Jon Algie 
The coastline north of Dunedin is ripe for exploring. Deserted beaches, ocean views and rolling hills abound, but you’ll have to get off the main highway to see the best bits. Karitane, with its golden beach, overlooked by the rugged Huriawa Peninsula, is one of the highlights of this underrated region of New Zealand. Karitane … Read more
We walked down the windswept Warrington Beach, sand whistling past our ankles. It was anything but exotic, but we soon reached the end and made our way around to the back side of the beach. Away from the oppressive wind and the choppy ocean we found a slice of calm, almost tropical, paradise. The side … Read more
We pulled up to the Roys Peak car park at 3.30 am, mentally (if not physically) prepared to tackle the daunting climb to one of New Zealand’s most iconic viewpoints. It was shut, so we pulled up by the side of the road and used our last remnants of mobile data to search for a … Read more
I lived a fair chunk of my life in Dunedin never knowing that School Creek Falls existed. How cool is the fact there’s an awesome waterfall amidst lush forest less than 10 minutes drive from the centre of the city? School Creek Falls is located in the Ross Creek area and is only five minutes’ … Read more
The first thing you’ll notice when arriving at Jack’s Bay is the row of tiny holiday homes looking out over the ocean. It’s an idyllic spot for locals, but there are plenty of reasons for tourists to visit too, including the chance to spot wildlife and hike around the coast to see Jack’s Blowhole. Sunrise … Read more
One of the main reasons to visit the Catlins is the chance to see some stunning waterfalls. The short walk to Matai Falls and Horseshoe Falls takes you through lush forest to a couple of awesome viewpoints. These waterfalls aren’t quite as iconic as nearby Mclean Falls and Purakaunui Falls, but they’re definitely worth a … Read more
If you only have time to visit one waterfall in the Catlins, make it McLean Falls. The various tiers and pools, surrounded by lush forest, combine to make this one of the most beautiful waterfalls in New Zealand. It’s easy to access and, if you time your visit right, you could have it all to … Read more
Moke Lake, located down a bumpy gravel road, is the perfect size to comfortably walk around in a couple of hours. It’s surrounded by golden hills which reflect perfectly in the calm waters — it’s fairly off the beaten path and is one of the best short hikes near Queenstown. Walking Around Moke Lake From … Read more
There are lots of hikes in the Queenstown area, most of which feature mountain views as their biggest hook. Bob’s cove is different. This lush green landscape features several stunning lake beaches, paths lined with native forest and a couple of atmospheric ruins. There are also some incredible mountain views — this is Queenstown after … Read more
Now that the inner city has been reduced to ruins, Christchurch’s more scenic attractions have become far more appealing. Getting out of the city and onto a beach is your best bet for a fun afternoon in Christchurch, and New Brighton Beach is one of the best (and most accessible) beaches close to the city. … Read more