Experiencing the New in New Zealand 

Well, you have seen them, the standard New Zealand itineraries. Of course, you don’t want to miss the iconic attractions such as the Sky Tower, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Hobbiton, Rotorua geothermal corridor, and adventure in Queenstown. But is that all New Zealand has to give to you? Hell, No! Let me take you through a sample of your own very special New Zealand trip. Buckle up folks, you are in for an exhilarating journey!

You have landed in Auckland after lengthy flights. Take the evening easy and explore downtown Auckland by walking. There are so many eateries in the city center. We call this area the CBD,(Central Business District). Celebrate your first evening by sampling a glass of New Zealand Pino Noir or Pino Gris.

Something whacky  to do today. How about taking on a walking tour with Aucky Walky or Big Foody Tour? Or hop on a ferry to Waiheke Island. Let the lovely Gabrielle take you aboard her well-appointed, 41-foot catamaran, exploring the waters surrounding Waiheke Island, and calling in at the hidden coves and the Hauraki Gulf beaches . You will stop at a pest-free island for a guided walk, plus you’ll have opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding. Keep your mind on a delicious lunch including local produce on board!

Who can say no to a train journey, that too a scenic train with large picture windows, a café, and an outdoor viewing area? Hop on board the Northern Explorer. The train starts from Auckland and traverses through the lush plains of the Waikato region. Get down at the National Park station and check in at The Park Hotel – rustic and comfortable. This is your gateway to explore the volcanic land and enjoy a variety of adventure activities. The 10km Tongariro Crossing is on the bucket list of many.

You can stay here for a couple of nights, or we can arrange for a private car to take you to the beautiful Lake Taupo, one of the largest freshwater lakes in this part of the world. The lake is so big,  that the city of Singapore could be comfortably seated inside! The crystal-clear waters of the lake flow into the mighty Huka Falls. You can even take a high-speed Jetboat upriver and up close to the falls.

Continue your Northern Explorer journey to Wellington, which is a city known for its unique character, café culture, and arts and craft. While in the city, enjoy the bustling Cuba Street with its quaint cafes and bars, get fascinated by the interactive displays at Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand, and take a leisurely stroll through the gorgeous Oriental Bay. A visit to Zealandia is worth your while. It is one of the largest nature reserves right in the middle of the urban area.

A slight change of scenery for you. Sail on one of the Interislander scenic ferries across Cook Strait over to South Island. The last hour of your voyage through the stunning Queen Charlotte Sound is difficult to express in words. Picton is a cute little coastal town that deserves a couple of nights, but not many tourists give it enough consideration. You can either take the legendary Mail Boat Cruise or take a cruise to Furneaux Lodge, walk the Queen Charlotte Track to Punga Cove, and get picked by the cruise.

Now take your next scenic train, the Coastal Pacific to Kaikoura. This town is famous for its Whale Watching Tour, seafood (especially Cray Fish), and New Zealand fur seals. Enjoy all of the experiences and indulge your senses. Spend a night or two, and continue on Coastal Pacific to Christchurch.

There is so much to do in Christchurch. My favorite is a 4-course gourmet dinner at the Heritage Tramway Restaurant, while it goes around the city at a sedate pace. A guided tour of Christchurch Botanic Gardens is a good introduction to this vast landscape. You can spend time to your heart’s content later on. Another favorite is the punting on the Avon River. An Edwardian-clothed guide enthrals you with the tales of the city on this flat-bottomed boat, while you comfortably recline.

Take one of the most popular scenic train journeys in the world, Tranz Alpine Scenic Train. Starting from Christchurch, it feasts your eyes with other-worldly scenery through Arthur’s Pass and finally finishing in Greymouth. We recommend that you pick up a rental car from here (we can organize it for you!) and continue your journey by road.

Don’t forget to visit Punakaiki and see the magnificence of the Pancake Rocks. You may also want to take the Golden Sands Horse Wagon tour. The pace is relaxed, with plenty of time for exploring. Activities include gemstone collecting, (Barrytown Beach is the best jade hunting beach in NZ), making damper bread, boiling the billy over an open fire, wildlife spotting, and photography.

Stay a night or two at the Glacier Country, either at Franz Josef or Fox Glacier towns. Both are tiny but have a lot of character. Take a scenic helicopter flight, land on the glacier, and experience this wild snowscape. If you are keen, you can even take a guided trek across the glacier. All appropriate gear and boots are given.

Continue your trip through the wilderness of Haast Pass and take a short or long break in Wanaka. You can take a short Ruby Island cruise and tour for the most Instagrammable photo opportunities.

And finally, reach the adventure capital of New Zealand – Queenstown. You have hundreds of options to choose from. My personal favorite is the one-hour-long KJet jetboat ride, the only ride to operate on 3 bodies of water – Lake Wakatipu, Shotover River, and Kawarau River. Get yourself a burger from Fergburger, and walk to Perky’s Floating Bar, where you can bring your own food and buy drinks from the bar. See the sun setting over the mountains surrounding the lake. Ah, this is what I call my perfect holiday to New Zealand!