If youre among the many Kiwis whose overseas travel plans have been undone by the pandemic, youve no doubt experienced a cocktail of negative emotions made worse by the uncertainty over when well be able to travel freely internationally again. To my knowledge, the hair of the dog is the best perhaps only cure. You need to book another break, fast.
Fortunately for us, our geographically diverse isles offer up similar experiences to many we used to suffer hours in cramped plane cabins for: world-class road trips, wildlife encounters, beach breaks, wine regions, and stunning hikes.
Swap an African safari for a wildlife tour of the Catlins
A surfer and a dolphin in the Catlins.
We cant promise you the big five, Im sorry, but you can see marine versions of elephants and lions and some of New Zealands rarest species on a DIY Catlins tour.
One of the most underrated parts of the South Island, this wild, wooded swathe of the southeast is home to native fur seals, Hookers sea lions, sea elephants, penguins, Hectors dolphins and enough flying vertebrates including albatross, ganets and endangered mhua (yellowhead) to keep bird nerds happy for days (if not forever). Visit in spring and you might also spot migratory southern right whales.
READ MORE:* Five secluded New Zealand beaches to put on your radar for summer* The real North Island must-dos* Ten of the best small New Zealand towns
Wave-battered Nugget Point is one of the best lookouts New Zealand has, with seals, sea lions, sea elephants and blue and yellow-eyed penguins unwittingly entertaining visitors as they play in the water and relax on the rocks.
Roaring Bay and the petrified forest south of Curio Bay are your best bets for up-close encounters with rare yellow-eyed penguins, while white sand Surat and Cannibal Bays are favoured breeding and sunbathing grounds for sea lions. Blue penguins nest in the dunes at popular swimming and surfing beach Porpoise Bay where, in summer, you might also spy Hectors dolphins with their calves.
Head inland along the Catlins River Walk for your best shot at spotting a buttercup-yellow mhua (bush canaries).
Swap a California road trip for our own Surf Highway
Surf Highway 45, Taranaki
Hailed as one of the worlds best road trips, the coastal cruise down Californias Highway 1 cant be replicated, but you can channel a similar sun, sandnsurf vibe along our very own Surf Highway 45.
Stretching 105km between New Plymouth and Hwera, the route takes in a string of unsung black sand beaches, legendary surf breaks and classic Kiwi surf towns with more cultural attractions and quality eating establishments than you might expect.
Ride the famous right-hand surf break in akura or just chill on the broad beach before tucking into Neapolitan-style woodfired pizza or bistro fare at Black Sand La Vera Pizza Napoletana.
While its no Santa Barbara, akura has its own laid-back arty vibe. Explore its studios, workshops and jewellers along the akura Arts Trail.
En route to punake, youll take in must-surf spots at Stent Rd south of Warea and Kumera Patch, while punake itself is Taranaki surf central. Grab some of the countrys best fish and chips at punake Fish and before catching a movie at the restored Everybodys Theatre, or live music at Butlers Reef (The Feelers and Elemeno P are among the big names set to play at the cafe and bar this summer).
Check out Taranakis answer to Nashvilles Country Music Hall of Fame in Manaia, and take a trip to Memphis at the Elvis Museum in Hwera.
Taranakis Normandy Dam mightnt look much like its Tennessee counterpart, but it has much more entertainment value: its said to be the birthplace of the distinctly Kiwi sport of dam dropping sledging or kayaking over a dam in a rush of white water.
Swap a Southern European sojourn for a Gisborne break
Its no quaint cobblestone village, but this sun-drenched East Coast city delivers much of what a southern European break has to offer, particularly if food and wine are a focus.
Sandwiched between golden surf beaches and sun-bleached countryside sprouting orchards and vineyards, Gizzie makes living la dolce vita a breeze.
The third-largest wine region in New Zealand, Gisborne is home to multiple wineries perfect for whiling away an afternoon under what, come summer, can feel like the Tuscan sun. Tastings at New Zealands first organic and biodynamic wine estate, Millton, cost just $5 a pop, while Bridge Estate and Matawhero Wines are good choices if youd like to pair your fermented grape juice with a gourmet platter.
The regions warm, dry climate makes it easy to burn off the crazy number of calories you will likely consume: surf at or stroll along driftwood-strewn Wainui or Makarori beaches, wander among New Zealands largest collection of northern hemisphere trees at Eastwood Hill Arboretum, hike up Maunga Hikurangi (the first place in the world to see the sunrise), or bike between vineyards with Cycle Gisborne.
For a dose of culture, visit the excellent Tairwhiti Museum or admire the beautifully carved marae along the East Cape.
Swap a Pacific Island getaway for Urupukapuka Island
Climb to the top of Urupukapuka Island for panoramic views of the harbour.
Visit the largest of the 140 motu in the Bay of Islands in summer and, with its blinding white beaches and clear, blue water, its not hard to make believe youre in Fiji.
Holidays here are all about fun under the subtropical sun: Pitch a tent at one of the three DOC campsites, tackle the islands network of walking trails, hire a kayak or stand-up paddleboard, fish, snorkel, or just chill at phutukawa-fringed Otehei Bay.
The islands thick phutukawa forest is home to rare bird species such as toutouwai (North Island robin), teke (North Island saddleback) and ppokotea (whitehead), thanks to conservation initiative Project Island Song, making it an island sanctuary in more ways than one.
The bar and cafe at Otehei Bay regularly hosts live music and events over summer, including a Christmas lunch and New Years Eve party. Youd be hard pressed to find a better spot to watch the sun set on 2020. Or any balmy summer evening for that matter.
Swap a Bali break for Dunedin
The Dunedin tourism boards claim that the city is basically Bali with wetsuits might be a bit of a stretch, but its certainly possible to plan a southeast Asian-inspired break there.
Dunners string of white sand beaches and cliff-backed coves do have a Bali feel to them and the surf breaks at the likes of Whareakeake Beach are also world class. With the added bonus of sea lions and penguins.
Youll find a local version of Instafamous Nusa Penidas Kelingking Beach just beyond Doctors Point, also home to striking sea arches and caves. Vist at low-tide and a walk northeast to little Canoe Beach will take you to a staircase over the headland to forest-enclosed Prkaunui Beach.
St Clair could be described as Dunedins Canggu: Its popular surf beach is lined with classy yet laid-back restaurants and cafes. If youre in the mood for something fancy, try Tt a new beachside restaurant helmed by one of the citys most influential hospitality couples. The menu changes regularly but could include the likes of southeast Asian-sounding fresh fish with lemongrass, carrot and coconut.read more
How to recreate bucket-list overseas breaks in New Zealand
