This post was originally published in March 2017 and was updated in April 2020  (to include photos from the time I did this day hike in better weather conditions).  The relatively easy Hooker Valley Track opens up to some great views of Mount Cook (also known as Aoraki in Maori),

If you’ve spent a bit of time in Queenstown (or spent some time planning a trip there) you’ll have seen the Remarkables, a set of jagged mountains towering over Lake Wakatipu. It’s one of the most iconic mountain ranges in New Zealand, but most people only see it from a

St Bathans is a tiny former gold mining town in Central Otago which is now all but abandoned. There a several historic buildings to explore, including the Vulcan Hotel, regarded as one of New Zealand’s most haunted places. If you’re looking for a ghost experience and can’t find that 80s

Central Otago is famous for its barren, rocky hills and seemingly never-ending landscapes. It’s a unique part of New Zealand and is easy to visit, considering its close proximity to tourism heavyweights Queenstown, Wanaka and Dunedin. Poolburn Dam is a prime example of what Central Otago has to offer –

A long detour down a gravel road leads to the Clay Cliffs, a surreal slice of nature which features in the upcoming Mulan movie. It doesn’t take long to explore and makes for a good side trip when driving through the Waitaki Valley or the road from Queenstown to Mount

Queenstown is best known for its mountain views, adventure sports and nightlife, but it also has some great beaches! Whether you’re visiting in summer and want somewhere to chill out and swim, or you’re there at a colder time of year and want something pretty to look at, these beaches

The road to Glenorchy from Queenstown is packed full of interesting places to stop, and one of the more relaxing ones is Wilson Bay. It’s a lovely little beach with stunning mountain views and it’s a decent distance from town, meaning it’ll likely be empty when you visit! Getting to

Dunedin is New Zealand’s most scenic city, and luckily there are dozens of viewpoints which take advantage it. Another good thing is that you can drive straight to many of the viewpoints in Dunedin. I’ll take you through some of my favourite Dunedin viewpoints – make sure to seek some

Being one of the best beaches in Queenstown, Sunshine Bay is the perfect spot to visit on a hot summer’s day. The beach is excellent, it’s a short drive (or slightly longer walk) from downtown Queenstown and the views of the mountains surrounding Lake Wakatipu are great. Sunshine Bay Sunshine

The Lake Alta Track takes you above the Remarkables Ski Area to a picturesque alpine lake. It’s mostly uphill but is easy enough and the views are incredible. This is one of the best short hikes in Queenstown, but you’ll have to time your visit right as it can’t be