New Zealand

Feeling cultured..
Fuel up with the best hole-in-the-wall coffee in Auckland from Stolen Summer

Take a quick walk to the Auckland Art Gallery to some of NZ’s most iconic ar

A short bus ride away is the Auckland Museum – the Maori exhibition is always excellent and provides a glimps into the native culture of NZ

Head back into town for lunch at Depot on of the trendiest spots for lunch with great seafood

Conveniently across the road is the famous Sky Tower which you can take a quick trip up for a great view of the city and, if you’re feeling game, a wee SkyWalk or Jump

In time for a stroll down to Britomart for a restorative cocktail and relaxed NZ cuisine at Kingi to finish your day off nicely.

Exploring the viaduct…

The viaduct is home to the Team NZ Sailing base. You can sign up for a 2 hour sailing experience with some of the crew around the Waitemata Harbour. If you are a sailing fan, this the trip for you.

Take a stroll (or, eat and drink your way!) around the viaduct and Wynyard Quarter. You have your picks of restaurants and bars, but special mention to:
- Brunch at Williams Eatery
- Lunch at Bivacco
- Beers at 16 Tun
- Dinner at Soul Bar
Recommended to book in advance

Challenge your friends to a wee golf tourney at Holey Moley – think mini golf with cocktails

An afternoon shopping in Ponsonby…

If you’re wanting to test your luggage limit on the way home, you’ll want to spend an afternoon shopping, eating and drinking in Ponsonby. Refer to recommendations for NZ designers below.

The other primary sport played at Ponsonby requires an empty tummy.
Special mentions for eating go to:
- Daphne’s
- Prego
- Kol

and Drinking spots:
-Ponsonby Social Club
- Est. 1901
- The Tinted Rose

Wining on Waiheke…

Just a short ferry-ride out of Auckland is a little island called Waiheke. Technically, it’s part of Auckland, but… it also isn’t. Although you’re only a half hour’s trip away from the Auckland CBD, you might as well be on a different planet because Waiheke has none of that busy city-life business going on. Think stunning beaches, award-winning wineries, and art.

• The ferry over to Waiheke goes every 30ish minutes and leaves from the very centre of town

When you get to the island, the bus will take you on the loop and you can just hop on/off where suits.

If you are wanting iconic NZ vineyards with stunning views, the must sees are:
- Mudbrick: https://mudbrick.co.nz/
- Man’O’War (You must try the Man’O’War Rose – you’ll want to send a case home…)

Do a walking art tour through one of the sculpture trails on the island

Check out any of the gorgeous wee beaches on the island. Oneroa and Little Oneroa are lovely.

Go sightseeing around the island on horseback

NZ Wildlife experience….

An awesome day out and just a short 60 minute ferry ride from the central city is Tiritirimatangi, a native wildlife sanctuary .
A guided walk through the native bush and birdlife is a must.

The Wild West…

NZ is famous for its west-coast black sand beaches. Situated between Auckland and the west coast is the Waitakere Ranges, which encompasses the mountain ranges and coastlines. This has some of the best hiking and exploring close to the city.

Some of the best shorter walks are:
- Mercer track
- Karamatura falls
- Kitekite falls track
- Karekare Falls

After a walk, you’ll be ready for a dip at any of the black sand beaches: Piha, Bethells, Muriwai, Karekare.

Always delicious, always a vibe and these are tried and tested by the best …

Kingi
Sustainable seafood (but also delish non-seafood), very NZ cuisine vibes.

Amano
A bit rustic, a bit fancy, always yum.

Depot
An absolute Auckland institution. Try the fish sliders, you won’t regret it.

Kol
A Sid Sahrawat restaurant – one of NZ’s more celebrated chefs. He also has other restaurants in Auckland: Cassia (excellent modern Indian), The French Café (fancy schmancy) and Anise (more causal pan-Asian vibes). Can confirm all are delicious. The cocktails at Kol are A+.

Origine
Absolutely banging French food.

Gemmayze Street
Lebanese-esque flavours, excellent cocktails. If the leeks are on the menu, they’re a must try – you’re welcome.

Café Hanoi
Come for the Vietnamese, stay for the wine list.

Bivacco
Everyone says Soul Bar & Bistro is the go-to for a long lunch at the Viaduct, and there’s probably something in that, but I’m putting in a plug for Bivacco which I think has better food with excellent waterfront vibes.

