
Tumbledown Bay and Te Oka Bay, Banks Peninsula
The most famous spot on Banks Peninsula is surely Akaroa, but did you know there’s a great beach and stunning coastal views on the southern side of the Peninsula? Tumbledown Bay (and Te Oka Bay, which is right next door) is a bit of a detour from the main Christchurch

Hiking the Ben Lomond Track, Queenstown
The most iconic (and surely the best) day hike in Queenstown takes you above picturesque Lake Wakatipu to the summit of Ben Lomond, the mountain which looms over Queenstown (but is hidden from view from most parts of town). There are so many amazing views on the Ben Lomond Track,

Lake Rotoroa, Nelson Lakes National Park
One of two main lakes in Nelson Lakes National Park, Lake Rotoroa is a pretty place to stop when driving between Christchurch and Nelson. If you want to do some hiking I’d recommend heading to Lake Rotoiti instead, but as far as scenic lunch spots go you’ll be hard pressed

Wanaka Lavender Farm
Everyone loves a good photo spot, especially one that you don’t need to hike to and won’t cost (much) to see. It also helps if there is ice-cream in the vicinity. Wanaka Lavender Farm has all of those things, and much more. By the way I’m writing you’d think I

Hiking at Ship Creek, West Coast
Ship Creek, just north of Haast on the main West Coast Road, is home to some short walking tracks which will get you amongst unique coastal scenery. We hiked the “Dune Lake” track — it only took around 45 minutes and the views along the way were very different than

Waikouaiti Beach / The Matanaka Farm Buildings, Coastal Otago
There are heaps of places to stop on the short drive between Dunedin and Oamaru, and Waikouaiti Beach and the nearby Matanaka Farm Buildings is one of the best. Keep reading for more information about these little-visited gems in Coastal Otago. Waikouaiti Beach You’ll pass through the small, nondescript town

Moeraki Boulders, Coastal Otago
One of the most unique beaches in New Zealand is found on the scenic stretch of road between Dunedin and Oamaru. Koekohe Beach, which hosts the surreal Moeraki Boulders, is an interesting place to stop and a visit doesn’t have to take long at all. It’s a special piece of

Purakaunui Beach, Dunedin
Purakaunui Beach is one of the best and most isolated beaches in Dunedin. Chances are it’ll be quiet when you visit and there are some cool things to see nearby, including a Maori pa (fortified village) with great views, another couple of beaches, the “Arches” and the calm waters of

13 Fun Things to Do in Oamaru, New Zealand’s Coolest Old Town
Oamaru, with its beautiful coastline and impressive collection of Victorian architecture, is a great place to stop when road tripping around New Zealand. There are heaps of fun things to do in Oamaru, but it’s also a cool place to just sit down, grab an ice-cream and breathe in the

Driving the Scenic Road to Anatori From Golden Bay
New Zealand is home to many scenic roads, but none are quite like what you’ll experience on the way to Anatori. This drive takes you from Golden Bay, AKA the top of the South Island, over to the West Coast. It’s one way in and one way out (the road