Private, Tailormade Experiences by Journeysmiths
Top 9 Activities in New Zealand
New Zealand offers the perfect blend of stunning landscapes, rich culture, wildlife, and great food. Experience a traditional Maori welcome, explore geothermal wonders, soar over whale-filled waters and volcanoes by helicopter, sail to lush islands for a hike, and join a Maori cooking class in the wild. Whether seeking cultural immersion, adventure, or tranquility, New Zealand delivers it all. New Zealand offers the perfect blend of stunning landscapes, rich culture, wildlife, and great food. Experience a traditional Maori welcome, explore geothermal wonders, soar over whale-filled waters and volcanoes by helicopter, sail to lush islands for a hike, and join a Maori cooking class in the wild. Whether seeking cultural immersion, adventure, or tranquility, New Zealand delivers it all.
New Zealand offers the perfect blend of stunning landscapes, rich culture, wildlife, and great food. Experience a traditional Maori welcome, explore geothermal wonders, soar over whale-filled waters and volcanoes by helicopter, sail to lush islands for a hike, and join a Maori cooking class in the wild. Whether seeking cultural immersion, adventure, or tranquility, New Zealand delivers it all. New Zealand offers the perfect blend of stunning landscapes, rich culture, wildlife, and great food. Experience a traditional Maori welcome, explore geothermal wonders, soar over whale-filled waters and volcanoes by helicopter, sail to lush islands for a hike, and join a Maori cooking class in the wild. Whether seeking cultural immersion, adventure, or tranquility, New Zealand delivers it all.
1. Experience a Maori Welcome
Begin your trip with a traditional Maori welcome. Who better to greet you than the indigenous people who know this land so intimately? This sacred centuries-old ceremony is a simultaneously spiritual and physical experience and was originally performed as a way of protecting visitors and locals from danger, again, both physical and spiritual.
We don’t want to give away all the secrets of the experience or ceremony in this blog, but in short, it involves traditional dress, singing, a Maori picnic, and some time spent inside an 800-year-old tree.
Get in touch >
We don’t want to give away all the secrets of the experience or ceremony in this blog, but in short, it involves traditional dress, singing, a Maori picnic, and some time spent inside an 800-year-old tree.
Get in touch >
2. Discover the Northern Fiordland by Helicopter
We can arrange for you to take a private helicopter above the vast, magnificent landscapes of the northern Fiordland - the best way to truly appreciate the scenic beauty of this area.
You’ll soar above forested valleys and between snow-capped mountains enveloped by fluffy white clouds, looking down over rivers and foamy white waterfalls crashing over boulders. When you land, it’s time for a tasty picnic with a view. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even catch your own lobster for lunch too!
Get in touch >
You’ll soar above forested valleys and between snow-capped mountains enveloped by fluffy white clouds, looking down over rivers and foamy white waterfalls crashing over boulders. When you land, it’s time for a tasty picnic with a view. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even catch your own lobster for lunch too!
Get in touch >
3. Join a Maori Cooking Class in the Wild
Knowledge of the land and the natural world is a huge part of Māori culture, and with that comes respect for the food cultivated from it. We can arrange for you to join Tom Loughlin, Māori guide, chef, search and rescue guide and living font of knowledge on Māori food, for a cultural dining experience like no other.
Together you’ll gather food and prepare your meal using traditional methods, as Tom explains the history and significance of each ingredient along the way. Finally, sit down to enjoy the feast you’ve created together.
Get in touch >
Together you’ll gather food and prepare your meal using traditional methods, as Tom explains the history and significance of each ingredient along the way. Finally, sit down to enjoy the feast you’ve created together.
Get in touch >
4. Discover Marlborough Sounds with an Expert Ecologist
At the northern tip of South Island, you’ll find a series of ancient sunken river valleys called Marlborough Sounds. Tranquil and scenically stunning, this impressive feat of nature comprises beautiful sandy bays, lush forests and clear waters.
Join Pete Beech, a highly skilled ecologist, on his much-loved vessel, Tutanekai, to explore, sailing alongside dolphin and seal that playfully navigate these waters. You’ll stop to discover more inland, on hikes through the native forest. Pete’s passion for wildlife and this area is both unmatched and infectious. He is undoubtedly the best person to guide you.
Get in touch >
Join Pete Beech, a highly skilled ecologist, on his much-loved vessel, Tutanekai, to explore, sailing alongside dolphin and seal that playfully navigate these waters. You’ll stop to discover more inland, on hikes through the native forest. Pete’s passion for wildlife and this area is both unmatched and infectious. He is undoubtedly the best person to guide you.
