Cultural New Zealand

The city of Auckland is surrounded by two harbours which stretch out to the Hauraki Gulf. It’s a city built on a volcanic landscape, with hilly streets, deep harbours and accessible volcanic summits. Head to the top of Pukekawa near the Auckland War Memorial Museum for views right across to the northern shores.

Wander along the bustling harbour-front, from where you can jump on a ferry out to the wines of Waiheke, or the chocolate box village of Devonport. Pass the multi-million dollar yachts in Viaduct Harbour and enjoy a lazy lunch in the sunshine, or mingle with the locals in popular Ponsonby at the trendy market. 

The former historic Quay Street area of Auckland is now home to the Britomart, once a fort for British colonial troops, then a bustling railway station and home to trading warehouses. Today it’s home to boutique and high fashion shops, pop up restaurants and swanky bars. Grab a beer with the after work crowd at the Britomart Country Club before enjoying heavenly spices at Mexico.

Optional add-ons / upgrades: Wine on Waiheke, Auckland Harbour Cruise, Wilderness Experience - Bush and Beach

Head north from Auckland crossing the Harbour Bridge, and make your way up the Bay of Islands, driving the rugged west coast. Here, you’ll find windswept beaches and towering forests of enormous kauri trees.

Once reaching Hokianga Harbour, the more adventurous can jump on a boat and cross the shimmering waters to the spectacular sand dunes which rise high out of the coastline close to Opononi. From the tip of the dunes you can see right out to the Tasman Sea, before whizzing back down to sea level on a sandboard. 

Head over to the east coast and into Paihia and your home for the next 2 nights. This is a great base from which to explore Waitangi and its historic treaty ground, head to Cape Reinga at the tip of the north island to see where the South Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea, and of course – jump out on a boat to discover the stunning Bay of Islands.

Included day tours: Entrance and tour at Waitangi treaty grounds

Optional add-ons / upgrades: Salt Air flight to Cape Reinga

Drive south passing back through Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula – a slither of land which reaches out into the Hauraki Gulf and Pacific Ocean. It’s a favourite of the Kiwi’s, with fine weather, pleasant beaches and an abundance of holiday homes dotted in and around cute towns. Temperate rainforests cover the central spine, with enormous red Pohutukawa trees dotted along the coastline.

Stay near to Pauanui on the east coast for great access to all the highlights of this region. Book a boat trip out to one of the local islands, walk through the foothills in the west with old gold mines and fern forests, or wander the walkways and cycleways through Pauanui itself.

To the north the famous sight of Cathedral Cove can be accessed by a one hour walking track from Hahei Beach. Explore the history of the gold mines at Waihi, which after nearly 150 years is still New Zealand’s biggest producer of gold and silver.

Accommodation: Grand Mercure Puka Park

Optional add-ons / upgrades: Cathedral Cove Kayak tour, Glass Bottom boat Whitianga, Kiwi Dundee - Nature and Coast

Travel Designers recommendation: Make sure to visit Hot Water Beach – at either side of low tide, grab a spade and dig yourself your very own hot pool.

Rotorua is predominantly known for its unique geothermal activities, with spurting geysers, bubbling hot pools and multi-coloured springs. But there’s more to it than meets the eye, it’s a town with vast Maori heritage, and one of the best places in New Zealand to learn about culture and history.

Spend an afternoon wandering through Te Puia on the outskirts of town, spot the nocturnal Kiwi close up in their sanctuary, before discovering the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. Here students from around the country vie for placements to learn about carving, weaving and other traditional arts. There’s also the magnificent Pohutu geyser to watch as it shoots up to 30 metres into the sky.

You can really appreciate this diverse landscape from the air, with hidden lakes and distant volcanoes on the horizon, see how the lands have been buckled and bent by millions of years of geothermal activity. Take a floatplane from Lake Rotorua and head north out to the coastline, where you’ll reach New Zealand’s only permanently active volcano at White Island, found 30 miles offshore.

Before leaving Rotorua make sure you travel back in time with the team at Tamaki Maori Village, wander through the village learning about art forms, ancient rituals and Maori traditions. Watch a Haka Maori war dance and learn the art of the poi dance before eating a Hangi feast cooked deep in the hot earth.

Optional add-ons / upgrades: Hobbiton Movie Set tour

Travel Designers recommendation: Be sure to visit the Volcanic Hills winery, with stunning views over the lake and delicious wines on offer.

Head through the heart of the North Island to the capital of Wellington, sheltered in the calm waters of Wellington Harbour. With the city surrounded by rugged hills, it’s relatively compact and easy to explore on foot. Take the cable car up to Mount Victoria lookout, those up early enough will be rewarded with magnificent sunrise views. Wander through the Parliament Buildings, where you may even be lucky enough to see a debate in full flow.

