Destination Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

Auckland is regarded as New Zealand’s most cosmopolitan and vibrant city, so I expected something special. What greeted me was a place full of concrete and glass buildings and a melange of clashing architectural styles that were not going to win any prizes for their beauty. 

My first impressions were that it was old fashioned with splashes of chicness. However, after digging a little deeper Auckland won me over.

This is a city that seems to live its life in the present with few hints of its past. While the fabled Sky Tower, which has dominated Auckland's skyline for about 20 years, may not have been the most spectacular wonder I have ever cast my eyes over, just seeing it was emotional. 

Sky Tower seen from the waterfront

Here I was standing in front of a tower which, for many years, I have watched on the television bringing in the New Year with a marvellous firework display. For me it signified the past is not the direction to be going in, the future is.

From the waterfront the Sky Tower appeared majestic. The real draw of the city, I discovered, is that it is only a step away from the sea and beautiful beaches are within easy reach. 

A street in Auckland (seen in the rain)

Cross the Waitemata Harbour by way of the Auckland Harbour Bridge and you will be rewarded with stunning vistas of the city.

The waterfront, made up of Queens Wharf, Wynyard Quarter and Viaduct Harbour is a hive of activity. Watch cruise ships sail into port and ferries going back and forth to scenic places such as the Bay of Islands and Waiheke Island. Renowned in the 1970s as a place where arty, Bohemian types gathered, Waiheke Island now attracts visitors for its beaches and wineries.

The Waterfront

There are also restaurants and bars galore here. It is a lovely place in which to spend a few hours. It is hard to have a bad meal in Auckland. People here are really friendly so you will often find somebody wanting to strike up a conversation with you.

While Queen Street, the main shopping area, has a certain grittiness about it, Smith & Caughey’s, the city’s only remaining department store, is worth popping into. Housed in a lovely old building, it feels as if it is clinging on to a bygone era, but do not let that put you off as its merchandise is luxurious and the service good. It also has a super little café. 

Culture buffs will find some interesting museums here including the Auckland Museum renowned for its collection of Maori and Polynesian artefacts and Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. Opened in 1888, the collection includes historic and contemporary New Zealand art as well as featuring works by Māori and Pacific Island artists.

If you like walking you will like Auckland. It is an easy place to get around. While I did go to places in New Zealand that had more of a wow factor, Auckland’s energy and vitality were inspiring. And that had me hooked. 

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

Which city you fly into in New Zealand will depend on where your tour starts from and therefore, which airline you choose. Highly recommended are Cathay Pacific cathaypacific.com and qantas.com The service and inflight experience is spot on. Ensure that the flight you book is operated by the company and not just code-sharing

The tour was part of the Grand Pacific Ultimate Small Group Tours which I booked through Trailfinders (trailfinders.com) as I did the flights

The advantage of travelling aboard the Ultimate Coach is that instead of carrying the normal 48 passengers, it only carries 20. You sit in comfort in leather fully-reclining seats so no neck ache at the end of a long day. (Distances are vast in New Zealand.) There is plenty of personal storage. It is much easier being in a small group, no hanging around waiting for people, no long queues for the loos, overall much cosier

Destination South Island, New Zealand – Christchurch to Dunedin

The fiery red and vibrant orange dawn clouds swathing Aoraki/ Mount Cook was a scene that left an indelible mark on my memory. Here I was standing on my hotel room’s terrace watching the sun rise over New Zealand's highest mountain. Invigorating yet calming at the same time.

No pictures or words can depict the magnificent beauty of the “Land of the Long White Cloud” (the translation of the Māori name for New Zealand, Aotearoa). You have to see it with your own eyes. 

During the day that we had left the Garden City of Christchurch and drove through the southern Canterbury Plains, I had encountered scenery that was jaw-dropping. 

The fiery red and vibrant orange dawn clouds swathing Aoraki/ Mount Cook 

Towering snow-capped mountains covered with glaciers curving towards the sky, verdant valleys, spectacular gorges and meadows filled with cows and sheep basking in the sun carpeted the route to the sparkling turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo. 

Hugging its shore is the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd, a memorial and a place to worship for the pioneers of the Mackenzie region. From its altar window you get a picture-perfect view of the lake and the Southern Alps. From Peter’s Lookout I saw for the first time Aoraki/ Mount Cook in its full splendour as I filled my lungs with fresh air.

Aoraki/ Mount Cook 

I had seen in Christchurch the devastating damage caused by earthquakes and the effects of the wild fires that had recently hit the city. After having witnessed the worst aspects of Mother Nature’s wrath, I was now seeing her creative genius. The diverse artworks from ice and rock to lush and green were so magnificent that they give a whole new meaning to the word. 

We passed by the Waitaki River and through pleasant remote rural towns that gave a glimpse into another world. Further removed from the pollution and hustle and bustle of London, I could not imagine. Geraldine which has grown up along the Waihi River was a lovely arty town with cute boutique shops to explore. 

The laid-back town of Oamaru

The laid-back town of Oamaru got the award for elegance and style. Its 19^th-century whitestone buildings make this once prosperous goldmining and quarrying town rather special. Harbour-Tyne Street, lined with quirky galleries, intriguing shops and even a winery, is attracting tourists from around the globe. Steampunk HQ is a fascinating off-beat museum where you can see a futuristic version of 19^th-century Victorian England. The steam-powered machinery is quite something.

The main draw of this town is the colony of penguins. Reputed to be the world’s smallest, these delightful blue creatures, at sunset, waddle ashore at the waterfront. You can also spot some yellow ones as well.

Lake Tekapo

It was early afternoon when we arrived in Dunedin, known as the Edinburgh of New Zealand. The country’s oldest city takes its name from the Gaelic for the capital of Scotland. Its down-to-earth residents are fiercely proud of their heritage. 

Bluestone Victorian buildings ranging from Gothic church spires and stately mansions are reminders that this town was built on the riches of the gold rush. Engulfed by hills and at the edge of a pretty harbour, Dunedin sizzles with great bars and restaurants boosted by its student population.

Dunedin Station

If you want to delve into Victorian culture, Larnach Castle, which claims to be the only one in New Zealand, is well worth including on your itinerary. It is one of those if- walls- could- talk places. 

View from Larnach Castle

There is plenty of scandal and intrigue to discover about the original owners, the Larnacs. The award-winning gardens of this mock castle are gorgeous. High tea in the ballroom is scrumptious.

Driving along the Otago Peninsula and taking in the scenes of wild and rugged beaches and aqua-blue waters was reason enough to visit the city. This is what I call getting up, close and personal with nature.

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

This was part of the Grand Pacific Ultimate Small Group Tours which I booked through Trailfinders (trailfinders.com)

The advantage of travelling aboard the Ultimate Coach is that instead of carrying the normal 48 passengers, it only carries 20. You sit in comfort in leather fully-reclining seats so no stiff neck at the end of a long day. (Distances are vast in New Zealand.) There is plenty of personal storage. It is much easier being in a small group, no hanging around waiting for people, no long queues for the loos, overall much cosier. You also can get to stay in more boutique hotels which cannot cater for large groups

First published in All About Hair (All About Hair UK), the travel and lifestyle blog with a luxury twist