After a morning bike ride, we settled into kayaks and found this secluded wonderland during our port stop in Tauranga.
By John Roberts
New Zealand is an outdoors wonderland, and the people who live there embrace an active and healthy lifestyle.
With miles and miles of beautiful coastline along the oceans and into stunning fjords as well as hiking trails that snake across the entire country, there is so much to explore. The kiwis have known this long before the rest of the world became infatuated with New Zealand after seeing it in large scale through the lens of director Peter Jackson and his "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" movie epics.
So, as I made plans to go to New Zealand for my very first visit, I wanted to make sure to do it right. For me, that meant it would be as part of a Backroads active cruise. Backroads has been a leader in active travel for more than 40 years, and I was happy to find out that the company's recent expansion into cruise travel added trips around New Zealand using Ponant's luxury expedition yacht Le Laperouse as a home base.
I have previously traveled with Backroads on the company's active Danube River cruises in partnership with AmaWaterways. These were thrilling hiking- and biking-focused trips that I thoroughly enjoyed. I knew that the concept of bringing adventure travel to the small-ship cruise experience was a winner.
7 Things About a Backroads Biking Trip with AmaWaterways
This time, I was going to get the Backroads take on a New Zealand adventure on the 184-passenger Le Laperouse. Our group of 24 Backroads travelers and three guides, Max, Katie and Brandon, had nine days to explore the diverse natural beauty of New Zealand. It was not nearly enough time, but we made the most of it.
Here is a photo report highlighting all that we did:
New Zealand is an outdoors wonderland, and the people who live there embrace an active and healthy lifestyle.
With miles and miles of beautiful coastline along the oceans and into stunning fjords as well as hiking trails that snake across the entire country, there is so much to explore. The kiwis have known this long before the rest of the world became infatuated with New Zealand after seeing it in large scale through the lens of director Peter Jackson and his "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" movie epics.
So, as I made plans to go to New Zealand for my very first visit, I wanted to make sure to do it right. For me, that meant it would be as part of a Backroads active cruise. Backroads has been a leader in active travel for more than 40 years, and I was happy to find out that the company's recent expansion into cruise travel added trips around New Zealand using Ponant's luxury expedition yacht Le Laperouse as a home base.
I have previously traveled with Backroads on the company's active Danube River cruises in partnership with AmaWaterways. These were thrilling hiking- and biking-focused trips that I thoroughly enjoyed. I knew that the concept of bringing adventure travel to the small-ship cruise experience was a winner.
7 Things About a Backroads Biking Trip with AmaWaterways
This time, I was going to get the Backroads take on a New Zealand adventure on the 184-passenger Le Laperouse. Our group of 24 Backroads travelers and three guides, Max, Katie and Brandon, had nine days to explore the diverse natural beauty of New Zealand. It was not nearly enough time, but we made the most of it.
Here is a photo report highlighting all that we did:
Auckland
In Auckland, we went over to Waiheke Island for a hike before getting on the ship later in the day to start our cruise.
Waiheke Island has a beautiful coast trail and is known for its dozens of vineyards.
We had a delicious lunch at Cable Bay Vineyards after our hike.
Tauranga
In Tauranga, it was a multi-sport day, starting with a challenging ride of about 20 miles.
After lunch, we put the bikes away and got into kayaks to paddle around McLaren Lake. Backroads guide Brandon did all the work while I played with my cameras.
All my new friends. I love meeting fellow travelers who enjoy the outdoors. This is what makes a Backroads trip special.
Napier
In Napier, we biked along the coast and through farmlands, covering more than 22 miles.
Along the way, we stopped capture some of the magical moments.
We refueled with lunch and some fine wines at Black Barn Vineyards.
White Island
We visited the active volcano on White Island, reachable via zodiacs from our ship, Le Laperouse.
A short hike took us to the crater. The sulfur mists made it difficult to breathe at times.
The landscape gave the surreal feel of being on a distant planet.
