Jon Algie 
Franz Josef is a tiny town on the West Coast of the South Island with one very big attraction – Franz Josef Glacier. There are many tracks in the area which give you views of the glacier (and the valley it’s carved out over the centuries) and Peters Pool is one of the best. The … Read more
The Catlins is one of New Zealand’s best beach destinations, but with all those options it can be hard to know which ones to visit! Luckily, I wrote this post (and you’re reading it) – I’ll show you the best beaches in the Catlins and give you some tips on how to choose the right … Read more
When road tripping around the Catlins you’ll almost definitely want to visit some waterfalls. It’s one of the things the region is most famous for, but where are the best waterfalls in the Catlins? There are a few waterfalls to see, including Purakaunui Falls and McLean Falls, as well as some more off the beaten … Read more
Papatowai Beach, about halfway along the main road through the Catlins, is an awesome place to stop while exploring the area. The beach is great, it’s right next to camping ground and there’s also a unique attraction nearby (you’ll have to keep reading to find out). Papatowai Beach There are heaps of beaches in the … Read more
I love a good road-side viewpoint. Sometimes it’s nice to not have to walk anywhere – to open your car door and be greeted with a view you would have walked hours to see. McCracken’s Rest, on the southern coast, is one such place. From the small wooden viewing platform you get sweeping views of … Read more
On the eastern shores of Te Wae Wae Bay sits a small section of sand called Gemstone Beach. It’s one of the most popular spots on the road between Invercargill and Te Anau (part of the Southern Scenic Route) and you can visit it in about 5 minutes if you want. Thinking of heading to … Read more
I’ve been to a few “Monkey Islands” in my time, and they’ve always contained actual monkeys. You’ll be disappointed if you’re expecting to see them at Southland’s Monkey Island though, so I’ll tell you what you can see there instead. Where is Monkey Island? Monkey Island is on the southern coast of New Zealand’s South … Read more
The Kepler Track is one of the easier Great Walks to plan and walk, making it a great option for anyone looking to get into some multi-day hiking in New Zealand. There’s still a lot of planning involved, and some big decisions to make, and that’s where I come in! We hiked the Kepler Track … Read more
Day 3 of the Kepler Track, from Iris Burn Hut to Rainbow Reach, mostly takes you through the forest and is a bit more low-key than the first two days. That doesn’t mean it’s uninteresting or easy though! It’s a long day of walking (you can spend an extra day at Moturau Hut, as many … Read more
Day 2 of the Kepler Track is generally known as the best day in terms of views. The walk from Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Hut takes you along a series of ridges with beautiful views of the mountains surrounding them. Well, that is if you can see it all through the clouds! Luxmore Hut … Read more