When it comes to accommodation, you are spoilt for choice in Paihia, neighbouring Waitangi and Opua.

Paihia itself offers a huge range of economy and luxury accommodation including motels, holiday homes, apartments, bed & breakfasts as well as backpackers, hostels – while Waitangi features the 4-star Copthorne Hotel. Opua, just along the coast from Paihia, gives yachties a bit of on-shore relaxation with a choice of B&Bs and motels close to the marina.

Whatever type of accommodation you are looking for in the Paihia area, there’s a comfortable and welcoming venue to suit every wallet and expectation.

As the Bay of Island’s main tourist resort, Paihia offers all the distractions and delights you could possible want. Para-sailing, fishing, dolphin- watching, helicopter rides, mountain bike treks and much much more. Not to mention the deeply historical Waitangi area, the birthplace of New Zealand and cradle of so much of the country’s history.

Stay more than a day! 

So it makes sense to make the most of your stay in the glorious Bay of Islands by booking several nights in one of the many hotels and motels that line the waterfront and back streets. All within easy walking distance of the many shops, bars, beaches and restaurants this bustling beach-front town has to offer.

When it comes to accommodation, you are spoilt for choice in Paihia and neighbouring Waitangi and Opua.

Paihia itself offers a huge range of economy and luxury accommodation including motels, holiday homes, apartments, bed & breakfasts as well as backpackers, hostels – while Waitangi features the 4-star Copthorne Hotel. Opua, just along the coast from Paihia, gives yachties a bit of on-shore relaxation with a choice of B&Bs and motels close to the marina.

Whatever type of accommodation you are looking for in the Paihia area, there’s a comfortable and welcoming venue to suit every wallet and expectation.

As the Bay of Island’s main tourist resort, Paihia offers all the distractions and delights you could possible want. Para-sailing, fishing, dolphin- watching, helicopter rides, mountain bike treks and much much more. Not to mention the deeply historical Waitangi area, the birthplace of New Zealand and cradle of so much of the country’s history.

Stay more than a day! 

So it makes sense to make the most of your stay in the glorious Bay of Islands by booking several nights in one of the many hotels and motels that line the waterfront and back streets. All within easy walking distance of the many shops, bars, beaches and restaurants this bustling beach-front town has to offer.

As the Bay of Island’s main tourist resort, Paihia offers all the distractions and delights you could possible want. Para-sailing, fishing, dolphin- watching, helicopter rides, mountain bike treks and much much more. Not to mention the deeply historical Waitangi area, the birthplace of New Zealand and cradle of so much of the country’s history.

Stay more than a day! 

So it makes sense to make the most of your stay in the glorious Bay of Islands by booking several nights in one of the many hotels and motels that line the waterfront and back streets. All within easy walking distance of the many shops, bars, beaches and restaurants this bustling beach-front town has to offer.

Relaxed atmosphere

If you are looking for a more relaxed atmosphere while exploring the Bay of Islands, look no further than Russell. This historic little town offers a good range of accommodation and an excellent choice of restaurants and shops.

Apart from the grand old Duke of Marlborough Hotel (New Zealand’s first licenced hotel) with its olde worlde charm and prime location right on the waterfront, you have many holiday homes and boutique B&Bs along with a few motels to choose from in Russell.

Russell has a historic reputation as the ‘Hell Hole of the Pacific’ thanks to its importance as the first European settlement in New Zealand back in the late 19^th century. In those days, Kororareka, as it was called, was a swashbuckling shore station for the many whalers and seal-hunters who flocked here from around the world.

Today, thankfully, it shows a more genteel nature as a romantic holiday destination with its range of charming restaurants and cafes, abundant fresh local produce and seafood, exquisitely restored historic buildings and excellent art galleries.

If you make Russell the base for your Bay of Islands experience, you have all the Bay has to offer on your doorstep. Fishing trips, sailing and dolphin encounters are high on the list with wonderful walks to local places of historical interest also available from Russell.

Flagstaff Hill with its magnificent views overlooking the Bay of Islands is only a short walk away. You can also walk to Tapeka Point Historic Reserve on a headland at the end of the peninsula as well as Oneroa Bay (Long Beach) where you will discover a gently shelving beach sheltered from wind and safe for swimming.

Stay longer and experience more

A visit to New Zealand’s largest city demands more than just a quick stopover. Stay longer and discover the exciting nightlife, world-class restaurants, historic attractions and awe-inspiring tourist sites. Auckland is also your base for the beautiful Hauraki Gulf with its many water sports and islands to experience – easily accessible by ferries, boats and planes.

