<p>New Zealand is known one of the world’s top destinations for adventure. B&amp;R’s new Limited Edition biking trip to the South Island ensures travellers cycle some of the country’s best trails, as well as enjoy thrilling off-bike experiences that immerse them in the landscape and the lore. <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/who-we-are/meet-the-designers/rob-grieve" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rob Grieve</a>, who calls the South Island home and is the Experience Designer behind this one-of-a-kind trip, offers insight into what to expect during this trip.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>For people who haven't been to the South Island before, what can they expect from the landscape?&nbsp;</strong></p><p>If you've ever seen pictures of New Zealand, it's probably the South Island. It's the more majestic of the two islands that make up the country. It's where all the towering peaks are—there's a spine of beautiful mountains called the Southern Alps that run from the bottom to top of the island. It's where your fjords are. It's where your temperate rainforest is on the west coast. It’s where the braided river systems are. It's where the 12,500-foot Mount Cook or Aoraki, our highest peak, is. In a word, it’s spectacular.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>With such varied terrain, what will the rides on this trip be like?&nbsp;</strong></p><p>The beauty about New Zealand is the access to really different landscapes, really quickly. From Christchurch, you start on the Canterbury Plains, a beautiful fertile, flat area. We’ll do a scenic flight over the Southern Alps before getting back on the bikes to ride through the foothills of the mountains where there are incredible biking tracks that are off road. It’s a well-maintained gravel track. Kids, families, everyone rides it. It's super doable. The hiking is amazing too, so that's something that we'll incorporate into the trip as well.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>What’s your favourite activity off the bikes for B&amp;R travellers?&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>One of the experiences that we've got is a private jet boat ride up the river in the Matukituki Valley near Wānaka. We’ll spend the morning exploring this braided river system that winds its way between beautiful towering mountains into the back of beyond. Instead of having an outboard motor with a propeller that hangs down and needs depth, it's got a grate in the bottom of the boat. It sucks water through the grate and shoots it out the back, which means the boat can go places that only have two to three inches of water. You can go far upriver to places that often can’t be reached otherwise. Farmers have used them a lot in the past to get access to their properties.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Speaking of food, New Zealand has a famous wine scene, and its culinary scene is divine as well. What is it that makes it so good?</strong></p><p>One of the key factors about New Zealand and the culture here is that because we're so far away, a lot of young Kiwis head out into the world, and then bring back all the amazing stuff that they’ve seen and learned. People have gone overseas, working as chefs or artisans or artists, whatever it might be—culinary, viticulture—then return and set up these thriving little communities. And then there’s our weather, which creates conditions perfect for growing all sorts of beautiful food and produce.&nbsp;Did I mention the incredible wines?</p>

<p><strong>There are unique opportunities with the lodges folks will be staying at as well, too.</strong></p><p>One of the most exciting things about this trip is that we've got four property buyouts, which means we’ll have the hotels and lodges to ourselves. Lakestone Lodge is a beautiful six-room lodge that sets you right above Lake Pukaki. Next up is The Lindis, an incredible six-star luxury lodge in the Ahuriri Valley. Both those areas are dark sky reserves, so stargazing is a must. We also have the lovely and historic Hulbert House in Queenstown is our own—situated just above town with stunning views out across the lake—and the Whare Kea Lodge, a mountain chalet in Wānaka.</p>

