sights including waterfront precinct Viaduct Harbour. Learn more about the history and culture of Māori iwi (tribes) at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and get a taste for locally sourced produce, such as Waiheke Island oysters and Fiordland crayfish, prepared with traditional Māori techniques, including hāngī, at contemporary New Zealand restaurant Ahi.
First, would you rather?
Visit bubbling, technicolour pools
Ride the rapids to a thundering waterfall
Which natural wonder would you like to see?
ride the rapids to a thundering waterfall
Huka Falls, Taupō
Huka Falls in Taupō is a 3.5-hour drive south of Auckland and the country’s most-visited natural attraction for good reason. It’s so big and powerful it could fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in just 11 seconds. Fed by the mighty Waikato River, water tumbles through a 15-metre-wide volcanic canyon at a rate of 250,000 litres per second. While there are many hiking and biking trails, for the best views of the falls, hop aboard a Hukafalls Jet boat and for a thrilling 30-minute ride right to the base.
soaking in a mineral spring
exploring the landscape on two wheels
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You can't skip the stunning scenery. Are you...?
From the snowy peaks of the Southern Alps to majestic glaciers and lush forests, the South Island delivers one epic view after another. The landscape is diverse and evolves with the seasons, meaning the sights – and the many ways to experience them – change dramatically depending on the time of year you choose to visit. Regardless of when you’re in town there are a few things that remain certain: your camera roll will be full, your comfort zone will be pushed and you’ll want to return again and again.
Te Waipounamu / South Island
EXPERIENCE
EPIC NATURAL
LANDSCAPES
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A three-hour drive south of Auckland will deliver you to Rotorua, famous for its geothermal wonders of bubbling geysers, steaming volcanic ground and brightly coloured mineral pools. Experience the wonder of this other-worldly landscape at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, where the waters reach temperatures of 100 degrees Celsius and are safely observed from afar while strolling the boardwalk. Time your visit for the daily eruption of Lady Knox Geyser at 10.15am, which reaches up to 20 metres high, before visiting the world-famous rainbow-hued Champagne Pool.
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua
visit bubbling, technicolour pools
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Find Your 100% in New Zealand. Start planning your next visit.
BOOK FLIGHTS
soaking in a mineral spring
Otumuheke Spa Park, Taupō
From Huka Falls, follow the three-kilometre Huka Trail along the banks of the Waikato River to arrive at Spa Thermal Park (or take the 12-minute drive). Here, you can soak in the warm thermal waters of Otumuheke Stream, once a historical meeting place for local Māori iwi (tribes). These natural rock pools are accessible daily from 7am to 8pm and there are toilets, changing rooms, lockers and a coffee kiosk on site. Bonus: it’s completely free to visit.
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Lake Taupō is New Zealand's largest lake, spanning an area almost comparable to Singapore. It’s a popular spot for recreational activities such as waterskiing, sailing, kayaking, fishing and biking. Its Great Lake Trails is a network of three cycling paths – Waihaha, Kawakawa and Whakaipo – totalling 75 kilometres. The Kawakawa Otaketake K2K Loop is an epic 36-kilometre journey you can complete in one day and starts and finishes in the village of Kinloch, where biking equipment can be hired from FourB or Adventure Shuttles.
Great Lake Trails, Taupō
exploring the landscape on two wheels
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indulge at a traditional
hāngī dinner
cruise to contemporary rock carvings
How would you like to experience Māori culture?
Māori iwi (tribes) often experimented with different cooking techniques to adapt to New Zealand’s diverse climate – this is how the hāngī, the method of underground slow cooking, was born. At The Haka Shop, you’ll be welcomed by Dinny and Snow Rameka to experience the cultural tradition firsthand. Beginning with a kawakawa and manuka honey tea alongside freshly baked rēwana bread, your hāngī dinner of meat with seasonal vegetables, such as sweet potato and cabbage, is served buffet-style. After your meal, you’ll enjoy traditional Māori music and dance performances.
The Haka Shop, Taupō
indulge at a traditional
hāngī dinner
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Created by master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell and his team in the late 1970s, the extraordinary artwork etched into the face of a rocky alcove in Mine Bay on the shores of Lake Taupō is a remarkable example of ancient Māori traditions passed down through generations. The work depicts Ngātoroirangi, a prominent early explorer who led tribes to the Taupō region. It’s only accessible by boat, so jump on a scenic cruise with Chris Jolly Outdoors and appreciate the craftsmanship up close with a cup of coffee in hand.
Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings, Taupō
cruise to contemporary rock carvings
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get cosy in the valley
sleep in the clouds at a boutique cliffside stay
Finally, pick a place to call home for your Taupō visit:
In the secluded Taharua Valley, a 40-minute drive south of Taupō, is the luxurious sporting lodge Poronui. Stay in a private villa, the lodge or the safari camp and have access to the gym, sauna and massage treatment rooms. Try horse riding, mountain biking and cooking classes or immerse yourself in back-country experiences like fly-fishing, where guests are guided within the lodge’s 6500 hectares of private land – on foot, by 4WD or by helicopter – to prime angling locations to cast a line for large brown or rainbow trout.
Poronui Lodge, Taharua
get cosy in
the valley
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While this boutique accommodation is only a seven-minute drive from Taupō’s town centre, it feels a world away. Perched above the lake with nothing but the verdant lodge garden, Mount Tauhara and Kaimanawa Ranges surrounding it, the property hosts just eight guests at a time. Its four suites each feature a super king-sized bed, private deck and complimentary refreshments – including a bottle of New Zealand wine on arrival.
Acacia Cliffs Lodge, Taupō
sleep in the clouds at a cliffside stay
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hole up in a luxury lodge
sleep under the stars in an off-grid cabin
Finally, pick a place to stay for your Rotorua visit:
Set on a private peninsula on Lake Tarawera, this nine-suite luxury lodge takes relaxation to the next level. While Rotorua’s famed thermal waters are less than a 30-minute drive away, this idyllic retreat makes an even stronger case for staying put. Expect fresh, seasonal meals paired with New Zealand wines and motorised dinghies and kayaks for exploring Otumutu Lagoon. Or try your hand at rainbow trout fishing and then take a dip in Lake Tarawera’s natural hot springs, just a 15-minute bushwalk away.
Solitaire Lodge, Rotorua
Hole up in a
luxury lodge
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Lie in your king-sized bed and gaze up through the glass roof at the twinkling stars as the faint song of a kiwi bird lulls you to sleep at Pāmu PurePod, a luxurious eco-cabin set in a secluded valley. Aside from some sheep and cows meandering in the distance, you can expect complete privacy as you pause, reflect and soak in the beauty of your surroundings. Complete the experience by pre-ordering the breakfast hamper, which comes stocked with local cheeses, relish, meats and salads and granola.
Pāmu PurePod, Rotorua
sleep under the stars in an off-grid cabin
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watch students hone traditional skills
immerse yourself at a Māori village
How would you like to experience Māori culture?
Sharing ancestral stories and traditions is core to Māori culture and you can witness this in action on the Te Rā Guided Experience at Te Puia, a 70-hectare park within the Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley. While there you’ll see the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, Pōhutu Geyser, erupt – it happens an average of 15 times a day. You can also pay a visit to New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute to watch students weaving and carving with wood, stone and bone and browse Āhua Gallery for handcrafted keepsakes.
Te Puia, Rotorua
watch students hone traditional skills
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Picture this: you’re standing in a tranquil forest, surrounded by towering Tawa trees, watching a traditional Ahi Taitai (Māori fire ceremony). This sacred tradition marks the beginning of Tū Te Ihi, the winter version of Te Pā Tū’s evening experiences, which take place from May to September. The summer iteration, Tū Te Rā, runs from October to April and starts with a haka followed by a lantern-lit walk to a natural forest amphitheatre for a celebration of Māori storytelling and dance and multi-course traditional feast that combines traditional hāngī with fusion dishes.
Te Pā Tū, Rotorua
immerse yourself at a Māori village
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soothe your skin in a healing mud bath
soak in a mineral spring
Are you keen to enjoy even more of Rotorua’s geothermal sites? Pick one revitalising experience.
It’s said ancient Māori warriors used the nutrient-rich mineral waters and muds of this region to soothe their battle-scarred bodies. To experience the natural healing powers for yourself, visit Tikitere, also known as Hell’s Gate, New Zealand’s most active geothermal reserve. Wander through the 20-hectare park past dramatic steaming cliffs and bubbling waters before sinking into the warm mud baths. The best time to visit the sulphur spas is as the sun goes down and the sky comes to life with a blanket of stars.
Hell's Gate Geothermal Reserve and Mud Spa, Rotorua
soothe your skin in a healing mud bath
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Rotorua has been a beloved destination for revitalising experiences for centuries thanks to its soothing hot springs. Visit Waikite Valley Hotpools, a 25-minute drive south of the town and surrounded by native bushland, to soak in the mineral water that flows continuously from Te Manaroa Spring. You can even visit the source via an easy five-minute trail walk. There are six different public bathing options ranging in temperature from 30 to 41 degrees Celsius, plus private pools if you want extra seclusion.
