7 Amazing Spots to See in New Zealand with Backroads

After a morning bike ride, we settled into kayaks and found this secluded wonderland during our port stop in Tauranga.

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.

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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:

1. 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.

2.Tauranga

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.

Some of my new friends. I love meeting fellow travelers who enjoy the outdoors. This is what makes a Backroads trip extra special.

3. Napier

In Napier, we biked along the coast and through farmlands, covering more than 22 miles.

Along the way, we stopped to capture some of the magical moments.

We refueled with lunch and some fine wines at Black Barn Vineyards.

4. The 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

Backroads Combines Luxury and Adventure on Active Cruises

Backroads support team Ryan and Laura handled our bikes and offered a few laughs during our trip.

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.

You're always well fed on these trips. The "Snackroads" treats are a welcome sight on a break during long bike rides.

Traveling on the luxurious cruise ship Le Laperouse with Ponant and Backroads is a perfect way to explore New Zealand.

Le Laperouse features a heated infinity pool at the back of the ship.

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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.

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.

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, the company offers all kinds of active travel options.

Thanks for reading,

JR