Specialized trips
Road tested
1,000+ Sights, attraction
events and activities
Road tested
Curated by Pacific Jane
Specialized trips
Road tested
1,000+ Sights, attraction
events and activities
Road tested
Curated by Pacific Jane
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KIWI TOWNS -
Tiny places Big stories
Our regular column about fame, fortune and what happening in kiwi towns
Kiwi towns
Found guilty of child murder and hanged. The only woman to be executed in New Zealand
Stories of Aotearoa
Cultural tourism experience, Manea Footprints of Kupe Cultural Heritage and Education Centre, NOW OPEN in Opononi.
The odd & unusual
Cromwellโs Chafer beetle lives in only one place in the whole world. PS. It will be a brief stop as it looks suspiciously like an empty paddock.
Kiwi towns
NZ has the equivalent of Donald J Trump, a Renwick lad's life, sexual misconduct, dubious business dealings...
NOT SURE? HOLIDAY INSPIRATION
Letโs get started, where to go and what to do
Recent picks
Experience the joy of finding out.
Find out about places and activities. Get the inspiration for your perfect holiday.
Day trip from Auckland to indulge in autumn colours, leafy highlights in the North Island
Cool undertones to the morning with warm light in the morning invigorating the day. Nature walks are comfortable with calm sunny days. The perfect climate for days outdoors exploring our legacy of exotic trees and their showy annual glory.
The blaze of leaf colour is winterโs postcard. We are on notice that the chill and rain of winter is not far off. For the North Island deciduous trees are not framed by snow dusted mountains rather rivers, lakes and ponds offer an immediate foreground for foliage.
Autumn glory, where to go and what to see from either Auckland or Hamilton with kids in tow.
Historic Golden Bay, Collingwood and surrounding district
Collingwood has experienced a short lived gold rush, an era of extractive industry from flax, coal and timber to present day dairy farming and tourism. A rich legacy of buildings, from government post offices, police stations and courthouses await further exploration. Collingwood is attractive with its surrounding hills and nearby Aorere Valley. Aorere Valley leads to the iconic Heaphy Track passing the heritage grocery store Longford. The remains of nineteenth century gold mining make for an interesting day trip from Collingwood.
Day trip to St Bathans
The stunning desolate high country of the gold mining towns of Naseby and St Bathans is a window into the past. The past where intrepid, determined prospectors trudged through the harsh landscape on the promise of gold on the horizon. Both towns are a mere 44km apart giving visitors an opportunity to travel in the slow lane. Take time to absorb the landscape, wander through heritage cemeteries, walk around the extraordinarily beautiful lunar Blue Lake, wonder about the lives of people inhabiting the once upon a time busy St Bathans and pop into the Vulcan Hotel for a pie and local beer.
Nelson – culture & art scene where to go and whatโs happening events
With artistic endeavours, art and contemporary design activities it is not static. Places and people relocate and locations are not always open. Nelson is a practiced state of flux with pop up events and exhibitions and going with the flow vibe. Postcard worthy scenery, a varied landscape and healthy wine and distillery sector draw the visitors to Nelson feeding into the art energy. Nelson is where โour ordinary is other peopleโs extraordinary.โ rings loud and clear in the art scene.
Ten great ideas for a day in Motueka
Motueka is a bustling regional centre for Nelson and a popular gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park. A cafe culture, the holiday buzz and energy has developed into a comprehensive range of accommodation choices, boutique shops and an area showcasing artists and artisans. The town center is the home to the well known Motueka Sunday Market where pop up food stores, emerging creative talent have a vehicle to market their wares. From craft breweries in nearby Riwaka to a game of golf at Tasman Village golf course there is something for everyone.
Moutere, Nelson nine best foodie experiences + great walk
German settlement history is exemplified with a quaint Lutheran Church and a pub purported to be New Zealandโs oldest. Moutere exudes heritage charm. Artists, food producers, vineyards and rolling hills combine to create holiday moments where there is joy in the small things such as coffee from a former Post Office.
Whatโs so great about Upper Moutere, what to see and best things to do
What to take the slow lane to Golden Bay beaches and Farewell Spit. Then Upper Moutere offers time to savour vineyards, visit artistโs studios and soak up the atmosphere of quaint villages. It feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of Nelson, the beaches and the major highway ferries visitors and locals to Motuka.
Ten reasons for a day trip to Mapua from Nelson
Unwind at Mapua Wharf
Relax and rejuvenate with a day at Mapua. The wharf is the hub of a vibrant visitor experience. Once the wharf housed apple stores and pack houses is now a bustling destination to while away a summerโs day revelling in the arts and hospitality of the Wharf. The Waimea Estuary and Rabbit Island are picturesque backdrops to the cafes, restaurants, artisan shops and microbrewery. Hire a bike from a local to explore Rabbit Island via the Mapua Ferry. The list of things to do is extensive.
Christchurch day trip to Hurunui region, North Canterbury
SummaryArticle NameChristchurch day trip to Hurunui region, North Canterbury
Whatโs so great about Collingwood, what to see and best things to do
Collingwood perched at the mouth of the Aorere River is a gem. Historical fans delight with two museums and plenty to do and see. It is a two hour drive over the Takaka limestone hills from Nelson with many visitors using Collingwood as a way station on their way to Heaphy Track, Kahurangi National Park and day tours to Farewell Spit. Donโt just drive through, stop and wander a town where locals know everyone by their first name.