Waikite Valley Hotpools, Waikite Valley
soak in a
mineral spring
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fly over the southern alps to hike the glaciers
Wander over a rope bridge to discover pristine blue pools
Which natural wonder would you like to see?
It’s not every day you can walk across a glacier, let alone the longest in New Zealand. But that’s exactly what’s on offer with True South’s Tasman Glacier Heli Hike Flight. Following a one-hour flight from Queenstown, you’ll land on Mount Cook before transferring to a helicopter and venturing to the middle of the Tasman Glacier. You’ll have two unforgettable hours on the ice, where you’ll explore deep crevasses, learn to climb steep ice cliffs and admire the ever-shifting formations.
True South Scenic Flights, Queenstown
fly over the southern alps to hike the glaciers
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An easy 30-minute stroll in Mount Aspiring National Park will lead you through a beech forest and across swing bridges to a viewing platform for the aptly named Blue Pools. From this vantage point you’ll see brown and rainbow trout flitting in the water below – and while you may be tempted to join them be warned that these glacier-fed waters are extremely cold. The walk starts from a car park along the Haast Highway about an hour’s drive north of Wānaka and two hours from Queenstown.
Blue Pools Track, Wānaka
wander over a
rope bridge to discover pristine blue pools
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check into a chic boutique stay
Sleep in a dark sky sanctuary
Finally, add a unique stay to your visit
Soaking up the majesty of Lake Whakatipu takes centre stage at Queenstown’s Kamana Lakehouse. Book a Lakeview Luxe room to enjoy the scenery from your outdoor bathtub then head down to on-site restaurant Nest to indulge in a five-course degustation that celebrates local produce – think Fiordland red deer loin, pickled green-lipped mussels or citrus-cured Mount Cook salmon. During winter, there’s a daily shuttle to and from The Remarkables and Coronet Peak, ski drying rooms and private hot tubs to ease any aches and pains.
Kamana Lakehouse, Queenstown
Check into a chic boutique stay
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This rustic lodging is a 45-minute drive north-west of Queenstown and has all the creature comforts: queen beds, wood-burning fireplaces, private showers, wi-fi and even a sauna and the Base Camp Kitchen serves family-style meals prepared in the cast iron camp ovens. From here, join a heli-hiking or heli-skiing day trip or spend the night on a heli-glamping experience in the alpine backcountry. The camp is based just outside Glenorchy, which was recently designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, so exceptional stargazing is part of the package.
The Great Glenorchy Alpine Base Camp, Glenorchy
sleep in a dark sky sanctuary
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spot constellations from bob's peak
Experience the
town’s après-ski
scene
Queenstown takes on a new life when the sun goes down. What's your vibe?
Riding the Skyline Gondola to Bob’s Peak is a quintessential part of any Queenstown trip and if you wait until sundown, you’ll see the summit in a whole new light. On the Skyline Stargazing experience, you’ll be taken to a special viewpoint unaffected by the light pollution of the town to explore the Milky Way, planets and other galaxies through state-of-the-art telescopes. The tour is only on offer between March and September and lasts for two hours.
Skyline Queenstown, Queenstown
Spot constellations from bob's peak
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Beer always tastes better when paired with an incredible view, and the vistas don’t get much better than those from Altitude Brewing’s taproom of Lake Whakatipu and the Remarkables. Savour a glass of the Mischievous Kea IPA or Queenstown Lager or try one of the more experimental brews such as a lemon curd and fresh strawberry sour or sour cherry ale. The brewery also hosts a rotating list of food trucks for you to refuel after a big day on the slopes.
Altitude Brewing, Queenstown
experience queenstown's
aprÈs-ski scene
80%
A relaxing hot stone massage and facial
A luxurious soak with a view
How would you like to unwind after a busy day of adventures?
Find Your 100% in New Zealand. Start planning your next visit.
BOOK FLIGHTS
Perched in the Gibbston Valley, this luxe property’s 24 villas are spacious (65 square metres) and feature private decks, works from local artists and deep-soaking tubs. It’s also just a one-minute walk to Gibbston Valley Winery, one of Central Otago’s most celebrated wineries. The on-site spa houses a sauna, hot pools and an extensive menu of relaxing treatments including hot stone massages, full-body wraps and facials using organic TheraVine products. The spa welcomes day visitors as well as lodge guests but advance bookings are recommended.
Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa, Gibbston Valley
A relaxing hot stone massage and facial
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After a day of adrenaline-pumping adventures in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital, as the sky over the Shotover River turns candy-pink, it’s time to relax and ease aches and pains in one of the luxurious cedar tubs at Onsen Hot Pools & Day Spa. To experience the rejuvenating benefits of contrast therapy, opt for the Tri-Bathing set-up, which features a private steam shower, hot tub and cold plunge bath.
Onsen Hot Pools, Queenstown
a luxurious soak with a view
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retreat to a private villa
Sleep under the stars in a safari-style dome tent
Finally, pick a place to stay for your Wānaka visit
Sleep on a working Merino sheep and cattle station at Lake Hāwea Station – New Zealand’s first B-Corp, carbon zero-certified farm. This 6500-hectare property has four large, stylish cottages, each with a fire pit, hot
tub and outdoor dining area. Order a hamper stocked
with local fruit and vegetables or ask chef Dane Archery to cook for you. Ask the staff to arrange tours of the property to learn about their regenerative farming practices or to reconnect with nature with a spot of
forest bathing.
Lake Hāwea Station, Lake Hāwea
retreat to a
private villa
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On the shore of Lake Hāwea, a 15-minute drive from Wānaka, six premium geodesic domes offer a front-row seat to the wonders of the Milky Way. With transparent panels delivering unobstructed views of the night sky from your bed, this is the closest you can get to sleeping under the stars without braving the elements. Each dome features a super king-sized bed, bathroom, gas fireplace and coffee machine. The Lodge offers rustic farm-to-table dining and you can visit The Whisky Room for a dram before bed.
Cross Hill Lodge and Domes, Lake Hāwea
Sleep under the stars in a safari-style dome tent
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sip artisanal single malts
TOUR AWARD-winning wineries
The region is famous for its craft drinks scene. What's your style?
Wine isn’t the only tipple New Zealand does well – the country’s pristine alpine water provides the ideal foundation for producing craft spirits, too. Head to the Cardrona Distillery at the foot of Cardrona Ski Field to watch the entire process unfold on a 75-minute tour that concludes with a guided tasting. Or dive even further into the art of milling, fermentation and maturation on the Family Reserve Tour, which includes hand-filling your very own single cask bottle of single malt whisky.
Cardrona Distillery, Queenstown
Sip artisanal single malts
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Calling all pinot noir enthusiasts: New Zealand’s southernmost wine region, Central Otago, is waiting for you. Wānaka Wine Tours will introduce you to the region’s best winemakers, visiting six boutique vineyards during its 6.5-hour Classic Wine Tour. Along the way, you’ll sample up to 30 premium drops, including cool-climate chardonnay and pinot gris, and tuck into a five-course lunch (with matching wines, of course). Top tip: time your visit in spring to ensure you’re among the first to sample the year’s releases.
Wānaka Wine Tours, Wānaka
Tour award- winning wineries
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Admiring the autumn scenes on two wheels
wandering through vibrant lavender fields
You can't skip the stunning scenery. Are you...?
Find Your 100% in New Zealand. Start planning your next visit.
BOOK FLIGHTS
From scenic roads to rugged mountain paths, there are more than 700 kilometres of trails in the Wānaka region. And the crisp air, cooler temperatures and pretty golden foliage make autumn a great time to conquer them on two wheels. Try the Treble Cone Return a classic and occasionally challenging 45-kilometre ride alongside Lake Wānaka to the ski fields. You can hire equipment through nzbiketrails, which also runs guided tours to Lake Hāwea and Lake Dunstan.
Treble Cone Return, Wānaka
admiring the autumn scenes on two wheels
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Nothing says spring quite like frolicking through a field of fragrant flowers. And while that’s not a compulsory activity at Wānaka Lavender Farm, it’s easy to see why you might be tempted. With over eight hectares of purple and white lavender to explore (and photograph) plus farm animals to meet, games to play and lavender-infused tea, ice cream and honey to savour, a visit to this beautiful family-run farm is the ideal family day out.
Wānaka Lavender Farm, Wānaka
wandering through vibrant lavender fields
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fly to an alpine lodge for a fine-dining feast
catch and cook your own spring-fed salmon
It's time to taste some of the locally grown produce. What's your style?
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Minaret Station – Alpine Lodge
Fly to an alpine lodge for a fine-dining feast
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Redwoods Treewalk, Rotorua
catch and cook your own spring-fed salmon
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Fly to Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland
Drive to Taupō
Drive to Rotorua
Fly to Tāhuna / Queenstown
Drive to Wānaka
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Credit: Thomas Greenway
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Dining
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Winter
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BOOK FLIGHTS
Find Your 100% in New Zealand. Start planning your next visit.
BOOK FLIGHTS
Find Your 100% in New Zealand. Start planning your next visit.