1. Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
Tauranga has crisp air, fresh sunshine and clean beaches. Even though it’s winter there is still plenty to do at the Bay of Plenty. Spend your Saturday walking up Mount Maunganui for panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. The beaches are great, even if you’re not swimming, so make the most of them.
2. Sydney, Australia
Photo by Jason Tong /FlickrArtists and musicians make Sydney their playground. Vivid Sydney, the annual outdoor lighting festival, runs from 25 May to 16 June. Vivid stretches from Sydney’s Circular Quay, The Rocks, Royal Botanic Gardens, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour and across the Harbour Bridge to Lunar Park and Taronga Zoo. Snap photos of the light projections on the Opera House and enjoy the music acts and creative events that run throughout Vivid. Crossing the ditch has never been more appealing.See the top 5 tour destinations in Australia.
3. Hamilton & Waikato
Photo by FLorian Bugiel/FlickrWaikato is perfect for snuggling down in a luxury lodge or hobbit hole during the cold. Open fires, books, red wine and some well-deserved sleep are on the cards for a long weekend in Waikato. When you’re ready to explore, head to Te Aroha or Okoroire. Here, you can sink into a steamy hot spring and soak up all that nature has to offer.
4. Wellington, New Zealand
As New Zealand’s cultural hub, Wellington makes a perfect city break for locals. If you’re a foodie, even better. Spend a lazy long weekend drifting between museums, art galleries and cafes, occasionally stopping in one of the restaurants for a bite to eat. Wine more your thing? There’s a multitude of day trips that allow you to explore the best wineries in Marlborough – bus driver included.
5. Wanaka, Central Otago
If you were reading this thinking ‘Ha! It’s not cold’, this one’s for you. The coldest temperature ever recorded in New Zealand was in Central Otago, at a frosty -25.6°C. Wanaka is an outdoor adventure wonderland, less developed and more natural than sister-city Queenstown. Go hiking in the Mt Aspiring National Park or mountain biking on one of Wanaka’s 750km of trails. Get your heart pumping with skydiving, off road tours, canyoning or jet-boating on the lake. Central Otago is also home to excellent restaurants, world-class vineyards and boutique breweries to satisfy even the pickiest foodie.
6. Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
Photo by Tony Hisgett/FlickrRotorua’s Frying Pan Lake (or Waimangu Cauldron) is one of the largest hot springs in the world and boasts temperatures of 50-60 degrees Celsius year-round. Although too hot for swimming, Frying Pan Lake is connected to a network of lakes and spas where you can actually take a dip. Alternatively, take advantage of the fishing rivers and white-water rafting rapids. There’s plenty of accommodation around Lake Rotorua for all budgets.
7. Kaikoura, Canterbury
Photo by Barnard Spragg. NZ/FlickrTwo hours north of Christchurch, Kaikoura is one of the best regions in the country for whale watching. Although the weather is chilly, June – August is great for watching sperm whales and migrating humpbacks who leave the cold Antarctic waters and head north to warmer tropical waters for winter. After you whale adventure, warm up in one of the cafes and restaurants that this city has to offer.
