Jon Algie 
If you’re looking for a great place to eat in Christchurch, Riverside Market should be at the top of your list. It’s the ideal place to go with friends (or maybe on a date) as there are heaps of options, the vibe is great (lots of different areas to sit) and it has been designed … Read more
We’d been to Marlborough a few times and never taken the road to the coast from Blenheim. The usual route is from Blenheim to either Picton (20 mins) or Nelson, but we decided to take the long way round to Picton and stop off at some of the bays and beaches of the upper east … Read more
The northern end of the road which runs up the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island is also the start of the Heaphy Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. It takes a long time to reach this place (most people tend to skip it) but those that venture up this far are greeted … Read more
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