Jon Algie 
Calmly nestled between forested hills, Arrowtown couldn’t be further away (in a metaphorical sense) to the bustling, often overcrowded tourist metropolis that Queenstown has become. It is close in a literal sense though. Arrowtown is only 20 km from Queenstown and attracts a fair share of its popular neighbour’s visitors. Once you walk through its … Read more
Due to its remoteness and lack of tourist infrastructure, most people rush through the Milford Sound region without really getting off the main road. Stick around a while and you’ll be treated to some world-class hikes. Hiking to Lake Marian generally takes 3-4 hours. It’s fairly straight forward and the final viewpoint will blow you … Read more
The hike to Earland Falls is a great way to experience the iconic Routeburn Track without the hassle of organising a multi-day trek. The 174 metre Earland Falls is an impressive piece of nature, and the hike there winds through pristine New Zealand bush full of birds, mossy trees and numerous small waterfalls. You can … Read more
The road to Milford Sound is one of the most well-worn tourist trails in New Zealand. Most visit on a day trip, but hang around a little longer and you’ll be treated to some awesome hikes. The Key Summit Track, part of the 2-4 day Routeburn Track (a New Zealand “Great Walk”), will get you … Read more
Dunedin Railway Station is a must-see when touring around the southern city’s historic downtown area. This impressive piece of history, completed in 1906, is also home to a weekly farmers market and is the start-point for several scenic train rides. Dunedin Railway Station Constructed of dark basalt (with Oamaru Stone facings) in the Flemish Renaissance … Read more
Why visit the Mirror Lakes? The drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound takes you through some awesome alpine scenery. A visit to the Mirror Lakes makes for a great chance to stretch your legs and see some of the world class nature this region is famous for. It’s a short distraction from the road … Read more
The Rob Roy Glacier Track takes you past some of the South Island’s most spectacular mountain scenery. Massive waterfalls cascade down sheer cliffs, there are snow-capped mountains all around and the hike is actually pretty easy. Rob Roy Glacier is one of the best looking glaciers (from ground level) in New Zealand and it’s the … Read more
There are heaps of reasons to choose Aramoana Beach for your next Dunedin beach adventure. You can collect seashells, surf, watch wildlife, climb sand dunes, look at interesting rock formations or just walk along the beach (often in complete solitude). There are a couple of different sections of beach, broken up by the Aramoana Mole … Read more
If you’ve never heard of this place before you’re probably a bit confused by the title. I’ll sort that out straight away. Dunedin’s Organ Pipes are hexagonal basalt columns which rise out of the ground in abundance on a hill near Mount Cargill. The view from the top is worth the slightly treacherous climb — … Read more
Mount Cargill, at 676 metres above sea level, marks one of the highest points in Dunedin (in the city at least) and offers up some amazing views of the city’s surrounds. Dunedin is New Zealand’s most scenic city and seeing it spread out below you is a great experience. Hiking to the top of Mount … Read more