Brooke Hobson
Co-owner, Native Hard Sparkling
What’s one place you’d take every visitor to New Zealand, and why?
Our family sheep and beef farm in Manawatu¯ . There’s always something exciting happening and the views are stunning. On a clear day we can see Mt Ruapehu, Mt Taranaki, Ka¯ piti Island and the top of the South Island. It’s a privilege to have grown up rurally and I love sharing that experience with visitors who may not have been anywhere near a farm before. My parents’ fridge is always stocked and we have an array of animals to meet, such as alpacas and my pet kunekune, Cindy.
What’s your secret backyard favourite spot?
Honeymoon Bay in Kaiteriteri, Tasman. A good friend of mine introduced me to this spot and I’ve been dreaming about going back ever since. It’s a private little bay tucked away just north of Kaiteriteri, with the most beautiful turquoise water and golden sand.
What’s your favourite place for a pie/coffee?
Controversial, but I don’t like pies. I almost feel like I should apologise for saying that, given their iconic Kiwi status! On the coffee front, I currently live in Auckland and the best I’ve found so far is at Dear Jervois.
What’s one New Zealand spot on the top of your bucket list?
It would definitely be Stewart Island. The scenery sounds quite unexpected but amazing. I would love to walk the Rakiura Track and see the Rakiura kiwi. I’ve also heard quiz night at the pub goes off!
Otumuheke Stream steams quietly through bush and scrub and along the edge of Spa Thermal Park in Taupo¯. Then it drops down a couple of small waterfalls, filling the pools below them with beautifully warm, silky mineral water, before finally easing into the mighty Waikato.
It’s gentle, beautifully relaxing and, unlike the more commercial options available, completely natural.
You just walk about 25 minutes from the town centre and through the park down towards the river. Once there, you get into your togs and then climb down the steps at the stream’s edge to soak in one of the pools, or even sit directly underneath the little waterfall.
You choose how hot you want the water by where you sit; and, if you want to claim a swim in the actual Waikato, the stream makes it less challenging here, temperature-wise.
Why go?
Because nothing helps more in achieving peace of mind than getting something really good, for free. That’s a great bonus on top of the beauty of the natural surroundings and the simple pleasure of soaking in the warm water. It all works together to achieve the winning combination of mental tranquillity and physical relaxation.
If full immersion doesn’t suit you, there are convenient boulders to sit on and dangle your feet in the water.
Afterwards, you can sprawl in the sun and watch the kayakers paddling past.
Insider tip
There are toilets and changing rooms nearby, as well as a #LoveOtumuheke sign for the Instagram-addicted. Though the pools are rarely crowded, you can explore further upstream for even more privacy, and higher temperatures.
On the way/nearby
Though it will probably destroy your now-peaceful state of mind, it’s a pleasant walk along the river from the pools to the Huka Bungy, where you can watch people flinging themselves off the platform, in ones or twos, plunging down 47 metres, or whizzing along on the swing at up to 70kmh.
It’s worth following the track down along the edge for different views back towards the bungy operation on the cliff and of the welcome swallows that nest near it. From there, you can continue along the track towards the lake and the Control Gates Bridge, to see the river meekly doing as it is told.
For exactly the opposite sort of behaviour, you can walk from the stream along the river the other way to the Huka Falls, and marvel at the raw power of the Waikato as it surges through the gap. There are lots of biking options in the area, including the Rotary Ride and Waikato River Track, where you can find in the bush, if you look hard enough, a swing on a long rope above a valley to give you some different thrills.
How much?
Nothing! Which would be the best part of it, if it weren’t also so lovely.
Best time to go
Any time when it’s open (7am till 8pm), even on a chilly day. lovetaupo.com
One of the greatest feelings in the world is being relaxed. But as soon as anyone mentions a wellness or relaxation escape, most of us assume two things. The first is that it involves yoga and kale smoothies, the second is that you’ll need to take out a mortgage to pay for it all.
We want to shatter those perceptions. Some of us relax by taking a road trip, walking, or lounging in a hot spring – so we’ve found a way to unwind for every interest. And best of all, these once-ina-lifetime experiences don’t cost the earth, starting from just $15 a night.