Get in touch >
5. Whale Watching Like Never Before
Take to the skies for a whale watching experience with a difference. From your helicopter, flying sky high above the water, you’ll see the majestic sperm whale that inhabit the Kaikoura Whale Sanctuary and Hikurangi Marine Reserve.
From this new perspective, you’re able to see the entirety of the whale’s body, witnessing some fascinating behaviours that you simply don’t have access to on a boat. From up here you can appreciate the enormity of the whales’ bodies, making for some great photo opportunities. Keep your eyes peeled for resident dolphins and seals too.
Get in touch >
From this new perspective, you’re able to see the entirety of the whale’s body, witnessing some fascinating behaviours that you simply don’t have access to on a boat. From up here you can appreciate the enormity of the whales’ bodies, making for some great photo opportunities. Keep your eyes peeled for resident dolphins and seals too.
Get in touch >
6. Hike the Lesser-Known Trails with an Expert Guide
Join Steve Norris, one of the finest and most-respected guides in the area, for a hike through the epic landscapes that New Zealand’s South Island is famed for. Think jagged volcanic peaks and dense forests interspersed with vast rivers and peaceful bays - it’s picture-perfect.
Of course, with such incredible natural beauty often comes popularity and crowds of other hikers. With Steve, you’ll avoid it all. He’ll take you to spots so remote you’ll need to climb on board a jetboat or helicopter to get there and you’ll enjoy this incredible wilderness without being disturbed by others.
Get in touch >
Of course, with such incredible natural beauty often comes popularity and crowds of other hikers. With Steve, you’ll avoid it all. He’ll take you to spots so remote you’ll need to climb on board a jetboat or helicopter to get there and you’ll enjoy this incredible wilderness without being disturbed by others.
Get in touch >
7. Gain Exclusive Access to the Thermal Wonderland
Bubbling away for thousands of years, Wai-O-Tapu is a wondrous geothermal landscape. Explore after hours with your guide, and experience this impressive, unique and extensive cluster of thermal activity in complete privacy. Watch as steaming geysers erupt, shooting hot water high into the air, peer down into the deep craters below, soak in the sight of bubbling mud pools, and marvel at the vibrant, mineral-rich waters, aglow with multiple hues.
During your visit, your guide will delve into the region's geology, explaining its unique formation, and share how locals have harnessed the power of the thermal features throughout history.
Get in touch >
During your visit, your guide will delve into the region's geology, explaining its unique formation, and share how locals have harnessed the power of the thermal features throughout history.
Get in touch >
8. Charter a Sailing Boat and Explore the Coast
The Hauraki Gulf encompasses over a million hectares of sparkling blue waters and lush green islands. We’ll arrange for you to explore this rich marine habitat aboard a 41-foot catamaran. (If you’re a keen sailor, skipper, Bruce, is more than happy for you to help him at the helm!)
As you glide across the water, directed by the coastal breeze, admire this beautiful landscape and spot the dolphin, whale, and abundant seabirds. You’ll stop off on an island for a guided nature walk and can take a quick dip in the water or even try stand-up paddleboarding too.
Get in touch >
As you glide across the water, directed by the coastal breeze, admire this beautiful landscape and spot the dolphin, whale, and abundant seabirds. You’ll stop off on an island for a guided nature walk and can take a quick dip in the water or even try stand-up paddleboarding too.
Get in touch >
9. Experience the Magic of the Southern Lights
As the longer, darker days of winter unfold, nature’s unmissable light spectacle – the Southern Lights – comes to life.
We’ll take you to Stewart Island, New Zealand’s southernmost inhabited island, where minimal light pollution and its proximity to the South Pole offer the perfect seat from which to witness the mesmerising waves of green, pink, and purple lights dancing across the southern sky.
We’ll take you to Stewart Island, New Zealand’s southernmost inhabited island, where minimal light pollution and its proximity to the South Pole offer the perfect seat from which to witness the mesmerising waves of green, pink, and purple lights dancing across the southern sky.
Why Travel with Journeysmiths
We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been crafting the finest tailor-made holidays to the world’s wild places. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you every time.We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been crafting the finest tailor-made holidays to the world’s wild places. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you every time.
You May Also Like
Article
5 Reasons to Visit New Zealand
New Zealand is a land of breathtaking dramatic landscapes, outdoor adventures, unique wildlife encounters, rich cultural heritage, and world-class wine regions - offering a wealth of exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. We share five reasons why New Zealand should be on your bucket list.
Private Tailormade Tours by Journeysmiths
New Zealand: 3 Seasons in 1 Holiday
Travel between May and October and experience three stunning seasons in a single, unforgettable adventure. Explore the rugged ice-scapes of South Island, soak up the warmth of North Island with scenic hikes and relaxing hot springs, then wrap up your trip island-hopping in a lush, tropical paradise.