Why Freedom Camp at Lake Poaka? It’s free! That, and the fact that you’re vehicle doesn’t have to be self contained, makes Lake Poaka a great place to freedom camp near Mount Cook. It’s also quite a scenic little lake, especially in autumn. Getting to Lake Poaka Lake Poaka is

Why hike to Heyward Point? Dunedin’s beaches always look better from above, and some of the best elevated coastal views in (or just outside of) town are on the hike to Heyward Point. It’s an easy (ish) two hour hike through farmland and is fairly off the beaten path —

Why Hike the Kea Point Track? The hike along the Kea Point Track (roughly 1 hour return) ends at a viewpoint where you’ll see some of Mt Cook National Park’s most marvellous mountains, including Mount Cook and Mount Sefton. It’s a lot shorter than the more well-known Hooker Valley Track,

Why Hike the Sandymount Track? Hiking the Sandymount Track puts you face to face with some of Dunedin’s best coastal views. It’s an easy, hour-long walk through farmland to a series of viewpoints. It’s a great hike to do just before sunset (it does get cold though!) and is located

Why hike the Hooker Valley Track? 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. There are also other mountains to catch your attention, as well as three bouncy suspension bridges and the possibility

Why go to Smails Beach? This beach, located a short distance from Dunedin’s city centre, is the perfect place to go for stunning coastal views. There are several viewpoints above the beach, and when the tide is low, parts of Smails beach look almost tropical (which is rare for Dunedin).

Why go to Nugget Point? Nugget Point, with its minimalist lighthouse and surreal clump of rocks scattered in the Pacific Ocean, is one of the top places to see in the Catlins. The South Island’s east coast doesn’t get much more dramatic than this — don’t miss it if you’re

Why go to Tomahawk Beach? The sun is shining in Dunedin (I know it’s rare) and you want to visit a quiet beach close to town — definitely consider heading to Tomahawk Beach. The beach itself is great, but the best part is the view from above the sands. Also,

Why go to Cromwell? Cromwell, less than an hour from both Queenstown and Wanaka, is a quiet alternative to those busy tourist towns. Cromwell’s main claim to fame is its brilliantly restored old town featuring many buildings from the 1800s. Another reason to visit Cromwell is to explore the many bays

Why go to the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum? Looking for something to do on a rainy day in Dunedin? Look no further than the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum. An impressive range of exhibits take you from pre-European times through to the gold boom and even offers a glimpse into life