Rainforest retreat
One of the country’s best-value wellness retreats is a Garden of Eden tucked away on an expansive plot of native bush 20 minutes outside the Coromandel township of Whitianga.
The moment you ascend the steep driveway to reveal Wairua Lodge, it’s as if you’ve arrived in paradise. Large flocks of quails parade around the grounds, alongside a welcoming committee of tu¯ ı¯.
After settling into your room, you can explore an extensive series of walking tracks along the river, with hammocks and relaxation chairs scattered along the paths, so you can find a secluded place to relax.
By evening, you can book (for free) a tree hut bath overlooking native bush, or a ‘‘star spa’’ – where you can marvel at the Milky Way without any light pollution. End the night gathered around a fire pit where you’ll be supplied with everything you need to make s’mores.
Great Barrier’s green heart
If you’ve already knocked off the obvious Great Walks, like the Tongariro Crossing, you may want to try Auckland’s hidden gem: the Aotea Track on Great Barrier Island.
This two- to three-day hike around the island’s Jurassic centre passes through kauri forests, serene wetlands, up through dramatic boulders, across swing bridges, and even has a natural hot spring.
The two huts on the circuit need to be booked in advance. The Department of Conservation says: ‘‘The track is a combination of easy walking tracks, boardwalks, steep climbs, stairways and bridges. It’s suitable for reasonably fit beginners or experienced trampers.’’
Unwind in Milford Sound overnight
To truly appreciate the solitude of Milford Sound, you need to stay overnight. The mountains, which soar from the sea, act as a barrier to the outside world and prevent any form of mobile reception. All those weapons of mass distraction we own, like cellphones, iPads, and laptops, are pretty useless here – meaning an overnight trip to Milford is a 24-hour digital cleanse.
The only place to stay (on land) is at Milford Sound Lodge, which has mountain chalets with spectacular views of the fiord. Cross your fingers for heavy rain; as soon as it’s passed, head to a lookout to see hundreds of waterfalls descend from the heavens.
East Cape escape
State Highway 35, around East Cape, is the best under-the-radar tourist highway the country has to offer. A visit to remote communities like Ruato¯ ria, Tikitiki and Te Araroa feel like a step back in time. Kids ride horses to the playground, there are empty beaches everywhere, and fresh kaimoana is served at most local pubs and fish and chip shops.
One of my greatest New Zealand travel memories is falling asleep to the sound of waves in a beachfront motel at Tokomaru Bay, after devouring a fresh seafood chowder at the Te Puka Tavern. The next morning, we woke for a walk on the beach, where we found kids playing on their horses. We then joined queues at Cafe 35, where people come from far and wide for a pa¯ ua pie.
A trip around East Cape is like a nostalgic road trip through a 1970s version of New Zealand – where simple pleasures like the beach and food are all that matters.
Brook Sabin and Radha Engling
Hot spring heaven
Nestled in the Lewis Pass National Reserve is a mountain hot spring retreat where it’s perfectly acceptable – if not encouraged – to stay in your dressing gown all day.
Maruia Hot Springs is found on the Lewis Pass alpine route, where most of the drive is gloriously empty of anything but nature. Even cellphone
reception has no chance of penetrating the peaks – the retreat is entirely off-grid and is powered by hydroelectricity.
Although the resort caters for day-trippers, you’ll want to stay the night to take advantage of unlimited access to the hot springs, massages, free sauna infusions with the resident sauna master, free yoga classes, peaceful lounges for reading and relaxing and exceptional food.
You won’t find burgers and chips here; this is a place to rest the body just as much as the mind.
Safari on home soil
The southern coast of the South Island is home to the Catlins, where you’ll find a magnificent mix of wildlife, Jurassic landscapes and magical waterfalls. For your best chance of seeing seals, penguins, albatross, dolphins and whales, you need to spend a little time getting acquainted with the area.
One of the best places to do that is Catlins Mohua Eco Park, a tranquil bush retreat with highly knowledgeable hosts who will point you in the right direction for finding wildlife, depending on the time of year.
Aside from wildlife, there are the Cathedral Caves (one of the longest in the world), numerous waterfalls and the Catlins’ version of Te Papa: The Lost Gypsy. This museum is a collection of weird and wonderful moving creations, with an exciting array of buttons and levers to push. Hit one, and a goat skeleton will start riding a bike. Another button will unexpectedly start squirting you with water from behind. You never know what to expect when you push or pull the next lever.
