Retrace Sophie Morgan’s unforgettable journey through Aotearoa New Zealand, exploring the nation’s iconic scenic and cultural treasures.
Accessibility advocate Sophie Morgan travelled to some of the country’s most remote and stunning locations during the spring of 2024. Along the way, she tackled as many thrilling adventure sports as she could, from bungy jumping to whitewater rafting – and loved every minute of it.
Her trip was tailored to her needs with the support of Ahipara Luxury Travel and Jezza from Making Trax. Sophie extends her heartfelt thanks to everyone involved.
Sophie Morgan(opens in new window) is a British media personality, travel writer, disability advocate, and founder of the global initiative Rights on Flights(opens in new window). A wheelchair user since the age of 18, Sophie has relentlessly pursued her passion for adventure, breaking down barriers to accessible travel and smashing a few glass ceilings along the way. Sophie says her work isn’t just for the disabled community but for everyone. At some point in our lives, most of us will be disabled – whether we’re using a walking frame or recovering from a broken leg.
It was a flawlessly accessible trip. From the Nevis Swing to the helicopter tour across the West Coast, it was a spiritual and luxurious experience.
Ahipara Luxury Travel(opens in new window) is an award-winning luxury tourism company priding itself on creating exciting and accessible travel itineraries and experiences.
New Zealand has arange of tourism operators dedicated to providing inclusive experiences for people of all abilities, including:
Making Trax(opens in new window)
Your journey begins from Queenstown, a breathtaking mountain resort in the lower South Island. Heading out of Queenstown, you’ll make an initial stop at Amisfield Restaurant.(opens in new window) Amisfield features a “hyper-seasonal” menu showcasing the exceptional food and wine of Central Otago. The restaurant's Executive Chef, Vaughan Mabee, is celebrated as the first New Zealander to make the top 100 best chef list, earning him acclaim for elevating New Zealand's culinary scene to the global stage.
Then, you’re back on the road, following alongside Lake Wakatipu as it weaves through the mountains to Glenorchy. This charming lakeside town, surrounded by snow-dusted mountains and glacier-fed rivers, will be your hamlet-away-from-home for the next two days.
You’ll be staying at the remarkable Headwaters Eco Lodge(opens in new window). Built to strict environmental standards, the lodge offers luxury accommodation with heart. Not only will your stay have a minimal footprint, but it will also generate funding for local community initiatives.
Head to the Headwaters Dining Room for the ‘chef’s choice dinner’, made from produce harvested just hours before from the lodge’s organic garden.
Today, you’re going on the “License to Chill” day trip with Packrafting Queenstown(opens in new window). This full-day excursion will take you deep into the stunning Rees Valley, where you’ll enjoy a hearty picnic lunch beneath a majestic 175-meter waterfall before embarking on a gentle packrafting adventure down the Rees River.
Then, it’s time to level things up a notch with the Nevis Swing(opens in new window). It’s the height of the Great Pyramid of Giza and has a fall of more than eight seconds – about the time it takes to sing “happy birthday”.
Afterwards, you’ll be treated to another chef’s choice dinner at Headwaters Eco Lodge.
Today’s experiences were adapted to meet Sophie's needs by MakingTrax(opens in new window).
Today, you’re embarking on the helicopter ride of a lifetime. Flying over Mt. Aspiring National Park, you’ll have a bird’s eye view of the park’s diverse landscapes, featuring towering mountains, powder blue glaciers, and, of course, the park’s centrepiece: Mount Aspiring, notable for its distinctive pyramid shape.
After landing near the township of Franz Josef, you’ll begin an epic road trip along the West Coast, a wild strip of country running up the side of the South Island.
You’ll have a quick stop in Hokitika to meet Bevan Climo, a master carver of pounamu (greenstone, jade). Bevan, also a master conversationalist and storyteller, will introduce you to his art, its traditions, and its meaning for the Māori people.
Then, you’ll hit the road again, this time travelling through beautiful Arthur’s Pass to Flockhill Lodge in the Craigieburn Valley. Situated on a working sheep station the size of San Francisco, Flockhill Lodge has been built to complement its dramatic valley location, with weather-worn stonework and a sleek timber roof – a subtle nod to farm sheds found in the region. This is where you’ll lay your hat for the next two nights.
Dinner is in the Sugarloaf Restaurant(opens in new window), prepared by your personal chef. The menu focuses on sustainable produce, with much of it plucked from the soil by the lodge’s own gardener or foraged from the nearby hills by the chef, who has a tendency to pickle it, and anything else he can get his hands on, in exquisite-looking jars lining the restaurant walls.