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<h4><strong>Tip #4: Enjoy Every Day </strong></h4>
<p>As someone once said: life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.  Just a few days before I was guiding a B&amp;R trip in New Zealand, I was caught in the 2011 <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/2017/01/18/things-to-do-in-christchurch/">Christchurch</a> earthquake with my co-guide, <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/author/erin-reed/">Erin Reed</a>. Literally, chunks of buildings were falling all around us (including the building we had just stepped out of), we saw the top of the Christchurch Cathedral crash into Cathedral Square and people were running in the streets, with aftershocks continuing constantly—and that day, we were picking up a group of B&amp;R travellers. Needless to say, everyone was safe and sound and accounted for, and after some serious deliberation, we decided to run the trip. It was a hugely emotional experience for us all, which reminded each of us to be grateful for what we do have. We’ve got it all in New Zealand: glaciers, mountains, forests, the ocean, the beach, a thriving Maori culture, and the best people on earth. What more could you ask for?</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-39575 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nz-maori-960px.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="554" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nz-maori-960px.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nz-maori-960px-480x277.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nz-maori-960px-768x443.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></p>
<h4><strong>Tip #5: Don’t Forget to Indulge</strong></h4>
<p>While your eyes are feasting on the mind-blowing scenery, don’t forget that we also have some of the best food (<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/2015/04/15/the-10-best-new-zealand-wines/">and wine</a>!) in the world. From fresh seafood or something as simple as a steak or biting into a farm-fresh and flavourful apple, New Zealand’s food is something you’ll look forward to on the daily. (I also feel it is my national duty to mention our sweets: from Whittaker’s Chocolate to Jaffas to Pascal’s Minties and pineapple lumps, your active days will almost certainly cancel out these quintessential Kiwi must-try treats)!</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-39580 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/NZ-wineland-732px.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="487" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/NZ-wineland-732px.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/NZ-wineland-732px-451x300.jpg 451w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" /></p>
<h4><strong>Tip #6: Embrace the Adventure</strong></h4>
<p>From meeting longtime sheep ranchers in the Canterbury region, to a thrilling jet boat ride with white-peaked mountains as your backdrop. To venturing into an icy blue glacier or simply relaxing at an off-the-grid luxury lodge and right down to stargazing in one of the dark sky capitals of the world, every day is an adventure waiting to unfold in New Zealand. I invite you to my wild and wonderful homeland to experience it all!</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-39632 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/AK08-Abel-TasmannNP-Nelson-Gareth-Eyres960px.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="429" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/AK08-Abel-TasmannNP-Nelson-Gareth-Eyres960px.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/AK08-Abel-TasmannNP-Nelson-Gareth-Eyres960px-480x215.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/AK08-Abel-TasmannNP-Nelson-Gareth-Eyres960px-768x343.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></p>


