Marlborough is a perfect family holiday location with its consistently warm summer temperatures. Ok, it’s New Zealand, and similar to Tasmania the weather is changeable (t ...

Forget about the kilt that makes its appearance at various civic functions and the annual Christmas parade. I won’t tell anyone but it is definitely not ANZAC, it actually ...

A place that is quickly passed on the way to the glittering gold sands of Kaiteriteri beaches and beyond is a mistake. Ruby Bay Coast and the Tasman Bay Village is a gem wor ...

Wairoa Lighthouse, Wairoa, New Zealand @Hawke's Bay A service town that supports the agricultural sector Wairoa is not usually viewed as a tourist destination. The town, simi ...

A working archaeological village is New Zealand’s Pompeii, a village buried under the ash and pyroclastic flow of the 1886 Mt Tarawera volcanic eruption. The eruption ende ...

Ohinemutu is a heritage village with occupation reaching back hundreds of years. The warm geothermal waters provided steam to cook, bath and heat houses. The village is a li ...

Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, New Zealand @Mapio.net Taranaki is a treasure trove of New Zealand history reaching back over 1000 years with heritage Pa sites to explore, blockhouses f ...

Cape Egmont Lighthouse, New Zealand @New Zealand The quiet province that is a detour. The place is a rounded bump on the east coast of the North Island, it is very easy to si ...

The ten gardens are both privately owned and public spaces for visitors to enjoy. Perhaps the private garden you have put at the top of your bucket list is not open. This me ...

Adrenaline thrills squeezing through hidden gorges to secret hot waterfall pools or floating down the Waikato to Ōtumuheke Stream hot mineral water is Taupo fun. Opepe Rese ...

Explore historic logging trails where kauri was extensively milled and gold mining relics. You have opportunities to swim beneath a waterfall or to walk among the giants of ...

Summer holidays in Taranaki are defined by beaches and camping at the beach. New Plymouth, Fitzroy Beach, TOP10 and Belt Road Seaside are favourite destinations for generati ...

1 Taupo DeBretts ...

Karangahake Gorge & Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park An area quietly slumbering in the valleys of the Coromandel. It is all too easy to keep on driving through the gorge ...

Wahi and Paeroa are fascinating with detours into gold mining history, the only active gold mine in the country and it has visitor tours, quirky shops and a spectacular fore ...

For locals with the summer to explore the Auckland region there are numerous opportunities to find a dune lake, a mature native forest, a Victorian landscaped park. For visi ...

The Coromandel art scene explodes with colour and vitality every year on art escape weekend. A great weekend road trip for culture fans and art collectors. ...

Volunteers the backbone of conservation, the passionate individual who gives time freely. This article is unashamedly promoting the work of the Aongatete Forest Trust. About ...

Free admission, picnics places for kids to run, jump, run and cartwheel. Places with shaded areas, contemplative spaces where the quiet engerises the soul. For locals your f ...

Kawakawa is often bypassed by traffic on State Highway intent on reaching Northland. It is a mistake as it is the coolest place in New Zealand for its quirky cultural interp ...

@russelltop10 The heart of historic New Zealand, the site of early human occupation of Aotearoa NZ and the place where cultures meet, collided, got up to mischief and signed ...

New Zealand South Island Banks Peninsula is a perfect getaway from the crowds camping destination. There is the urban vibe of Akaroa if you need a coffee fix or simply a pla ...

Romantic holidays are often promoted in glossy magazines and online as getaways to expensive luxury locations. The enticing scenes of tropical palms, drinks in hand and plat ...

1 NATURE ...

Muriwai Beach and the cliff top gannet colony day exploration. A day exploring Muriwai beach village, a relaxed walk on the beach and the highlight is the gannet colony. Con ...

Spring is in full swing, the flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, it’s the perfect time for events and festivals. With school holidays, Halloween, and some beautiful ...

Hamilton is the underdog city in Aotearoa NZ. Banter, wry humour is often Hamilton’s calling card. Think again, New businesses are popping up, the food scene is booming, a ...