Cheap and cheerful…

Ima
Another institution (and consistent winner of the best hot cross buns in Auckland). Insanely good Israeli food made by one of Auckland’s most beloved cooks (who is also pro-Palestine so, no matter what your geo-politics are, you can feel good about how delish the food is!)

Shaolin Kung Fu Noodle
I will happily take on anyone who tries to convince me there are better hand-pulled noodles in Auckland. No matter what else you order, you must try No. 24: Xinjiang Lamb Fried Noodles. Chefs kiss.

Commercial Bay Eateries
An excellent hub of cheap eats in the central city – something for everyone.

Arty-type stuff..

The Poi Room
Good collection of art, jewellery, ceramics etc from contemporary NZ artists.

Kura Gallery
Has a great collection of modern Maori art.

Aotea
Ethical and sustainable health and beauty products made from native NZ products grown locally on Great Barrier Island (not far from Auckland).

For the ladies …

If you’re wanting to pick something up from a NZ designer, you might try some of the classics:

Karen Walker

Kate Sylvester

Juliette Hogan

Kowtow:

Trelise Cooper

Deadly Ponies:

Kathryn Wilson

Some NZ jewellery designers….

Meadowlark

Zoe and Morgan

Stolen Girlfriends Club:

Boh Runga

For the lads ….

Just Another Fisherman

I Love Ugly

Working Style
(In case you forgot your suit for the wedding …)

We are known for our coffee so start the day with a good cuppa or have with breakfast at one of the many cafes in the CBD (Pravda has the best cheese scones in town they are normally sold out buy 11am)

Explore Te Papa / Museum of New Zealand which is right on the waterfront and is a very interactive museum.

Continue along the waterfront following oriental parade and stop for lunch if it is a nice day, Beach Babylon is on of Kendrahs favorites or Lola stays is another good cafe, something fun is the Boat Cafe or there is Coene’s Bar for something more upmarket.

After lunch you can walk to the top of Mt Victoria for some great scenic views ( and where you can find the hobbits hideaway from the Lord of the rings), or head to the Cable Car and get a ride up to the Botanical gardens (which also has a great view).

Head back down the hill into the city to grab dinner from a Capitol Classic restaurant

You might want to have a night cap from a hidden bar (Hawthorn Lounge is a 1920s speakeasy vibe we recommend) or attend an Evening Event (Theatre, Sport, Live Music etc)

Lord of The Rings or ….

Jump into the car or hop on the bus and start the fay out at Maranui Cafe , located above the surf club with great views of the south coast (plus they do a great brunch)

Head over to Weta Workshop for a tour (BOOK IN ADVANCE) to see how cool things int he movies get made .. Yes that is a picture of Nick with an Orc.

Just like the movie stars like Orlando Bloom and Sir Ian Mckellen .. YOU SHALL PASS into The Larder to have lunch (again pre book) or if that is full and the weather is good head to Chocolate Fish in Shelly Bay or Scorch-O-Rama on the peninsula point and after lunch you can head up to the Massey Memorial and the Artillery for another famous filming spot

If you didnt go to Mt Victoria yesterday, head up to the look out today an walk the trail for the famous ‘Get off the road’ and ‘Escape from the Nazgûl’ scenes from LOTR

Or you can check out the restored Roxy Movie Theatre and have dinner in its iconic restaurant .. maybe even catch a movie. d Dinner at The Roxy.

Explore the City

The Waterfront wraps around the city so you can take a lovely walk or Croc bike along Oriental Bay and the Waterfront

Meet some Native Wildlife at Zealandia

Grab lunch along the waterfront or on Cuba street which is a pedestrian walking street in the center of the city in which a few brewery’s close by (Fortune Favors, Tuatara, Heyday, Garage Project) and watch some tourist get splashed bu the famous bucket fountain.

Explore Cuba street and Lambton Quay or do some shopping known as the golden mile as the CBD can be walked in 20mins.

Visit the The Great War Exhibition to see an incredible walk through immersive experience.