Soar above Queenstown
Many of us have hot air ballooning on our bucket list. The thought of silently gliding above the countryside is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that has captivated people since the first balloon took off in Europe more than 230 years ago.
As most of us only do it once, we wait for a spectacular location like Turkey’s Cappadocia region to give it a go. However, many don’t realise Queenstown is home to one of the most breathtaking balloon trips anywhere in the world.
With Sunrise Balloons, you take off from Lake Hayes before ascending more than 1.8 kilometres (6000 feet) above sea level. At that height, you get expansive views of the Southern Alps over to the West Coast.
Wine holiday
If your idea of wellness involves wine, there is no better place to spend a few days than among the vines at one of the country’s top wine estates: Craggy Range in Hawke’s Bay.
The stunning Mediterranean-style winery and cellar door has a range of villas tucked away in the vines where two couples can share the cost and make it surprisingly affordable.
Start the day reading in a quiet place among the vines, before a lunchtime wine-tasting with canapes. Don’t miss dinner at Craggy’s exceptional restaurant, which elegantly embodies farm-to-table dining by showing you, in kilometres, how far away your food was sourced. Naturally, you’ll have an outstanding selection of wines to match your meals.
A journey to Siberia
One of the country’s most spectacular short walks is to the Siberia Valley, a remote but beautiful slice of Mt Aspiring National Park. Start the journey in Makarora – between Haast and Wa¯ naka – where you’ll board a bright yellow bush plane known as Buttercup. You’ll travel deep into a magnificent mountainscape, before making a steep descent into the centre of Siberia.
You’ll then walk for three kilometres out of the valley to find a waiting jet boat that will whisk you back to the start. This day trip has it all for those who want a spectacular walk with a dash of adrenaline.
An unexpected star
When most people think wellness, few expect to point their cars in the direction of Palmerston North. However, 15 minutes out of town is a charming country estate offering a candlelit spa, massages and expansive grounds to relax in.
Hiwinui Country Estate is a place where you’ll find a roaring fire, plush furniture, and silence. Having only two rooms, you feel a sense of space and solitude. You’ll be hosted by Jan and Dave Stewart, alongside their daughter Julia, who serves a delicious cooked breakfast every morning.
Make sure to book the spa bath in the evening; an outdoor fire and candles will be ready for you to enjoy after dinner.
The authors were hosted by the properties mentioned in the article.
Many travellers dream of chasing the Northern Lights in the Arctic Circle. But did you know there is a southern counterpart which is equally spectacular?
Known as the Southern Lights, or Aurora Australis, the phenomenon is only visible in the southern hemisphere.
When conditions are just right, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of them from remote parts of New Zealand – but for front-row views, your best option is to get on a special scenic flight.
In 2017, Otago Museum director and astronomer Dr Ian Griffin organised the first commercial flight to see the Southern Lights, flying to an area over the Southern Ocean where the lights tend to shine the brightest. All 154 seats were snapped up within five days.
The experience was offered again in 2018. Now, after a threeyear hiatus, it is set to take off again next month – and you could be one of the lucky few onboard.
Tour operator Viva Expeditions is offering Stuff Travel readers the chance to win two seats onboard the private charter Air New Zealand Dreamliner, which departs Christchurch on March 21.
The flight has been timed to coincide with the autumn equinox, which helps maximise the chance of seeing the lights at their brightest.
During the 10-hour flight, expert astronomers – including Griffin –
will point out their favourite objects in the night sky and explain how an aurora is created, and a photographer will be on hand to help you get some stellar shots.
With seats starting from $1195 a person, this is a true bucket list experience.
The prize includes:
■ Two economy wing seats on flight NZ1918 departing Christchurch at 7pm on March 21, returning at 5am on March 22
■ Departure cocktail
■ Onboard service including meals and beverage
How to enter:
Go in the draw to win by heading to stuff.co.nz/southernlights.
Entries must be received by 11.59pm on March 10, 2021, and the prize draw will take place on March 11, 2021.
Terms and conditions apply.