Posted on Tuesday, 24 October 2023

For a small nation, New Zealand offers an astonishingly diverse range of landscapes. Into an area little bigger than that of the UK are packed snow-capped mountains, lush rainforests, world-class beaches, mighty volcanoes, geothermal lakes and vast glaciers - and a dazzling array of wildlife.

Indeed, if you love the outdoors, New Zealand could be your dream destination. Here you can choose to take it easy by enjoying gentle mountain hikes - or, alternatively, to access hitherto unknown depths of your adrenal system: We're talking bungee jumps, white water rafting, surfing, jet-boat riding and parasailing, just for starters.

If you want a spectator-style holiday, then New Zealand might not be for you: because at every turn, this country challenges you to enjoy a myriad of physical experiences - in natural settings of spectacular beauty.

When is the best time to visit New Zealand?

The weather rarely gets unbearable in New Zealand, blessed as it is with a temperate climate.

New Zealand has four distinct seasons, the busiest of which is summer (Dec - Feb), boasting the best weather of the year. However, spring and autumn are also great times to visit, while snow lovers are best rewarded with a winter visit (Jul - Sep).

How to get to New Zealand

It takes a full 24 hours to reach New Zealand from the UK, including transfers.

In truth, you can't get any further away from Britain without finding yourself adrift on the Pacific Ocean. Such is the distance, many visitors to NZ include a few stopovers on the way (Bangkok or Singapore, anyone?), or visit as part of a longer backpacking-style trip.

New Zealand: Basic facts

With a population of just over four million, New Zealand is one of the world's least populated nations. As is often mentioned, the country's sheep population outnumbers the human one (by seven-to-one, in fact).

As a former part of the British Empire, there's a good deal of UK influence, which, when experienced with the vibrant indigenous Maori culture, makes New Zealand a fascinating nation from a cultural standpoint.

Getting around in New Zealand

Bus tours

There are a number of coach tour companies in New Zealand (Stray and Kiwi Experience are the two big ones), some of which offer hop-on hop-off tickets, meaning you can linger in places you like and leave those you don't.

Car rental

Most rental firms do not allow you to take their vehicles between the two islands, so you'll likely need separate rental agreements if you're exploring both north and south in a rented car.

Camper van

Camper vans give you the freedom to move around as and when you wish, and are a very economical option - since they double as your accommodation.

You can rent a camper van and take it on the ferry between the islands with ease. For a longer trip, you may decide to buy a camper van, with a view to selling it (perhaps to another traveller) before you return home.

Renting or buying a camper van is great if you're on a budget.

Accommodation in New Zealand

As one of the world's premier destinations for outdoor adventures, adrenaline sports and general backpacking fun, New Zealand offers a wide range of accommodation options.

Choose from well-run hotels, cosy B&Bs, fun-centric backpackers and caravan sites.

You can also try Freedom Camping in some of the country's many free camping spots, many of which feature toilets and showers. These are especially good for those with camper vans or rental cars.

Things to do in New Zealand

Stay in Auckland a while

You'll probably start your trip in Auckland, the national capital.

Most visitors simply use the city to get over their jet-lag before exploring the nation's natural draws, but the city merits a few days - if you have time.

Highlights in Auckland include the Sky Tower Sky-Walk on top of the iconic Sky Tower. Here you can saunter 192m over the city - secured by only a harness.

If this isn't scary enough, you can try the Sky Tower's Sky Jump (like Beyonce did) - a jump that rivals many of the more famous rubber-cord-based jumps in NZ.

Hiking

If you love the idea of exploring New Zealand without the sudden adrenaline surges, then hiking could be perfect.

Try the Te Whara Track in Northland, offering stunning coastal views and some of the most significant spots in Maori culture. Keep an eye out for the delightful North Island robin and whitehead.

For even more drama, sample the Hooker Valley Track in Canterbury, which includes views of the magnificent Mount Cook/Aoraki. Also includes Mt. Sefton with its mighty hanging glaciers and Hooker Lake, on which float icebergs during the winter months.

