There are few places more scenic than New Zealand's rugged coastlines, crystal-clear lakes and luscious forests—and there’s no more peaceful time of day to enjoy them than first thing in the morning before the droves of crowds and tourists soak up all the serenity.
Our tip? Save time and beat the crowds by getting your early-morning caffeine hit on the go with Starbucks' tasty new range of ready-to-drink iced coffees—ideal for making the most of your day.
It's time to get your coffee to go and hit the road to discover these incredible NZ adventures.
Explore Abel Tasman National Park
Golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs and a world-famous neverending coastal track all in one national park? It’s a huge yes from us. If you’re keen to drink your coffee in the great outdoors and work up your step count while you're at it, you can’t beat a (free) walk through this incredible track. Along the way, you’ll pass by unique flora and wildlife as you soak up spectacular views of crystal-clear bays.
Eat Your Heart Out At An Epic Food Festival
With a wave of awesome food festivals hitting our shores over the next few months, it’s time to don your stretchiest pants and get eating. There is a slew of great festivals on the 2023 calendar, so the hardest part will be deciding which ones to get tickets to. Need help tracking them down? You'll catch us at Wellington On A Plate in May and the Food and Wine Classic in Hawke's Bay is at the top of our list for June. Plus, with a ready-to-drink coffee on hand, you'll be able to get there early and sample the finest goods before the rest of the pack. _13.gif)
Sail Lake Taupō In A Doughboat
Doughboats are the very instagrammable trend where you can sit in a bubble-shaped open-air boat and take your time sailing down the glassy waters of Lake Taupō in style. With no captain required, you and your pals have the entire doughboat yourself. Our tip? Load up a brunch picnic (including a few ready-to-drink Starbucks, of course) and cruise the day away.
Canyon Down A Waterfall
Keen to give your adrenal gland a workout? After polishing off your morning brew, there’s no better way to do just that than via a day of canyoning down the side of majestic hidden waterfalls. Here, you’ll be captivated by the sheer size and force of mother nature in both a half or full-day experience that you’ll remember forever. We love getting our thrill-seeking fix with the crew at Canyoning Aotearoa.
Kayak Milford Sound
If you’re after a slightly more mellow vibe, head out for a paddling adventure on the azure waters of Milford Sound. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned kayaker, these waters are safe for all ability levels, with plenty of local experts ready to show you the way. You’ll pass by rolling hills and encounter some friendly wildlife only visible from this gorgeous body of water.
Get Up Close With Marine Life
If marine life is your thing, consider a magical trip out to sea with the friendly crew at Dolphin Seafaris in the Bay of Plenty. Take a two-hour drive from Auckland to be in with the chance to see spectacular sea life up close on a majestic tour of the bay on this purpose-built vessel. Just make sure you head there by the end of May to catch the marine creatures on their migration journey—they’ll be out of sight until November.
With all of these incredible adventures to be had, you’ll be cheering at the convenience of Starbucks' new ready-to-drink range so you can spend more time adventuring and less time in long coffee queues. For more information on the drinks, head over here.
Editor’s note: this article was produced in partnership with Starbucks. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.
Images: Sourced from doughboatslaketaoupo Instagram.