Exploring New Zealand in style: A Bespoke journey through Fiordland, Wānaka and Auckland’s wild coast

Our Bespoke Behind the Scenes series lets you in on some of the incredible trips that B&amp;R Experience Designers create for travellers. From multi-generational family reunions to once-in-a-lifetime journeys that explore remote destinations, our team works one-on-one with travellers to design adventures that meet every need and desire. Here, travellers Richard and Cheryl, who wanted to experience the best of <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/oceania/new-zealand">New Zealand</a>, share some of the many highlights of their trip and how Experience Designer <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/meet-the-designers/rob-grieve">Rob Grieve</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;raised the bar for future adventures.&nbsp;When both Experience Designer and travellers say there are too many “wow” moments in a trip to narrow down their favourite, you know a trip is special.&nbsp;<h2>Experiencing New Zealand’s Iconic Landscapes</h2>During their 13 days exploring <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/oceania/new-zealand">New Zealand</a>, travellers Richard and Cheryl, and their friends who joined them for this incredible <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/how-to-travel/bespoke">Bespoke</a> adventure, walked the black-sand beaches of Auckland’s west coast and swam in the Tasman Sea. They got up close to the stunning and varied landscapes of the country—the vineyards on Waiheke Island, the mountains in Wānaka and the winding waterways in Fiordland National Park.&nbsp;“But helicoptering from eating lunch on a beach at noon to hitting golf balls into an abyss while sipping champagne on a glacier by early afternoon... well, that is the kind of experience only our B&amp;R New Zealand trip designers and local guides could have pulled off,” Richard says.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>The Magic of Bespoke Travel</h2>For the couple, the goal of the trip was to visit New Zealand for the first time, and to do with some of their closest friends in a way that would cater to the group’s passions, taste and preferred pace. While Richard and Cheryl have been travelling with B&amp;R on Small Group trips since 1995, they chose to work with <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/meet-the-designers/rob-grieve">Rob Grieve</a>, our expert Experience Designer for New Zealand and Australia, to create a trip that fully met their needs.&nbsp;

“We got to choose who we travelled with, where we stayed, where we ate, what sites we visited, what we did or didn't do, and when we did—or didn't do—anything and everything,” Richard says.&nbsp;&nbsp;The group was also open to all suggestions of how to make the most of their time in the country and really understand and connect with its essence–-an opportunity Rob did not take lightly. “This was the most personal, connected and intimate trip that I’ve ever designed or guided. There were elements that I was able to weave into the trip’s tapestry that were very personal to me and showed each traveller a little bit about how I live down here in NZ,” he explains.&nbsp;<h2>Personalized Moments and Unforgettable “Wow” Experiences</h2>Their two weeks were filled with only in New Zealand experiences. A private charter on an America’s Cup racing boat had them seeing Auckland’s skyline from the waters of the Hauraki Gulf. Soaking in the stunning views of ice-carved mountains while walking the Kepler and Milford Tracks, two of the country’s Great Walks on the South Island. And finding moments to breathe it all in during their stay at Mahu Whenua, a luxury villa hidden in an eco-sanctuary that the group had all to themselves.&nbsp;&nbsp;Paired with this were personal touches by Rob: family members and dear friends surprising the group and connecting over meaningful conversations, even his husband showing up to serve the group cocktails—experiences that Richard and Cheryl call “priceless.”&nbsp;The ability to travel via a fully customized and privately guided trip is more than just feeling in control, Richard says. "It's an existential way of being. And the B&amp;R guides understand what this means and facilitate the experience.”&nbsp;

Experience New Zealand at its most extraordinary with a Bespoke journey featuring black-sand beaches, iconic Great Walks, helicopter adventures, glacier picnics and luxury stays. Designed with personal touches and unforgettable “wow” moments, this custom Butterfield & Robinson trip showcases the very best of Aotearoa.