Perhaps you want to pitch a tent and a powered site is not necessary. Or a little comfort is in order with a standard cabin together with an ensuite facility. Holiday parks ...

Hokianga is an underdeveloped tourist destination without the flush of motels lining the small settlements. The Hokianga has a number of airBNB options however camping groun ...

Whangarei is a family favourite for many kiwis. It is recommended forward bookings are arranged for the peak summer season. There are several beach front locations ideal for ...

Hokianga is an underdeveloped tourist destination without the flush of motels lining the small settlements. The Hokianga has a number of airBNB options however camping groun ...

A number of the heritage hotels have a lively bar scene which is generally noisy as well as not closing until the early hours of the night. Definitely part of the heritage p ...

1 WHITIANGA HEADLAND PA ...

On holiday and need a break with the children while you collapse in the nearest park seat. Little balls of energy kick, run, climb and jump to their heart’s content as ...

1 The Boulder Bank, Nelson Te Pokohiwi/Boulder Bank: Nelson area, Ne ...

1 CULTURE & HERITAGE ...

North Island mission stations, 1845 – Missions and missionaries explains how the three major church denominations battled for converts. By 1845 three major churches – An ...

Best time to walk: Spring to early Autumn due to stream crossings In summer carry water, sunscreen and protective clothing Carry insect repellent (wasps) and mosquito repel ...

WANAKA Wanaka and the majestic Southern Alps. Plenty of space for locals and you get taste of what overseas visitors flocked in their thousands to experience. ...

Route map Kawakawa to Whangarei to Ngungunui to Helena Bay to Kerikeri to Peria to Mangonui to Houhora to Kohukohu to W Gorge Rd, Nelson’s Kauri Museum. Following from the c ...

LET’S CHANNEL YOUR INNER TOURIST Why would I want to have a holiday at home? Home is familiar, comfortable and you even know the TV channels. And stop telling me it is bea ...

Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, Photo by Tobias Keller Blehneim I am usually in a hurry to get to Nelson, why take a detour to Blenheim ...

DRIVE ON THE LEFT TIP: travel from Europe / North America involves considerable travel. Give yourself a day (or two) to get your body clock in sync w ...

New Zealand Airport @Colin Brown Making sure you arrive on time… and where you want to be Consider arriving the day before you ...

Accommodation Accommodation, especially if you have one or two days in a place location is critical as you do not want to spend your time travelling to and fr ...

Self-guided road trip Question one: Where do you want to go and in which direction? Check out Sydney to Melbourne classic road trip (one week). You can star ...

Who doesn’t like a bargain? And then there’s all that gorgeous food tempting the palate. Easy, convenient, the huddle of stalls offering everything to everyone who doesn ...

Did you know Wellington is worth visiting for its wildlife? Here is a list of five favourite places for wildlife enthusiasts. No museums, art galleries or any ...

Wildlife sanctuary in Wellington, world class and have visited yet? This article is a heartfelt ode to one of the world’s great sanctuaries and it is in Wel ...

What can you do at the beach if you don’t want to surf? 1 Sea kay ...

I think it is a place where drivers keep on driving on their way south? Stop, check it out and be surprised. National Trout Centre is a practi ...

Have you thought about staying a while in Turangi? Perfect location to access Lake Taupo with Tongariro National Park a neighbour. The enormous trout ‘big thing’ makes ...

Did you need another reason to visit Dunedin? If so, here it is. It’s a brisk -10c in the sunshine (perhaps you better make sure you’ve a blunt umbrella in the ...

Launch cruising past Devonport Warf and the Ferry Terminal Cornwall Park Why choose this walk?  Cornwall Park has wide open spaces galore for families and i ...

This post is a pictorial  journey exploring street art in Christchurch. Transport – Do ...

Where is Warkworth? Warkworth, wrapped around the Mahurangi River is an urban buzz meets regional New Zealand town with a bustling main street, ducks along its river banks ...

NZJane has a fascination with the emptiness, disappeared people, disappeared life, just empty decaying buildings.  I wonder what happened that a place is deserted and now a ruin. ...