Australian TV personality, Zoe Naylor travelled to New Zealand in December for indulgent and relaxing experiences which included wining, dining and shopping in the big city to outdoor activities in the tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound. In Zoe’s own words read about what she got up to in the place she calls her second home.
I love Australia but there is something about New Zealand that I just can’t get out of my system. Every time I venture to this magical country, whether for work or for a holiday, I continue to be inspired by its beauty and versatility.
After arriving into Auckland with Air New Zealand one of my favourite ways to begin any visit to the ‘City of Sails’ is to head to High Street to get lost in the cobbled alleys and peruse the myriad of local designer shops. I always find fabulous and unique fashion that I can’t buy anywhere else in the world.
The next day I hopped on the ferry to Waiheke Island, just thirty minutes from the city. If you’ve never been there, it is like a little touch of paradise. After a tour of the stunning Cable Bay vineyard, I sat down in their restaurant and sampled some great local produce looking back at the view over Auckland city.
The following day I took a Potiki Adventure tour which provided me with an opportunity to meet some of the local Maori and experience their contemporary lifestyle. It was wonderfully insightful.
That afternoon I had the opportunity to participate as crew on an America’s Cup yacht. With the sun shining, I had a crash course in sailing one of these grand prix racing vessels. It was one of the most stimulating things I’ve ever done and a fantastic way to see Auckland city.
To top off my perfect day I treated myself to dinner at Clooney’s in Sale Street. Clooney’s now sits at number one on my list of Auckland restaurants - it’s hip, funky and incredibly cool.
The next day it was time to farewell Auckland and head south to funky, energetic Wellington.
Margaret Hema was a magical woman who treated me to a facial like no other I’ve had before. She re-energised my skin with her own blend of oils and organic products, which I was pleased to discover I can buy from Zambesi back in Australia.
I was told that Wellington is renowned for its fabulous food experiences and it certainly lived up to expectations. That first evening I dined at Matterhorn, an award-winning groovy restaurant and bar in Cuba Street.
The next day I took a Zest gourmet food walking tour where I first visited Schoc, a chocolate shop that pushes chocolate flavour combinations you’ve never dreamed of.
At Emporio, coffee beans were freshly roasted before my eyes, and I was in heaven when at Moore Wilson Fresh, which is like a gourmet deli on steroids. I have never had my taste buds tickled by so many elements under one roof.
Before leaving I also checked out the local shopping scene. All over the city are little retail secrets that are true gems. There are four quarters, each with their own signature style and I would advise that you just let yourself get lost in each of them.
The Lambton Quarter offers a touch of contemporary, Cuba a funky edge, Courtenay reverberates with energy and vitality, while the Waterfront is a place of both fun and relaxation.
For the last leg of this New Zealand adventure I took the Picton floatplane from Porirua Harbour directly to my accommodation in the Marlborough Sounds, ‘The Bay of Many Coves’ resort.
On a sunny day the view flying in through the magnificent Marlborough Sounds takes your breath away. It was incredibly tranquil and unbelievably beautiful.
The exclusive resort was nestled into the natural landscape. Every morning I woke to the sounds of the birds and the lapping of the water. For the next few days I felt my body and mind relax and rejuvenate in this blissful retreat.
I decided I’d like to explore the Queen Charlotte Sound. For the first half of the day I kayaked with my personal guide through its sheltered, unspoilt waterways. The number of dolphins, sea lions, penguins and bird life was astounding.
We then stopped for lunch before embarking on a three-hour exhilarating mountain bike ride over a section of the Queen Charlotte Track. There was a spectacular view around every corner.
The final part of my trip was spent in Marlborough’s wine region. Having been a huge fan of Cloudy Bay wines over the years, it was a very special experience for me to undergo a private tasting in their vineyard. I was also fortunate enough to meet head winemaker and photographer, Kevin Judd, who personally signed a copy of his award winning book, ‘The Colour of Wine’ for me.
After picking a dozen of my favourite Cloudy Bay wines to send back to Australia, I then went across the road to Allan Scott Winery for lunch. With enough Pinot and Sauvignon Blanc under my belt to last a year, my luxurious week of indulgence was coming to a merry close.
As I was flying back to Sydney, I knew it wouldn’t be long before I returned to keep exploring New Zealand, my second home.
Auckland City has a range of designer shops for those who like to indulge.
