Jon Algie 
If there’s one place in New Zealand that entices you to visit with its name alone it’s Paradise, a tiny town (OK, not really a town) close to Glenorchy, which is itself close to Queenstown. What is a trip to Paradise like? Well, there’s a scenic drive, an incredibly underrated hike and one of New … Read more
Punakaiki, with its world-famous Pancake Rocks, is one of the best spots to spend a day or two on the West Coast. The coastline is pretty special, but head inland a little and you’ll see one of New Zealand’s most spectacular stretches of river. It’s quite unlike anything else I’ve seen in New Zealand and … Read more
New Zealand has glaciers, but they aren’t quite what you may be expecting. Instead of the crisp blue slabs of ice seen elsewhere in the world the glaciers in New Zealand tend to be small, far away and covered in a layer of grey sediment. The walks to see these glaciers are great though — … Read more
If you like awesome coastal views and rocks stacked like pancakes, you’d better add Punakaiki to your New Zealand itinerary. This small town on the West Coast is home to the surreal Pancake Rocks, a group of weathered rocks sitting by (and sometimes in) the Tasman Sea. It’s a unique piece of nature and has … Read more
The milky blue waters of the Hokitika Gorge draw plenty of travellers traversing the West Coast region of New Zealand. It’s a nice place to explore and the walk is short and easy — keep reading for all you need to know about visiting Hokitika Gorge! Walking the Hokitika Gorge Track If you’re planning a … Read more
When researching the Gertrude Saddle Track the thing that stood out was how difficult and dangerous the hike would be. People have died doing this hike and DOC have classified it as an “expert track”. I’m not an expert at anything, so I was a bit apprehensive. It turns out if you hike it on … Read more
Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s most beautiful places, and a great way to see it is on a short cruise. You’ll journey out through the sound (technically it’s a fjord) past waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and the iconic Mitre Peak. Basically, you’ll be surrounded by world-class scenery during a relaxing two-hour boat ride — … Read more
You’ll drive through the Waitaki Valley when travelling between Lake Tekapo / Mount Cook and Dunedin, and there are several cool spots to stop along the way. The Elephant Rocks, just outside of Duntroon, is one of those spots. The Elephant Rocks are a collection of large rocks sitting in an otherwise nondescript slab of … Read more
Lake Tekapo, a small town on the edge of the lake with the same name, is home to one of New Zealand’s most iconic churches. Why is the Church of the Good Shepherd so popular? Is it overrated? Should they move the car park to allow for better photos? I travelled to Lake Tekapo to … Read more
The Glenorchy Walkway, which takes you from the main lakeside area past wetlands and mountain views to Glenorchy Lagoon, is one of the best short walks in the Queenstown region. It’s almost completely flat, starts right in town and the views on offer are easily worth the 45-minute drive from Queenstown. I’m pretty sure I’ve … Read more