Jon Algie 
Christchurch, the South Island’s biggest city, isn’t widely known as a beach destination. You won’t find exotic white sand or clear blue water, but there are plenty of interesting beaches in Christchurch, from popular dining / family outing spot Sumner to scenic spots such as Taylors Mistake and Tumbledown Bay. This post contains affiliate links. … Read more
Beaches aren’t the first things that come to mind when thinking about Wānaka, an inland mountain tourist town famous for hiking and skiing. Lake Wānaka dominates the area and features some stunning beaches, and nearby Lake Hāwea has good ones too. Looking for the best beaches in Wānaka? You’ve come to the right place! Downtown … Read more
The drive from Christchurch to Dunedin is a bit of a mixed bag. It features some of the longest, most boring sections of road on the South Island, as well as one of the best. It’s a popular driving route and takes 4.5 hours without major stops. Want to see some cool stuff along the … Read more
Driving from Dunedin to Queenstown takes you from the shores of the Pacific Ocean to the Southern Alps in only around 3.5 hours, but you’ll probably want to stop a few places along the way. Whether you’re spending a few days doing this or just want to stop at scenic viewpoint or two, this post … Read more
If you’re looking for a (very) short walk in Roxburgh you can’t go wrong with a walk up to Frog Rock. There’s also the longer Grovers Hill Track which was in a bit of a mess when we visited. Frog Rock The Grovers Hill Track starts on Teviot Street in Roxburgh. You’ll first walk around … Read more
I’m sure dams and reservoirs don’t seem like the most interesting places to see, but the dams in Central Otago are! They’re all surrounded by beautiful scenery and it’s worth seeking a few out on your next trip to Central Otago. Butchers Dam The Reservoir at Butchers Dam is beautiful on a clear, calm day … Read more
Most people who are either from New Zealand or live there know about Stewart Island. They know that it’s full of forests and birds and wild coastlines, and that hardly anyone lives there. I’ve already shown you some of the nature on offer around Stewart Island, so today I thought I’d give you a look … Read more
Arrowtown is often seen as a day trip destination, but there is heaps to keep you busy, whether you’re there for a few hours or a few days. Towns don’t get much cuter than Arrowtown, and the hills surrounding it are home to heaps of walking trails. We’ve been to Arrowtown half a dozen times … Read more
One of the most interesting historic sights in the Queenstown area, Arrowtown’s historic Chinese Settlement is a fun place for a stroll, and to learn about the lives of Chinese goldminers during the Otago goldrush. It’s free, quick to walk around and is located right in the heart of Arrowtown. Arrowtown Chinese Settlement Chinese goldminers, … Read more
Travelling around Central Otago and looking for a walk with interesting history, great views and picturesque vineyards? Consider checking out the Bannockburn Sluicings, a former mining area close to Cromwell. The loop track is easy and there’s heaps to see along the way, as you’re about to find out. Bannockburn Sluicings Loop Track You can … Read more