Jon Algie 
If you want to check out some of Dunedin’s best cafes as well as some surreal street art and historic architecture, a visit to the Warehouse Precinct will be just the ticket. It’s a short walk from George Street and the Octagon (the city centre of Dunedin) and can be visited as part of an … Read more
There are quite a few places to stop on the drive between Picton and Nelson, and the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve is one of the best. You’ll see a stunning stretch of river with incredibly clear water, a couple of small waterfalls and plenty of relaxing river views. Whether you’re stopping off for a quick … Read more
Nestled amongst the farmland of the Taieri Plains, just outside of Dunedin, the Sinclair Wetlands is a cool place to visit if you’re into bird watching and low-key lake / pond views. It’s a peaceful spot — we visited on a holiday weekend in October and it was completely deserted! Keep reading to find out … Read more
Queenstown is probably New Zealand’s most popular tourist town (I can’t be bothered researching whether that’s technically the case) and you can easily see why. It’s a town almost completely dedicated to tourism, meaning you’ll find endless things to do, eat and see. There are so many fun things to do in Queenstown, and the … Read more
This post was originally published in March 2017 and was updated in April 2020 after we did the walk again (better photos) and in 2025 due to the track closue. The relatively easy Hooker Valley Track opens up to some great views of Mount Cook (also known as Aoraki in Maori), New Zealand’s tallest mountain. … Read more
If you’ve spent a bit of time in Queenstown (or spent some time planning a trip there) you’ll have seen the Remarkables, a set of jagged mountains towering over Lake Wakatipu. It’s one of the most iconic mountain ranges in New Zealand, but most people only see it from a distance. On our last trip … Read more
St Bathans is a tiny former gold mining town in Central Otago which is now all but abandoned. There a several historic buildings to explore, including the Vulcan Hotel, regarded as one of New Zealand’s most haunted places. If you’re looking for a ghost experience and can’t find that 80s Patrick Swayze movie “Ghost” to … Read more
Central Otago is famous for its barren, rocky hills and seemingly never-ending landscapes. It’s a unique part of New Zealand and is easy to visit, considering its close proximity to tourism heavyweights Queenstown, Wanaka and Dunedin. Poolburn Dam is a prime example of what Central Otago has to offer – the landscapes are as good … Read more
A long detour down a gravel road leads to the Clay Cliffs, a surreal slice of nature which features in the upcoming Mulan movie. It doesn’t take long to explore and makes for a good side trip when driving through the Waitaki Valley or the road from Queenstown to Mount Cook. The Clay Cliffs The … Read more
The road to Glenorchy from Queenstown is packed full of interesting places to stop, and one of the more relaxing ones is Wilson Bay. It’s a lovely little beach with stunning mountain views and it’s a decent distance from town, meaning it’ll likely be empty when you visit! Getting to Wilson Bay Wilson Bay is … Read more