Month: September 2017

New Zealand has a network of over 500 incredible hiking trails which meander their way through the great kiwi countryside, connecting the most dramatic mountains, rain forests, river valleys and glacier fields.

Whether you are a novice or an expert hiker, hiking in New Zealand is extremely different to many other countries, mainly due to the unpredictable “Four seasons in One day” weather. This makes it difficult to determine what to pack and what hike or track to choose.

Here’s a few things you need to know, to ensure that you are comfortable and prepared for your walk, no matter your experience or the adventure you choose.

Day Walks

Day walks or short walks are one of the best ways to experience New Zealand’s natural wonders first-hand. These walks are suitable for all levels of fitness, plentiful and easy to find as you tour New Zealand. Beautiful nature walks are right on the doorstep of our cities as well as towns and in just a few hours, you can experience some of the best of New Zealand’s scenery.

What do you need to bring:

• Hiking boots or sneakers should be fine. But, please check ahead of time to ensure you are wearing the correct footwear for the terrain your walk will take place on.
• Backpack – fill this with water and snacks that will last the duration of your walk.
• Extra clothing – remember to be prepared for four seasons in one day and always take an all-weather jacket in case the weather changes plus spare socks.
• Charged Camera or Go-pro to capture the breathtaking scenery.

Multi-Day Guided Hikes

Multi Day Guided Walks are for those who love adventure, but would like to end each day with a place to stay, a hot shower and a cooked meal. Guided walks also include a guide that will stay with you throughout the duration of your walk and who puts your welfare and safety as their first priority.

What do you need to bring:

• Hiking boots.
• Clothing to last the duration of the hike. Depending on the supplier you book your hike with, your belongings will be moved hut to hut by the supplier so that you do not have to carry anything other than a day pack on the walk.
• Day pack – to bring anything additional that you may need during the day. The water and snacks are usually provided by the supplier.

Moderate level of fitness – If you want to make sure you are prepared for your hike, you can start training a minimum of 6-8 weeks prior to your trip, increasing the distance and adding incline to the walks before you get there.

Charged Camera or Go-pro – don’t forget to charge it before you start your hike, there may not be power points on the walk.

Great attitude and ready to mingle with like-minded hikers.

Independent Hikes

Independent hiking, tramping or walking is very popular in New Zealand, due to the high standard of track maintenance and generally mild climate. However it doesn’t come without risks and those thinking of doing it alone need to be mindful of the pitfalls especially if you are considering one of New Zealand’s remote multi-day hikes.

What do you need to bring:

• Hiking boots.
• Backpack big enough to carry your clothes, food, cooking gear and anything that you may need. Please also ensure that it fits properly and is comfortable as it will be on your back the whole way.
• Food for each day (please remember to take your rubbish with you).
• Soap and towels for showering (if there is running water, it’s probably cold).
• Clothing to last the duration of the hike as you will carry this daily.
• Moderate level of fitness – If you want to make sure you are prepared for your hike, you can start training a minimum of 6-8 weeks prior to your trip increasing the distance and adding incline.
• Charged Camera or Go-pro (don’t forget to charge it before, there may not be power points on the walk).
• Great attitude (may or may not bump into other hikers).

Because every hike is different, we recommend that you ask your agent for advice or do your own research one where you would like to hike, as well as the type of hike you would like to go on. What are you waiting for? Come on over to New Zealand and take a walk around our backyard.

Friendly, warm and delicious, the foodie and wine scene in Wellington is brimming with potential taste sensations and small business surprises, keeping its promise to wow and delight from the moment you arrive at the airport. If you’re not keen on filling your belly with tasty morsels and a fine red, there’s still a lot to do within and outside the city limits – searching for inspiration? We’re happy to help. Here are our four favourite things to do in Wellington.

Mt Victoria

New Zealand travel is generally guaranteed to be an experience of a lifetime, and the same can definitely be said for the North island’s southern-most city, perched on the strait separating it from the south. No visit to the so-called Windy City would be complete without a trip to the peak of Mt Victoria; pack a picnic or take one of our City Highlight tours, scaling the 196m rise above the skyline and snapping a few pictures of the harbour.
Get There: Walk or drive to the summit and absorb views of Tinakori Hill, Hutt Valley, Matiu Island and the Miramar Peninsular at sunset.

