For indie pop star Stella Rose Bennett, better known as BENEE, there is nothing better than returning home to Auckland, Aotearoa, and unwinding on island time.

North Island

"Right beside Mount Ruapehu is another tramp called the Tongariro Alpine Crossing which is a really cool walk."

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

"There's cool stuff you can do in the mountains, like tramping and rafting and great skiing spots. There are quite a few great tramps around the big volcano of Mount Ruapehu that lead up to the crater lake, or you could even ski up there."

Mount Ruapehu

"There's Waitomo Caves where you can see glowworms, which is quite fun. You can also go blackwater rafting."

Waitomo Caves

"I used to stay in this place called Tauranga Bay, which is up north. We’d go camping there with the family. The campground was literally in the middle of nowhere."

Tauranga Bay

"A bach is a beach house. Usually they are places the whole family can come to stay and share. They’re very authentic and lo-fi, not fancy."

Bach

"Piha is my favorite place in New Zealand. I love it when it's bad weather because the waves are huge and they crash on the rocks. It’s crazy beautiful and has real Lord of the Rings vibes."

Piha