8 local favourites for the ultimate NZ trip with First Light Travel

Get the most out of New Zealand’s vast beauty and rich culture with the help of local insights.

From the North Island/Te Ika-a-Māui with its volcanoes, beaches and urban charm, to the South Island/Te Waka-a-Māui with its dramatic alpine mountains and fiords, New Zealand is an adventure waiting to be had, shaped by Māori heritage. A country as diverse as New Zealand rewards at every turn, but it’s local knowledge that allows you to discover its full potential as a travel destination. First Light Travel draws on extensive first-hand knowledge and trusted local connections to create personalised journeys that go beyond the icons.

From finding a secluded lodge or connecting travellers with local artisans to building a self-drive journey around individual interests, First Light Travel’s curators combine local knowledge and trusted connections to help travellers discover a more authentic side of this fascinating country. Whether you’re seeking adventure, culture, nature, food or something completely unexpected, every journey is tailored to you, creating a New Zealand holiday that feels personal, considered and truly your own.

Here are eight unique experiences First Light Travel can help you discover, with personalised itineraries designed to give you the road trip you deserve.

1. Find lesser-visited parts of The Marlborough Sounds

Queen Charlotte track landscape, Picton, New Zealand — See parts of The Marlborough Sounds most travellers don’t. (Credit: Getty Images/ Onfokus)

A journey through the wine-producing areas of Marlborough is not to be missed when exploring the South Island, but including the breathtaking Marlborough Sounds as a stop will allow you to see the full extent of this region’s beauty. Flanked by green mountains, the incredible network of ancient sunken river valleys is home to dolphins, with even the occasional orca sighting, as well as pristine beaches. Many of the most remarkable lodges are hidden away in inlets and allow for proper disconnection from daily life, so trade vehicle for water taxi for a few nights at the guidance of First Light Travel.

2. Work with a local pounamu artisan

Pounamu necklace pendant — Learn from a local Pounamu artisan.

A treasured Māori resource, pounamu is a green stone naturally found on the beaches and rivers of the South Island, traditionally used to carve tools, jewellery and weapons featuring various motifs. Working with the precious stone requires skill, patience, and respect, so being connected with a local artisan by First Light Travel will afford you the most tangible and culturally valuable experience. Not to mention a special keepsake to remind you of your travels.

3. Stay in remote lodges

New Zealand’s locally owned and operated accommodation allows you to experience the country at its most genuine, while some remote lodges offer access to unique activities that might otherwise go missed. First Light Travel connects travellers with these lesser-known stays and the experiences they offer.

“We have some very unique partners, offering stunning scenery, genuine hospitality and a chance to experience life in New Zealand authentically," says Nichole White, travel design manager at First Light Travel. “Guests can also access locally recommended experiences, such as a helicopter flight to New Zealand’s highest-altitude whisky hut, perched on a mountain saddle 6,800 feet above sea level."

4. Discover Lake Moeraki

A lone Fiordland Crested Penguin making its way back to the nest after a day feeding at sea — Keep an eye out for rare Fiordland crested penguins.

First Light Travel unearths lesser-known gems like Lake Moeraki in the South Island. Set within the Te Wāhipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, this pristine lake surrounded by lush, native forest offers a truly remote adventure that allows you to switch off and connect with nature. It’s a prime spot for seeing wild Fiordland crested penguins, a rare bird endemic to the southwestern edges of New Zealand.

Guests can stay at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki, founded by renowned conservationist Dr Gerry McSweeney and his wife Anne Saunders. McSweeney continues to share his knowledge of the area through guided nature experiences.

5. Travel to boutique vineyards

Autumn colour in the vineyard in the Hawkes Bay New Zealand — Taste some of NZ’s most sought-after wines. (Credit: Getty Images/ Stewart Watson)

From Marlborough’s crisp sauvignon blanc to Central Otago’s vibrant pinot noir, New Zealand produces some of the world’s most sought-after wines. Besides the well-known names, there are boutique producers and lesser-known labels worth seeking out, with many wines rarely found across the Tasman. First Light Travel’s local knowledge can connect travellers with these hidden gems, crafting a personalised wine experience around their tastes and introducing them to cellar doors, local producers and distinctive drops they may not otherwise discover.

6. Indulge in farm-to-table dining

a table full of a food at new zealand restaurant — Taste some of NZ’s tastiest bites. (Credit: Caramel)

New Zealand’s fertile volcanic and alluvial soils mean some of the country’s freshest produce is grown close to where it is enjoyed. For Danielle Mueth, travel design manager at First Light Travel, the most memorable farm-to-table experiences are about much more than the food. “It’s an invitation into a local home where guests experience genuine hospitality, meaningful cultural connection, and stories shared among friends," she says.

First Light Travel connects travellers with these authentic experiences, offering the chance to get to know the locals behind the produce and discover New Zealand’s food culture in a genuine way.

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7. Spot wildlife on Stewart Island

Aerial view of rugged coastline of Stewart Island (Rakiura) in New Zealand with tropical rainforest — Stewart Island holds a wilder side of New Zealand. (Credit: Getty Images/ Patrik Stedrak)

Nature and wildlife lovers should make a beeline for the untouched wilderness of New Zealand’s third island, Stewart Island/Rakiura. Some of the best chances to spot native birds, including the elusive brown kiwi whose population outnumbers humans, are available here. As are dazzling stargazing opportunities given its certification as the world’s southernmost Dark Sky Sanctuary. For First Light Travel, Stewart Island is a natural choice for travellers wanting to discover a quieter, wilder side of New Zealand.

8. Escape to Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island in new zealand — Catch a scenic ferry ride over to Waiheke Island.

Narissa Phipps, CEO of First Light Travel, believes no visit to Auckland is complete without experiencing Waiheke Island. A scenic ferry journey across the Hauraki Gulf from Auckland, the idyllic island is characterised by golden beaches, coastal trails and rolling hills. Beyond its well-known vineyards, visitors can explore secluded coves, get out on the water or simply slow down and enjoy island life.

For those wanting to make food a highlight of their trip, First Light Travel can create bespoke itineraries around Auckland and Waiheke, including reservations at some of the region’s most sought-after restaurants, from intimate local favourites to Michelin-starred dining experiences.

To see New Zealand like a local, visit firstlighttravel.com/road-trips.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

From mystic mountains to boutique vineyards: Discover 8 local favourites for the ultimate NZ trip