RealNZ has launched a new Milford Sound Business Class experience, which includes a scenic flight, boat trip on the sound, and a five-course lunch with wine pairing. Photo / Supplied
RealNZ has launched a new Milford Sound Business Class experience, which includes a scenic flight, boat trip on the sound, and a five-course lunch with wine pairing. Photo / Supplied
The most luxurious way to see Milford Sound
Seeking a more refined way to explore one of Aotearoa’s most iconic destinations? You’re in luck, because RealNZ and Altitude Tours have collaborated to launch Milford Sound Business Class. Guests travel from Queenstown in custom Mercedes vehicles before boarding the newly refurbishedMV Sinbad for a small-group cruise and dining experience designed by award-winning chef Tom Hishon.
His bespoke “A Taste of Murihiku” menu champions regional ingredients such as Fiordland wapiti, tītī, freshwater eel and Bluff pāua. The venture aims to set a new benchmark for premium tourism in Fiordland, one that celebrates local provenance while delivering an experience grounded in care, detail and manaakitanga. realnz.com/en/experiences/day-cruises/milford-sound-business-class
Board the MV Sinbad for a refined small-group cruise through Milford Sound. Photo / Supplied
A fresh summer dining hotspot has arrived on the Gold Coast with the opening of River House, an elegant waterfront restaurant led by celebrated chef Grant Madgwick. Set along the calm Nerang River, the venue blends sophisticated cuisine with the airy, relaxed feel that defines the season. Madgwick draws on more than 40 years in some of Australia’s top kitchens, creating a menu that fuses Asian and European flavours with coastal Australian produce.
The breezy riverside location creates an effortless sense of escape, making River House a compelling new stop for Kiwis planning a summer getaway across the Tasman. Its combination of elegance, creativity and classic Gold Coast ease sets the stage for memorable long lunches and sunset dinners. Bookings are now open via riverhouse4215.com.au.
Award-winning chef Grant Madgwick launches River House, a new waterfront dining destination in the Gold Coast. Photo / Supplied
Revival of NZ’s iconic geothermal landmark
A major revival is on the horizon, with Waiwera Thermal Springs opening as a new wellness destination. The concept design outlines 28 pools, saunas, reflexology paths and garden rooms that sit naturally within Waiwera’s coastal landscape. The project will honour the site’s deep Māori significance while restoring its long-held role as a favourite summer escape for locals and visitors.
Kiwis who love warm-weather travel will find a new reason to explore the region as the $50 million development creates a modern wellness destination that celebrates its geothermal heritage. The design encourages guests to slow down, connect with nature and enjoy restorative bathing experiences in a setting shaped by history and ecology. When Waiwera reopens, the return of its mineral waters will offer a refreshing summer retreat just outside Auckland. waiwerathermalsprings.co.nz
Waiwera Thermal Springs. Photo / Supplied
Slow travel for the season
World Expeditions is unlocking some of the world’s most remote landscapes with its new Horse Trek Series, a rare chance to experience adventure and culture at a slower summer pace. Launching six itineraries across Argentina, Chile, Mongolia, Nepal and Kyrgyzstan, the series takes travellers deep into regions shaped by centuries of equestrian tradition. Riders journey alongside herders, gauchos and local horsemen, travelling through alpine pastures, vast steppes and dramatic Patagonian wilderness.
Designed for both beginners and seasoned riders, these treks offer an accessible alternative to multi-day hiking while preserving cultural integrity and animal welfare. For Kiwis seeking a meaningful December escape far from the usual holiday frenzy, World Expeditions’ new series delivers connection, immersion and a style of travel built on respect for nature and community. worldexpeditions.com/Horse-Treks
A World Expeditions Horse trek with a small group of travellers in Mongolia. Photo / Supplied
World-class opera in Auckland
A world-class opera experience arrives in Auckland this summer as Bluebeard’s Castle by Béla Bartók takes the stage for two performances only. This internationally acclaimed production, presented by NZ Opera and Auckland Arts Festival, reimagines Bartók’s haunting psychodrama as a tender portrait of a long-married couple navigating the heartbreak of an ageing mind. American baritone Lester Lynch and British soprano Susan Bullock bring their celebrated chemistry to Aotearoa for the last time, after winning praise in Wellington and Christchurch.
The Auckland Philharmonia performs under the direction of Brad Cohen, creating an immersive experience that fills the Great Hall with intensity and emotional depth. Bluebeard’s Castle takes the stage on March 13 and 14, 2026 at The Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall. For tickets and more information, visit nzopera.com.
Bluebeard’s Castle makes its long-awaited Auckland Town Hall debut in March. Photo / Latitude Creative
