HAKAS & HONGIS

After flying into Christchurch, pick up your car, pack your family in and drive to Akaroa. This historic town, nestled in an ancient volcano, has pretty streets of colonial buildings, and some attractive shops and restaurants - tuck into fresh seafood on the waterfront. It may be distinctively Kiwi, but you might feel like you’re in Italy – as well as the abundance of fresh fish, olives, lemons, grapes and walnuts are all grown here, thanks to the balmy Mediterranean climate. Get rid of the jet lag and blow away the cobwebs in style with a scenic walk around the peninsula in the bracing sea air, and enjoy the beautiful views over the Pacific Ocean. The children will love the adorable little creatures here - Akaroa is home to the largest colony of little penguins on mainland New Zealand, and in the waters around the bay, you can spot Hector’s dolphins, one of the rarest and smallest marine dolphins in the world. Enjoy a stay on a working farm at Annandale, which sits between the hills of the Banks Peninsula and the waters of the Pacific. The hotel refers to the unique experience of staying here as ‘gumboot luxury’: soak up the scenery, put your boots on and enjoy walks around the farm, where you can meet the local inhabitants, including the sheep, and watch the sheepdogs at work.  Explore the countryside on the complimentary bikes or a guided 4WD tour, or enjoy a trip on Annandale’s powerboat, keeping an eye out for the wide variety of marine life. As well as the great outdoors, you should also make the most of your luxury villa – and you can even stay on the waterfront in your very own private bay.

From the bay to the alps: today you’ll drive to Arthur’s Pass in the Southern Alps, which reaches almost 900 metres as it makes its way through Arthur’s Pass National Park, the South Island’s first national park. The children won’t be bored on this journey, as you drive around endless beech forests, high viaducts, deep valleys and pristine rivers and waterfalls.   The Arthur’s Pass Wilderness Lodge is another family-friendly rural retreat, set on a 6,000-acre farm and nature reserve, surrounded by glacier-fed rivers and snow-capped mountains – so there’s plenty of space for children to let off steam. As well as immersing yourself in farm life and watching merino sheep being sheared, this is a fantastic spot for hiking, so swop four wheels for two feet, and immerse yourself in the landscapes, keeping an eye out for the kea, an alpine parrot. Around the shores, you can also see penguins and go kayaking on the lake.

Lake Moeraki sits in the heart of Te Wahipounamu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island. This is a incredible natural paradise of ancient rainforests, sweeping beaches, glassy lakes and meandering rivers. The Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge, as well as offering fantastic accommodation, superb food and wonderful views, has expert naturalist guides on hand who will bring this area to life for you – walk along rainforest trails, kayak on tranquil lakes and see basking seals and penguins such as the distinctive tawaki rainforest penguin, found only in this corner of New Zealand and unique amongst penguins as it makes its nest deep in the lush rainforest. After a day’s exploring, relax on your private sundeck.

New Zealand is known for its adrenaline-fuelled sports, and Wanaka may be lesser-known than adventure capital Queenstown, but thanks to the majestic Lake Wanaka and its mountain backdrop, this is one of New Zealand’s top spots for skydiving. It may offer spectacular thrill-seeking adventures, but Wanaka retains an attractive laid-back vibe, making it an ideal place to linger for a while.    For those with a head for heights, a scenic flight over the glacial valleys and rugged wilderness of nearby Mount Aspiring National Park is a must – but if you prefer to stay closer to the ground, enjoy swimming or boating around the area’s lakes, or take advantage of the numerous walking and cycling tracks, which take you around the waterfront and beyond and are a perfect way to immerse yourself in the scenic landscapes. At Tin Tub Lodge, you can swim in the pool and play tennis, or simply relax and enjoy the lake and mountain views.

Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of New Zealand for good reason – from whitewater rafting to bungee jumping, this is where to come to fulfil your adventure bucket list. It also benefits from its beautiful location on Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by the snow-capped mountains of the Southern Alps - head up in the skyline gondola to admire the views at one of the country’s most postcard perfect spots. You won’t miss the views at your hotel either – the elegant Eichardt’s looks out over the lake, and the luxury rooms frame the beautiful vistas (the suites and apartments here offer lots of space for the whole family).   There’s plenty to do and see around Queenstown too - visit the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown nearby for a fascinating slice of local history – try your luck with some gold panning!

Kaikoura is renowned for dolphin and whale spotting, and is also a fantastic spot for kayaking, diving and coastal walks, as well as its food - feast on fresh seafood such as crayfish, the local speciality. For stunning alpine and coastal views, fly over the mountains in a helicopter, and land on a snow-capped peak, overlooking the sea. Manakau Lodge is a beautiful retreat where you can enjoy wonderful views over the mountains and the South Pacific from the comfort of your room. There are just four rooms here, guaranteeing privacy and exclusivity. Go walking from the doorstep, and visit secluded beaches and coastal reserves nearby.