August in New Zealand isn’t just another month; it’s an open invitation to indulge in fresh beds, bold flavours, and adventures that will leave your hair wind-tossed and your cheeks aching from grinning. From Auckland’s slickest new rooftop bar to Queenstown’s heritage-rich dining, the country is serving up a smorgasbord of reasons to pack a bag and book a ticket.
New Stays
Radisson RED, Auckland
Later this year, Auckland will welcome the much-anticipated Radisson RED, a 325-room design-forward hotel bringing serious style to Tāmaki Makaurau’s skyline. The jewel in the crown? Reanachabte Rooftop is set to claim the city’s largest rooftop bar title. Expect sweeping harbour views, a generous floor plan that laughs in the face of elbow-room scarcity, and polished interiors, and you’ll wonder if you should’ve ironed your socks.
Te Wa Whakata Cabins, Ōkārito, West Coast
For those who prefer their getaways wrapped in nature’s embrace, Ōkārito’s Te Wa Whakata offers seven warm, cosy cabins nestled beside the largest untouched wetland in the country. Here, you can watch the mountains blush at sunrise, stroll through native bush, kayak across a tranquil lagoon, and return for a sunset over the sea. It’s the sort of place where “doing nothing” is considered a valid itinerary.
Food & Beverage
Spring Food Festival, Auckland
The Savour Group, the same culinary minds behind crowd-pleasers like Bivacco, Azabu, Ortolana, Ebisu and Non Solo Pizza, have decided that winter needs lots of flavour. Enter the Spring Food Festival, running from 18 August to 12 October and delivering more than 70 food and drink experiences across 13 venues.
Highlights include a bubbly Apero-fuelled ladies’ lunch at Bivacco, a garden-to-glass wine dinner at Ortolana, and a night of fire, flavour and fine whisky with celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge on 24 September. Bring your appetite and possibly an elastic waistband.
Billy’s, Queenstown
Queenstown’s latest dining darling is Billy’s, a refined modern Chinese-inspired restaurant housed in a lovingly restored 19th-century homestead — once the residence of William and Bessie Paterson. It’s the final heritage piece of the Ayrburn precinct puzzle, and the menu is as bold and alluring as the décor. Think elegant plates, warming spices, and a touch of drama that feels perfectly at home in this alpine resort town.
New Experiences
Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa, Christchurch
Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa has unveiled Serenity, a premium sauna and hot tub experience designed for uninterrupted mountain-gazing. Nestled at the foothills of the Southern Alps, guests can soak in solar-warmed tubs or unwind in the bespoke sauna while Canterbury’s most exclusive alpine views do their thing. If there’s a better place to perfect the art of doing absolutely nothing, we haven’t found it.
Te Anau Farm Tour, Southland
Southern Discoveries’ new Te Anau Farm Tour blends genuine Kiwi hospitality with hands-on adventure. It starts with a one-hour guided farm tour featuring sheep shearing, dog herding demonstrations and morning tea, followed by a two-hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise. You can join from Queenstown or Te Anau, or take the self-drive option if you like pulling over for that irresistible roadside photo.
Shotover Jet Turns 60, Queenstown
There are thrills, and then there’s the Shotover Jet, which has been making hearts race and knuckles whiten for six decades. To celebrate its 60th birthday, Ngāi Tahu Tourism is rolling out special events throughout August, including a cheeky free ride for anyone also turning 60 this month. Terms and conditions apply, of course, so there is no fudging the birth certificate.
Why August is Worth the Trip
Whether sipping a rooftop cocktail in Auckland, steaming in a private spa beneath the Southern Alps, or hooning down the Shotover River, August in New Zealand offers a heady mix of comfort, culture, and adrenaline. Don’t be surprised if you come home with a few new cravings — and perhaps a suspicious desire to buy a cabin by a lagoon.
By Anne Keam