Wellington Botanical Gardens

ake a breath and enjoy the quiet serenity of the Wellington Botanic Gardens, a 25 hectare cultivated landscape bursting with special floral and plant collections – including the stunning Lady Norwood Rose Gardens – sprawling lawns, conifers, native forest and stunning views over Wellington and Wellington Harbour. It’s the perfect place to read a holiday novel for a few hours, people watch or enjoy the sounds of the birds.
Visitor Perk: Entry is free!

Lord of the Rings Tour

Take yourself to Isengard on a half-day Lord of the Rings tour, combining live-shoot locations with the technical elements of bringing each cinematic masterpiece to life. Begin your unexpected journey with a visit to the historic Embassy Movie Theatre, the home of the world premiere of LOTR: Return of the King before continuing onwards and upwards, to the summit of Mt Victoria, and then down the Green Belt. You’ll stand on the outskirts of the Shire, explore Rivendell, be gob-smacked by Minas Tirith and wonder why the tour is only a half day. We wind things down with a tour of Wellywood, the beating heart of the local film industry and the resting place of many LOTR props and set pieces.
Seamless Service: Complimentary inner city hotel pick up & drop offs

Capital Tastes Walking Tour

Capital Tastes Walking Tours will satisfy your cravings with a 3.5 hour walking tour of Wellington’s best cafés and eateries. We take the guess work out of where to eat and where to go, showing you the tastiest places first hand, including a thriving café culture and a few hidden culinary treasures, rarely highlighted by the standard guidebooks. Coffee, chocolate, cheese and more, experience the specialities and surprises of Wellington without wasting time with reviews and second-hand accounts.
Tour Freebies: Tastings at each stop

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Want to visit Wellington? We can get you there. Reach out today and speak to one of our experienced Relaxing Journeys consultants

Set aside a day or two to live spontaneously in the gorgeous North, and play it by ear with these four New Zealand day trips off the general tourist path.

The Coromandel Coastal Walk

Surrender your senses to a bright, blue-sky day, touring the quietly iconic Coromandel Peninsula. Close to Auckland, this veritable hotspot of startling scenery delivers a relaxing, photogenic experience without taxing the thrill-centre of your brain, visiting towering kauri trees and idyllic, clear-water streams, before exploring secreted glow-worm caves and magnificent white sand beaches. From the towering cliffs to the little islands off-shore, a wandering Coromandel coastal walk will deliver everything you’re looking for and a few things you didn’t expect.
Trip Tip: Wear comfortable shoes!

Dune Riding at 90 Mile Beach

Take a break from the beautiful Bay of Islands and board a comfortable coach for a short drive to Waiharara. Stretch your legs among the trunks of an ancient forest and absorb the local history, before continuing onto 90 Mile Beach. As its name suggests, this pristine stretch of sand challenges your eyes to see its end, framed by the windswept peaks of giant sand dunes. Do you dare to zoom down one on a toboggan, the wind in your hair and a smile on your face? It’s worth the climb, we promise!
Further stops include… Te Werahi Beach, Cape Maria Van Dieman, Houhara, Wanui and the Ancient Kauri Kingdom

Rotorua Canopy Tour

Ranked Number 1 on TripAdvisor, the Rotorua Canopy Tour goes beyond must-do… it’s the ultimate thrill experience without getting too crazy, combining a lush native canopy experience with a 1.2km thrill seeking trek 40 metres above the forest floor – it’s a true do-it-again jaunt to all age groups. You’ll zip from tree to tree, navigate large swing bridges, take in treetop platforms and finish it all off with a walking trail through untouched New Zealand forest. No two views are the same!
Timing Tip: Set aside three hours for the tour.

Auckland Wilderness Experience

30 minutes. Half an hour is all it takes to go from the bustling, busy streets of downtown Auckland to the serene majesty of the Waitakere Ranges, providing panoramic views over the clashing waters of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The views would be enough for even the most hardened traveller, but the absorbing indigenous history makes it that much more special, as traditional Maori carvings announce your passage to the land, sky and sun. Leave the overlook for the wild and rugged west coast, getting lost in truly pristine forests before spending time on the most spectacular black sand beaches you’ve ever seen.
Trip Tip: Come prepared for wet weather, just in case.

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What will you do on your free days? Let us help you plan. Contact Relaxing Journeys today.