Jon Algie 
Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes District, which includes Wānaka, is one of the most famous wine growing regions in New Zealand. I’d love to write more about it, but I’m one of those unsophisticated people who can’t stand wine. I do, however, enjoy a good viewpoint, and the Rippon Vineyard certainly excels in that … Read more
If you’re travelling through the mountain areas of the central South Island, then you’ll almost definitely end up in Lake Tekapo at some point. It’s one of the most popular South Island tourist towns and the surrounding area, known as the Mackenzie Basin (or Mackenzie Country), is full of interesting sights. Mountain vistas are the … Read more
If you’re looking to explore the area around Lake Tekapo, the short drive to Lake Alexandrina is a great option. The road there is very scenic and there are some great views to be had above Lake Alexandrina and Lake McGregor. Keep reading to find out more! The Scenic Drive to Lake Alexandrina One of … Read more
Lake Tekapo, and the surrounding area, is home to some of the best scenery in New Zealand. It’s a great place to visit at any time of year, but if you happen to be there in summer (especially early summer) you’ll be greeted to a colourful treat – lupins! We went searching for lupins in … Read more
Timaru is a town most people pass through rather than spend the night. But even if you’re visiting on the way to somewhere else (most likely somewhere better) there are still some fun things to do in Timaru. Most of these centre on Caroline Bay, one of the better “city beaches” in New Zealand, but … Read more
If you want to see some great views of Banks Peninsula and the scenery around Akaroa, you won’t want to miss the Otepatotu Scenic Reserve. It’s right by the main road above Akaroa (Summit Road) and the walk up the hill through the forest opens out to some amazing views. Otepatotu Scenic Reserve While the … Read more
There are so many walks in Queenstown to choose from, so it’s lucky you stumbled on this post! I’ll help you choose the perfect hike in Queenstown, from the easy (and very scenic) walks in Glenorchy and Paradise to the demanding day hike up to the summit of Ben Lomond. The great thing about hiking … Read more
If you’re looking for a nice short walk in Akaroa with great views and something a little odd at the end, consider hiking the Children’s Bay Walkway. It’s fairly easy (although, ironically, children may struggle with the uphill nature of the track) and you can easily walk there from town. Children’s Bay Walkway This short … Read more
The road to Lake Heron branches off from the main Hakatere-Potts Road, meaning it’s a bit of a detour from the road to Mount Sunday (which is why I’m assuming you’re in this region in the first place). It’s a stunning drive though – there are a few other lakes to see on the way … Read more
If you want to see some typical Central Otago scenery (think massive rocks, barren landscapes and wide-open spaces) the drive to Fraser Dam is a great option. You’ll head into the hills above Alexandra to Fraser Dam, a manmade lake created in the 1930s which provides water for irrigating the farms and properties in the … Read more