For years, pristine white powder and big runs have made Soho Basin one of New Zealand’s most exclusive ski spots. Now the area, about an hour’s drive north-east of Queenstown, is opening to the public from winter 2025 with the installation of a six-seater detachable chairlift that’s being installed this summer. The new expansion makes the surrounding Cardrona ski region New Zealand’s largest, with an additional 150 hectares of skiing and snowboarding potential down 380-vertical metres of descent.

Husband-and-wife team Jordan and Sarah Macdonald have a strong track record in Auckland’s hospitality scene – they’re the duo behind local favourites Duo and Osteria Uno – and Bon Pinard, a cosy European-style wine bar on Auckland’s North Shore, is their latest offering. On the menu, the food runs the gamut from snacky truffle-stuffed olives to locally sourced charcuterie and cheese; while on the wine front, the Matés Vineyard chardonnay from nearby Kumeu River Wines has a lovely floral aroma with a flavour of cream.

From rolling vineyards that gently slope towards the harbour at Banks Peninsula to the historic French-style village of Akaroa nearby, the landscape around Caldera Estate is easy on the eye. In December 2024, the South Island boutique winery opened its cellar door and restaurant – about two hours south of Christchurch –  where the team’s sharp pinot noirs, bubbly rosés and smooth chardonnays sparkle. Visit in autumn to sample these impressive drops paired with top-notch produce from the season’s harvest – think duck galantine with charred leek and plum or poached rhubarb with brûlée custard.

Appreciate the magic of the autumn harvest on a culinary adventure around New Zealand this season. Book your off-peak holiday today.

Located on Wellington’s waterfront, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is a must for any visitors – particularly this autumn when the national museum is set to unveil the global launch of Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery, before it moves on to Shanghai. From her influential punk beginnings to subverting the fashion establishment, the legendary English designer’s story is told through four decades of jewellery and garments, including rare and archival pieces that fashion lovers will be clamouring to see. After you’ve taken in this special exhibit, explore the museum’s other offerings which include an immersive soundscape that honours a waka fleet (He Kaupapa Waka) and an underground earthquake bunker.

Don’t let Somm’s ndustrial vibe of exposed ducting, raw concrete and timber beams  fool you. The wine list here is seriously sophisticated, with themed flights of four glasses providing a decadent way to spend an evening. The all-Kiwi sauvignon blanc flight (Martinborough Vineyard Te Tera, Grove Mill, Vavasour and Mt Difficulty) is a highlight, and with a waterfront location on historic Princes Wharf in the heart of Auckland’s CBD this newcomer is a must-visit.

The Pounamu Pathway is a new immersive storytelling experience bringing Māori legends, culture, settlements and battles to life in linked centres across the South Island’s West Coast with the help of Wētā Workshop (the special effects team behind The Lord of the Rings movies). The immersive hubs are open in Greymouth and Westport, with another to come in Haast in 2025, making this captivating storytelling experience a highlight on any West Coast road trip.

From reimagined classics to brand-new openings, there’s always something to discover in New Zealand. Book your trip now.

The latest addition to Queenstown’s trail network, this 13-kilometre mountain biking route crosses wetlands and traverses the foothills of cinematic Coronet Peak, linking Arthurs Point and Arrowtown. With mountain lookouts at several points, the gently undulating trail offers several spots for pausing to indulge in a relaxed picnic along the way. Once in the pretty riverside village of Arrowtown, pop into one of many elegant little eateries, such as Aosta, where the Kiwi-Italian fusion is exemplified in dishes including risotto alla milanese made with locally sourced Te Anau saffron.

Beloved by Queen Elizabeth II, who visited no fewer than four times, the 100-year-old Huka Lodge reopens in March 2025 to reclaim its place as “the grand dame of luxury lodges” along the banks of the mighty Waikato River, south-east of Auckland. All 20 spacious guest suites and the two large cottages have been refurbished, complete with new spa huts, LED lighting and double-glazed insulated glass. Though it may be tempting to settle in to the luxury surrounds, venturing out to explore the stunning Taupō region will be rewarded – kayak around the picturesque lake, take a jet-boat tour to the base of the thundering Huka Falls and check out the bubbling mud cauldrons at Craters of the Moon.

Weaving through lush native bush and at times following the route of a historic tramway, the first open section of Te Ara Mangawhero is an 11.4-kilometre loop track near Ohakune, halfway between Wellington and Auckland. Whether you’re crossing bridges or passing by the remains of historic buildings, walking or cycling this trail feels like you’ve stepped into a forgotten world. Highlights include panoramic views of the oft-snowcapped Mount Ruapehu.

Whether you’re seeking a couples retreat or fun for the whole family, New Zealand delivers. Plan the holiday of your dreams now.

On a 15,000-hectare sheep station 90 minutes out of Christchurch, Flockhill Lodge’s new luxury villas with views of the glassy-blue Lake Pearson and surrounding wrinkled hills of the Craigieburn Valley are as dreamy as it gets. Each of the seven two-bedroom villas set among native bush houses a buttery-soft king bed, decks with Minotti furniture, gas fireplaces and underfloor heating. A stay here was a major prize in the 2024 Golden Globes goodie bags, so you never know who you might bump into during your visit.

Whanganui’s Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery has reopened after a major restoration project and the result is pretty spectacular. The historic 1919 building has been revived and a new extension has doubled the gallery’s floorspace, providing ample room for its 8000-piece collection, featuring New Zealand and international artists. Find it on the west coast of the North Island, about 2.5 hours’ drive north of Wellington.

25 Spectacular New Zealand Locations You Don’t Know About Yet