Avoiding the royals: See less of Harry and Meghan in these remote New Zealand escapes

Royal tour: If you're keen to avoid hearing about their every move, head for one of these New Zealand boltholes. Photo / Getty Images

With two members of Britain's most renowned family of state beneficiaries in the country, Jane Jurgens looks at the best places to avoid them

The royal couple started their tour in Wellington, before heading to Abel Tasman National Park, also visiting Auckland and making their only public appearance in Rotorua. If you're keen to avoid hearing about their every move, head for one of these boltholes.

Cape Reinga: New Zealand's northernmost point is the perfect location for a digital detox. Photo / Getty Images

Cape Reinga

With limited cellphone reception, New Zealand's northernmost point is the perfect location for a digital detox. Located at the tip of the Te Paki Recreation Reserve, it's a significant area to Maori, marking the point from which the wairua (spirits) of recently passed loved ones depart for the afterlife. At the edge of the cape, an iconic lighthouse overlooks as the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. Cape Reinga is a three-hour drive from Paihia and DOC operate two campgrounds in the area, at Tapotupotu Bay and Kapowairua (Spirits Bay).

Rakiura: Avoid it all by heading to New Zealand's southernmost island. Photo / Getty Images

Stewart Island/Rakiura

The Duke and Duchess won't be going any further south than Abel Tasman National Park, so you're bound to avoid it all by heading to New Zealand's southernmost island. Mobile coverage is limited here, but it's the last thing you'll be thinking about when holed up in this remote and rugged location. Lose yourself on one of the island's many walking trails and keep an eye out for some of New Zealand's most endangered birds, or get out on the water for a spot of fishing. The royal couple won't even be a blip on your radar.

Surround Sound: looking down the majestic Milford Sound in New Zealand's Fijordland, in stunning #VR #panorama taken by Sito

Posted by NZH Travel on Wednesday, 14 March 2018

Fiordland

Earlier this year, software engineer Hamish Campbell calculated the most remote place in New Zealand — using various data tools, he pinpointed the place furthest from any buildings and found it in Fiordland, in an unmade area at the south end of the bay of the Coal River mouth.

So I’m calling it to +/- a km - the south end of the bay of the Coal River mouth (not sure if that’s the official name), some 29.8km north west of the Supper Cover Hut as the crow flies. -45.499,166.696 https://t.co/Evmv351jbJ pic.twitter.com/nxmtzxvtEX

— Hamish Campbell (@polemic) July 16, 2018

For those looking to escape royal mania, Fiordland will have you covered — or rather, not covered as the area is bereft of mobile signals. It's also home to some of our most stunning landscapes, including the fiords of Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound, as well as the beautiful lakeside towns of Te Anau and Manapouri. It's almost a shame Harry and Meghan won't be visiting... almost.