The White Island is located off the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. Its continuous activity makes it an attractive site for scientists.
Wellington
Wellington is the country's capital city, and we had a variety of options ashore. We started with a brisk hike in a nearby park.
Then, many in our group stopped by the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa.
Later on, I ventured out into the city to try some of the craft breweries that are rising in popularity.
Picton
In Picton, Brandon explained the day's hiking options and how the rest of the week's activities would play out.
The Queen Charlotte Track offered the most scenic hiking of the journey.
We covered more than nine miles and had brilliant views of the sound along the way.
The 184-passenger Le Laperouse sits in the bay in Picton on a sunny day awaiting our return after another series of adventures.
Milford Sound
Milford Sound is actually a fjord, and it sits within Fjordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
We had a fun day in the fjord. After a rainy morning, the sun came out as we went kayaking.
Max, Liz and Robert joined me on the zodiac ride back to our ship. This was the last big day of activity off the ship.
While ashore, we were able to see several kea. These alpine parrots are know for being pesky little troublemakers. This juvenile kea was pecking away at the roof of a vehicle.
Luxury and Adventure
Backroads support team Ryan and Laura handled our bikes and offered a few laughs during our trip.
You're always well fed on these trips. The "Snackroads" treats are a welcome sight on a break during long bike rides.
Le Laperouse features a heated infinity pool at the back of the ship.
Another gorgeous New Zealand sunset.
Aside from all the outdoors adventure, we reveled in the luxury experience onboard Ponant's cruise ship. Dinners were gourmet meals featuring French cuisine and free-flowing wines. (I chose the craft brews.) We also shared time on the dance floor, playing games and learning about the Maori culture through enrichment talks and performances organized or led by Katie, Brandon and Max. This included a song and dance performance, a group viewing of the movie "Hunt for the Wilderpeople," and a honey tasting.
15 Things to Know Before You Travel to New Zealand
Le Laperouse is a luxury ship, so of course it has a fine spa where you can get massage treatments and a relaxing sauna. Ponant is a French cruise line, and its sailings are inclusive, with all drinks and dining as part of your cruise fare. The ship also has an innovative Blue Eye underwater lounge, a cool place to relax and look out of the large portholes to see the world below the surface. Whale sounds also are piped in through special speakers. You can enjoy a drink down there or just close your eyes for a multi-sensory experience.
Our time in New Zealand left me energized and excited to return. Most of the people in my group had traveled with Backroads before, some on numerous trips, from 10 to 20 times. If you are interested in traveling with Backroads, you can find all kinds of active travel options on the company's website.
15 Things to Know Before You Travel to New Zealand
Le Laperouse is a luxury ship, so of course it has a fine spa where you can get massage treatments and a relaxing sauna. Ponant is a French cruise line, and its sailings are inclusive, with all drinks and dining as part of your cruise fare. The ship also has an innovative Blue Eye underwater lounge, a cool place to relax and look out of the large portholes to see the world below the surface. Whale sounds also are piped in through special speakers. You can enjoy a drink down there or just close your eyes for a multi-sensory experience.
Our time in New Zealand left me energized and excited to return. Most of the people in my group had traveled with Backroads before, some on numerous trips, from 10 to 20 times. If you are interested in traveling with Backroads, you can find all kinds of active travel options on the company's website.
The Blue Eye underwater lounge offers a multi-sensory experience and two large portholes to spy the underwater environment.
A Maori group came onboard and gave us song and dance performances and explained their importance in telling stories and preserving the culture of the indigenous people of New Zealand.
Crew on Le Laperouse made us feel welcome, ready with my favorite beverages each day after we came back from our activities.
I was happy to see the ship stocked up on a range of regional craft beers.
As one of our enrichment activities, the Backroads guides provided an in-depth talk and tasting of New Zealand honey.
