New Zealand Travel Q&A

For a country that is famously remote, New Zealand feels incredibly accessible. Whether it’s the warm, welcoming ways of the 4.7 million residents or the magnetic pull of the coastal and mountain landscapes that fill every corner of this island nation, you’ll feel relaxed and at home the minute your feet touch the ground. As Mr. Harper notes, “New Zealand is peaceful, hospitable and seems blessedly detached from the planet’s woes.”

No matter what you’re in the mood for, a distinctly New Zealand experience awaits. From action-packed adventure to basking in the magical surroundings at a slow and serene pace, New Zealand takes every experience imaginable and gives it an indelibly Kiwi twist.

Friendly, down-to-earth New Zealanders are always happy to talk about their homeland, so we asked a few to share their thoughts on what makes a New Zealand experience unlike any other. They included Joanne Ross, owner of Azur Lodge; Barry Walters, director of Lake Timara Lodge; Sam Porter, managing director with Seasonz Travel; and Karine Thomas, marketing manager at Treetops Lodge & Estate.

Describe New Zealand in five words or fewer:

Azur Lodge: Friendly, fun, with stunning scenery.

Lake Timara Lodge: Brilliant every day, something different!

Seasonz: Everything you expect, only better.

What surprises travelers most about New Zealand?

Azur Lodge: Despite sheep outnumbering people 10-1, they’re not native to New Zealand. In fact, New Zealand’s only native land mammals are three species of bat. You’re unlikely to see any scary creatures if you take a walk in the woods; however, do listen for the amazing birdsong, as New Zealand has dozens of beautiful and varied native birds.

Lake Timara Lodge: The utterly friendly people, [that] it’s a small country with a big heartland, open-road touring with no dense traffic and that cops are few and far between because of our low crime rate.

Seasonz: Many dining experiences are truly world class. And, for a relatively small country, it can be time-consuming to move between regions. The key to both is to work with a great local operator (like Seasonz!) so they can help you make the most of your precious time.

Treetops Lodge & Estate: Always how friendly Kiwis are, how safe our country is and how great our food is.

What uniquely New Zealand or out-of-the-ordinary experiences do you recommend?

Azur Lodge: If you want to head off the beaten track, try hiking into the backcountry and drinking water straight from an alpine stream. New Zealand has amazing multiday and [single] day walks for all fitness levels. Some of our favorites include the Routeburn Track, Ben Lomond and hikes in and around Mount Cook. Rudyard Kipling famously described Milford Sound as the eighth wonder of the world — see it in style with a helicopter trip from Queenstown that stops on a glacier along the way.

Lake Timara Lodge: There are heaps of them, from semitropical activities at the upper end of North Island to full-on four seasons and snowcapped ski fields in the south. Many high-adrenaline bungy jumps are found here, and jet boating is everywhere. Alternatively, go wild pig or tahr hunting. Big bluenose marlins are still here by the score.

Seasonz: From white sand beaches to geothermal mud pools to magnificent alpine settings, New Zealand offers visual splendor each and every day. Standing on a glacier, then being whisked away in a helicopter for a remote alpine picnic is an unforgettable experience. But it is also the people that make the place unique. Interacting with a local farmer or meeting a winemaker and having them share their passion with you leaves lasting memories.

If you had to prepare a culinary experience that represents the taste of New Zealand, what would you include?

Lake Timara Lodge: Marlborough is rapidly becoming number one in the world for Sauvignon Blanc. Wild venison and king salmon are worldwide, but our land is still undiscovered in some regions. Waters are crystal clear and full of great fish dishes.

Seasonz: Farming is a core part of New Zealand’s agribusiness, so the menu would feature a slow-roast leg of lamb or beef partnered with seasonal vegetables. With the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Tasman Sea on the other, the meal would also include seafood — fresh scallops, crayfish, whitebait and our famous bluff oysters — all washed down with a Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay followed by a Central Otago Pinot Noir.

Treetops Lodge & Estate: With Treetops’ “Estate to Plate’’ 4WD safari, guests join game keepers and wild-food chefs to tour and taste in our organic kitchen garden and orchard, visit our Mānuka honey aviaries and then drive to see the estate’s deer, elk, water buffalo, wild pigs, game birds and trout streams. Finish the day with one of Treetops’ signature dishes, which cleverly blend fresh herbs, vegetables and flavors specific to New Zealand.

What New Zealand experiences are suitable for children?

Azur Lodge: Take a family trip up the skyline gondola for some fun-filled luge laps. Luging is an activity for the whole family, using individual gravity-driven carts that wind down a track overlooking Queenstown below.

Seasonz: From off-road buggy experiences racing through alpine forests, to relaxing on a catamaran in the Bay of Islands during the morning, only to have a bunch of jet skis turn up after lunch to liven up proceedings, each region of New Zealand offers a range of ways in which children can be educated and entertained.

Treetops Lodge & Estate: Get out into nature, into what we cal “the bush.’’ Treetops’ educational workshops are designed for kids to learn about our native birds and trees, and some amazing Maori storytelling is provided by Eru, our resident storyteller. Another favorite is to hop on our helicopter and land on White Island, a real-life erupting volcano, or cruise Lake Rotoiti in the catamaran-style motor boat to find hidden hot pools.

