When it comes to lodges we have some world leaders, writes Ewan McDonald. We thought we'd set the bar pretty high when we decided to profile "some of New Zealand's greatest luxury lodges and what makes them so special". Perhaps we didn't realise how many high-end lodgings you can find in and around Aotearoa. So we decided to focus on the best of the best. Some centres have more than their share of...
Ever wish you could just get away from it all? The NZ Herald Travel team loves going to truly remote places, and this week, we're covering our favourites. Listen to Maggie Wicks' story about "podhopping" her way around the South Island, staying in the truly remote PurePods in Kaikōura, Waipara Valley and the Banks Peninsula. Then join Maggie, travel writer Juliette Sivertsen and travel editor...
The Rakaia River is calling my name: it's hot inside the car. From my window, I see a line of jet boats skimming across the river's metallic-green surface. A family have gathered at the river's edge for a picnic. I want to do that, too. But we must press on. Our goal is to drive to the Waipara Valley, taking in a chunk of the Alpine Pacific Touring Route, one of the country's newest touring routes. We'll...
Hike through kanuka trees to discover a five-star hut of glass The idea of going "backcountry" typically evokes images of hiking boots, long socks and shorts, a giant backpack and a night in a tent or DOC hut. But going backcountry with PurePods is an image of luxury, isolation and endless views of nature, while retaining that off-grid simplicity so many intrepid travellers seek. You might still...
I gazed up from the comfort of my bed at the night sky, a mottled canvas of stars. A dazzling show of constellations, shooting stars and the occasional satellite whizzed across the heavens. Outside the wind blew through the tussock. Something small - a skink, or maybe a rabbit - dashed past. Somewhere outside, sheep were sleeping, or perhaps watching too. I was spending the night in at PurePods - a...
Showering nude in a glass cabin, totally exposed to the outside world, is a confronting experience. No matter how many times you've been reassured nobody will disturb you, it's undeniably odd. The glass cabin in question was the Atatū PurePod, located about 90 minutes north-east of Christchurch and perched high above the coastline on an historic Greta Valley sheep farm. The pod, the newest in a...
It took the owners of PurePods eight years to develop and build the first 20-square-metre glass tiny house. The part that took the longest? Determining how the technology would run inconspicuously through the home. Because PurePods aren’t your typical tiny houses. Instead, they’re cabins made entirely of glass. Glass walls, a glass ceiling and even clear, glass-like furniture. “The concept...
These six isolated cabins (pictured above) are spread across a large swathe of South Island, each one offering something slightly different, whether it's whale-watching in the Kaikōura region or wine-tasting in Waipara. Common to all, however, are the sweeping landscapes - of mountains, pastures, sea and sky - brought to the fore by floor to ceiling windows (and total lack of distracting modern features...
New Zealand is known for its gorgeous scenery, Lord of the Rings inspired rolling hills, tranquil atmosphere, and friendly people. With all this in mind, New Zealand is one of the world’s best hot spots for getaways… including a honeymoon! Honeymooning whilst reducing your footprint, can be difficult. But with New Zealand’s ‘clean green’ mantra, the country offers a huge variety of...
Following the successful launch of the latest all glass room by PurePod, travel experts at New Zealand In Depth have launched a new itinerary to allow guest to see New Zealand’s South Island across a week-long pod hoping itinerary. The PurePod concept was first launched in 2014 when architect and visionary, Grant Ryan designed an all glass room allowing guests to stay overnight with...