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Freedom Destinations - The New Zealand Experts

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Freedom Destinations - The New Zealand Experts

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Like our page for New Zealand-related travel inspiration, holiday ideas and more. 👍

Our friendly team have all travelled throughout New Zealand and would love to help you design your perfect itinerary. By booking your whole holiday in one place you will also benefit from full ATOL protection.

26/10/2026

Lake Brunner, New Zealand 📍

Lake Brunner, known as Moana by Māori, is a large lake surrounded by forest and mountains, around 40 minutes inland from Greymouth. The small settlement of Moana sits on its northern shore and makes a good base for exploring the area.

The lake is particularly well known for trout fishing, but there's plenty to do even if you're not fishing. You can kayak on the lake, explore nearby forest walks or simply stop by the shore for views across the water towards the surrounding mountains.

One of the popular short walks is the Rakaitane Track, which follows the lakeshore and passes through native forest. On clear, calm days, the mountains and forest can reflect across the surface of the lake.

Despite being within easy reach of the main West Coast route, Lake Brunner often feels much quieter than many of the region's better-known stops.

Would you make the detour to Lake Brunner on a South Island road trip?

24/10/2026

Castlepoint, New Zealand 📍

Around two and a half hours from Wellington, Castlepoint is a small coastal settlement on the Wairarapa coast, known for its lighthouse, lagoon and distinctive rock formations.

Castlepoint Lighthouse has stood above the coast since 1913 and can be reached on a short walk from the beach. From the lighthouse, there are views across the Pacific Ocean, Castlepoint Bay and the surrounding coastline.

For a longer walk, the Castle Rock track climbs above the lagoon for even wider views. The area is also home to a variety of seabirds, and New Zealand fur seals can sometimes be spotted along the coast.

The name Castlepoint was given by Captain James Cook in 1770, who thought the area's rocky formations resembled the battlements of a castle. Its Māori name, Rangiwhakaoma, has a much longer history and the area is significant to local Māori.

Would you make the trip out to Castlepoint?

20/10/2026

Nelson Lakes National Park, New Zealand 📍

At the northern end of the Southern Alps, Nelson Lake National Park is centred around two large glacier lakes, Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoroa, surrounded by beech forest and mountains.

Lake Rotoiti is the more accessible of the two, with the small village of St Arnaud sitting on its shore. From here, you can take short forest walks, follow trails along the water or simply head to the jetty for one of the park's most recognisable views across the lake towards the mountains.

Around 30 minutes away, Lake Rotoroa is quieter and more remote, with walking tracks, fishing and opportunities to explore the lake by boat.

For keen hikers, the national park also has longer routes into the surrounding mountains, including the Travers Sabine Circuit, which takes several days to complete.

It's a great place to experience New Zealand's alpine scenery without heading to the better known lakes further south.

Would you add Nelson Lakes National Park to your South Island trip?

17/10/2026

Lake Kaniere, New Zealand 📍

Just a short drive from Hokitika, Lake Kaniere is one of the West Coast's quieter scenic spots, surrounded by native forest and mountains.

Formed by glaciers thousands of years ago, the lake covers around 22 square kilometres and is a great place to spend a few hours away from the busier stops along the West Coast. On a calm day, the surrounding hills and forest reflect across the water, while several walking tracks provide different ways to explore the area.

One of the easiest places to visit nearby is Dorothy Falls, a waterfall reached just a short walk from the road. You can also follow sections of the Lake Kaniere Walkway through native forest or stop at one of the lakeside areas for views across the water.

Swimming, kayaking and fishing are also popular here, particularly during the warmer months.

If you're travelling through Hokitika, it's well worth making the short detour inland to see another side of the West Coast.

Would you add Lake Kaniere to your New Zealand trip?

12/10/2026

Maruia Falls, New Zealand 📍

Did you know this New Zealand waterfall was created by an earthquake?

Maruia Falls, near Murchison on the South Island, was formed following the powerful 1929 Murchison earthquake. A landslide caused by the earthquake blocked the original course of the Maruia River, forcing the water to find a new route and creating the waterfall you see today.

The falls stretch across the width of the river and drop around 10 metres, making them an impressive stop on a road trip through this part of the Tasman region.

They’re also very easy to visit. A short walk from the car park leads to a viewpoint overlooking the falls, so you don't need to plan a long hike to see them.