Look out for the kea, the world's only alpine parrot!

Surfing

Whether you're a seasoned surfer or want to try your hand at this adrenaline-pumping pastime, New Zealand is a surfer's paradise.

Head to the world-famous Raglan (North Island), a small coastal town offering waves that are perfect for both beginners and advanced practitioners.

For more experienced surfers, the black sand of Piha (North Island) offers powerful beach breaks. Long rides are assured at Shipwreck Bay, also on the North Island.

Rafting

Head to Tongariro River on the North Island for a fun rafting trip, with more extreme rapids on the upper gorge. Look out for the rare blue duck.

For a more intense adrenaline hit, try the Wairoa River, also on Auckland (grade 2 to 5), where you can plunge down several rather precipitous waterfalls. It can only be experienced on a Sunday.

Skiing and snowboarding

One of the best reasons for a winter trip to New Zealand is the skiing and snowboarding. Head here between July and September for the deepest snow.

Cardrona, on the Wanaka ski field, is ideal for both beginners and more advanced skiers and snowboarders, boasting a vast terrain park, great trials and superb off-peak areas.

For beginners, The Remarkables, near Queenstown is a good choice.

And if you want a truly unique snow sport experience, why not try heli-skiing - whereby you're deposited on a mountain top by a helicopter (with some skis, of course).

Waitomo Caves, North Island

Take a boat trip through this awe-inspiring underground cave system, famed for the spectacular Glow worm Caves (complete with millions of glow worms, as you might expect), and Ruakuri Cave, featuring waterfalls and underground limestone formations.

Glaciers: Fox and Franz Josef

Want to see ancient rivers of ice descend from gracious mountains, passing lush green rainforest as they merge with the sea?

The Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers offer just such an experience - with helicopter flights available.

New Zealand's largest glacier is Tasman, which covers 101 square kilometres, and whose iceberg-peppered terminal lake is best explored by boat.

Queenstown activities

It's tough indeed to find a city anywhere on the planet that rivals Queenstown, on the South Island, for its diverse range of outdoor activities. At one count, there are 220 adventure tourism activities to try, including jet boating, bungee jumping, mountain biking, tramping, paragliding, sky diving - and, for those who want to take it easy, fly fishing.

Maori heritage sites

Maori culture runs far deeper than the All Black's haka dance. This Polynesian culture can be better understood and enjoyed by visiting the Tamaki Maori village, where you see what life was like in New Zealand centuries ago.

There are numerous other tours to be sampled, including one of the more laid back Waimarama Maori Tours in the Hawke's Bay region. Here you'll discover the history and traditions of the local Iwi tribe and see an ancient 'pa site' - a type of fortified village.

Best wildlife spots in New Zealand

Wherever you go in this nature-centric country, you'll find an abundance of wildlife. Here are some of the most rewarding nature spots:

• The Otago Peninsula, South Island: glimpse the endemic yellow-eyed penguins and royal albatross.
• The Catlins, Otago region: the endangered Hector's dolphin, yellow-eyed penguins, New Zealand sea lions, fur seals and a diverse array of bird species.
• Kaikoura: Kayak with dolphins, swim with seals and spot whales making their epic journey towards the Antarctic. There are gannets and penguins too.
  
  

New Zealand's food and wine

No New Zealand guide would be complete without mentioning the food and wine.

There's plenty of hearty UK-inspired grub in the form of pies, roast lamb and fish and chips, and a mouth-watering array of seafood, including oysters, shellfish, muscles, king salmon, scallops and white bait.

New Zealand's wine has won a plaudits around the world. Well regarded whites include Sauvignon Blancs, Chardonnays and Pinot Gris. Spot-on reds include Pinot Noirs, Merlots and Cabernet Merlots.

If you love wine, New Zealand is going to delight your palate and if you don't love wine… you will very soon.

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