Known for endlessly green hills, New Zealand is filled with raw beauty and local kindness.
New Zealand is located within the South Pacific's Emerald Isle. From French Polynesia to Australia, this area in the southern hemisphere offers raw, natural, beauty. With a much smaller population than the Northern Hemisphere, New Zealand and the South Pacific see little commercial activity. The ocean is expansive and freeing while the shore is filled with endless beaches, and green pasture land. New Zealand offers visitors the opportunity to feel a less crowded world, surf world-class breaks, and enjoy the raw untouched beauty of the countryside.
The culture invites tourists and is known for its welcoming tendencies. Often regarded as warm and friendly, this multi-cultural nation of people from Māori, European, Pacific, and Asian origin are often regarded as warm and friendly. The Kiwis welcome guests to the expansive beauty of their country and the surrounding south pacific sea.
New Zealand Adventures & The South Pacific
Milford Sound
The Milford Sound is a historic fjord known for its spectacular natural beauty. The sound, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is situated on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island. With walls of stone up to 1000 feet, the fjord is a prime opportunity to reconnect with nature in a particularly grand way.
The best way to get to the sound is by water. While just a short boat ride, the drive is over 4 hours away from any major towns. Waterways enable visitors easy access to many of the placid inlets.
The Wonder of the Southern Lights
Many have heard of the aurora borealis, or the northern lights, however, the celestial wonder of aurora australis frequents the southern hemisphere as well.
On your next trip along with the South Pacific look for the wonder of the Southern Lights. Known as the cousin to the aurora borealis, the aurora australis is known to leave viewers awestruck by sprawling, dreamlike hues.
Similar to the sound, the absolute best way to see the beauty of the Southern Lights is out in the open ocean. Sitting on the deck of a beautiful ship with a space heater, blankets, and hot chocolate, the lack of light will astound every traveler. With minimal commercial activity and a wide-open ocean, the southern lights are even more impressive from the South Pacific.
Pasture Perfect
New Zealand is definitely known for its grass-fed livestock, from dairy to beef to sheep New Zealand's grassy terrain makes it ideal for farming. New Zealand has 30 million sheep, 7 for every one human making the country the largest exporter of lambs. As guests explore the countryside they will find woolly creatures exploring vast, green landscapes.
The Maori Haka
New Zealand's indigenous people, the Māori, represent a large portion of New Zealand culture. They adorn their faces with tattooed lines as a symbol of status and dance to express joy at a birth or a wedding. The Haka is a traditional war dance of the Māori people, which has transformed from a war dance into a happier celebration.
With wild postures and frightening facial expressions, these dances were meant to get the adrenaline pumping and intimidate enemy tribes. Today these dances convey a sense of purpose and are often performed for the eyes of visitors.
Weather and Seasons
Summer
In the southern hemisphere, the seasons are quite the opposite, Christmas is all sun while august is the season for snow sports. December through February, or the country's summer mare the most popular season. People arrive from overseas and local kiwis make the most of the sunshine.
Fall
As spring rolls around, crowds taper off. While still reasonably warm, March to May makes up the shoulder season. Fall travel promises smaller crowds and better rates.
Winter
If you're ready to hit the slopes in July or August, Queenstown and the Central Plateau are transformed into winter wonderlands. Known as the southern alps a light dusting of snow transforms southern New Zealand during their winter months.
Spring
With calves, lambs, and daffodils popping up throughout the countryside, spring is a great time to enjoy outdoor activities. While rain is still likely, the weather warms up from September to November enabling travelers to make the most of this picturesque season.
Destination found: How to get there.
While there are a few ways to make it happen. One great way to travel the Emerald Isle of the South Pacific is via the sea. Similar to the travels of the native tribes, the calm inlets along the coasts of New Zealand and the sparse countryside make sailing a great option for many. Both Windstar and Seabourn offer options to sail this emerald isle.
Seabourn: New Zealand Yacht Harbors
Auckland to Sydney, 14 Days
Dotted across the vast Pacific Ocean are emerald isles reminiscent of lost Eden. Follow the course of the earliest native explorers who spread their cultures by canoe, guided only by the currents, the waves, and stars. An astonishing variety of sights await you: towering peaks, steaming geysers and sprawling vineyards, mighty fjords and quaint villages, vivid coral reefs, and – yes – koalas, kiwis, and kangaroos.
Witness the sweeping landscapes in ultra-luxury style onboard our intimate ships. Then take a Zodiac or kayak to see stunning waterfalls, pristine beaches, and wildlife eye-to-eye, at sea-level, listening to the sounds of nature.
Why Seabourn
Cruising on a Seabourn ship is unlike any other form of travel. The experience is luxurious, yet relaxed — elegant, yet casual — sumptuous, yet understated. Their intimate ships visit the most desirable destinations worldwide, sailing to the heart of landmark cities, as well as to hidden gems where larger vessels cannot follow.
Seabourn ships attract interesting people, who seek to share experiences beyond the expected in places beyond the ordinary. Their acclaimed staff offers a unique style of heartfelt hospitality that is sincere, thoughtful, and personal.
Windstar: Great Barrier Reef & Down Under Cruise Tour
Port Douglas to Auckland, 18 days
Uncover the natural qualities that make Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand spectacularly unique during an 18-day combination cruise and inland tour. Drift along a river in the iconic UNESCO Daintree Rainforest, earth’s oldest and most continuous tropical forest. Swim or snorkel offshore in the Great Barrier Reef. Scan sandy beaches and shoreline grasslands of Freycinet National Park for waddling fairy penguins. Swirl and savor deep crimson hues and layered flavors in Australian Shiraz wines made from Barossa Valley old vines. Sample sweet Lamingtons—sponge cake dipped in chocolate and dusted with shredded coconut—paired with bush tea’s earthy, roasted-nut flavors. Peer skyward at towering coastal ranges and misty veiled waterfalls along Fiordland National Parks’ steep coastlines. Fly to Stewart Island and hike among countless waterfowl in a predator-free bird sanctuary. Admire Maori artwork and watch Waiata performances at Wellington’s Te Papa Museum. Take in North Island views in the Sky Tower while perched a thousand feet above Auckland.
Suite-only price from $7,699 per guest
Why Windstar
Now with even more late-night departures, overnights in ports, and Concierge Collection shore excursions, Windstar guests can connect to the wonder, authenticity, and majesty of a world discovered by a small yacht. With access to small ports, you’ll visit popular must-sees as well as the best-kept secrets of each port with your new friends—the locals—to show you around.
Leave the crowds and clichés behind on small, elegant ships that carry less than 350 pampered, privileged guests. Explore the world on three sailing ships and three all-suite ships and enjoy the freedom of un-crowded decks and unregimented days on lovely ships that are unlike any other.
