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Header image courtesy of Huka Lodge (via website)
As well as spectacular scenery, luxury lodges and friendly locals, New Zealand is renowned for its world-class food and drink. Experience its culinary splendour on a tour through the North and South Island.
Huka Lodge is famed for its excellent service and amazing location by the Waikato River. However, like other luxury lodges in New Zealand, it also prides itself on its cuisine. Before sitting down in one of the lodge’s dining venues, you can enjoy pre-dinner drinks and canapés in the main lounge or outside on the terrace. Dinner itself is a lavish affair, a five-course masterpiece that makes for the perfect end to a day exploring neighbouring Taupo. Make sure to leave plenty of space for the delicious spread of petits fours and cheese and crackers which follow.
Huka Lodge, 271 Huka Falls Road, Taupo 3377, New Zealand | (+64) 7 378 5791
If you’re looking for something much less extravagant than a five-course meal and are willing to queue, a visit to Fergburger in Queenstown is highly recommended. As the name suggests, burgers are very much on the menu—and they are delicious. Seating is extremely limited inside, so why not eat out and enjoy your meal on a bench by the lake?
Fergburger, 42 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand | (+64) 3 441 1232
One thing New Zealanders strongly pride themselves in is that their produce is sourced locally or, where possible, sourced on-site—this is evident at Treetops Lodge & Estate in Rotorua. The lodge is situated within a vast estate of approximately 2,500 acres, where sheep, deer, wild boar, and buffalo range freely. The food here is absolutely delicious: Indulge in venison pie at lunch, cooked up in front of lodge guests in the open kitchen, tender lamb at dinner as part of a three-course meal, and sweet Manuka honey on locally produced yoghurt in the morning—even the honey is fresh from the estate’s hives.
Treetops Lodge & Estate, 351 Kearoa Road, Rotorua 3077, New Zealand | (+64 7 333 2066)
When you’re travelling around New Zealand, it is easy to overdo it on rich meals and end up craving a home-cooked meal. If that sounds about right, then look no further than Hapuku Lodge in Kaikoura. Co-owner Fiona runs the kitchen at this luxury lodge and was a finalist in the fifth series of New Zealand’s Masterchef. Her food is delicious, and again, locally sourced produce is used wherever possible. Although a set menu is provided, if there is something specific that really tickles your fancy, the cooks will be happy to whip it up for you—provided you give them enough notice! Seasonal menus are also served—for example, guests who stay there in June may be treated to the most delicious chocolate lava cake for dinner, beautifully cooked and perfect for a chilly winter evening.
Hapuku Lodge, State Highway 1, Kaikoura 7371, New Zealand | (+64) 3 319 6559
For a memorable way to spend your mornings during the trip, stay at Matakauri Lodge for a few days. It is located just outside of Queenstown and has spectacular views across Lake Wakatipu. Waking up in the morning with the mountains and the lake before you is an amazing experience. Poached eggs have never tasted better!
Matakuri Lodge, 569 Glenorchy Road, Queenstown 9348, New Zealand | (+64) 3 441 1008
Scott Dunn is a luxury tour operator specialising in tailor-made holidays. We build your holiday around what you want, not our preferences, and we take the time to understand what you enjoy so we can create the perfect holiday for you.
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