Jon Algie 
The Southern Alps meet the sea in Kaikoura, a small tourist town in the far north of Canterbury. There are some excellent beaches in Kaikoura, including the main beach in town which is towered over by mountains. Kaikoura Beach Kaikoura Beach is a stone’s throw from town — and it’s a very stony beach! It’s … Read more
History in New Zealand doesn’t get much more interactive than the Kingston Flyer, an old steam train which does short tourist trips near Queenstown. It has recently returned after being out of action for almost a decade — we went to Kingston to check it out. All Aboard We arrived at Kingston Station 15-minutes before … Read more
Our Marlborough Travel Guide will give you a good overview of the region. If you’re looking for posts about a particular area click on one of these links: Picton | Marlborough Sounds | Blenheim The top of the South Island’s eastern half mostly consists of a series of flooded valleys known as the Marlborough Sounds. … Read more
The road between Christchurch and Picton is mostly inland from the coast, meaning there aren’t as many beaches and walks to do (and the ones that are there are often a fair distance from the main road). Despite not being the most exciting South Island drive there’s still heaps to see, including Kaikoura and the … Read more
Whether you’re interested in the city’s history or just want something to do on a rainy day, these museums in Dunedin will provide hours of entertainment. Dunedin has witnessed some of New Zealand’s most interesting history — I reckon it’s the best place to delve into the South Island’s past. Otago Museum Otago Museum is … Read more
Hokitika’s position on the West Coast makes it a natural place to stop and spend a night or two, with an interesting mix of tourist town and regional centre playing out in the compact downtown area. You can find some of the South Island’s coolest souvenirs in the many galleries and gift stores, while the … Read more
This is a dispatch from Super World Travel News: In news out of New Zealand, a local travel blog has crowned Te Wai Pounamu, New Zealand’s South Island, the most beautiful island in the world today in a move which caused internet-wide outrage and prompted a please explain from senior government officials from around the … Read more
Our Canterbury Travel Guide will give you a good overview of the region. If you’re looking for posts about a particular area click on one of these links: Christchurch | Akaroa | Mount Cook | Lake Tekapo | South Canterbury | North Canterbury | Kaikoura | Arthur’s Pass | Hakatere. Home to the South Island’s … Read more
One of three main routes through the Southern Alps to the West Coast, the drive from Christchurch to Greymouth, Hokitika and Westport via Arthur’s Pass is everything that’s great about South Island road trips. World-class pies, massive rocks, mountain views, waterfalls and roadside viewpoints galore — find out the best places to stop on the … Read more
Owaka, population 320, is a bustling metropolis compared to the rest of the Catlins. More a town to spend the night in than somewhere full of sights, it’s on the doorstep of some of the Catlins most spectacular spots. I’ll show you the best things to do in Owaka, both in town and within a … Read more