Posts tagged south pacific

NEW ZEALAND'S BAY OF ISLANDS: THE COMPLETE GUIDE

If you’re dreaming of emerald islands, secluded beaches, dolphin encounters, and a little luxury in the mix—the Bay of Islands is a destination you don’t want to miss on your New Zealand itinerary. This subtropical paradise in the far north offers a stunning blend of nature, culture, and adventure, with a laid-back vibe that invites you to slow down and soak it all in.

Whether you’re sailing through turquoise waters, exploring historic Maori sites, or checking into a luxury lodge with ocean views, the Bay of Islands delivers.

Here’s everything you need to know to plan your perfect stay.

3-4 NIGHTS

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BEST TIME TO VISIT – November–March (New Zealand’s summer) is ideal for beach days, boat trips, and warm temps.
April–May offers fewer crowds and pleasant weather.

Where is the Bay of Islands?

The Bay of Islands is in the Northland Region of New Zealand, about a 3-hour scenic drive or a quick flight from Auckland. The area includes charming towns like Paihia, Russell, and Kerikeri, with ferries connecting them for easy exploration.

Where to Stay in the Bay of Islands

Here are my top picks—whether you're looking for romantic seclusion or full-service luxury. And yes, when you book through me, you’ll unlock VIP perks like breakfast for two, spa credits, and potential upgrades.

Rosewood at Kauri Cliffs

Ultra-luxury lodge set on a private coastal estate
Golf course, spa, and private beach picnics
A member of Rosewood Elite (perks available!)

Paihia Beach Resort & Spa

Boutique beachfront property in the heart of Paihia
Incredible spa + walkable to restaurants and the wharf

Eagles Nest

Exclusive villas with panoramic ocean views
Some villas come with private chefs + infinity pools
Best for honeymooners or a luxe group retreat

Top Things To Do in the Bay of Islands

Whether you're into outdoor adventure, cultural history, or just chilling by the sea—there’s something here for you.

Hole in the Rock Cruise

The most iconic experience in the Bay!
Cruise or sail through crystal-clear waters to a massive natural rock arch

Dolphin Watching + Sailing

Spot dolphins and other marine life on a scenic catamaran cruise
Private yacht charters also available for a splurge-worthy day

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Learn about New Zealand’s history and Māori culture
Beautifully preserved site with interactive experiences

Canyoning Adventure

A high-adrenaline activity for the adventurous!
Rappel down waterfalls and scramble through hidden gorges

Beach-Hopping + Kayaking

Hop between secluded coves and golden beaches
My tip: ask about guided sea kayak tours at sunset!

Dining & Wine

While this isn’t a huge foodie region, there are some hidden gems.

Omata Estate

Boutique vineyard near Russell with ocean views and woodfired pizzas

Charlotte’s Kitchen (Paihia)

Trendy, waterfront spot for seafood and cocktails

How to Get There

From Auckland:

Drive (~3 hours) or
Fly to Kerikeri and transfer (~30 min)

By Ferry:

Regular ferry service connects Paihia and Russell

Lauren’s Luxury Travel Tips:

Stay at least 3 nights to fully enjoy the region
Pack reef-safe sunscreen + water shoes for adventure days
Let me handle the bookings so you can enjoy VIP perks at top properties
Ask about combining this with Waiheke Island or other North Island gems!

Planning a New Zealand Escape?

As a luxury travel advisor, I’ll help you build a custom itinerary that includes the Bay of Islands plus other must-see spots like Queenstown, Franz Josef, and more. And when you book through me, you'll get access to exclusive perks at luxury hotels and lodges across the country.

📍 Schedule your consult

BEACH, CANYONING, HOLIDAYS, ITINERARY, LUXURY, NEW ZEALAND, TRAVELLauren BaileyJuly 7, 2025NEW ZEANLAND, Bay of Islands, Adven, ADVENTURE TRAVEL, canyoning, New Zealand, south pacific

CANYONING IN PIHA, NEW ZEALAND

Piha Beach is located about 40 km from Auckland on the west coast of New Zealand and is know as New Zealand’s most famous surf beach. This laid back surf town has more than just surfing up it’s sleeve however. During our trip to New Zealand, we took a day trip from Auckland to Piha Beach for a Canyoning excursion in Piha Canyon.

The Piha Canyon is set in the hills behind the beautiful Piha beach in a steep-sided volcanic rock valley, with a series of thundering waterfalls that cascade their way down the valley towards the ocean – providing a spectacular setting for adventure.

Once you get used to the freezing cold water (not to worry! - your wet suit will keep you warm), you’re in for an enjoyable day! After a short hike, the adventure begins by rappelling down a waterfall into a canyon.

At the bottom of the canyon we jumped into a pool of water and then climbed over several rocks and logs. Once on the other side, you swim through more water and then go through a rock tunnel to where you will do some cliff jumping!

There are two spots that you can cliff jump from. It was seriously so fun - and I’m scared of heights!

On the way back to Piha Beach, we walked past Daniel Radcliffe. Our friends ran back and asked him if he found a go-pro haha!

If you’ve never been canyoning, then I highly recommend it! If you’ve ever tried it, leave me a comment below about your favorite part!

Have you ever been to New Zealand? What was your favorite part of the trip?

DAY 1:

Welcome to New Zealand, where your adventure begins in Queenstown! After a long flight, grab your bags and head to your hotel for the next 4 nights.

