Beaches to backroads: a traveller’s take on New Zealand

Wineries, waterfalls and wide-open roads – Kuoni Traveller Chris Dee shares his highlights from a once-in-a-lifetime New Zealand adventure.

Te Anau Lake ©Chris Dee 

When Chris booked a solo trip to New Zealand, it wasn’t white-knuckle thrills or Middle Earth movie sets that drew him in. He wanted to soak up New Zealand’s spectacular scenery, lace up his boots for a few great hikes and stop off for world-class wine along the way.

“I’ve travelled quite a lot – 59 countries and counting – but New Zealand was still missing from the list,” he says. “I had a window in my diary, so it was one of those ‘why not now?’ holidays.”

Chris wanted to see the best of New Zealand without spending weeks planning the logistics. So when he came to Kuoni, he was matched with expert Kim Ladas, who worked with him to create a highlight-packed route.

By November, plans had turned into plane tickets – and it was wheels up for New Zealand.

Onetangi Bay, Waiheke ©Chris Dee 

Beaches & vines

Before setting off, Chris had pictured New Zealand as a land of mountains, lakes and long hikes. Beaches weren’t really on the radar – until he took a spur-of-the-moment ferry ride to Waiheke Island.

“I had no idea New Zealand had such fabulous beaches,” he says. “Waiheke’s easy to reach by ferry from Auckland and is home to some amazing boutique wineries.” He passed on the more touristy vineyards and headed for Casita Miro, a rural restaurant set above its own vines, known for its tasty tapas dishes and house aperitif, Madame Rouge. “I like seeking out places beyond the obvious; that’s where you really get to know a destination.”

Another beach he recommends in the north is Waihi Beach. “It was just beautiful,” he says. “Windswept, open and no one around. On the drive, I saw a sign for an old gold mine, so I stopped to explore and learn a bit about the area’s mining past. That’s the kind of thing I enjoy, following whatever catches my eye on the map.”

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland ©Chris Dee 

Geysers and good food

As the road carried him on to Rotorua, the scenery changed completely. At Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, steam curled up from the earth and pools of turquoise and ochre bubbled beside the paths. “I expected Rotorua to be a place that just smells of sulphur,” he laughs, “but the colours and views were astonishing, especially in spring.”

A quick stop at Hobbiton also turned out far better than expected. “It wasn’t on my tick list, but the behind-the-scenes stories were brilliant. It would be a shame to miss if you’re on the North Island.”

Hobbiton ©Chris Dee 

Further east in the art deco city of Napier, a food and wine tour (recommended by Kim) became an impromptu morning with a local guide who knew everyone in town. “It ended up being a highlight,” Chris says. “We went off track to his favourite haunts and I got a real feel for Napier and North Havelock's close-knit communities.”

What surprised him most about the north wasn’t just the variety, but how remarkable the drives were between each stop. “I’d assumed the South Island was the headline act for scenery,” he admits, “but the north more than held its own.”

Napier

South serenity

Chris began his South Island stay with a serious wow factor. At the idyllic Bay of Many Coves Resort in the Marlborough Sounds, he found himself, thanks to a cancelled group booking, with the entire lodge to himself for two nights. Days were spent hiking the Queen Charlotte Track and enjoying the still views across the water. In the evenings, the chef prepared five-course vegetarian tasting menus just for him. “It was incredibly peaceful. You feel like you’re miles from anywhere. The owners invited me for nightly pre-dinner drinks – it felt more like staying with friends than in a hotel.” 

Bay of Many Coves Resort, Marlborough Sounds 

Next came the place that truly blew him away: Lake Tekapo. “It’s such an incredible spot, no filters needed,” he says. “I walked around the lake shore in perfect weather, just taking it all in – it was easily one of my favourite days.”

Lake Tekapo ©Chris Dee 

Fjords & ziplines

Unlike Tekapo, the weather refused to play along at Milford Sound. “It was rainy and miserable, but that turned out to be the best thing. The waterfalls were in full flow, and the drama of it all added to the experience,” Chris says. “Most people do Milford Sound from Queenstown by bus, which adds another hour or so each way. Doing it from Te Anau worked out much better.”

Milford Sound ©Chris Dee 

In Queenstown, famous for its adrenaline-fuelled fun, Chris hadn’t planned on doing anything too daring, but it’s hard to resist when you’re in the adventure capital of New Zealand. “I hiked up the Tiki Trail then zoomed back down via six ziplines. The last one’s apparently the steepest tree-to-tree zipline in the world. Normally I’d be apprehensive, but after doing five already, I was almost blasé!”.

View of Queenstown, Tiki Trail ©Christopher Dee 

Reflections from the road

Looking back, he says New Zealand is made for a road trip. The empty roads and unhurried pace made driving part of the joy, not just a way to get from A to B. When asked to sum up New Zealand in three words, Chris doesn’t hesitate: majestic, surprising, engaging. “Every place I visited was as good or better than I’d expected,” he says. “There’s a holiday here for everyone, whether you want to get out exploring or take things slow, in the city or out in nature.”

©Chris Dee 

He credits Kim’s expertise for helping make everything run smoothly. “We talked through options and she helped me find the best availability when travelling in high season. All in all, it was a superb experience. It’s not the first trip I’ve booked with Kuoni, and it definitely won’t be the last.”

As for what’s next, he’s already thinking about future adventures. “I’d love to do a cruise through the Norwegian fjords. It’s easy to forget there are amazing places closer to home, though after New Zealand, I might need to give the scenery bar a bit of time to reset.”

Follow Chris' travels: @misterdee74

 ©Chris Dee 

This article was created on 10th December 2025. The information is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. Feature by Heather Flanagan.