Jon Algie 
By now you probably know that Roys Peak is the best sunrise hike in Wānaka, but what if you don’t have the time, stamina or will to walk uphill in the dark for three hours. Mount Iron is the answer. It’s definitely not as impressive as Roys Peak (or Isthmus Peak) but at only 90-minutes … Read more
Hiking the Harbour Cone Track is one of the best things you can do on a trip to the Otago Peninsula. The views of the harbour and the green hills surrounding it are spectacular and you can also see over Hoopers Inlet and some of the Peninsula’s rugged ocean coastline. You can start at the … Read more
We all want to be famous. Options for achieving this in the modern world include controversial reality TV appearances, doing dumb stuff on social media or being genuinely talented at something. Or you could be a partially submerged willow tree standing alone in Lake Wānaka. That Wānaka Tree has become an Instagram celebrity over the … Read more
If you’re going to walk uphill in the dark for three hours the view at the top had better be worth it. Hiking Roys Peak for sunrise certainly isn’t easy, but when those first rays of light hit Lake Wānaka and the surrounding mountains there’s nowhere else you’d rather be. I’m sure it’s an incredible … Read more
If you’re looking for a cool place to visit in Picton that doesn’t involve too much walking, Karaka Point would be a great option. You get great views of Queen Charlotte Sound from the car park and the short walk through the bush takes you to a lovely little beach. It’s a little way out … Read more
Caroline Bay is Timaru’s version of an inner city beach, kind of like Waikiki Beach in Honolulu (only nowhere near as tropical). It’s one of the main reasons to stop in Timaru, especially on a warm summer’s day. You can easily walk down to the beach from the main street and there is quite a … Read more
For an area so packed with wonderful beaches and coastal features, there aren’t many places in the Catlins where you can pull over and bask in the view. Florence Hill Lookout is one spot where you can do just that. The view over Tautuku Bay is special, but it’s also worth heading down to sea … Read more
The Snout Track is the perfect short hiking trail for people visiting Picton on a tight schedule. You can walk to the start of the trail from town and the track is fairly easy. If you’re in town on a cruise or you have a few hours before catching a ferry it’s your best option … Read more
You could think of New Zealand as the land of viewpoints. In most parts of the country you’re never far away from a stunning view, whether it’s a rocky coastline or mountains stretching into the distance. The Marlborough Sounds region is full of beautiful viewpoints, and one of the best (and easiest to reach) is … Read more
This two hour hike takes you to one of Dunedin’s most remote beaches as well as a couple of cone-shaped limestone hills known as the Pyramids. It’s also a good idea to drive up the hill in front of Papanui Inlet and Victory Beach for one of the best coastal views in Dunedin. The Pyramids … Read more