Jon Algie 
There are plenty of cute small towns on New Zealand’s South Island, but Akaroa stands out from the crowd by being the only one with a big French influence. Akaroa was founded by French settlers in 1840 and although it wasn’t “French” for very long, it still retains a certain Gallic vibe. Throw in a … Read more
If you’re looking for a fun, easy and very scenic day out from Christchurch I highly recommend the drive out to Governors Bay and Diamond Harbour. These two places, and some spots in between, are ideal for pretty much anyone and it makes for a far easier alternative to driving all the way to Akaroa. … Read more
Carew Falls, close to Lake Brunner on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, is pretty off the beaten path. It’s a slight detour from wherever you’re probably heading, but that’s part of the charm. It’s one of the best waterfalls on the West Coast and the drive around Lake Brunner to get there … Read more
By now you’ve probably heard that Dunedin is the most scenic city in New Zealand and that you should definitely spend a few days exploring it. While there are plenty of viewpoints and beaches that you can drive straight to, it’s worth hitting the trails to see some of the best of what Dunedin has … Read more
There is so much to see in the city centre of Dunedin, including all the cafes, bars, restaurants, museums and galleries that you could ever want. But did you know there’s also a big forest running along the hills above the city? The Town Belt is a great place for a walk – I’ll show … Read more
The drive from Dunedin to Oamaru offers up some stunning scenery and interesting history — you have to know where to stop though! You’ll have to ditch the main road from time to time, but you’ll see some beautiful beaches and viewpoints and the detours aren’t all that much longer than taking the main road. … Read more
George Street runs through the centre of Dunedin’s downtown area and is the place to go for shopping and eating. Walk along George Street for long enough and you’ll come to the Octagon. That’s how cool Dunedin is — most towns have a town square, but Dunedin prefers its city landmarks with 8 sides rather … Read more
There are plenty of places in New Zealand where you can see seals or sea lions, and one of the best (and easiest) to visit is Shag Point. It’s a five-minute detour from the main road between Dunedin and Oamaru and you will only need to walk for a minute or two to see lots … Read more
There are so many options for places to stop between Dunedin and Oamaru, and I’m going to tell you why the Tavora Reserve should be one of them! Roughly halfway between Dunedin and Oamaru, the Tavora Reserve Track takes you to a long stretch of beach and then up to a headland featuring awesome views … Read more
The far south of the South Island is a wild and wonderful place. Deserted beaches, wildlife, clifftop views and waterfalls await in the Catlins, a coastal region covering the lower east coast of the South Island. Slope Point is an iconic place to visit in the Catlins, mostly because it’s the southernmost point on the … Read more