What to see and do in New Zealand

Seeing New Zealand

WALKING
Everyone needs to stretch their legs! Not a day will go by on your holiday when the opportunity won’t arise for you to get out there. There are myriad of well-signed, well-graded tracks, taking you to view points, beaches, through forests, cliff tops and headlands – the Department of Conservation does a fantastic job, ensuring that there is something for everyone, be it a 2 minute or 20 minute stroll right up to the multi day tramps.

SCENIC DRIVES
Your self-drive journey will take you through spectacular New Zealand wherever you choose to go. Together we will devise a route, which takes in the best of the best. The open road, is truly open – just look in your mirror, pull in and let people pass, and travel at your speed, stopping at the many view points along the way and take your time to soak it all in.

SCENIC TRAIN JOURNEYS
Kiwi Rail run three scenic tourist train journeys – The Northern Explorer from Auckland to Wellington; The Coastal Pacific from Picton to Christchurch and The TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Greymouth, well recognised as one of the Great Railway Journeys of the World – what a relaxed way to cross the Alps and start or end your South Island adventure.

The Taieri Gorge railway, is perhaps a hidden gem – also billed as one of the world’s Great Train Trips, it takes you from Dunedin to Middlemarch in Central Otago – you could even tie this one in with biking some or all of the Central Otago Rail Trail.

Driving Creek Railway in the Coromandel – Kiwi ingenuity at its best – New Zealand’s only narrow gauge mountain railway.

SCENIC FLIGHTS
Helicopter or fixed wing – scenic flights can be found in many locations throughout New Zealand, giving you a bird’s eye view and an alternative way to see the country, a bonus for those who haven’t the time or whose tramping days are over. Crikey, you can even fly a plane yourself in Wanaka!

SCENIC BOAT TRIPS
A boat tour to see some of the breathtaking scenery is on the menu for just about everyone – Milford or Doubtful Sound; harbour cruises; Bay of Islands; Lake Taupo and the Maori Rock Carvings; Abel Tasman; river trips; lake cruises – the choice is endless and you will find yourself doing more than one!

4WD DRIVE TOURS
You only have to look at the car park in a rural New Zealand town to realise that for many farmers a 4WD is the only practical way to get around – believe us, we’ve been there – with the bouncy gravel roads, the sheer bulk of the things they buy and working dogs who you would really rather not share the inside of a vehicle with! You too can get a taste of the back country on a 4WD drive tour, either just to see the enormity of country itself or if it Lord of the Rings you are after, there are many that will take you to some of the more remote film locations. A wonderful day out, where the driving is taken care off – all you have to do is sit back and relax (as much as the bounces will let you!)

WILDLIFE TOURS
There are many many of these tours throughout the whole of New Zealand – a night walk to see a kiwi, a trip out on the Otago Peninsula to see penguins, sea lions and albatross, an early morning boat trip on the Okarito Lagoon to see the bird life, one of the many whale and or dolphin watching trips or a visit to Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre. It is always a magical experience to have a chance encounter with any of these species, but by joining a small tour, led by a qualified wildlife enthusiast not only are your chances greatly improved but you will also learn so much about them and about the huge conservation efforts being made to ensure their future.

WHALE WATCH
By boat or plane! You can’t help but be in awe of the sheer size of these graceful mammals. A whale watch trip is often high on the wish list of many visitors to New Zealand.

OVERNIGHT TRIPS
Why don’t you consider making your Doubtful or Milford Sound trip an overnight one? Enjoy the silence, beauty and solitude – relax, read a book, take photos, fish and eat your catch, star gaze, kayak, maybe see dolphins and penguins, the choice is yours as active as you wish to be. You will feel like you are the only ones in this, one of the remoter corners of New Zealand.

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WHAT PEOPLE SAY

Jenny’s deep love and knowledge of New Zealand is matched by her attention to detail and commitment to giving each client the best possible trip for them. “Jenny’s Bible”, as we called it, a dedicated itinerary with timings, maps, personal recommendations and local tips made for a wonderful, hassle-free trip of a lifetime. Thank you!