After checking into the hotel, make your way to the Skyline Gondola + Luge for an adventurous downhill ride with stunning 220-degree views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range beyond.

If you’re feeling extra daring, you can also sign up for bungee jumping at AJ Hackett ledge jump or swing!

Grab some dinner at The Bunker or if you’re looking for something quicker to eat, try Smith’s Craft Beer House.

DAY 2:

This morning is an early start, but for an amazing reason! Head to Queenstown airport to catch your short flight to Milford Sound with Milford Sound Scenic Flights, where you fly over Wakatipu Basin and into Fiordland, sweeping the length of Milford Sound where you can take in unparalleled views of world famous fiord.

Once landing in Milford Sound, you will take a short boat ride over to Sandfly Point to begin your guided walk on the famous Milford Track. This is a three and a half hour walk taking you along a well formed track to the half way point, Giant Gate waterfall.

After the walk, transfer to the boat terminal where you’ll board a Mitre Peak Cruise through Milford Sound where you will see scenic highlights along the way, such as the Bowen Falls, snow-capped Mount Pembroke, and the awe-inspiring Mitre Peak itself, towering 1692 meters from the ocean floor.

The flight back is breathtaking as you first spot 548 meter Sutherland Falls. This scenic flight will allow you to take in magnificent views of the mountains, glaciers, lakes and forests of the Fiordland national Park on your way back to Queenstown.

After your busy day, grab dinner at The Cow. This is seriously the coolest restaurant. The ambiance is awesome and they have a roaring fire for cold, dreary days. This was one of my favorite restaurant experiences in Queenstown.

TIP: If you end up like us and have bad weather, take this opportunity to explore downtown Queenstown or plan a trip on the Shotover River Extreme Jet Boats.

DAY 3:

Since you have some time this morning, I highly recommend grabbing breakfast at Bespoke Kitchen before your excursions for the day.

After breakfast, head to your thrilling Tandem Paragliding excursion.

Grab a quick burger at Fergburger for lunch or head back to your hotel and make a quick lunch if you got the suite with a kitchen.

Next up, canyoning! This was probably one of my favorite things that we did while in New Zealand. If you’ve never done it, then I highly recommend this excursion! This adventure you will go down natural water slides, zip lines, pool jumps, abseils (rappelling), swimming and scrambling. I have a major fear of heights, but I would do this again and again!

Suprisingly, New Zealand has some of the best Thai food that I have ever eaten! Check out @Thai for some delicious Thai green curry.

*Bespoke Kitchen, Queenstown. Picture / Guy Coombes*

DAY 4:

The beautiful Routeburn Track is located in Mount Aspiring National Park and is our plan for today. It is a hike that begins with a gradual ascent, through 130 million year old magical world of ferns, mosses, lichens and beech forest. During this trek, you will explore forgotten paths of the Maori, finding enchantment around each corner. This walk is often described as, being “far better than the Milford Track”.

Just 2.5 hours down the track, the woodlands part to reveal the rich grassland of the Routeburn Flats, overlooked on all sides by cloud-scraping mountains, some so high they have permafrost. The Flats is a pristine site to stop for lunch. After a delicious Kiwi style picnic lunch, turn and enjoy the valley in reverse.

DAY 5:

Being from Tennessee, I have been whitewater rafting numerous times. That being said, whitewater rafting on the Shotover River after tons of rain making normal class 4 rapids become class 5 rapids was a whole other level!

This was the coolest experience! Due to weather, it was almost cancelled. Thankfully, at the last minute, they decided to run the excursion.

The Shotover River runs through Skippers Canyon and was one of the richest gold bearing rivers in the world. Start the journey from Deep Creek over peaceful waters at first, head towards the exhilarating rapids of the lower canyon. The adrenaline pumps as you paddle Rock Garden, After Shock, Sharks Fin, and Pinball to name but a few of the rapids. Raft the 170m Oxenbridge Tunnel before shooting Cascade Rapid to complete your adventure.

RECOMMENDED HOTELS

Here are three hotels that I would recommend. We stayed in the Scenic Suites. It was really nice because it was walking distance to downtown and it had a kitchen so that we could cook breakfast in the mornings before heading out on our busy day.

PLATINUM QUEENSTOWN

LAKERIDGE QUEENSTOWN

SCENIC SUITES QUEENSTOWN

Have you ever been to New Zealand or Queenstown? If so, leave me a comment below and tell me your favorite experience of your trip!

If you need any help booking a trip to New Zealand, I would love to help!

ABOUT ME:

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Follow me: @thatblondetravels

VACATION PLANNING: SOME UPDATED OPTIONS

Written by Lauren Bailey

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www.thatblondetravels.com

HELLO!

I am excited to announce that I have partnered with a travel partner to specialize in luxury safaris and south pacific adventures! These will be custom bespoke itineraries that are tailored specifically to you!

I am working on some preliminary itineraries right now and will post some examples soon!

safari-africa-vacation-travel-luxury travel-travel agent

You can find information about custom African vacations here. These locations include: South Africa, Botswana, Kenya/Tanzania, Uganda/Rwanda, Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles/Mozambique. You can find information about budget and how long you would need for a trip to that location.

new zealand-custom itinerary-bespoke itinerary-luxury travel-luxury vacations-travel agent

You can find information about custom South Pacific vacations here. These locations include: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, and the Cook Islands.

I am also working on a South East Asia page as well and will update it here as soon as it is finished! These locations will include: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, Hong Kong, Japan, and China.