null
New Zealand: What to get up to when you visit

New Zealand: What to get up to when you visit

Posted by Team NZNC on 13th May 2022

Here at New Zealand Natural Clothing, we’re very proud to be from such a beautiful country. There is so much more to New Zealand than meets the eye.

We have such rich histories, cultures, produce and a sporting world that is second to none. And, to make it even better, we have a thriving farming community and some of the most beautiful sights in the world.

The few things I have mentioned above don’t even scratch the surface of the wonders that New Zealand has to offer.

In this blog, we’re going to be telling you exactly why you should put New Zealand at the top of your bucket list.

We’ll also be telling you about some of our favourite things to get up to in NZ. So that you can enjoy your time here like a true Kiwi.

By the end of this blog, you’ll have your bags packed ready for the next direct flight!

If you’re native to New Zealand, many of these activities will seem commonplace to you. You’re lucky to be a Kiwi and live in NZ! This blog is great to share with any friends or family that are planning to take a visit. Who knows, maybe you’ll find some inspiration for your next day out here too.

Walking / Tramping activities:

Milford Sound

You will find Milford Sound on the west coast of the South Island. A couple of hours away from the nearest town, it has a range of cliffs and waterfalls that were carved by glaciers that we are sure will leave you in awe.

It was named the ‘'eighth wonder of the world’’ by Rudyard Kipling for a reason!

There are so many activities to get up to besides tramping in Milford Sound, which makes it the perfect destination. You could embark on a cruise, go kayaking or even take a dive or go snorkelling.

Roy’s Peak

Roys peak is one of New Zealand's most famous tracks. You will get to experience the Wanaka region in all of its fullness. Beginning from Wanaka Lake you will travel through until you reach Roy’s Peak.

This destination boasts some of the most spectacular sunsets and unforgettable sights.If you do choose to venture up to Roy’s Peak, there is a great blog here which tells you everything you will need to know. From season closures to where to camp and what you can expect on your way.

Spend a night in a mountain hut

Would it be a trip to NZ without a stay in a mountain hut? Wherever you choose to explore in New Zealand, you’ll never be far away from a walk you’ll never forget. And, what better way to take it all in than staying in a mountain hut and being able to look over the land lit by the stars.

The Department of Conservation has a list of over 950 huts. You can choose where and what kind of track the hut is on and book all that you need in advance. You can find that list here.

Abel Tasman National Park

You will find the Abel Tasman National Park located 40 minutes away from Nelson at the top of the South Island. If you decide to visit, you will find yourself exploring stunning white sand beaches and crystal clear bays.

If you want to walk the track in its entirety, it can take up to three days. But, no need to worry if you’re not that confident in your walking abilities just yet! You can choose to do a portion of the walk. Or, if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, why not try a kayak tour?

Activities:

New Zealand has a wealth of fun just waiting for you to explore it. Here are a few of the most popular attractions to get you excited:

Sky Tower

The Auckland skyline wouldn’t be the same without the Sky Tower. What's more, you’re able to view the city from 186 metres above street level with 360 degree panoramic views.

The Sky Tower allows you to experience incredible 360° views of Tamaki Makaurau, including ancient volcanoes, gleaming sunlit harbours, and more. If that wasn’t enough to pique your interest, you can choose to go for dinner looking over the city. Or, if you’re an adrenaline junkie, how does a Skywalk or Skyjump sound?

There is so much that the Sky Tower can offer. You can read more and book your tickets here.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

Named one of ‘’The 20 most surreal places in the world’’ by Tripadvisor, you wouldn’t want to miss out on a trip to Wai-O-Tapu’s Thermal Wonderland. This once in a lifetime experience is located just a short drive away from Rotorua or Taupo.

Wai-O-Tapu’s Thermal Wonderland is a stunning display of New Zealand's most vibrant and distinctive geothermal elements, moulded by countless generations of geothermal activity.

The thermal wonderland is so stunning that many people who have experienced it say that pictures and stories do not do it justice. You just have to go and see for yourself!

Hobbiton

Even if you’re not a diehard Lord Of The Rings fan, how exciting does a trip to the shire sound? Located 15 minutes away from Matamata town centre, in a matter of minutes you can be transported from mainland New Zealand to J. R. R. Tolkien’s magical world.

You can choose to opt for a group or private tour of the set and its surroundings or dine just as a hobbit would at The Green Dragon Inn. If you're feeling up to it, why not sign yourself up for the Halfling Marathon?

Hobbiton offers so many options for you to get stuck into. Who doesn’t want to visit a movie set on their holidays?

Hot Water Beach

Can you imagine being able to build your very own hot pool on one of New Zealand's most stunning beaches? Well, luckily for you, you don’t need to imagine. All you need is to get yourself to the Hot Water Beach with a shovel in hand.

Not only are you able to bask in your very own hot pool, you can surf, eat, enjoy the beach and even visit an art gallery.

Food and drink:

New Zealand is as famous for its wondrous sights as it is for its cuisine. A country full of some of the world’s best seafood, wine and beer. The options for some NZ delicacies that will get your taste buds tingling are endless. Here are some of the options that we think you just have to try while you’re visiting:

Wine tasting

With the amount of wonderful wineries that New Zealand has to offer, it would be silly of us to only recommend one to you in this list. NZ is world renowned for its wine. There are so many different vineyards to choose to visit. All with their own history and specialities that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Here is a list of the top wineries in New Zealand. The locations in the list span across New Zealand, so you’ll be sure to find a location to pop into your itinerary!

Craft beer and breweries

New Zealand is home to many craft beer breweries. Drinking beer is an experience in NZ. Each craft beer or brewery has its own unique story behind it. From the way it is made, the taste and even the way it's packaged.

