Why New Zealand is the Shore Thing

It’s a coin toss between the North and South Islands of New Zealand – but Princess has options where you can get the best of both worlds.

Setting sail from Sydney on the Royal Princess for a two-week lap of the Land of the Long White Cloud, our mission is not just to sit back and relax, but to experience the best adventurous shore excursions New Zealand has to offer.

While you might think that adventure equates expedition – that’s not part of our journey with Princess. After a hard day of soft exploration, we are lucky to head back to a ship filled with dining options, spa and wellness, as well as plenty of entertainment.

What is the shore experience? Come with me on the best experiences you can have in New Zealand. Throw a Berocca down the hatch, and off we go…

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Zip-lining through Waiheke

Our first stop is Auckland. We just so happen to arrive on the national public holiday of Waitangi Day and we’ve already got a busy day planned.

It’s a smooth ferry ride across to the adorable little neighbouring of Waiheke Island where our official first day of Kiwi-based adventures begin. The island, known for its wine and produce, also happens to be one of the best spots in New Zealand for ziplining. 

As I strapped myself in for the EcoZip Adventure (aka zip line) I realised that the locals had one very distinct advantage – their warmth. There’s an immediate familiarity and sense of belonging that strikes me about the tour guides as they catapult me from platform to platform, treetop to treetop and from death defying leap to another.

Our lovely driver Matheus then whisked us along to a quaint little seaside town of Oneroa where we wandered the adorable little stores and sampled the freshest local seafoods at Oyster Inn. The bistro and boutique hotel known for its award-winning dishes and stunning coastal views.

Before the day is over, we descend upon one of the world’s most breathtaking vineyards, Mudbrick Winery, perched on the hilltops with a vista across the island. Reminiscent of the French countryside, with the fresh scent of lavender bushes and buzz of giant bees hummed through the warm breeze.

Wine tasters lounged in the sunshine on striped deck chairs and waiters swanned past in crisp white uniforms serving drops of the celebrated local wines.

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Geothermal Wonders in Rotorua

On day two, we are whisked away on a journey through Rotorua and her surroundings. 

A trip to the North Island would not be complete without a visit to the geothermal phenomenon. The volcanic gods have spent thousands of years perfecting this landscape for us visitors to ponder.

Thankfully the only eruption of the experience is of laughter when we realise no-one informed the Americans in the group of the local sulphur stench, and they assumed it was someone who had enjoyed too many eggs at the breakfast buffet. 

With the colours and wonders of Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland still fresh, along with the pungent odour, we hit up a Maori cultural tour at the Tamaki Maori Village in Te Pa Tu.

I’ve seen numerous Haka warrior dances on tv before sporting matches. But seeing one in the flesh actually gives you goosebumps. There’s an immediate hush of respect at the beauty and force of this ancient culture.

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Cheesy Scones and Onboard Dining

The days fly by faster than the zipline experience and we are introduced to one fascinating and unforgettable shore excursion after the next. But one of my personal favourites was the walking tour of Wellington. I never imagined I’d be drawn to such a thing as a cheesy scone at a stop at one of the cafes.

It turns out that Wellington is as proud of their cheesy scones as Aussies are of vegemite. Just take our guide Victoria’s word for it. She is the expert of the cheesy scone, from the Big Foody Food Tours and explains that the average Wellington café sells around 400 of the prized items on a daily basis. There are lists online and forums that debate the top twenty cheesy scone varieties. In fact, it’s fair to say, if New Zealand also had the tourism draw cards of Big Things, like the Big Banana and the Big Prawn… then Wellington would have the Big Cheesy Scone.  

Speaking of food, you might be wondering what the dining has been like onboard the ship. If it’s any indication, you’d think a foody food tour would mean a lack of desire for dinner.

However, the specialty dining restaurant Crown Grill onboard has the remarkable ability to reset your appetite. It could be the amazing crew including Petar, Carlos and Silviu who magically appear and genuinely want you to experience the best meal of your life. Or it could be the fresh menu designed by executive chef Daniel Skrba, featuring Osso Bucco, Linguini Gamberi, Salted Caramel Crème Brulee… the list is endless. 

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Secret Spot Hot Tubs

Now, I could honestly rave about the massive variety of shore excursions that followed for the remainder of the trip. But there’s one that really stood out to me. It’s absolutely going to have to change its name very soon, but the Secret Spot Hot Tubs were truly an afternoon of bliss that I’ll take to the grave. Sure, you can find hot tubs just about anywhere.

But when you find them nestled in amongst a native forest with birdlife singing and a gentle creek bubbling past, a canopy of light filtering through the treetops and stillness at last, then this is a once-in-a-lifetime hot tub experience. Good luck keeping this one to yourself! This is the one shore excursion that brings forest bathing to light and should be at the top of your list.

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What to Pack

With this in mind, there are a few essential items you should pack for a trip such as this. As you can guess, it includes your bathing suit, which also comes in handy if you’re enjoying the Enclave Spa onboard. And since we are touring the north and the south islands, you’re going to get the brightest and the sultriest conditions on offer. Pack a light rain jacket, preferably one that is also warm and wind proof. This is particularly handy for the day cruising through the Fiordlands and the sounds where the wind can pick up.

Bring a fabulous evening outfit for the formal night onboard, most people still have a great deal of fun with this. Bring some really comfy walking shoes that you’ll live in for a majority of the shore excursions and layers for those days when you’re doing a variety of excursions. A small travel backpack and re-usable water bottle are also great to have for those daily excursions and so is a small travel adaptor or power bank for your camera or phone since you’re going to be taking so many happy snaps.

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Shoutout to the Royal Princess

There is one undeniable factor about this trip that deserves mention. While I came for the experience of New Zealand and there’s no doubt the most effective and affordable way to maximise this is via a cruise.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the experience of the ship itself. The Royal Princess first set sail over twelve years ago, making her one of the more mature ships in the Princess fleet. However, this by no means makes her tired or outdated. If anything, it makes her charming and familiar. There’s a flow onboard among the crew, and also the guests.

She is just the right size with 3,560 guest capacity to navigate your way around and yet never feel bored. The pool area is large and relaxed and there are glamorous breakout zones like the adults-only retreat with cabanas and the fabulous Enclave Spa which is brilliant after a long day exploring or on a windy sea day. 

All in all, this cruise convinced me of one thing. The right trip, on the right ship, to the right destination can be both adventurous and re-energizing at the same time. It’s amazing how a warm culture and fun new connections can be more uplifting than a Berocca and a good sleep-in.

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Expert tips:

Favourite meal: Favourite meal on the ship was the Osso Bucco at Crown Grill. While touring New Zealand it’d be crazy not to enjoy the lamb! And the deserts were always a must, especially the Salted Caramel Creme Brûlée.

Insider tip: Purchase access to the Enclave Spa. Not many guests even know its there but for those in the know it’s like a giant hammam with a giant jet spa pool, steam and sauna rooms and heated day beds. This is the place to be after a long day of shore excursions or on a windy day at sea. No kids and no phones. It’s absolute bliss.

My favourite shore excursion: My favourite shore excursion is the Secret Sport Hot Tubs near Rotorua. Let the natural thermal waters of your private cedar hot tub soak away your worries while you listen to the birdsong of the Whakarewarewa Forest and Puarenga. This place won’t stay secret for long!