The national museum of Te Papa is home to Maori culture, geology and the natural environment, alongside stunning exhibitions. Take time to explore ‘Gallipoli: The scale of our war’, designed by the team behind the Lord of the Rings. Speaking of which, the Weta Cave close to Miramar Park is home to the workshop which produced the award-winning special effects and props from Middle Earth. Well worth a visit!

Finish your stay in Wellington with a wander along the waterfront, with a number of artworks dotted along the way. Stop off at the many cafes and bars, sample seafood at Shed 5 or the fresh, local produce at Whitebait. You simply can’t miss a coffee when you’re in town, with a wide selection of boutique roasters, stop off at Lamason on Bond Street and try a chilled flat white, perfect for a hot, sunny day in the capital.

Optional add-ons / upgrades: Zealandia - Twighlight Kiwi Spotting

Travel Designers recommendation: Enjoy a panoramic, stunning view of the city and harbour from the Mount Victoria lookout.

Cross the Cook Strait on the Interislander ferry, departing from the wharf in Wellington in the heart of the city. Your first sight on the South Island will be Arapawa Island, with calm waters home to dolphins and whales. Pass through the Tory Channel into the Queen Charlotte Sound, before docking in the pretty coastal town of Picton. If travelling on the morning ferry there’s time to fit in some wine tasting in the famous region of Marlborough, enjoy a tipple between the vines at famous vineyards such as Villa Maria.

Your home for the next three nights is located out in Arthurs Bay at the Bay of Many Coves resort. Arriving out on the jetty spot the luxury apartments and suites nestled into the hillside, the perfect place from which to do as much or as little as you like. Relax on your balcony with a chilled glass of wine, watching for dolphins at dusk as they swim playfully in the calm waters. Sample fine-dining in the restaurant, alongside award-winning locally produced wines. Take time to relax with a spa treatment or sit in the steaming hot tub with stunning views.

There’s also a host of activities on offer for those in search of adventure. Try kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding right in front of the resort, or paddle to Ruakaka Bay for a beach lunch. Hike a section of the Queen Charlotte Track, with a boat available to pick you up or drop off at many of the entry points along this fabulous walk. Spot native plants, trees and birds along the way, also not forgetting to keep your eyes on the coastline, with orcas regularly venturing in to these calm waters.

Optional add-ons / upgrades: Queen Charlotte Walk, Marlborough Icons Wine Tour and Cruise, Greenshell Mussel Cruise

Travel Designers recommendation: Book a seafood cruise and sample local seafood alongside a glass of iconic Marlborough wine, whilst enjoying the natural beauty of the sounds.  

Depart the Marlborough Sounds and head back into Picton before collecting your hire car for a journey through the South Island. Pick up a supply of wine from one of the many vineyards in the area, before popping into Omaka Aviation centre in Blenheim, with Sir Peter Jackson’s collection of WWI aircraft and artefacts on display.

The real highlight of any visit to Kaikoura is a trip out into the open ocean to spot marine wildlife; the Kaikoura canyon which runs along the coastline is up to 3000m deep, which creates currents bringing rich feeding grounds for whales, dolphins and other fish. Your home in Kaikoura is the stunning Hapuku Lodge, where you can choose to upgrade to a Treehouse room with amazing views out to the Kaikoura Ranges.

Included day tours: Maori Culture tour

Optional add-ons / upgrades: Whale Watch Kaikoura

Travel Designers recommendation: Just to the north of Kaikoura is Ohau Stream, a walkway that takes you up to a waterfall where in breeding season, you’ll spot hundreds of baby seals splashing in the water.

The largest city on the South Island, Christchurch, has a distinctly English feel, with the River Avon running through the centre of the city. Explore on foot, by bike, on an open top bus or on the famous city tram. Take a scenic punt along the river and wander through idyllic Hagley Park and the Botanical Gardens.

Experience a scenic rail journey on the Tranz Alpine train to Arthurs Pass, this day trip provides breath-taking views of the Southern Alps and the opportunity to spend time exploring with a variety of forest park walks and learning all about the history of the area at the National Park Visitors Centre. 

The peninsula out at Akaroa is a foody and nature lover’s paradise. Catch a boat tour to swim with the endangered Hector’s dolphins, the smallest and rarest dolphins in the world, easily recognised by thier dorsal fin shaped a bit like Mickey Mouse’s ear.

Optional add-ons / upgrades: Dolphin Swim Akaroa, TranzAlpine in a day

Travel Designers recommendation: From Christchurch take a trip to the quaint town of Akaroa, the only place in the world where you can get up close and personal with New Zealand’s playful Hector dolphins.