New Zealand undoubtedly boasts some of Earth’s most breathtaking vistas and surreal landscapes, from snow-capped peaks reminiscent of Middle Earth, to aquamarine lakes set into volcanic valleys.
It also boasts some of the world’s best luxury travel options. And we don’t just mean five-star luxury – think upmarket eco lodges, grand farmhouse accommodation and adventure holidays you won’t find anywhere else.
Auckland, the country’s largest metropolis offers unique culture and some of the hemisphere’s best wining and dining options, but after a few days spent absorbing the city’s fashion hotspots and festivities, you’re going to want to jump in a boat or helicopter and get exploring.
Just a ten-minute helicopter ride from Auckland is the world-famous Waiheke Island, a magical destination brimming with native flora and fauna, private white sand beaches and some seriously luxury retreats that have hosted everyone from Michael Douglas to Taylor Swift. As well as world-class restaurants and vineyards, eclectic markets and boutique shopping, the island – which was historically a getaway for creative types and thinkers – is steeped in artistic history.
Just an hour from Auckland by helicopter is New Zealand’s North Island, with its magnificent falls and great glass heart – Lake Taupo. (Great is an understatement here as it’s roughly the size of Singapore.)
Unique hiking trails give visitors insight into the lake’s fiery birth in the geysers, complete with steaming craters and bubbling mud pools, while some of Lake Taupo’s beaches allow for swimmers to bask in warm geothermal temperatures.
New Zealand is simply littered with luxury lodges, and the Huka Lodge is one of its finest. Whether it’s fishing, food or simply the great outdoors you’re after, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Tucked alongside the Waikato River and close to the colossal Huka falls, it even makes for the ideal base camp in winter months, with some of the island’s premier slopes just a short hop away.
A little further south you’ll find Napier, a coastal city set amongst the renowned Hawke’s Bay wine region. Categorically destroyed by an earthquake in 1931, the city enjoyed a spectacular resurgence as one of the world’s premier Art Deco destinations. An annual festival in February celebrates the clean lines and bold colours epitomised by the artistic movement, though the city is beyond charming year-round.
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers is an idyllic Hawke’s Bay property situated in the heart of wine country. With seasonal produce sourced from its own gardens, and a world acclaimed golf course, it truly represents farm-luxe at its finest.
And if you make it to the South Island, you’ll find just as many memorable moments and unforgettable sights, from The Remarkables – an awe-inspiring mountain range that lives up to its name, to the glistening alpine resort of Caldona.
Heavenly Queenstown is the gem of the south, and it’s famous for its sophistication as well as its adventure holidays. Brimming with culture, the city’s airports are jam-packed with private jets belonging to the world’s well-heeled and elite.
With a backdrop of rugged mountains and the shimmering Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown’s Azur Lodge has nine private villas that make for an unforgettable experience. Each is equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows and spa baths designed to immerse guests in their astonishing natural surroundings.
Wanaka, the gateway to the Southern Alps’ Mount Aspiring National Park, has everything from glaciers to vast beech forests. Perched on its shores, Whare Kea Lodge and Chalet, offers outstanding views, a range of leisure activities and an award-winning chef. Guests can even rent their own private alpine chalet which can only be reached by chopper.
Whether you’re seeking sand or sport, art or adventure, New Zealand has it all, just waiting to be enjoyed against a backdrop so striking, it truly needs to be seen to be believed.
Written by Thea Carley
