Kiwi Towns Archives

What’s so great about Fortrose what to see and do

Fortrose there are plenty of things to do. The small, windswept settlement of Fortrose is located near a lagoon at ...

What’s so great about Kurow

Kurow there are plenty of things to do. Kurow, fascinating day trip destination 45 minutes from Oamaru is nestled ...

What’s so great about Palmerston

Palmerston there are plenty of things to do. Quiet unassuming, Palmerston has a rich history of human occupation. ...

What’s so great about Moeraki

Moeraki there are plenty of things to do. Moeraki is a small settlement with a world class selfie, photo hot spot. ...

What’s so great about Portobello

Portobello there are plenty of things to do. Portobello’s local pub is a chance to slow down after the winding ...

What’s so great about Aramoana

Aramoana there are plenty of things to do. Explore Aramoana, a stunning remote, largely holiday settlement on the ...

What’s so great about Kaitaia

Kaitaia there are plenty of things to do. Kaitaia is a place where visitors are either going up North to Cape ...

Waimate top 10 things to see & do

Enjoy walks from easy dog friendly, child friendly to stunning hilltop climbs. Heritage fans will relish delving ...

What’s so great about Diamond Harbour

Diamond Harbour there are plenty of things to do. Discover a quiet corner of the Lyttelton Harbour. Diamond Harbour ...

What’s so great about Reefton

Reefton there are plenty of things to do. Discover Reefton as you farewell / arrive on the West Coast, South Island ...

What’s so great about Jackson’s Bay

Jackson’s Bay there are plenty of things to do. A mini road trip from Haast. Take your time and discover Hapuka ...

What’s so great about Port Waikato

Port Waikato there are plenty of things to do. Iron sands, pounding surf and summer days. Port Waikato is a seaside ...

What’s so great about Ngatea

Ngatea there are plenty of things to do. Ngatea is one of the larger settlements in the Hauraki Plains. The ...

What’s so great about Gordonton

Gordonton there are plenty of things to do. Gordonton is an attractive Waikato town where motorists whizz past, ...

What’s so great about Pirongia

Pirongia there are plenty of things to do. New Zealand’s North Island scenic highlights should include Mount ...

What’s so great about Kihikihi

Kihikihi there are plenty of things to do. Kihikihi is not an ordinary little town. A tiny place where a Space ...

NZ, Wellington kiwi towns places to go for selfie & scenic lookouts

Discover Wellington, a cool little capital city and nearby small towns in our KIWI TOWNS series.

What’s so great about Ormondville railway station

Ormondville there are plenty of things to do. The town, which is 22 kilometres north-west of Dannevirke, is most ...

What’s so great about Ongaonga

Ongaonga there are plenty of things to do. Time protected Ongaonga with the historic village several category I ...

What’s so great about Carterton

Carterton there are plenty of things to do. State Highway two is the main thoroughfare encouraging drivers to whizz ...

What’s so great about Eketahuna

Eketahuna there are plenty of things to do. Eketahuna sweeps into view on the state highway two between Masterton ...

Otago quirky cool collections, oddities, museums places to go

Otago is home to garden boosting over a thousand teapots, a hidden gem of the Otago Museum with a tropical ...

Taranaki quirky cool collections, oddities, museums places to go

Taranaki is home to a collection devoted to single toy manufacturers, agricultural machinery for jobs you didn’t ...

Waikato quirky cool collections, oddities, museums places to go

Discover a fascinating location for a cafe nestled amidst 1950’s memorabilla celebrating the hayday of petrol ...

Northland quirky cool collections, oddities, museums places to go

Discover cool collections from clocks, boat building tools, whaling fleshing knives to beautifully woven Maori ...

NZ, Southland kiwi towns places to go for selfie & scenic lookouts

Discover amazing places to photograph and create your own special portfolio of memories. Beautiful cool climate ...

NZ, Bay of Plenty small kiwi towns places to go for selfie & scenic lookouts

Discover quintessential New Zealand spirit in the small towns of the Bay of Plenty. Find great places for a photo ...

NZ, Taranaki small kiwi towns places to go for selfie & scenic lookouts

Discover quintessential New Zealand spirit in the small towns of Taranaki. Find great places for a photo ...

