Jon Algie 
Venturing out into the suburbs of Christchurch isn’t always the best idea (mainly because there isn’t much to see and do), but Riccarton is a little different. Most people are drawn there by the massive mall, but just around the corner sits Riccarton House and Deans Cottage, bordered by one of the last tracts of … Read more
If you’re looking to escape the city for an easy seaside trip, the journey out to Lyttleton, Corsair Bay and Cass Bay is a great idea. You’ll find some nice coastal views, easy walking tracks and some nice bars and cafes (in Lyttleton at least). You can also keep going around the bays to Governors … Read more
Picton is the town you’ll arrive at (or leave from) when travelling by ferry between New Zealand’s North and South Islands, but there is far more to it than that. It’s the main town in the Marlborough Sounds and is home to some incredible short hikes. Looking for the best things to do in Picton? … Read more
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