Beverly and Michael

Our holiday was always going to be great because New Zealand is a stunning country but thanks to 'roundaboutnewzealand' it became a dream experience. All the pressure on making sure we visited the best places was lifted, there was no time wasted visiting attractions that didn't appeal to us as Jenny had ensured she knew our tastes and budget well in advance of proposing our itinerary.

The attention to detail was incredible yet at the same time not onerous, pointing us in the right direction with suggestions on how long trips might take and even the best cafes in the small towns to experience the wonderful food and local wines. We didn't have to look over our shoulder wondering if we should have eaten at the 'place next door'.

Roundaboutnewzealand ensured we maximised our enjoyment on what turned out to be a holiday of a lifetime. We certainly recommend Jenny and her team to anyone considering a holiday in New Zealand and we hope to be back very soon to enjoy their suggestions for further exploration.

Peter and Jane

Jenny this was the BEST holiday of my life! we had such an unforgettable time and it will be a memory for life deeply burned into our hearts” & "You and Graham had done such a wonderful job and put a magic trip together. We will never forget this and will be grateful for the rest of our life.

Bjorn Naf, Hong Kong

We had a wonderful holiday thank you very much. We loved Prospect Lodge and Blanket Bay – really superb!

D&J, Wirral

....A superbly organised South Island trip by Jenny and Graham saving us hours of research. Our choice of destinations and the incredibly detailed itinerary they put together certainly gave us a wide variety of magical experiences. They certainly know and love their country and were more than happy to spend time to ensure the trip was personally suited to us. It's an amazingly 'wow' factor Island and with their exceptional guidance we had the most wonderful holiday .....

Nigel and Sally, Wirral

You have just pinged the star Jenny!!! The apartment and town are just amazing, love this place!! Thanks for every step of our holiday, and Raglan and apartment are the diamonds on the cake!! We will be back. Best wishes to you both!

Gail and Brian, UK

Your attention to detail was just amazing and obviously you really, really know your stuff!

Howard and Sheila, Liverpool

There are many good guide books to New Zealand but nothing compares to local knowledge. Jenny and Graham were excellent in providing this; it made a huge difference to the enjoyment of our trip, and enabled us to visit many wonderful places off the beaten track.

Chris and Di, UK

Jenny and Graham really helped us to maximise our experience of NZ - with such a limited time window to see a whole country - we didn't know where to start. Their guidance helped us to fit in glaciers, the Abel Tasman, whale watching and wine tasting with amazing views as well as enabling us to discover parts of the country that might never have found otherwise - such as riding on remote beaches and indulging a passion for steam railways. We will definitely be seeking their advice when we return.

Sam and Nicole, Scotland

It was such a pleasure to get some of the low down from Graham & Jenny when I recently visited Golden Bay. Visiting some of those lessor known gems is always a plus, but being directed towards the places of personal interest saved so much time in research. I have no hesitation in recommending both their service, & knowledge.

Honor Middleton

We had the most incredible holiday thanks to jenny and graham. Our three young boys (5,3 and 20 months - what were we thinking!!!!) were constantly jaws to the floor. Water taxis transporting us to beaches all to ourselves, timing of walks and water taxis to work with complicates tides, spectacular beaches full of wildlife and sand dunes to slide/surf down. It was totally magical and definitely needed insider knowledge to get the best out of places and situations we wouldn't have had any clue about.

Sarah and Matt, UK

Not only are Jenny and Graham a delightful couple, they have first class knowledge of travel in New Zealand. We found the help and advice they gave us for our trip to New Zealand was spot on. It is so easy just to go by brochures, but Jenny and Graham really know N.Z and that makes the difference. As well as the popular places to visit, they told us about places that only the New Zealanders know about. A few examples being, the more obscure Vineyards were the wines are top notch and the food they serve matches it; the best places to enjoy whale watching; advice on a range of accommodation to suit your taste; amazing beaches to visit. It is the detail that makes a holiday, so if you are planning a trip to N.Z. contacting Jenny and Graham for advice and to help you arrange things is the best thing you can do.

