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Tuesday, April 08, 2025
Golden hues, crisp mornings and mild sunny days signal the arrival of autumn (March to May) in Aotearoa New Zealand. In this update, you’ll find exciting new experiences, luxury stays, and scenic adventures that highlight the rich beauty and cultural depth of the motu (country). Perfect for curating unforgettable autumn itineraries for your clients.
Discover two of New Zealand’s exceptional luxury escapes. Intercontinental Auckland offers stunning views over the city in a sophisticated urban setting, while Huka Lodge in Taupō promises a serene and luxurious experience right on the banks of the Waikato River.
InterContinental Auckland has achieved a Qualmark Gold 5-Star rating and is New Zealand’s first hotel with a 6-Star Green Rating(opens in new window). The hotel offers 139 luxurious rooms and suites, many with incredible views over the Waitematā Harbour, so guests can watch sailboats and ferries zip across to the North Shore and Hauraki Gulf Islands. Each room showcases unique Māori artistry in partnership with local iwi (tribe) Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. The hotel also boasts one of the best hotel restaurants in New Zealand, the award-winning Advieh Restaurant & Bar, which blends Middle Eastern flavours and local produce.
Expert tip: Foodies can enjoy easy access to all the shops and eating options of Commercial Bay and then cocktails at the building’s rooftop bar Queens Rooftop & Wineshop. Or catch a ferry (right opposite) for a day trip to Waiheke Island, with over 30 boutique vineyards to explore
InterContinental Auckland
Huka Lodge, the iconic luxury retreat near Taupō, has reopened following an extensive ten-month and $25 million dollar renovation. Enhancements include a new reception area with stunning Waikato River views, an expanded dining room and bar and refreshed guest suites and cottages, along with enhancements to communal spaces including glass-roofed pergolas on the outdoor terrace and brand-new wellness grounds with “spa huts” for treatments as well as, gym, sauna and plunge pool. A member of the exclusive Baillie Lodges portfolio, with a deserved reputation for outstanding hospitality and exceptional cuisine, this celebrated luxury property blends heritage with modern comforts as it marked its centenary last year.
Expert tip: Guests can arrive in style with a scenic helicopter transfer with Heletranz(opens in new window), landing directly at the lodge -perfect for those seeking an unforgettable entrance to this world-class riverside sanctuary.
Huka Lodge, Taupō
In this autumn update, we have four truly unique experiences and two world firsts – ziplining adventures. They include soaking up the stars in Kaikōura’s Dark Sky Sanctuary whilst night ziplining, the chance to see the world’s smallest kororā (little penguin) and rarest kiwi, the rowi, plus uphill ziplining over Christchurch’s Port Hills.
EcoZip Adventures has unveiled Star Flight—a pioneering zipline and stargazing experience in the Kaikōura Dark Sky Sanctuary. Guests soar through the night sky on ziplines up to 620 metres / 2,034 feet long, pausing to hear renowned astrophotographer Rachel Gillespie bring the cosmos to life. Held monthly from April to October, including a special Matariki event (Māori New Year and name for the Pleiades star cluster), each three-and-a-half-hour tour is limited to eight guests. Bookings for 2025 are open now.
Expert Tip: Experience the magic of Kaikōura for yourself. Combine marine life encounters, scenic heli flights, and ziplining for the ultimate land-to-sea adventure. Stay at the luxurious Sudima, Manakau Lodge, or a PurePod. All discounted and available through our Explore NZ Discount Programme(opens in new window). *Sign up for full offer details and over 400 deals.
EcoZip Adventures Kaikōura Star Flight
Moana Skies, located just a 10-minute drive from Kaikōura, offers guided stargazing tours in the Kaikōura Dark Sky Sanctuary. With expert guides, state-of-the-art telescopes, and a limit of 11 guests per tour, clients can marvel at celestial wonders like the Milky Way and planets in pristine night skies. Transport to the venue is included in the tour price and the experience operates six nights a week, excluding Tuesdays, with private tours also available at guest’s accommodation.
Expert tip: Moana Skies offer packages with a range of local operators from guided seal kayaking, boutique stays, to artisan gin tastings. Perfect for travellers who want to experience the best of Kaikōura, from land to sky.
Moana Skies, Kaikōura
The West Coast Wildlife Centre is set to open a new $3 million enclosure for injured kororā little penguins in October 2025. This purpose-built sanctuary will rehabilitate penguins that cannot return to the wild, offering visitors an immersive and hands-on conservation experience. Already home to the world’s rarest kiwi, the rowi, the centre also houses ancient tuatara reptiles and features interactive exhibits on nearby Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. It’s a must-visit for nature-loving clients exploring the West Coast, offering behind-the-scenes tours and educational encounters that inspire and inform.
Expert tip: Encourage clients to book a behind-the-scenes VIP tour for an up-close look at kiwi conservation efforts and an unforgettable New Zealand wildlife experience.
West Coast Wildlife Centre, artist impression of penguin enclosure
Christchurch Adventure Park has unveiled "The Rush", the world’s first uphill zipline. This cutting-edge ride propels guests uphill at speeds of up to 75 kilometres / 47 miles per hour, soaring above the treetops for an unmatched adrenaline experience. Located in the stunning Port Hills, the park also features mountain biking, zipline tours, and a scenic chairlift, offering views over Christchurch city and beyond.
Expert tip: Suggest pairing "The Rush" with a downhill zipline, and your clients can experience both gravity-defying thrills and Christchurch’s epic landscapes from every angle.
The Rush, Christchurch Adventure Park
Train travel is experiencing a resurgence, and in New Zealand, this trend is reflected in the growing popularity of rail journeys that offer unique perspectives of the country's diverse landscapes. This autumn, as the countryside transforms with vibrant hues, train journeys become even more enchanting, making it an ideal addition to any travel itinerary.
Offering a breathtaking rail journey through dramatic landscapes, towering viaducts, and deep river gorges. Departing from the beautifully preserved Dunedin Railway Station, this historic line dates back to 1879 and was originally built to service Central Otago’s goldfields. Today, it delivers a spectacular ride into Otago’s rugged hinterland, complete with expert commentary that brings the region’s pioneering past to life.
Expert tip: For the best views, suggest clients book a seat in the open-air carriage—perfect for unobstructed photography of the stunning Taieri Gorge scenery. For the perfect itinerary, be sure to include Larnarch Castle. These two unique and iconic highlights of Dunedin combine history, scenery, and fascinating storytelling.
Taieri Gorge Scenic Train, Dunedin
Looking for more inspiration to help curate some new and exciting itineraries this season? Check out previous editions of our 'What’s New In New Zealand' article for a collection of new eco-accommodation and exciting experiences from around the motu (country)