Jon Algie 
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
Dunedin is New Zealand’s most scenic city, and luckily there are dozens of viewpoints which take advantage it. Another good thing is that you can drive straight to many of the viewpoints in Dunedin. I’ll take you through some of my favourite Dunedin viewpoints – make sure to seek some out on your next trip … Read more
Being one of the best beaches in Queenstown, Sunshine Bay is the perfect spot to visit on a hot summer’s day. The beach is excellent, it’s a short drive (or slightly longer walk) from downtown Queenstown and the views of the mountains surrounding Lake Wakatipu are great. Sunshine Bay Sunshine Bay features a beautiful stretch … Read more
The Lake Alta Track takes you above the Remarkables Ski Area to a picturesque alpine lake. It’s mostly uphill but is easy enough and the views are incredible. This is one of the best short hikes in Queenstown, but you’ll have to time your visit right as it can’t be done in winter. Keep reading … Read more
Yip, you read the title right. There are over 25 beaches in Dunedin and they’re all special in their own way. From the wild beaches of the Otago Peninsula to the sheltered bays of the harbour as well as New Zealand’s nicest city beach, Dunedin is the place to go for beach exploration. Join me … Read more
The drive from Dunedin to Taieri Mouth takes you through part of the Southern Scenic Route. You’ll find a few nice beaches to stop off at and an awesome hike at the end of it all – the Taieri River Track. This track takes you high above the river for some awesome views and can … Read more
Dunedin’s most famous winged residents, the royal albatross, call Taiaroa Head home. You might see them flying around this windswept spot at the end of the Otago Peninsula, but to get up close you’ll want to book a short tour. There are also some nice views around Taiaroa Head and it’s close to some of … Read more