The Joys of Spring

Spring is when every little bit of New Zealand bursts into colour and life. Farmers' markets are full of fresh flavours, national parks are melodic with bird song, rivers are at their rafting best and the golf courses are greener than green. Come and check out every blooming part of New Zealand. Everything's fresh and new and ready for you!

Spring things

While New Zealand is famous for fresh air, the breath of spring is particularly delicious. You'll want to be outside as much as possible.

This adventure playground gives you a choice of extreme activities. Scare yourself silly, or sit back and watch.
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In spring the rivers are frantic, so rafting and canoeing adventures are at their most exciting. Check out the Whanganui River Journey - up to five days of refreshing river living. Down south in Queenstown, the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers can show you some of the wildest white-water action in the country. Along the Dart River, jet boat/canoe combo safaris lead deep into the South West New Zealand World Heritage area, 'Te Wahipounamu'. Snow sports are still an option in September - skiing or boarding in a tee shirt is one of the joys of spring.

Clean Tastes

	Indulge your taste buds
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To appreciate the full A to Z of spring food - from asparagus to zucchini - visit weekend farmers' markets up and down the country. New Zealand's climate ranges from sub-tropical in the far north to cool temperate in the south, so taste experiences span the full flavour spectrum.

At the beginning of the season, restaurants are turning their menus inside out to make way for spring produce. The focus moves away from warm and cosy to light and lively. Perfect spring food and wine pairings include green-lipped mussels and Marlborough sauvignon blanc, lamb racks with Central Otago pinot noir, and hot-smoked salmon with a rich Gisborne chardonnay.

The Indulgent Detox

New Zealand's natural resources are beautifully aligned to the concept of luxury detoxification. For example, in the geothermal city of Rotorua you can soak in hot mineral pools, be cocooned with a volcanic mud wrap and finish with a relaxing Maori-style massage. Lake Taupo and Hanmer Springs are two other spa-focused towns to discover.

Boutique wellness retreats are another avenue for enjoyment. Depending on how you like to unwind, character accommodation and fine food can be combined with yoga, meditation and other forms of physical and mental therapy. Without exception, retreats are situated in fabulously scenic locations.

The island of Tiritiri Matangi is one of the most successful conservation projects in the country. Catch a ferry and meet the birds.
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Wild Times

Whether you prefer to wander for an hour or hike for several days, walking is one of the best ways to connect with New Zealand's spectacular landscapes. Within our national parks there are nine 'great walks', ranging in length from three to six days. These on-foot adventures capture all that's wonderful about the New Zealand landscape - active volcanoes, fiords, beaches and bays, mountain ranges and alpine lakes.

Away from land, spring's most inspiring boat trips include the ferry ride to Tiritiri Matangi, Auckland's island bird sanctuary; the incredibly scenic cruise between the North and South Islands, which takes you through the Marlborough Sounds; and albatross watching at the mouth of the Otago Harbour.

However you decide to engage with New Zealand's most spirited season, by the end of your holiday you can expect to feel totally recharged and renewed. That's what spring is all about.