Destination Bay of Islands, North Island, New Zealand

The glittering clear turquoise waters seemed to go on forever. Lush forests of kauri trees and sandy beaches carpeted the array of desolate islands that we cruised by. Dolphins keen to perform for their audience put on an amazing show keeping us entertained as we sailed around the Bay of Islands en route to the Cape Brett Lighthouse.

A highlight of the cruise had to be the fabled Hole in the Rock. The hole reminded me of an entrance to a cave. Reputedly, Māori warriors would paddle their canoes through the hole in the belief that it would bring them good luck in battle.

It is easy to see why this region is a top draw in New Zealand. It is a magical mix of stunning vistas, wildlife and colonial history.

Bay Of Islands

Named by Captain James Cook, this was where the first Europeans settled. On February 6 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi, an agreement between the British Government and the Māori chiefs for the country to become a British Colony, was signed. To this day the treaty is the foundation of race relations in New Zealand.

Waitangi is not only the country’s most important historical site, it is also one of its most beautiful. As I stood looking over the Bay of Islands a rainbow appeared. It was one of those times when you have to pinch yourself to ensure that you are not imagining it.

Hole in the Rock

After our four-hour cruise we headed to Russell, a quaint small town where you feel that time has stood still. Maybe that is because the town's streets have stayed true to the original layout and names from 1843. This was where the first European settled. It was also New Zealand’s first sea port and New Zealand's first capital in nearby Okiato.

Kororāreka, as it was formerly called, grew up due to trade with the ships that came from America and Europe. It quickly developed into a lawless community and “how sweet is the penguin” as its name translates became known as the Hell Hole of the Pacific. 

Treaty of Waitangi was signed here

Sitting on the terrace of the Duke of Marlborough Hotel, enjoying a delicious lunch, while devouring the harbour views, I reckoned that sailors and traders who came here in the 19^th century would be shocked to find the place that they knew has transformed into a refined holiday town that is awash with great restaurants and cute boutiques.

Later I took a leisurely stroll around the place, stopping at the Catholic Mission ‘Pompallier’, the country’s oldest surviving Roman Catholic building and now a working museum.

At the Christ Church, the oldest existing church in New Zealand, I saw musket ball holes from the New Zealand Land Wars, a stark reminder that this tranquil place was not always so.

Russell, a quaint small town where you feel that time has stood still

The hours whizzed by and soon it was time to take the ferry back to Paihia. This is a great place to make your base while visiting the area as it is easy to get around from here and as it is a reasonably-sized town, the facilities are good.

For adrenalin seekers you will find plenty of water sports to indulge in. For the less energetic you can take walks along the secluded beaches or head out to see the Haruru Falls or take a fishing trip.

The Bay of Islands is a sub-tropical paradise. It is the ideal place to unwind after a tour of New Zealand as this really is far from the madding crowd.

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 Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand

The snow-capped peak of Mount Ruapehu, the reknowned active volcano in New Zealand’s Tongariro National Park, sparkled in the sunlight. Lake Taupo, formed by a volcanic eruption almost two thousand years ago, seemed to go on forever. To the north of the lake, more like a sea, the impressive Huka Falls roared like thunder as the foaming water cascaded down. 

It is a long flight to New Zealand from the UK. There were many early mornings and several hours spent in a coach travelling the long distances between places, but it is all worth it because this country thrills and excites beyond your wildest imagination.

Lake Taupo,

The highlight of day was the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. For the first time, I saw geysers spouting steam and water high into the air and boiling mud pools all in a surreal setting of volcanic craters, coloured springs and silica terraces. The strong whiff of sulphur that fills the air is a small price to pay for what you see.

Nestled in the Pacific Rim of Fire, Rotorua has been a tourist magnet for years. Besides the geothermal wonders, people flock here to learn about the Māori, the first inhabitants of New Zealand. Its Māori name is Aotearoa, which translates as the Land of the Long White Cloud.

Impressive Huka Falls

The lively town has plenty of attractions including Lake Rotorua. During a long walk along the shore I was captivated by the sight of black swans dart in and out of the water. A ride on the Skyline Rotorua Gondola is a must for special views of the town. There is a restaurant at the top of the complex ideal for enjoying a glass of New Zealand wine while soaking up the vistas. 

For adventure seekers a ride on the luge, a light toboggan, is guaranteed to give you an adrenaline rush. You can ride your Luge cart on one of three tracks, dependent on your skill, through twists and turns through the Redwood forest. Once at the bottom you take the Luge chairlift back up to the top.

A ride on the Skyline Rotorua Gondola is a must for special views of the town

For further thrills try the three-seated SkySwing, which elevates you 50 metres above Skyline Rotorua, stopping for you to take in a view over Lake Rotorua. Then, hanging from your harness, you decide when to go for the drop as you have the release in your hand. This is not for the faint-hearted.

A trip to Rotorua would not be complete without the experience of a Māori banquet prepared in a Hāngī (a traditional method of cooking food in a pit under the ground) and concert. 

We arrived at Te Puia in the early evening and were whisked away on a waka (people mover) for a trip around the valley. To stand in front of the famed Pōhutu Geyser was the stuff memories are made from. It certainly lives up to its name which translates as “constant splashing”. It explodes one or twice every hour and can reach up to 30 metres (100 feet).

The famed Pōhutu Geyser

Tearing ourselves away from the hot pools and geysers we made our way to the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute to see exquisite examples of its work. A visit to the Kiwi House which has its own breeding programme for the flightless birds was also on the agenda.

In the meeting house, we watched a traditional Māori welcoming ceremony in which performers tell stories through song and dance. Seeing the Haka performed in front of you is quite something. 

Afterwards, we had a scrumptious buffet dinner. As we left I looked up and saw the sky covered in a canopy of twinkling stars.

Māori welcoming ceremony

What a romantic setting. I thought fondly of two leading lights I had seen earlier at the Agrodome Farm Show. We were introduced to 19 breeds of sheep. The audience were given facts and figures while sheep dogs showed off their skills. We were also treated to a live shearing demonstration.

That is love

The cast, the sheep, stayed on stage eating, sleeping or resting throughout. Except for two that did not touch their food. Oblivious to what else was going on around them, heads, locked together, they only had eyes for each other. Now that is love!

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