Tracing high-altitude passes framed by towering peaks and serene forest paths fringed with ferns, this 33-kilometre, three-day trail from near Glenorchy to close to Te Anau rewards the intrepid hiker with full-scale immersion in epic landscapes. It connects two of New Zealand’s spectacular national parks – Mount Aspiring and Fiordland. Try Ultimate Hikes.

When the Paparoa Track opened in 2019, it was the first Great Walk of New Zealand launched in 25 years. And it was excellent news for cyclists, too. Over 56 kilometres – allow three days to hike it or two on a bike – adventurers can follow the trails of early settlers in the Paparoa Ranges, winding through rainforest that hides a networkof limestone caves. There are guided options available with Paparoa Guided Walks and Paparoa Shuttles offers transport services.

If the idea of skiing on an active volcano doesn’t thrill you, you’re on the wrong holiday. Should you need a (slightly) less daring reason to visit Mount Ruapehu, the North Island’s most memorable ski destination, consider this: it includes Whakapapa, New Zealand’s largest ski area, and its sister district, Turoa – accessed on the same pass – which has the longest vertical drop in Australasia and the highest chair lift in the country. 

If you were judging on looks alone, Wanaka would top any poll of New Zealand’s ski fields. But the appeal of these popular slopes is more than skin deep for powder hounds: Treble Cone is one of the country’s most challenging ski areas, with 45 per cent of the terrain rated black. A lively lakeside aprés-ski scene and luxurious accommodation at Whare Kea Lodge ensure even the most timid snow bunnies will have a good time.

What lies even further south than the South Island? Stewart Island, where you’re virtually guaranteed to see a kiwi bird. This wild isle’s numbers are impressive: just 30 kilometres from the shores of the South Island, it has 280 kilometres of walking tracks and barely 28 kilometres of road. More than 85 per cent of this water-locked haven is national park.

It’s amazing what a difference 40 minutes can make. That’s all the time it takes on the ferry from Auckland to reach Waiheke Island, 92 square kilometres of vineyards and white-sand beaches. The isle’s best- known attractions are its 30-odd wineries.

With only seven suites tucked inside its historic walls, Eichardt’s Private Hotel, on the shores of Queenstown’s luminous Lake Wakatipu, has long lured travellers with its heady mix of opulence and intimacy. The spa experience takes indulgence to the next level. The couples’ spa suite includes a relaxation area where a glass of Amisfield pinot noir rosé will ease any cares that the Manuka honey facial couldn’t fix.

The detours are exciting on this 767-kilometre circuit in the heart of the North Island, which starts and finishes in Auckland. In Rotorua, stroll 20 metres above the forest floor at the Redwoods Treewalk (pictured) and stop off at Waitomo Caves for an underground boat ride through grottos illuminated by glittering glow-worms. The journey will take about six days to catch all the highlights, including Lake Taupo and the active geysers at the Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave.

Glaciers, lakes, mountains and canyons: the 611-kilometre Alpine Lakes Itinerary, from Christchurch to Queenstown, takes in just about every natural wonder New Zealand is famous for. Allow at least four or five days to make the most of this remarkable route, which scales the country’s highest peak, Aoraki (Mount Cook; pictured), and leads to Lake Tekapo, where the incandescent lightshow of aurora australis is revealed in the night sky.

New Zealand’s biggest city is its most beguiling metropolis. Hang out at a cool café in the Wynyard Quarter, explore Waitematā Harbour on a former America’s Cup yacht or walk to the top of Auckland’s highest natural point, Maungawhau (Mount Eden), and watch the boats from above. Sustainable Hotel Britomart is the stuff of interior-design dreams – exposed brickwork, wood panelling, marble finishes and soft bouclé furnishings. 

Built on the edge of an ancient volcanic crater using spoils from the gold rush, Dunedin has always made the most of nature’s riches. Grand Victorian mansions, ornate gardens and soaring neo-Gothic spires grace the shores of Otago Harbour, which offers up its own gems – the salmon and Blue Moki you’ll find in local restaurants and at Otago Farmers Market every Saturday. 

Raise a glass where New Zealand’s wine industry began in this crescent-shaped district on the east coast. Established in 1851 by French monks, Mission Estate planted the seed for what has grown into a thriving local scene, with more than 30 cellar doors now welcoming visitors.