-Grab some dinner in the city

Fuel up for a day of Nature Walk and Foodie Spots with Coffee or Brunch

Upper Hutt
- Drive (recommended) or Train out to Upper Hut to an easy Swing bridge walking track in the gorge following the river. in rack
- Afterwards refresh with Craft beer and food at Brewtown
- After lunch you can also go for a spin in a go cart, throw an axe, beat an escape room, or one enjoy one of the other activities on offer at Brewtown

Island Bay / Ōwhiro Bay Parade
- Head to the south coast for the Red Rock Coastal Walk which is easy along the shoreline and if you
are lucky you might see the seals along the way.
- Grab lunch at the beach house and kiosk afterwards or take a 10 min drive to Spruce Goose for lunch so you can watch the surfers while you are eating
- Head back to the city for a Chocolate workshop at Wellington Chocolate Factory.
- Enjoy a craft beer from one of Wellington’s many breweries

Martinborough

A trip to Martinborough is a must for wine and food lovers. A 1 hour* drive north of Wellington over the Rematukas you will find over 20 winers and a little town packed with charm.
- Book a tour or hire a bike to taste your way through New Zealand wines. Poppies and Coney’s are Kendrahs favourite stops but others to check out are Runholder, Moy Hall and Colombo. Plus all the cycles have baskets to you can buy wine along the way.
- Patuna Chasm is one of the best kept secrets of natural beauty and a lovely walk (NEED TO BOOK IN ADVANCE)
- Take a trip to Cape Palliser and have lunch at Cape Palliser Bar and Grill which specialises in kiwi seafood (Paua, crayfish etc)

Kapiti Coast (Hometown)

30 Mins* North West of Wellington is the beautiful Kapiti Coast. You can train easily there and back to Wellington.
- Take a tour (self guided or guided) or stay overnight on Kapiti Island (MUST BOOK IN ADVANCE for a boat time) One of New Zealand’s oldest and most important nature reserves Visit Kapiti coasts nature reserve to explore rare forests, native wildlife, and a chance to see a Kiwi in their Nocturnal habitat.
- For more avid hikers there is a cliff side track called the Escarpment Track from Kapiti Coast that has stunning view of the coast line that is about 9km (3/4hours) long but totally worth it for the views on a good day.
- The town has delicious eateries and unique shops, horse riding tours, and an awarding winning art scene so there is plenty to uncover in the Kapiti Coast.

Castle Point Scenic Reserve

2 and a half hours drive* North East of Wellington along the Wairarapa coastline is Castle Point. With a fossil-rich limestone reef, safe sandy beaches and the stunning 162m high Castle Rock. Visitor may get lucky with Dolphin and seal sightings. There are no restaurants at the point, so pack a picnic or you can get fish and chips at the local chippy or on the way back stop into the Tinui Pub which is a classic NZ small town pub.

*Time of day and traffic dependent

Ready for Adventure?
Queenstown is known as the adventure city of New Zealand and it does not disappoint in beauty and adrenaline here are Chelsea’s MUST DO’s for an adventure junkie…

Bungee Jumping: Queenstown is famous for its bungee jumping spots like the Kawarau Bridge and Nevis (Swing) Bungy

Skydiving: Experience the thrill of free-falling with spectacular views of lakes and mountains

Jet Boating: Take a jet boat ride on the Shotover River for an adrenaline rush

Paragliding and Hang Gliding: Enjoy the breathtaking aerial views of the region

White Water Rafting: Navigate the rapids of the Shotover or Kawarau Rivers

Queenstown is known for its stunning landscapes and Milford Sound is one of the most beautiful and remote places that you can visit by car in New Zealand.

Milford Sound: Take a day trip or an overnight cruise to this stunning fjord

Lake Wakatipu: Enjoy a scenic cruise on this picturesque lake

Skyline Gondola: Ride the gondola to Bob's Peak for panoramic views and try the luge tracks

Helicopter Tours: Get a bird’s-eye view of Queenstown’s majestic landscapes and see some of the stunning Lord of the Rings mountain ranges.. they even have specialty LOTR Heli Tours

Us Kiwi’s love the outdoors and there are some very cool activities you can do in Queenstown including cycling the old gold-mining trail which is stunning on a nice day.

Hiking and Trekking: Explore trails like the Ben Lomond Track, Queenstown Hill, and the Routeburn Track

Cycling: Ride through scenic trails such as the Queenstown Trail, Lake Dunstan Trail (Cromwell)

Skiing and Snowboarding: Visit nearby ski resorts like Coronet Peak and The Remarkables during winter

Golfing: Play a round at world-class golf courses like Jack's Point and Millbrook Resort

It doesn’t all have to be thrills, there is something for everyone in Queenstown and these are some of the favorites for a nice chill day while still soaking up this beautiful city.