New Zealand

Welcome to New Zealand, where lush landscapes, breathtaking coastlines and vibrant culture await at every turn. Known as Aotearoa in Māori, New Zealand captivates travellers with its wild beauty, friendly locals and quiet luxury. At Butterfield &amp; Robinson, we believe in journeys that go beyond the ordinary. Our New Zealand trips are crafted for those who seek the thrill of exploration while enjoying unparalleled luxury, comfort and authenticity.We'll take you from the geothermal wonders and vineyards of the North Island to the adventure-laden South Island, where breathtaking fjords and rugged peaks await. Uncover the energy of New Zealand through exclusive, memorable moments that will be so special, they'll leave you wanting more.

An adventure lovers paradise

New Zealand | Butterfield & Robinson

It’s all about the purity of its Middle-Earth-like wilderness, the fresh attitude of the Kiwis’ approach to life and the friendliness of its people. New Zealand is a destination that we&nbsp;love&nbsp;to explore—from the silent waterways of Fiordland to its towering mountain peaks and rich Maori culture. We love "tramping" the famous walking tracks, rafting the rapids and luxuriating in world-class lodges. And to land by heli on a deserted glacier is something to be celebrated—naturally—with a glass of New Zealand sparkling in hand.

Nature's Wonder

Understated Luxury

Active Adventure

New Zealand is cinematic in every sense—glacier landings with bubbly in hand, trails that redefine “epic” and coastlines rugged enough to stop you mid-hike. Tramp through Fiordland, soak in hot springs and connect with Māori culture that runs deep. With jaw-dropping lodges and even better locals, Aotearoa doesn’t just welcome you—it wows you.

Raw, rugged adventure awaits hidden in the heart of the Pacific 

There’s something pure, fresh and primal about New Zealand

Bespoke travel lets you to take our inspirational cues and craft them into your personalized, private adventure. Collaborate one-on-one with an Experience Designer to put together your tailor-made trip.

New Zealand Bespoke | Butterfield & Robinson

Nestled between the vast Pacific Ocean, rugged mountain ranges and shimmering lakes, New Zealand is a cyclist's paradise waiting to be discovered. Kia ora! Cycle the land of the long white cloud and the vibrant city of Christchurch, where a private charter flight is waiting to whisk you over the Southern Alps to Lake Tepako. Head to Lakestone Lodge, your first exclusively booked retreat, where you’ll quickly feel immersed in the awe-inspiring beauty of this Dark Sky Reserve. Venture further south to cycle along the famed Alps to Ocean Trail, then retreat to The Lindis, a luxurious hideaway tucked between the mountains and the serene Ahuriri River. Explore the picturesque Matukituki River by jet boat, then venture to Queenstown, the world-famous mountain town brimming with adventure and charm. Between exclusively-booked properties, incredible gastronomic experiences and heart-stirring rides, you’ll quickly feel an intimate connection to this magical corner of the world.&nbsp;

Incredible Rides

Off the Beaten Path

Luxurious Stays

New Zealand isn’t just a cyclist’s paradise—it’s a cinematic love letter to Mother Nature. Wing your way over the Southern Alps, ride the legendary Alps to Ocean Trail, and unwind in jaw-dropping lodges booked just for us. From starry skies at Lake Tekapo to jet boating in Wānaka, Aotearoa delivers magic, mountains, and more “wow” than your camera can handle.

Cycle along the South Island

The itinerary below is a sample and is subject to slight changes in routes, accommodations and activities. Please download the itinerary for your selected departure for precise details.

Preview the itinerary

Experience Designer

Our new Limited Edition New Zealand Biking trip offers an unparalleled journey through the South Island, one of the world’s most extraordinary landscapes. Created by local Experience Designer Rob Grieve, this exclusive itinerary invites you to cycle through strikingly diverse terrain—from the fertile Canterbury Plains to the rugged foothills of the Southern Alps—immersing you fully in the South Island’s wild and breathtaking beauty.Savour New Zealand’s renowned food and wine, unwind at private luxury lodges, and explore untamed landscapes by jet boat and scenic flights. Stargaze under the protected skies of a Dark Sky Reserve and enjoy exclusive stays at Lakestone Lodge, The Lindis, Hulbert House, and Whare Kea Lodge—each a distinctive property embodying the spirit of the South Island.