Does a traveler’s experience in New Zealand change with the seasons?

Azur Lodge: In summer, enjoy barbecues, wear “jandals’’ or no shoes (a surefire way to spot a local) and make the most of your day since the sun doesn’t set until 9 p.m. In winter, New Zealand has several commercial ski fields around Queenstown and Wanaka, but if you want a true Kiwi ski experience, try one of the small local club fields. The adventure starts just trying to reach these ski areas, not to mention the challenges of figuring out how to use a nutcracker rope tow to access upper slopes.

Lake Timara Lodge: In late spring and summer, gardens bloom everywhere, and the days are warm and sunny with sunsets to die for. Winter is only full-on in the ski centers and snow-capped mountains.

Seasonz: For a skiing holiday, the best time of year is July or August. However, New Zealand really is a year-round destination. Northland (at the top of the North Island) is often called the “Winterless North,’’ and there are actually fewer rain days over the winter months in alpine Queenstown than in any other season.

When is the best time to visit New Zealand?

Azur Lodge: New Zealand has something to offer in every season. It is renowned for having four seasons in one day, whatever the time of year, so be prepared for any weather. Summer can be particularly busy, so it’s best to avoid the Christmas and New Year’s holidays as accommodations and activity providers can book up early. Many Kiwis are on holiday for most of January. Everywhere is fresh and green in spring, and autumn has beautiful fall colors best enjoyed from one of Central Otago’s Pinot Noir wineries or the quaint, historic gold-mining town of Arrowtown. Winter brings a different energy, mixing the best bits of a ski season, including spectacular snowcapped mountains (The Remarkables mountain range has the name for a reason!) with a variety of heartwarming or adrenaline-pumping activities.

Lake Timara Lodge: Most would say your northern hemisphere winter is our best playground, with warm heavenly days of very little rain. Anytime from mid-December is mild and sunny and smells of perfumed gardens in total abundance, especially at Lake Timara Lodge, where over 500 roses bloom in our perfumed gardens.

Seasonz: New Zealand is becoming a year-round destination with arrivals now starting from September [and continuing] until the end of April. If I had to pick, my favorite time to travel around New Zealand is in February.

Treetops Lodge & Estate: It’s more picturesque in the South Island in winter, with the snow, but the North Island is all beaches and lakes, so it’s a great summer destination.

If a traveler wanted to experience a day of complete relaxation, what would you suggest?

Azur Lodge: After waking up to views of Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps, have a relaxing spa bath set in a bay window that opens up for a romantic indoor-outdoor experience. Follow with breakfast delivered to your private balcony. If you don’t want to venture far, let the Azur team arrange an in-villa massage or suggest a number of short walks and quaint cafés in the area. Alternatively, enjoy a private wine tour around the local vineyards, or take a steamship cruise across the lake.

Lake Timara Lodge: Marlborough experiences exceptional sunshine hours, but it’s not hot, sticky or sweaty. A cool, world-class Sauvignon Blanc by our abundant waters and lakes with a Champagne-style picnic hamper and total tranquility is heaven on earth.

Treetops Lodge & Estate: Spend a day at Treetops’ Rituals Spa, which offers indigenous spa therapies, including our new Manuka Honey Body Scrub, sourced on the Treetops Estate. The spa provides two holistic styles of massage — mirimiri and romiromi — both revered as ancient and sacred taonga (a Maori cultural treasure).

What would you recommend for a day of action-packed adventure?

Azur Lodge: Come to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world! Spend the morning jumping from the highest bungy in Australasia, followed by a quick jet boat excursion through the spectacularly narrow Shotover Canyon. In the afternoon, combine a scenic helicopter flight into the historic Skippers Canyon with an adrenaline-fueled whitewater rafting trip.

Seasonz: While there are great adventure options all through the country, Queenstown is deservedly the action capital of the country. Start with a 12,000-foot tandem skydive looking out over The Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu before heading out towards Arthurs Point for an off-road buggy experience. After that, you can jump in the iconic Shotover Jet just around the corner to “shoot the canyons.” After lunch in Arrowtown, head out to Gibbston Valley to jump off a perfectly good bridge (we recommend AJ Hackett’s Kawarau Bridge) and then end the day with an exclusive quad-bike adventure.

If you had to move from New Zealand tomorrow, what would you miss most? Why?

Azur Lodge: I would definitely miss the friendly locals and relaxed pace of life. Everybody is willing to help you out with a “no-worries” and “can-do” attitude. I would also miss the outdoor lifestyle — people socialize by doing things here. With a warm, temperate climate and long summer evenings, it is easy to catch up with friends on a hike or bike ride and enjoy the spectacular scenery and atmosphere New Zealand provides.

Treetops Lodge & Estate: Our multicultural society, which is accepting of our native people and new immigrants and has a sense of fairness and what is right for all people living in our country, not depending on color or religion or wealth. And also our “No. 8 wire” mentality, which means we can fix anything ourselves.