Page 20 - Carrier Magazine in partnership with Full Circle Travel

20 Inspiration North & South 21

NORTH For a road trip into the great outdoors, New Zealand’s crystal-clear streams; take a orchard, vegetables from the
wilderness is vast and varied. From snow-capped
garden, honey from local bees,
four-wheel drive farm tour,
mountains, glacial lakes and spectacular waterfalls to
& SOUTH glistening bays, silent fjords, lush wineries and some quad biking. Explore black sand not uncommon to see a chef
wild fennel from the coast (it’s
horse ride along the coast or try
seriously great places to stay along the way, we bring
beaches, walk to Cape Palliser
out foraging). The dinner menu
you the ultimate North and South Island itinerary.
changes with the seasons but
Lighthouse and the nearby seal
The question is: which one will win you over?
colony or go on a wine tour
(there are 29 boutique wineries expect lots of beef and lamb.
in striking distance so tasting
comes with the territory). Back
at the ranch, the cottages have
crackling fires, squishy sofas
and huge beds. Food is flat-out
fabulous with a strong farm to
table stance: fruits from the

DOWN SOUTH adventure like this small town, The trip’s finale comes in the secluded beaches; soar above
Hop on a plane for the uber- a great place to get some proper form of Minaret Station, a lakes, glaciers, mountains and
quick flight from Wellington adrenalin-pumping fun. Go luxury lodge in the heart of the waterfalls, touching down
to Christchurch before picking cross-country cycling, hang Southern Alps, only accessible wherever, whenever. The
up another set of wheels. No glide or hurtle through the by helicopter. Owned by four, premier alpine chalets
South Island trip would feel air on a sky dive. Take a deep four brothers who live and complete with hot tubs and
right without stopping off breath and go bungee jumping, breathe these mountains, this roaring open fires are your very
in Kaikoura, described by zip-lining or canyon swinging is authentic New Zealand. So own hiding place that nobody
National Geographic as ‘a and, if you’re visiting in winter, remote, everything comes in else can reach. Enjoy...
maritime Serengeti’. It’s home hit the ski slopes. Whatever the and out by helicopter, Minaret
to sperm whales, dolphins, season, Queenstown buzzes Station is as true to wilderness
seals and albatross all year with outdoorsy energy. A hop as you can get. There are
round, and if you’re lucky the from the action is Eichardt’s no roads, just gargantuan
odd blue whale and Orca. Private Hotel, its lakefront mountains and some of the
Swimming with Kaikoura’s address something of a purest air you’ll ever breathe.
dusky dolphins is real once-in- landmark. Once the haunt of Adventures come on foot, skis,
a-lifetime stuff. There are also local gold miners, it is now a two wheels, on water or in
fishing trips or get a local guide boutique property. Its historic the sky. Fly-fish the remotest
to take you crayfish diving. bar is fabulously famous: the rivers, mountain bike deep
Just a few miles north on a atmosphere is brilliant and the into the wilds or go heli-skiing.
deer breeding farm is Hapuku wines world-class. Fly over fjords, landing on
Lodge & Tree Houses. There
are just five treehouses, all
unique and jaw-droppingly
beautiful. Set ten metres above
UP NORTH Mediterranean-esque villas surround this riverside the volcanic heartland. Carry ground in the canopy of a native
Bay of Islands is one of the including Rahimoana with its sanctuary, and a short walk on south to Wairarapa wine Kanuka grove, these wood-
world’s ultimate maritime sliding glass wall, 25 metre beyond its gates is Huka Falls. region. Overlooking the clad masterpieces are like
playgrounds. Turquoise infinity pool, private beach Once a simple angler’s lodge, it wild surf of Palliser Bay is bedrooms in the sky. Run by a
waters surround 144 islands; and spellbinding views of is now swish but homely, with Wharekauhau Country husband and wife team, Fiona
there are vast swathes of the island-flecked ocean. roaring fires, a cosy library and Estate, a coastal ranch is a former Masterchef finalist
untouched beach, big game After days spent exploring, some of the best food you’ll surrounded by 5,000 acres so there’s a foodie focus. Expect
fishing, kayaking and a host we can’t think of a bolthole find in the north. Break out of a working sheep farm. lots of venison and crayfish (kai
of sailing opportunities we’d rather be. of the bubble, wader yourself Embrace nature and hike means ‘to eat’ koura means
(spending overnight onboard up and plunge through rivers through ancient forests past ‘crayfish’) alongside their own
a luxury catamaran comes Wend your way down to Taupo, fly-fishing; take an adrenalin- olive oil. And for every guest
highly recommended). It’s a must-stop in the heart of fuelled white water rafting trip that stays, the owners plant a Clockwise from top
also home to Eagles Nest, North Island. On a bend of the down the Waikato; you can native tree or shrub. Palliser Bay lighthouse;
a 75 acre estate on its own mighty Waikato River is the jet boat, sky dive or indulge Clockwise from top Helicopter at a glacier in
Queenstown; mountain
private ridgeline. There are foodie/fishing focused Huka in style on a champagne Eagles Nest; surfers; traditional Next up is Queenstown hiking; Hapuku Lodge;
just five drop-dead gorgeous Lodge. Park-like grounds helicopter excursion over Moari costume; Raglan Beach and nowhere does outdoor Whirinaki Rainforest

To speak to one of our specialists, please see contact details on inside back cover To speak to one of our specialists, please see contact details on inside back cover