Backroads and Bike Month
In recognition of May as National Bike Month, Backroads, celebrates its deep roots in biking with a collection of new biking trips. These include trips in Japan, Poland, Norway and Sweden, along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and several Active Ocean & River Cruises.
Backroads trips include the use of custom-designed titanium performance road bikes that offer a high-tech yet comfortable journey through the countryside. Backroads also offers touring Bikes and electric-assist bikes. With tours for avid cyclists, newcomers, leisure riders and everyone in between, Backroads combines meticulously researched routes with expert and friendly trip leaders to make your travel experience memorable.
"I founded Backroads on the belief that the best way to see the world is by adventuring actively," Backroads founder and president Tom Hale said. "We're proud to offer best-in-class bikes and options for every type of rider."
Founded in 1979 as a bike-tour travel company, the first Backroads trips included tours to California Wine Country, the California Coast, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, the Canadian Rockies and San Juan Islands. Backroads now offers more than 130 biking itineraries throughout the United States and across almost 60 countries and five continents. Backroads has scheduled more than 1,600 dedicated bike tour departures in 2019. Biking is also a featured activity on more than 1,000 Backroads multi-adventure trips.
New Backroads Bike Trips in 2019
Columbia River Gorge & Willamette Valley -- Oregon's Waterfalls & Wine Country
Japan -- The Noto Peninsula to Kyoto
Kentucky -- The Legendary Bourbon Trail, Louisville to Lexington
Norway & Sweden -- Seaside Scandinavia, Waterways & Spas South of Oslo
Poland -- Rich Heritage & Inspiring Nature from Krakow to Warsaw
Backroads Most Popular Bike Tours for 2019
Croatia -- Dalmatian Coast Adventures on the Adriatic
Danube River Cruise -- The Blue Danube, Prague to Budapest
Netherlands & Belgium -- Windmills & Canals from Amsterdam to Bruges
Portugal -- From Lisbon to Vineyards, Castles & Beaches
Thanks for reading,
JR
In recognition of May as National Bike Month, Backroads, celebrates its deep roots in biking with a collection of new biking trips. These include trips in Japan, Poland, Norway and Sweden, along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and several Active Ocean & River Cruises.
Backroads trips include the use of custom-designed titanium performance road bikes that offer a high-tech yet comfortable journey through the countryside. Backroads also offers touring Bikes and electric-assist bikes. With tours for avid cyclists, newcomers, leisure riders and everyone in between, Backroads combines meticulously researched routes with expert and friendly trip leaders to make your travel experience memorable.
"I founded Backroads on the belief that the best way to see the world is by adventuring actively," Backroads founder and president Tom Hale said. "We're proud to offer best-in-class bikes and options for every type of rider."
Founded in 1979 as a bike-tour travel company, the first Backroads trips included tours to California Wine Country, the California Coast, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, the Canadian Rockies and San Juan Islands. Backroads now offers more than 130 biking itineraries throughout the United States and across almost 60 countries and five continents. Backroads has scheduled more than 1,600 dedicated bike tour departures in 2019. Biking is also a featured activity on more than 1,000 Backroads multi-adventure trips.
New Backroads Bike Trips in 2019
Columbia River Gorge & Willamette Valley -- Oregon's Waterfalls & Wine Country
Japan -- The Noto Peninsula to Kyoto
Kentucky -- The Legendary Bourbon Trail, Louisville to Lexington
Norway & Sweden -- Seaside Scandinavia, Waterways & Spas South of Oslo
Poland -- Rich Heritage & Inspiring Nature from Krakow to Warsaw
Backroads Most Popular Bike Tours for 2019
Croatia -- Dalmatian Coast Adventures on the Adriatic
Danube River Cruise -- The Blue Danube, Prague to Budapest
Netherlands & Belgium -- Windmills & Canals from Amsterdam to Bruges
Portugal -- From Lisbon to Vineyards, Castles & Beaches
Thanks for reading,
JR
See you again soon, New Zealand!
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