NZ, Auckland kiwi towns places to go for selfie & scenic lookouts

Discover quintessential New Zealand spirit in the small towns of Auckland. Find great places for a photo ...

NZ, Northland kiwi towns places to go for selfie & scenic lookouts

Discover quintessential New Zealand spirit in the small towns of Northland. Find great places for a photo ...

New Zealand pretty as a picture NZ, 10 South Island small towns

Stunning mountain scenery in Arrowtown, Victorian legacy buildings in Geraldine, picturesque Marlborough Sounds ...

New Zealand pretty as a picture NZ, 10 North Island small towns

Ten pretty as a picture, beautiful small kiwi towns in the North Island, New Zealand worth a detour. Or in the case ...

What’s so great about Picton

Picton there are plenty of things to do. Picton, Cook Strait Ferry port terminal is, too often a pitstop on the way ...

What’s so great about Kaiteriteri

Kaiteriteri there are plenty of things to do. Kaiteriteri is one of the most popular beaches along the coastline. ...

What’s so great about Appleby

Appleby there are plenty of things to do. Appleby is today known for fresh fruit ice creams and Hoglund Art Glass ...

What’s so great about Takaka

Takaka there are plenty of things to do. The service hub of Golden Bay is a holiday destination where time slows ...

What’s so great about Wakefield

Wakefield there are plenty of things to do. Unearth a village close to Nelson (24 km) yet a world away in its quiet ...

What’s so great about Tolaga Bay

Tolaga Bay there are plenty of things to do. Tolaga Bay is the largest village on the East Cape with one of the ...

What’s so great about Te Araroa

Te Araroa there are plenty of things to do. Te Araroa is where contemporary tourist attractions meet heritage New ...

What’s so great about Te Kaha

Te Kaha there are plenty of things to do. A historic village reflecting the values and culture of the East Cape is ...

What’s so great about Hastings

Hastings there are plenty of things to do. Hastings is a must-go destination with its pantry groaning with foodie ...

What’s so great about Inglewood

Inglewood there are plenty of things to do. Inglewood is a quiet surprise with a fascinating glimpse into heritage ...

What’s so great about Oakura

Oakura there are plenty of things to do. One of the world’s biggest surfboards graces the entrance to Vertigo surf ...

What’s so great about Stratford

Stratford there are plenty of things to do. Discover the town with its distinctive Glockenspiel clock and the hub ...

What’s so great about Okato

Okato there are plenty of things to do. Surfing destination with the Kumera Patch, Graveyard and Rockies as calling ...

What’s so great about Opunake

Opunake there are plenty of things to do. Opunake is a classic summer beach destination located on the surf ...

What’s so great about Omokoroa

Omokoroa there are plenty of things to do. Discover a local secret. A quiet safe beach with hot thermal mineral ...

What’s so great about Kawerau

Kawera there are plenty of things to do. Discover a place where outdoor adventure sports is a pastime. Find a town ...

What’s so great about Ohope

Ohope there are plenty of things to do. A long stretch of white sand forms part of Ohope beach. While predominantly ...

What’s so great about Opotiki

Opotiki there are plenty of things to do. Opotiki is a great place to slow down and adopt the pace of the East ...

What’s so great about Matata

Matata there are plenty of things to do. Discover Matata, a town that has to move due to climate change yet retains ...

What’s so great about Amberley

Amberley there are plenty of things to do. Excellent coffee, award winning wine, a craft brewery, windswept beach ...

What’s so great about Dunsandel

Dunsandel there are plenty of things to do. Selwyn District, Dunsandel is well known for its competitive water ...

What’s so great about Glentunnel & Coalgate

Glentunnel there are plenty of things to do. Selwyn District, Glentunnel & Coalgate are part of a thread of small ...

What’s so great about Rangiora

Rangiora there are plenty of things to do. Rangiora is a service town both for the nearby rural countryside and as ...

What’s so great about Methven

Methven there are plenty of things to do. Selwyn District, Methven is an alpine chic village offers year round ...

What’s so great about Hororata attractions

Hororata there are plenty of things to do. Selwyn District, Hororata is a visitor hub for Mt Hutt ski field and mid ...