Many of the breweries are open for bookings where you can opt for a beer tasting or even get inside the breweries to see how they make them. If you’re lucky you might even be able to get stuck in yourself!

Similar to the options for wine tasting above, there are just too many options to narrow them down in this blog. 100% Pure New Zealand has some great information here about all things beer. You can even check out some of the beer festivals that happen across NZ every year!

Huka Prawn Park

Amongst many other things, NZ is widely acclaimed for its seafood. And, what better way to try some than at Huka Prawn Park. Located in Taupo, it is its only riverside restaurant.

You can choose to huddle up in front of an open fire while taking in the views of the Waikato River. Or, you could go alfresco!

Their menu is specifically curated so that you are able to enjoy the best produce that the area has to offer. Giant freshwater prawns served up in a curry or tossed with garlic butter to name a few. If prawns aren’t up your street, no need to worry! They have other delights from under the sea to suit everyone.

Maybe the best thing about Huka Prawn Park is that there is a prawn themed fun park on site where you can spend your day enjoying what the park can offer you while you work up an appetite for those prawns!

Māori hāngī

A trip to New Zealand would not be complete without immersing yourself in the rich and beautiful Maori culture that it has to offer. And, what better way to begin than trying some cultural food?

Traditionally, Māori people cooked in earth ovens called ‘hāngī'. Fish and kumara (sweet potato) were cooked in a pit dug in the ground in traditional hangi cuisine. Pork, lamb, potato, pumpkin, and cabbage are also very popular.

Depending on the amount of food, the Hangi is left in the ground for three to four hours. Tender meat and delectable veggies are the product of this technique, which are flavoured with smokey, earthy flavours.

If you’re interested and would like to try some hangi, you can find it in:

Rotorua - Visit the Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village, Tamaki Māori Village or Te Puia 

Auckland - The Maori Kitchen in Auckland serves Hangi seven days a week.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds - Here you can opt for a special dining experience. You will be able to feast on hangi followed by a cultural show!

Along with many other traditional Māori restaurants across New Zealand.  

Bluff Oyster and Food Festival

If you’ve ever attended a food festival before, you know they’re a lot of fun. What could be better than a seafood festival in a country that produces some of the best seafood in the world?

The Bluff Oyster and Food Festival is a yearly event in Bluff. You can get your hands on some delectable bluff oysters and a variety of other under the sea treats. Crayfish, salmon, whitebait.. The list goes on! Make sure to get yourself a portion of the blue cod, we promise you won’t regret it!

Other than the food stands, there are stalls, live music and performances and even an on site museum to visit.

Wildfoods Festival

If you like being a little more adventurous with your culinary choices, the Wildfoods Festival will be right up your street!

Imagine a music festival where you can set up camp and dance with your friends until the sun comes up. Combine that with a couple of days of experiencing some of the best wild food New Zealand has to offer and you’ve hit the nail on the head.

Every year, they have a ‘Feral Fashion’ competition. It is not mandatory to get involved, but it definitely is a lot of fun! Contestants use their imaginations to construct a wild alter ego to wear to the festival. Some even forage from their surroundings to add to the costume.

Sports:

Skiing

New Zealand really does have it all. While it has some of the most stunning beaches in the world, it also has some of the most idyllic locations to ski! Canterbury, The Mackenzie District, The North Island.. The list goes on and on.

There is something to suit everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re a ski fanatic or if it's your first time on the slopes. There are so many options, you’re guaranteed to find something that suits you, your budget and your experience level.

Welove2ski has written a comprehensive guide with all of the places that you can go skiing in NZ. From location, season openings, price and some really detailed descriptions of what each site can provide you with. You can find that here.

Mountain biking

With all of the amazing scenery NZ has, it would be silly to not explore it. On foot is one way to go about it. But on a bike? Even better!

It’s no surprise that mountain biking is so popular in New Zealand. Once you’ve laid your eyes on some of the tracks, you’ll understand why.

Similar to skiing, there is something for everyone. Regardless of what your experience level is. If you’re a bit of an adrenaline junkie and the thought of riding down some rugged mountains sounds right up your street - here is a list of the top 10 mountain biking tracks in NZ.

All of the information you’ll need to know is there, too. Difficulty level, location and any booking information is just a click away.

Rotorua Luge

Rotorua Luge is a once in a lifetime experience. Get yourself seated in your Luge which takes you on a thrill filled adventure through the Redwood Forest. Part toboggan, part go-kart with a unique steering and braking system.

After you’ve navigated your way through the forest, you get to enjoy a chair lift ride back to the top where you can try your hand at the next track.

Sounds good? See you in a Luge!

Skydiving

Is there a better way to take in the sights than skydiving? There are very few things you can do that will give the rush that sky diving will. With a country as scenic as NZ, there isn’t any better place to do it!

As skydiving is so popular in NZ, you’ll be able to find somewhere to go skydiving close to wherever you find yourself. If skydiving is a bit too intense for you, why not try a helicopter ride?

Here are over 200 skydiving activities across NZ that you can get involved in during your visit. Some of them even include dinner once you land. What are you waiting for?

What are you going to get up to on your visit?

So, now you have a comprehensive guide of some of the best experiences NZ can offer you. From sporting to food, make sure to keep this list handy for your next visit to New Zealand.

While this blog has some of our favourite things to get up to while you’re here, there is still so much more to explore. Sounds to me like it is time to start packing those bags!

If you do try any of the experiences / activities listed above, be sure to let us know what you think about them! And, if you’re a Kiwi sending this to visiting friends or family members and you think there is something we’ve missed, let us know.

In any case, we hope you love New Zealand just as much as we do. Safe travels!

 

//

//