A Kiwi's Guide to <br> Enjoying New Zealand

Must Sees

See + Do

North Island

South Island

<h5><a href="http://www.fiordland.org.nz/about-fiordland/fiordland-national-park/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fiordland National Park</a></h5>
<p>Just a few hours from Queenstown, Fiordland is one of the most amazing collections of natural attractions in the world. Rain forests, mountains and ocean fiords all compete for your attention. The locals have devised a dozen ways to view them. Fiordland is also famous for its tracks or hiking trails. The best known of these is the Milford, but there are other, less travelled routes that are often preferred by those in the know. Examples are the Hollyford Valley and Routeburn tracks.</p>
<h5><a href="http://www.dunedinnz.com/visit/home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dunedin</a></h5>
<p>A five-hour drive south from Christchurch (or three from Queenstown), this town houses the southernmost university in the world and calls itself the wildlife capital of New Zealand, with penguins, seals, sea lions, royal albatrosses and sharks. Incredible viewing, great beaches and not at all touristy.</p>
<h2>The North Island</h2>
<p>We highly suggest that you check out some of the sites of the North Island. Our first suggestion is to get out of the cities and into the countryside. If you’re interested in the Maori culture, you will find more opportunities to examine it on the North Island, as their culture was not as pervasive on the South Island. Listed here are a few better-known destinations.</p>
<h5><a href="http://www.traveller.com.au/rotorua-and-lake-taupo-pl5i" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rotorua and Taupo</a></h5>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-24754" src="http://stag.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Rotorua-new-blog-886x600.jpg" alt="Rotorua-new-blog" width="886" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Rotorua-new-blog-886x600.jpg 886w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Rotorua-new-blog-443x300.jpg 443w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Rotorua-new-blog.jpg 960w" sizes="(max-width: 886px) 100vw, 886px" /></p>
<p>In the middle of the North Island, Rotorua is perhaps New Zealand’s best-known attraction. There is no shortage of tourists or tourist facilities here, and the big attractions are the naturally occurring thermal pools and geysers (and attendant smell of rotten eggs). This is the best place to learn about Maori history and culture.</p>
<h5><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/jul/22/three-days-in-the-coromandel-new-zealand-travel-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Coromandel Peninsula</a></h5>
<p>Steeped in Maori history, this area offers a beautiful landscape with dozens of beaches and even hot steam beneath the sand in some cases. The interior is very hilly with beautiful old tree growths, making it a terrific area for walking.</p>
<figure id="attachment_27419" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27419" style="width: 451px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/800px-Hole_In_The_Rock_In_Bay_Of_Islands.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-27419 size-medium" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/800px-Hole_In_The_Rock_In_Bay_Of_Islands-451x300.jpg" alt="Hole in the Rock" width="451" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/800px-Hole_In_The_Rock_In_Bay_Of_Islands-451x300.jpg 451w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/800px-Hole_In_The_Rock_In_Bay_Of_Islands.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 451px) 100vw, 451px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-27419" class="wp-caption-text">The aptly named &#8220;Hole in the rock&#8221; in the Bay of Islands.</figcaption></figure>
<h5><a href="http://www.newzealand.com/ca/bay-of-islands/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bay of Islands</a></h5>
<p>The Bay is located on the northernmost peninsula of the North Island and is the birthplace of modern New Zealand. Sub-tropical in climate with fern trees, the area is great for deep sea fishing and diving.</p>
<h5><a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/waipoua-forest/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Waipoua Forest</a></h5>
<p>The Waipoua Forest is a must-visit for those with a botanical bent. This beautiful region is home to the largest remaining stand of Kauri trees. Once nearly extinct, these huge specimens are now strictly protected.</p>
<h5><a href="http://www.winehawkesbay.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hawke’s Bay</a></h5>
<p>This region is one of the premier chardonnay and sauvignon blanc wine-producing areas of New Zealand. Its regional capital, Napier, comes right out of an Art Deco film set and has a distinct Mediterranean feel to it.</p>


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<h4>It&#8217;s Progressive:</h4>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-35869 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/kate-suffragette-NZ-350-flickr-compressed.png" alt="" width="350" height="223" />New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the right to vote (as this tribute to suffragettes in Christchurch attests). The Kate Sheppard National Memorial features the leading campaigner for women&#8217;s suffrage, along with Helen Nicol, Ada Wells, Harriet Morison, Meri Te Tai Mangakahia and Amey Daldy, who also were leaders of the cause. A great reason to raise a glass of award-winning Pinot Noir from the vineyard we just biked by.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-35867 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/iStock_000004991363Small_NewZealand-vineyards-732c.png" alt="" width="732" height="487" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/iStock_000004991363Small_NewZealand-vineyards-732c.png 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/iStock_000004991363Small_NewZealand-vineyards-732c-451x300.png 451w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" /></p>
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<h4>Walking is an art form:</h4>
<p>Thanks to the ever-wondrous, jaw-droppingly beautiful, diverse landscape of NZ, hiking—or &#8220;tramping&#8221; as it’s commonly known here—is considered the national pastime.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-35862 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NZLEB_02242011_RGR_016-WalkingPic-960c.png" alt="" width="960" height="540" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NZLEB_02242011_RGR_016-WalkingPic-960c.png 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NZLEB_02242011_RGR_016-WalkingPic-960c-480x270.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NZLEB_02242011_RGR_016-WalkingPic-960c-768x432.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></p>
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<h4>The sheep outnumber humans by approximately 12:1</h4>
<p>OK, it’s just a number—but it’s still mind-boggling! Come meet some of my (warmly attired) neighbours.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-35863 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NZsheep-732c.png" alt="" width="732" height="487" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NZsheep-732c.png 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NZsheep-732c-451x300.png 451w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" /></p>


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