From Auckland
Waiheke Island
Just 35 minutes from Auckland, Waiheke Island feels like a world away from the busy mainland. Combining upmarket living with rural charm, Waiheke offers accommodation options from backpacker to luxury resorts. There are plenty of safe swimming beaches, beautiful walkways, art and craft galleries and vineyards to keep you busy.
Bay of Islands
Boasting 144 islands and a subtropical climate, the Bay of Islands is the site of New Zealand's oldest European settlement. Paihia, approximately three hours from Auckland, makes a great base for exploring the region: visit Waitangi, where our founding document was signed; see some of New Zealand's oldest buildings in Kerikeri or take a half-day cruise to the Hole in the Rock.
Raglan
This west coast town is renowned for its bohemian vibe. Cafés, art galleries and black-sand beaches abound, with Raglan boasting some of the best surf breaks in the country. The nearby Bridal Veils Falls, 55 metres high and set in 218 hectares of native bush, is a must-see.
Bay of Plenty
The Bay of Plenty is popular year round for its pristine white-sand beaches and sunny climate. Take a walk up Mauao (Mt Maunganui), go on a dolphin-watching tour or sip local wine at the wharf in Tauranga. Te Puke, New Zealand's kiwifruit capital, offers orchard tours or take a tour of White Island, an active marine volcano.
From Hamilton
Rotorua
Rotorua is New Zealand's geothermal wonderland, just over an hour away from Hamilton. Witness geysers, boiling mud and colourful pools before relaxing in a geothermal spa. Get a bird's-eye view of the city by taking the gondola up Mt Ngongotaha, then ride the luge down. Rotorua also offers Maori culture and agricultural shows.
The Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel Peninsula, with 400 kilometres of white-sand beaches and native forest, is the perfect destination for a laidback getaway. Dig your own spa pool at Hot Water Beach, discover the secluded Cathedral Cove and explore the gold-mining heritage of Coromandel Town.
Taupo and Tongariro National Park
Just two hours from Hamilton, Taupo is a great place to enjoy the summer sun beside Australasia's biggest lake, Lake Taupo. Drive further south and you'll reach Tongariro National Park, which offers dramatic mountain scenery — some of which you may recognise from Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy. While there, walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, regarded as the best one-day walk in New Zealand.
Gisborne
Gisborne is the first city in the world to see the sun each day and is one of the sunniest places in New Zealand. It's a great destination if you enjoy the finer things in life: great food, superb wine and stunning scenery. The drive from Hamilton to Gisborne is approximately five hours.
From Wellington
Wairarapa
Martinborough is one of New Zealand's fastest-growing wine regions and has more than 40 wineries. Just outside of Carterton is Stonehenge Aotearoa, a replica of the English icon. After visiting Stonehenge, head to Castlepoint to laze on the beautiful beach and take in the views beside New Zealand's last-manned lighthouse. All of these Wairarapa attractions are just a short drive from each other.
The Marlborough Sounds
The 92-kilometre ferry ride to Picton takes three hours and journeys through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds, comprised of the Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds. In Picton, sit back and enjoy the harbour views; take in the region's history at the museums, embark on a marine or birdlife tour or tackle the Queen Charlotte Track.
Palmerston North
"Palmy" lies 145 kilometres north-east of Wellington and offers excellent shopping and restaurants, international shows, the New Zealand Rugby Museum and the Dugald McKenzie rose gardens in the Victoria Esplanade, voted one of the top five rose gardens in the world.
Napier/Hastings
Napier, a four-hour drive from Wellington, is known as the "Art Deco Capital" of New Zealand. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1931, Napier was rebuilt in the popular style of the times, while neighbouring Hastings focused on the Spanish mission style. Here you can go on a guided art deco walk, visit the National Aquarium or Marineland in Napier or take the kids to Splash Planet, a water theme park in Hastings. At Cape Kidnappers, east of Hastings, lies one of the world's few mainland gannet colonies.
From Christchurch
Akaroa
The South Island's oldest colonial town, Akaroa was proclaimed British in 1840 but settled by the French later that year. The French influence still abounds in this quaint seaside village, most notably in the town's place names (the main street is Rue Lavaud), but also in its charming cottages, historic churches and picturesque village streets. Akaroa is approximately an hour's drive from Christchurch.
Hanmer Springs
Just 90 minutes north of Christchurch lies the alpine resort town of Hanmer Springs. Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa is a major drawcard, but the area also offers horse trekking; walking and mountain biking tracks; jet boating; golf and fishing and, not to mention, a spectacular forest, mountain scenery and clear night skies.
Kaikoura
Kaikoura, 180 kilometres north of Christchurch, is best known for its whale and dolphin-watching tours. Here, the rugged east coast is set against the snow-capped mountain range, offering fantastic views whether you choose the thrill of eco-adventure or to relax with a glass of wine to the sound of lapping waves.
Lake Tekapo
Surrounded by mountains and located on the edge of the turquoise glacial lake of the same name, the alpine village of Lake Tekapo has magnificent scenery — it's best viewed from the summit of Mt John. It is here you will also find the Mt John observatory and some of the clearest night skies in New Zealand! The Church of the Good Shepherd is a Lake Tekapo must-see: this quaint stone church gives perfectly framed views of the lake through its altar window.
From Dunedin
Oamaru
An hour-and-a-half north of Dunedin is Oamaru, renowned for its attractive gardens, Victorian precinct and the most accessible penguins in New Zealand. At Moeraki, just south of Oamaru, you'll see hundreds of spherical rocks scattered along the beach — the Moeraki Boulders.
Central Otago
Central Otago's towns are alive with insights into New Zealand's goldrush era, which began in the 1860s. Ranfurly, the largest town in the region, boomed after the goldrush as prospectors left nearby Naseby and is well known today for its art deco buildings. St Bathans, once a township of around 2000 but now home to only a handful of residents, is worth a visit for its miners' cottages and the reputedly haunted Vulcan Hotel. Arrowtown, near Queenstown, is the perfect autumn destination, when thousands of coloured leaves decorate the streets.
Otago Central Rail Trail
The Otago Central Rail Trail can be travelled by bike in approximately four days. There is no charge for using the trail and accommodation is available along the way. The trail is open all year round, with each season offering its own unique scenery.
Queenstown
Just four hours from Dunedin lies Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital. Here you can try bungy jumping, jet boating, white-water rafting, mountain biking and skydiving. For some downtime, Queenstown offers walks, day spas and a gondola with incredible views.
 | Article provided by AA Travel. Search and book for over 3500 New Zealand accommodation options at AA Travel. You can also plan your next Kiwi holiday with 101 must-do weekends as well as find attractions and events.
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