The best way to see the sights of Auckland is to jump aboard the Auckland Hop on, Hop off Explorer bus service. This economic tour service has three convenient pick-up points in downtown Auckland and offers two different circuits to a total of 18 of the city’s most popular tourist destinations

Hundreds of places to stay

Naturally, there are literally hundreds of places to stay in our magnificent ‘City of Sails’. Depending on your budget, you can stay in world-class accommodation right on the waterfront in downtown Auckland or a more relaxed stay in the leafy suburbs. From Mangere International Airport in the south of the city to Devonport and Takapuna on the North Shore, practically every suburb has a choice of a 2, 3 or 4-star hotels, convenient motels, B&Bs, guest houses or luxury apartments for rent. Once you have settled in to your accommodation of choice, start exploring this glorious city.

Ensure you have allowed enough nights to experience all that Auckland and the Hauriki  Gulf has to offer with a host of activities, cruises and things to do to suit everyone  “Click Here” 

Rotorua is one of the top ‘Must Do’ tourist hotspots in New Zealand. World renowned for its fascinating Maori culture, its hot springs, boiling mud pools, spouting geysers, warm geothermal springs and silica terraces, Rotorua draws millions of eager tourists to the area every year.

Thrills galore

Other attractions include the Rainbow Springs Wildlife Park where you can feed the trout and see New Zealand’s iconic kiwi. Take a farm tour at the Agrodome and see the sheep shearing show. The more adventurous can enjoy a helicopter trip to White Island to explore New Zealand’s only active marine volcano, or an exhilarating ride on the Skyswing, or a downhill race on the Luge.

Thankfully, you aren’t short of places to stay in Rotorua while you discover these amazing sights and activities. Fenton Street is accommodation central in Rotorua with its numerous hotels and motels offering something for everyone and every budget. And because you are sitting on a major geothermal hotspot, many of the hotels in the area offer heated pools and hot tubs, all powered by nature! So whether you are looking for something cheap and cheerful or something a bit more up-market, Rotorua has all the bases covered.

Lake Taupo has a staggering number of activities to choose from all year round and is reckoned to be the skydiving capital of New Zealand. Adrenalin junkies also get their thrills bungy jumping, jet boating, water skiing and wake boarding. But there’s more to Taupo with thousands of visitors coming here specifically for the trout fishing, kayaking, canoeing, wind surfing, scenic flights and sailing.

If you stay a few days longer, you will be tempted further afield to some of the other attractions in the area. These include the stunning Huka Falls, New Zealand’s best-known and most photographed water falls. Or Orakei Korako, Taupo’s popular geothermal attraction.

Accommodation is just as plentiful and varied in Taupo. You can choose from any of the many hotels, motels and resorts lining the lakeside and back streets. For the more economy-minded, there is also a good choice of B&Bs and holiday homes available in the area. Once you are settled in your accommodation, take a day out just to wander around the town centre and the lakeside and sample the fine New Zealand cuisine in one of Taupo’s lively cafes or restaurants.

Picton is the capital of the Marlborough Sounds and the gateway to the South Island. So why not settle in this delightful town for a few days after your ferry crossing from Wellington to discover what the area has to offer. For a start, you are surrounded by meandering Fjords, pencil-thin peninsulas and unspoilt islands that represent one fifth of New Zealand’s coastline. So plenty of natural beauty and cruises to experience – not to mention water sports such as scuba diving and kayaking. Then there’s New Zealand’s greatest wine region on your doorstep at Marlborough. With its numerous world-class vineyards and sparkling rivers, that alone is worth spending several days to inspect.

The adventure starts in Picton

Stroll around Picton and enjoy the cafes and restaurants or walk the bush tracks to local look-out points. The town itself offers a good range of accommodation from economical B&Bs and backpackers hostels to boutique hotels and comfortable motels. Further afield there are isolated luxury resorts and beachfront lodges offering excellent food and a choice of water activities. Whatever you do in the South Island, start the adventure in Picton before continuing your journey south.

Plenty of places to stay

As the centre of the Marlborough wine industry, Blenheim offers as many places to stay as there are wines to choose from and things to do.

You’ll find High Street lined with convenient and comfortable motels while B&Bs, backpacker hostels, vineyard accommodation, boutique apartments and hotels are all plentiful in the surrounding streets and local area.

Blenheim is not called the centre of New Zealand’s wine industry for nothing. At the heart of the Marlborough wine region, Blenheim gives you access to dozens of wines that invoke pride and respect around the world. World-renowned names such as Witherhills, Hunters, Herzog and Stoneleigh are all on your doorstep and reachable either by car or with one of the many wine tours on offer in Blenheim. That’s only one, very, good reason why it’s worth a long stop-over on your exploration of the South Island

Tempting distractions

However, Blenheim is about more than just wines and boasts an excellent range of restaurants and bars to complement the delicious nectar. While you are strolling around enjoying this vibrant city, one of the sunniest in New Zealand, you’ll also be tempted by other activities such as museums, art galleries, paintball experiences and even a rifle range. Or simply relax and enjoy the many colourful parks and gardens.

