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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Holidays are about unique experiences weโre locals, we know where to go
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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.
Hanmer Springs nine must do activities for families & kids
The buzz of a tourist town is evident. There seem to be more motels and accommodation operators than private homes. Yet Hanmer manages to keep the charm of being a hot mineral springs resort. The surrounding area is beautiful with mountains and landscaping invoking a sense of countryside and space. Families will need to budget for activities as it is not cheap to visit Hanmer. Activities from jet boats, quad biking, hot pools entry, bungee jumping and eating will require forethought. For adults the range of souvenir shops, gift outlets and clothing and homeware retailers gives visitors a shopping therapy buzz. Leave the kids with someone at the pools, grab the credit card and enjoy Hanmer. And Hanmer is all about parting cash from your wallet. The glorious vistas and landscapes are part of the package offered by Hanmer and they are largely free to explore at your leisure.
Hurunui scenic road trip routes what to see and best things to do
New Zealand outdoor holidays in the South Island need look no further than the Hurunui district for inspiration. The road trip, either as a short day trip from Christchurch or several days exploring the region is a great way to visit gardens, parks and autumn colours, immerse yourself in the sweeping inland sub-alpine landscapes. Find the joy in fly fishing braided rivers or indulge in a wine and food foraging trail. Hurunui routes encompass hot springs and alpine passes or meander along quiet coastal communities. The classic holiday idea of going where the heart & soul suggests is tailor made for Hurunui. Side roads, detours and finding out whatโs round the next corner has the making of special holiday memories.
Whatโs so great about Cheviot, what to do and best things to see
SummaryArticle NameWhatโs so great about Cheviot, what to do and best things to see
Whatโs so great about Hurunui River Mouth
There are no shops, supermarkets, petrol stations or facilities and your mobile is likely to have no service. For locals Hurunui River Mouth is fishing heaven as it is a well known run for salmon in the season. The Hurunui River Mouth and St Anne's Lagoon were important food sources for the pre-European Maori who travelled along the east coast between Kaikoura and Kaiapoi.
Whatโs so great about Weka Pass what to see and best things to do
Evocative names such as Frog Rock make you want to check out the place. Visitors get to travel on one of Aotearoa New Zealandโs best vintage train rides. Together with ancient rock drawings, distinctive shell and fossils embedded in the exposed cliffs this is one journey nobody wants to miss.
Whatโs so great about Manaia, what to do and best things to see
Manaia is home to one of New Zealandโs largest bread factories where the town motto is, โBread Capital.โ Mana is on the Surf Highway route making for an easy stop to hear the beat at the Country Music Museum, take a selfie with an enormous bread sculpture and read the story of George, a heroic Jack Russell dog.
Whatโs so great about Patea, what to see and do
A classic song sums up the place. A strong community spirit has seen the town flourish despite major economic blows such as the closing of a major employee, the local freezing works. A notable museum is a definite stop for heritage buffs with an interesting river walk and quirky places to investigate.
Whatโs so great about Hawera, what to do and best things to see
Hawera has charm. You are beguiled by the quirky collections Elvis Presley and Tawhiti Museum, the passionate dedication of volunteers who have created beautiful spaces, Newell Lakes and cleared rubbish to recreate Goodson Dell and then there is a water tower. Who knew a practical water tower would become a tourist attraction.
Whatโs so great about St Bathans, what to see and best things to do
Gold mining, the ghost towns, the settlements where once thousands lived are evocative places to visit with their relics and abandoned buildings. St Bathans delivers in spades on the historic artefacts plus it has a hotel that is continuing to operate worth drawing a beer or two. A highlight is the visually stunning crystal deep blue lake and the surrounding whitened cliffs.
Whatโs so great about Eltham, what to see and best things to do
Eltham is the second largest town in Taranaki, home to Victorian buildings and a town of firsts. Historically the town is an industrial powerhouse with the first butter exports being shipped from Eltham. The town offers vintage and retro-shopping with several well known Eltham shops located in old banks and other historic buildings. With its vibrant and eclectic arti scene it is a definite stop for visitors interested in exploring the Taranaki art community. It is a great place for a day trip from New Plymouth. Explore the town of firsts.
Eltham was named after a village in Greenwich, England. According to some records the name was bestowed by a surveyor who named it after Eltham, a part of Woolwich, England.