Jeff and Barbara, UK

On my trip to New Zealand I contacted Jenny and Graham Pomeroy, who were a great help in giving me tips and pointers for where to go on the South Island and beyond. Jenny and Graham have an intimate knowledge of the region and recommended places, that the guide books have never heard of and I would had missed had it not been for their insightful guidance. Their knowledge and understanding of travel is not limited to New Zealand as Jenny was also able to tell me the best place to visit the Great Wall of China.

David Moloney, Dublin

Landing in Nelson I was whisked off and immersed (immediately and literally) into the activity program - swimming with dolphins in Kaikoura. New Zealand is chock full of set piece tourist attractions, but the real trick is to be led to slightly different angles by Jenny and Graham. Going fishing with someone who goes fishing, rather than by someone who just takes tourists fishing (I never knew that baby sharks go back inside their mothers before); going horse trekking when and where you want to rather than on a pre-planned route the horses have been down so many times; visiting beaches when they are empty and the tide is right; knowing from a variety of restaurants and eateries which is really on form. These edges made all the difference to a generally relaxed family holiday – I can only imagine what benefit they would confer on the major trips…

Tim & Charlotte and family

Jenny and Graham are a unique blend...native kiwi meets international travel expert...an unrivalled combination. They really know their country (& accommodation recommendations) and know how to get you off the beaten track. Having lived in Auckland I was comfortable with finding our way around parts of the North Island but Jenny & Graham were able to point us to places we wouldn’t have found on our own. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip, although a number of years ago now, but can’t wait to go back with the kids. We were provided with some wonderful travel tips and excursions and loved kayaking in the Abel Tasman National Park and hiking to Farewell Spit - experiences we would not have had without the helping hands of Graham and Jenny. Thank you, thank you.

Fiona and Jerry, Gerrards Cross

Thank you Graham and Jenny - We have now had two amazing holidays in New Zealand, thanks to your tips, ideas and inspiration. Highlights definitely included kayaking the Abel Tasman (eating freshly dived scallops barbequed in beer!), walking the first part of the Heaphy track in the early morning, hot springs at Hamner, and the many foody indulgences including Ninn's Binn for lobster, The Boat Shed in Nelson, Rosie Glow Chocolates, and the amazing Mussel Inn.

Victoria and Grant Franklin, Inverness, Scotland

Our Christmas in Jenny and Graham's special places in Golden Bay, was one that all of us will remember as one of our best ever. With our two little boys, we explored all over from Cape Farewell to the start of the Heaphy Trail, with the odd drink at the Mussel Inn! The Pomeroy's are knowledgable and generous in sharing their obvious passion for their country. We felt we saw places that 'normal tourists' don't get to as well as the 'must do' highlights and we can't wait to get back there again.

Katie, Jon, Alex and Nate James from London/Devon, UK

Here in England our Family and Jenny Pomeroy's Family have been good friends for many years, so that when Jenny married and settled down with a born and bred South Islander we knew that we had a reliable and well placed insider on the NZ scene. It transpired that when we put together our own month long holiday, we received invaluable guidance "from the inside". As one example, I achieved with Jenny's guidance my long held ambition to crown my undergraduate experience on Norwegian glaciers with a thrilling visit to Fox Glacier, and to the seismic centre at Rotorua and Taupo?

Liz Flint, Bisley, Gloucestershire

Me and my family have thoroughly enjoyed our last visit to New Zealand and are looking forward to having another one. And our experience wouldn't have been the same without all the brilliant advice and assistance you and Graham have offered. I will sure seek your kind help once again.

Elina Ng and Family, Hong Kong

We had a fabulous three-week adventure from Queenstown to Auckland and a whole lot in between. I was very impressed with the detail and quality of all our bookings and there's no doubt that your extensive knowledge and connections made our visit the trip of a lifetime. Many thanks.

Frank Hayes, Dublin

Just back from a marvellous three week holiday in New Zealand organised by RoundaboutNZ. New Zealand is amazing but the itinerary suggested by Jenny combined with the tips for restaurants and cafes to use, plus the superb accommodation that she arranged made the holiday a real "trip of a lifetime". Can't wait for the next opportunity to go back!

Miriam Doyle, Dublin

Seeing New Zealand