Today, you’re up at 5:30 am to see the sunrise at the Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area, or as it is known locally, Canterbury’s “finest crag”. Dominated by towering limestone rock formations, this spectacular landscape holds spiritual significance for Māori, but it also made an impression on the Dalai Lama, who described it as the “spiritual centre of the universe.”
Then, it’s breakfast back at the lodge, followed by a full-day tour of Flockhill Station. This tour offers a fascinating glimpse into the daily operations of a working farm and highlights the station’s dedication to biodiversity and regenerative farming practices. In the afternoon you’ll travel into the “back blocks” of the farm, at the foot the Southern Alps, and, if you’re lucky, you’ll see mustering, where skilled sheepdogs expertly guide large flocks of sheep over vast distances.
Dinner will be at Sugarloaf Restaurant.
After checking out of Flockhill Lodge, you’ll embark on a scenic two-hour journey through Arthur’s Pass to Christchurch Airport. From there, you’ll catch a flight to Auckland in the North Island. Once you arrive, you’ll continue your journey to Waitomo, about a two-hour drive from Auckland.
The Waitomo countryside is a picturesque slice of rolling green farmland, but it is better known for its subterranean network of caves. There are more than 300 known caves across the district, the size of Rhode Island, with the Waitomo Glowworm Caves being most famous. Each year, hundreds of visitors journey to see the caves’ most famous feature: millions of glowworms, twinkling like the night sky.
You’ll visit Ruakuri Cave at Waitomo Glowworm Caves. The cave’s entrance is a marvel of modern engineering, featuring a long spiral ramp reminiscent of New York’s Guggenheim Museum. Designed for wheelchair and pushchair accessibility, it allows for a gentle descent to the cave floor. From there, you’ll navigate a maze of naturally worn tunnels leading to caverns packed with enormous stalactites and enchanting tiny blue lights.
Tonight, you’re glamping with Wild Canvas. Wild Canvas’s tents are kitted out with all mod cons, including indoor kitchen and bathroom, plus an outdoor cedar hot tub overlooking the Waitomo Valley.
On your way to Taupō, you’ll stop at Turangi, where you’ll go whitewater rafting with Tongariro River Rafting. Journeying down the Tongariro River, you’ll pass by towering canyons, pumice cliffs, and native forest and scoot down more than 60 rapids – all of which are fairly gentle, offering thrills but little chance of any spills. Look out for whio, an endangered blue duck, nesting along the riverbanks and giant New Zealand trout darting and ducking beneath the boat.
Then, it’s time to check into Kinloch Manor & Villas, your home for the next two nights. Located just a 20-minute drive from Taupō, the manor and its cluster of villas offer spectacular views of Lake Taupō and the distant mountains and the challenging par-72 golf course that winds its way below.
Dinner will be served in the manor restaurant. Here, they follow an ‘estate to plate’ philosophy, featuring seasonal organic produce grown on the estate, along with traditional Māori vegetables such as kōkihi (native spinach), kumara (sweet potato), and kōwhitiwhiti (watercress).
During your day, you’ll have the opportunity to meet Delani Brown, an esteemed Master Carver. In traditional Māori society, the carver held a position second only to the chief of the tribe. Māori didn’t have a written language, so they recorded their genealogy and history in carving and weaving. Delani will teach you how to read the markings and show you some of his latest works.
Lunch will be at Embra(opens in new window), one of the country's top foodie destinations. Taupō-born chef Phil Blackburne masterfully combines French and British techniques to elevate the exceptional local produce, transforming each dish into a masterpiece.
Afterward, hit the road and head to Auckland, where you’ll check in to the InterContinental for a two-night stay. Located in the heart of New Zealand’s largest city, the InterContinental offers a luxurious stay with breathtaking views of Waitematā Harbour.
Explore the stunning Waitākere Ranges, a pristine forested area just west of Auckland, offering scenic hiking trails and breathtaking waterfalls. Then, head to Piha Beach, famous for its dramatic black sand and iconic Lion Rock. Afterwards, enjoy some downtime in central Auckland. Visit the Britomart area of the CBD for a shopping fix or head to the local neighbourhood of Ponsonby, famed for its high street full of designer brands, artisan coffee shops, and local food spots. This will be the final part of your journey. Tomorrow, you’ll say goodbye to New Zealand and return home.