Onsen Hot Pools: Relax in private hot pools with a view of the Shotover River

Wineries: Tour the local vineyards and enjoy wine tasting in Arrowtown and Gibbston Valley areas. Highlights include Ayrburn, Akarua Wines & Kitchen by Artisan, Amisfield Winery & Bistro, Chard Farm & Gibbston Valley Winery.

Queenstown Gardens: Stroll through these beautiful gardens located by the lake.

Dining and Shopping: Explore the vibrant town center with its restaurants, cafes, and boutiques right next to the lake.

You cant leave Queenstown without grabbing a Burger from Fergburger (its an institution and has a large range of interestng flavours) or a pie from Fergbaker .. There is always a large queue but its always worth the wait.

Ready for Adventure?
Hamilton id the base to start your great adventure - if you are a fan of The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit this is where you need to go.


Hobbiton the movie set: THIS IS A MUST and you NEED TO BOOK IN ADVANCE as tickets do sell out over the summer. Book to visit the Hobbit holes and have a drink at the Green Dragon Pub.

Glow Worms at Waitomo Caves: Experience the thrill of the caves being light up by thousands of glow worms. YOU WILL NEED TO BOOK IN ADVANCE this is about 1.5hour drive from Hamilton and there are two options, easy going boat ride or extreme adventure black water rafting for 3 hours in the caves. Either are great options and this is a unique experience.

Botanical Gardens: this is in the city centre and on Sundays normally has a range of food trucks to snack from which is great on a nice day.

Visit Sanctuary mountain Maungatautari : this is a bit further out of Hamilton more closer to Hobbiton but a great selection of nature walks and native birds.

Rotorua has mud pools, geysers, hot pool and smells like sulphur everywhere but it is also a great adventure spot. You can treat it like a giant spa day or be a thrill seeker for a day or two.

The Skyline Gondola & Luge is world famous, its a great blend of easy going and adventure as you speed do the hill track depending on your group and the views are great at the top that everyone can enjoy.

Hells gate geothermal park sounds is worse than it is.. but it is impressive to see the geothermal activity based on the volcanic activity.

Puia Thermal Wonderland has the largest active geyser in southern hemisphere so this is an alternative option to the mud pools at Hells gate

Kaituna White Water River rafting is for the thrill seeks with grade 5 rapids and the highest commercial rafted waterfall in the world , sounds fun right?

Zorbing : you cant go to rotorua and not Zorb, tumbling down a hill in a giant ball is a barrel of laughs and was invented here so i would say of you are Game you should do it atleast once.

Taupō is located on the northeastern shore of Lake Taupō, New Zealand's largest lake, which is itself in the caldera of the Taupō Volcano. Which means it was created from a volcano magma chamber erupting so they call it the crater lake.

Glass blowing: - for something different pop into the lava glass blowing studio on the each of town and watch the action.

Huka falls jet boating or visit the Huka Falls viewing platform to see the falls.

De Bretts : thermal springs are NZ famous if you didnt get a chance to go in Rotorua make sure you stop here and has some great kids areas if needed

Mt Tauhara Trail: (4miles) medium hike for some great views ,

Hole in 1 Golf : if you are an avid golfer you can not try the hole in 1 challenge, driving out to a platform on the lake, the winning prize for a hole in one is $10K

Tongariro Crossing is one of the most popular day walks in all of New Zealand but its not for the faint hearted it is the walk to Mt doom in Lord of the Rings, which equates to 12miles (known as the most difficult day hikes in NZ) but worth it if you like to hike - just be prepared for the elements as the ecosystem can vary depending on the day. this has to be booked in advance as there is a day limit on how many people can walk the 1- way track. The starting point is about 1.5hours from Taupo

Napier is a beautiful Art Deco coastal town in the Hawke Bay region which is know as another part of wine country. The surrounding towns of Hastings and Havelock North all have great wineries too.

Some of the best wineries to visit and all great lunch spots also:

Mission Estate Winery

Church Road Winery

Craggy Range Winey

Te Mata Peak lookout, for those up for hike this is a great one in the area, or you can drive up to the lookout of your prefer. Art Deco tour

Walk the boulevard , and see the beautiful buildings,

Visit the Aquarium on the waterfront