It’s an interesting example of just how quickly New Zealand’s landscape can change, and almost a century later, the Maruia River is still flowing over the route created after the earthquake.

Would you stop at Maruia Falls on a South Island road trip?

10/10/2026

Waipoua Forest, New Zealand 🌿

Some of New Zealand’s most impressive residents have been standing in Northland for well over a thousand years.

Waipoua Forest is one of the country’s most important remaining areas of native kauri forest, and it’s here that you’ll find Tāne Mahuta, the largest known living kauri tree in New Zealand. Its trunk alone is more than 13 metres around, and the tree is estimated to be between 1,250 and 2,500 years old.

Nearby is Te Matua Ngahere, meaning “Father of the Forest”, another enormous kauri known for having the widest trunk of any living kauri in New Zealand.

These trees are particularly significant in Māori culture, and Tāne Mahuta takes its name from the atua of the forest and birds. Short walking tracks through Waipoua give visitors the chance to see the giant trees while exploring an area of native forest that once covered much more of northern New Zealand.

Kauri are now threatened by kauri dieback disease, so visitors need to follow the cleaning and track guidelines in place to help protect them.

Would Waipoua Forest make it onto your Northland road trip?

06/10/2026

Why are some of New Zealand’s lakes SO blue? 💙

From Lake Pukaki to Lake Tekapo, some of New Zealand’s lakes have an almost unreal turquoise colour, but there’s a scientific reason behind it.

Many of these lakes are fed by glaciers. As glaciers slowly move across rock, they grind it into an extremely fine powder known as glacial flour or rock flour.

This fine sediment is carried into the lakes by meltwater and remains suspended in the water. When sunlight hits these tiny particles, they scatter the light, helping to create the distinctive milky-blue and turquoise colours you see in lakes such as Pukaki and Tekapo.

The exact shade can change depending on the weather, sunlight, amount of sediment and even where you're standing, so the same lake can look completely different from one day to the next.

It’s just one of the natural processes behind some of New Zealand’s most recognisable scenery.

Have you seen the turquoise lakes of New Zealand for yourself?

02/10/2026

Gary & Jason have made it to their final stop… Hawke’s Bay!

Tomorrow’s final episode takes them around the east coast of the North Island, exploring Napier, with its famous Art Deco architecture, and discovering more of what makes Hawke’s Bay such a special part of New Zealand.

Along the way, they get the chance to feed penguins, before finishing their journey in fitting style, raising one final glass at Craggy Range.

After six episodes of incredible landscapes, local food, w**e and plenty of adventures along the way, we’re certainly ready for a New Zealand trip!

Catch the final episode tomorrow on ITV1 and ITVX.

**etour

29/09/2026

See Napier and Hawke’s Bay on two wheels 🚲

With more than 200km of mostly flat trails connecting the coast, countryside and vineyards, cycling is one of the best ways to explore Hawke’s Bay.

The Hawke’s Bay Trails network takes you from Napier’s waterfront and famous Art Deco streets out towards orchards, farmland and some of the region’s w**eries. There are several different routes, so you can head out for a relaxed couple of hours or make a full day of it.

One popular option is to cycle through the w**e country around Bridge Pā and the Gimblett Gravels, stopping at cellar doors along the way. Alternatively, follow the coastal trails for views across Hawke’s Bay and easy access to cafes and beaches.
Bike and e-bike hire is available locally, making it an easy experience to add to a stay in Napier.

Would you explore Hawke’s Bay by bike?

25/09/2026

From the South Island to the North Island…

Tomorrow, Gary and Jason continue their New Zealand adventure, starting amongst the beautiful scenery of the Marlborough Sounds.

While there, they visit a working mussel farm to learn more about one of the region’s best known local delicacies, before heading to Picton for the next leg of their journey.

From here, they board the Interislander Ferry and cross the Cook Strait to Wellington, taking in some incredible scenery along the way on one of the most memorable ways to travel between New Zealand’s islands.

Watch Gary Barlow’s Food & W**e Tour: New Zealand tomorrow on ITV1 and ITVX.

**etour

Address

18 Mead Lane Business Centre, Mead Lane
Hertford
SG137BJ

Opening Hours

Monday	9:30am - 6:30pm
Tuesday	9:30am - 6:30pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 6:30pm
Thursday	9:30am - 6:30pm
Friday	9:30am - 6:30pm
Saturday	9:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+443332343209

Website

https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/new-zealand

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