Jon Algie 
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
One of the most accessible beaches on the wild Otago Peninsula coast, Sandfly Bay should be close to the top of anyone’s Dunedin itinerary. The viewpoint above Sandfly Bay is breathtaking on a sunny day, and the dunes backing the beach not only look cool but also provide the perfect conditions for sand boarding. The … Read more
North Canterbury, roughly the area between Christchurch and Kaikoura, certainly isn’t the most popular region of New Zealand. Most people drive straight through, but there are some cool things to see including Gore Bay (and the Cathedral Cliffs), Manuka Bay and Hurunui Mouth. There are several places to camp in North Canterbury — we chose … Read more
We’re always on the lookout for unique natural wonders (luckily we live in New Zealand so we never have to go far!), so when we saw a picture of the Cathedral Cliffs overlooking Gore Bay we knew we had to go there. It turned out to be a really easy detour from the main highway … Read more
Here’s a situation you’ll encounter a lot when travelling in New Zealand. You’re on your way to your destination when you see a sign pointing to a beach, a lake or some other cool sounding place you’d never heard of. You can’t follow every turnoff or you’d never get where you’re going, but it’s always … Read more