Jon Algie 
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 Purakaunui Inlet. Purakaunui Beach This … Read more
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 old-world atmosphere. This post contains … Read more
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 stops just past Anatori) so … Read more
Golden Bay, at the very top of New Zealand’s South Island, is home to some of the country’s best beaches. Wharariki Beach is considered one of the best places to visit in Golden Bay, due to the photogenic rocks / islands just in front of the beach (or on the beach at low tide). I … Read more
Billed as New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle is a nice place to visit if you want to add some history into your Dunedin explorations. It’s one of the country’s nicest old buildings and is fun to explore – plus you’ll get some great views of the Otago Harbour from the gardens surrounding the castle. … Read more
One of two popular (and fairly easy) day walks which take you into the mountains above Lake Rotoiti, the Mount Robert Circuit Track features some incredible views of Nelson Lakes National Park. This loop track is actually two tracks joined together and you can start in two different places — keep reading to find out … Read more
Judging by the name, the Centre of New Zealand Walk, on the outskirts of Nelson, must be an iconic place. You’re probably imagining being in the exact centre of the country, or, if you have a more colourful imagination, that you’d head underground (like in Journey to the Centre of the Earth) and see all … Read more
Dunedin, the South Island’s second biggest city, is full of historic sights, beautiful beaches and interesting scenery. It’s easily New Zealand’s best city and you should spend at least a couple of days there before moving onto more iconic places like Queenstown and Fiordland. There are so many fun things to do in Dunedin, both … Read more
One of the best coastal hikes near Nelson is conveniently located 15 minutes from the city. The Cable Bay Walkway takes you over a couple of big hills to some viewpoints looking back towards Nelson and over Cable Bay / Peppin Island. Keep reading to find all the information you’ll need on the Cable Bay … Read more
If you’re looking for an escape from the city and love waterfalls as much as I do, you should consider at trip to Whispering Falls. It’s located in Mount Richmond Forest Park in the Aniseed Valley (40 minutes’ drive from Nelson) and takes around an hour (one way) to walk to. Obviously with a name … Read more