You will quickly discover that a stay in Blenheim will reward you with fine wines, great food and lots of fun – as well as many fond memories

You’re going to need to linger longer in Wanaka to take in all that this excitement centre of the South Island has to offer. Luckily, Wanaka is not short of a huge range accommodation to make your stay a relaxing and enjoyable one. From high-end to budget, you can choose from luxury serviced apartments and holiday homes, boutique hotels and lodges to budget B&Bs and convenient motels. Once you are settled into your new Wanaka home, get out and experience all the area has to offer.

Wanaka has it all. Jet boating, lake cruises, heli-hikes, 4WD safari tours, guided glacier walks and fantastic bird life. On top of that, this charming lakeside town is surrounded by magnificent scenery such as stunning waterfalls, ancient beech forest, snow capped peaks, alpine meadows and sparkling lake vistas. Everywhere you go in Wanaka, you will find tours and activities to suit every taste. Whatever you do in the South Island, Wanaka should definitely be the highpoint of your Kiwi experience.

Places to stay

If you’re coming to Queenstown, why not linger longer with one of our many accommodation-providers to really experience all the thrills and excitement this adrenalin capital has to offer. You have a fantastic choice of places to stay including motels, three to five star hotels, holiday homes, apartments and luxury lodges – not to mention numerous bed and breakfasts and backpacker lodges in awesome locations.

Things to do

From your chosen home away-from-home, you will discover more things to do for a more memorable stay. Queenstown is not just about bungy-jumping from a gondola, a bridge or a ledge. You can take to the skies in a helicopter, plane or even a hot air balloon. Or try your hand at paragliding or hang gliding. Experience the thrills of rafting, river-boarding and canyoning. Then hop on board a jet boat and zip down a river or lake at frightening speeds!

If that’s not enough, what about sailing, diving, horse trekking, quad or motorbike riding – or even a 4WD safari. There are so many things to do and places to stay in Queenstown, you’ll never want to leave!

A warm welcome

To experience all that Kaikoura has to offer, and that’s a lot, you have a good choice of places to stay.

In the heart of town are plenty of beachfront apartments, motels and B&Bs. Further afield, you will discover beachfront motels, B&Bs, backpacker hostels and lodges lining the state highway to the north and south of the town. Wherever you stay, Kaikoura will give you a warm welcome and plenty to see and do.

It may be small but Kaikoura punches way above its size as one of the top marine life centres of New Zealand. World famous for its breath-taking whale-watching tours, Kaikoura offers you close-up views of the magnificent sperm whale, as well as dolphins, seals and an impressive range of pelagic bird life – hopefully including encounters with the majestic albatross. Kaikoura is also renowned for its great seafood, especially crayfish, caught along its rugged coast which is accessible by foot, boat, or kayak. There are tour operators aplenty in Kaikoura. Not just by boat, but helicopter and plane flights as well as land-based tours.

Stunning coastline

From Haast in the south to Greymouth and on to Westport in the north, the West Coast offers over 600km of stunning coastline and plenty of places to stay. Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast gives you the most choice with motels, hotels, B&Bs and holiday parks galore. Or you may want to meander up and down the coast staying at some of the hotels and motels, B&Bs and lodges in Haast, Ruatapu, Hokitika, Fox Glacier and Franz Joseph Glacier. Check out our recommendations below, then get going on a West Coast road trip to remember!

And remember the West Coast you will! Apart from the stunning attractions of the two world-famous glaciers at Fox and Franz Joseph, you have water activities and bush walks in abundance. Check out the pancake rocks and blowholes at Punakaiki, or the gold rush shantytown south of Greymouth, or discover Hokitika’s artistic community famed for its native greenstone, or hire a kayak, or take a guided trip to view the many bird species. Whatever you do, the drive along the West Coast alone is simply stunning with spectacular sea, bush and mountain views at every turn.

A warm welcome

In Te Anau, you are at the heart of New Zealand’s Fiordland so you can easily get to all that this spectacular lake-infested, rainforest region has to offer. If you base yourself in this delightful town on the shores of Lake Te Anau, you have a choice of beachfront B&Bs, motels, apartments, hotels and villas. Down the road at nearby Manapouri, on the shore of Lake Manapouri, there is a similar selection of accommodations ready to welcome their Fiordland visitors with open arms.

A natural paradise

Whether you love tramping, kayaking, hunting, fishing, mountain running, or the amazing wilderness by boat, plane or helicopter, this is a full-on natural paradise that meets everyone’s expectations. A visit to Te Anau or Manapouri can be as relaxing as it is exciting simply by sitting and gazing at the wonderful views from a lake-front bench or chilling in one of the town’s cafes, bars and restaurants.