What’s so great about Darfield

Darfield there are plenty of things to do. Selwyn District, Darfield is a hub for holidays focused on activities in ...

What’s so great about Omarama

Omarama there are plenty of things to do. Omarama’s location is ideal with local attractions from otherworldly ...

What’s so great about Oxford

Oxford there are plenty of things to do. Oxford is a stretched out village tucked into the foothills of the ...

What’s so great about Springfield

Springfield there are plenty of things to do. Today Springfield offers visitors proximity to Porters Pass ski ...

What’s so great about Horeke

Horeke there are plenty of things to do. Unearth the past and wonder where the people went to. The sleepy, very ...

What’s so great about Totara North

Totara North there are plenty of things to do. Explore a no exit and find out what is there. Totara North is a ...

What’s so great about Matakohe

Matakohe there are plenty of things to do. Find out what happened to the majestic kauri, who chopped down the ...

What’s so great about Whale Bay, Northland

Whale Bay there are plenty of things to do. Wholesale slaughter of whales is forever captured in the name of the ...

What’s so great about Katikati

Katikati there are plenty of things to do. Katikati, similar to Whangamata, is a summer beach resort holiday ...

What’s so great about Waihi Beach

Waihi Beach there are plenty of things to do. Waihi Beach is a coastal settlement lying 10km east of Waihi, gateway ...

What’s so great about Athenree

Athenree there are plenty of things to do. Athenree is located in the Tauranga Harbour, on a small promontory. ...

Rotorua Museums & Art Galleries things to do

A buried village, the Rotorua museum and where souvenirs are created.

What’s so great about Rawene

Rawene there are plenty of things to do. Discover where modern New Zealand has left a footprint. Rawene, New ...

What’s so great about Matauri Bay

Matauri Bay there are plenty of things to do. Find a classic summer holiday at Matauri Bay. Tha white sandy ...

5 hidden corners of Kohukohu to explore

Kohukohu there are plenty of things to do. Hidden in plain sight. Visit Kohukohu and observe history’s marks. The ...

What’s so great about Mangonui

Mangonui there are plenty of things to do. Relish the taste of freshly caught fish. It’s fish n chips nivera with a ...

What’s so great about Maungaturoto

Maungaturoto there are plenty of things to do. Unearth hidden corners of the Kaipara Harbour. On your way to the ...

What’s so great about Omapere & Opononi

Omapere & Opononi there are plenty of things to do. Find the extraordinary. Immense folded sand dunes towering ...

What’s so great about Ahipara

Ahipara there are plenty of things to do. Bucket list Cape Reinga is stunning then Ahipara is a natural place to ...

What’s so great about Leigh

Leigh there are plenty of things to do. Leigh is a great base to explore the Matakana district and surrounding ...

What’s so great about Wellsford

Wellsford there are plenty of things to do. The northernmost town in the Auckland province is the gateway to the ...

What’s so great about Omaha beach & Whangateau Harbour

Omaha beach & Whangateau Harbour there are plenty of things to do. White fine quartz sand sifting through your toes ...

What’s so great about Kawau Island

Kawau Island there are plenty of things to do. Visit Kawau Island, discover historic Mansion House or take the ...

What’s so great about Helensville

Helensville there are plenty of things to do. Helensville, a historic town perched on the southern edge of the ...

What’s so great about Kumeu

Kumeu there are plenty of things to do. Urban vibe meets country charm, Kumeu is a great place for a day trip from ...

What’s so great about Milton

Milton there are plenty of things to do. In a small town, located on SH1 the elaborate art deco former post office ...

What’s so great about Lawrence

Lawrence there are plenty of things to do. The centre of the universe for gold mining fever in the mid-nineteenth ...

What’s so great about Tuatapere

Tuatapere there are plenty of things to do. Tuatapere delivers an authentic wilderness experience with a location ...

What’s so great about Kingston

Kingston there are plenty of things to do. Between mountain ranges, tucked into a lakeside setting is the pretty ...

What’s so great about Lumsden

Lumsden there are plenty of things to do. Lumsden is a scenic Victorian town on the Southern Scenic Route and the ...

What’s so great about Athol

Athol there are plenty of things to do. Athol is part of a growing hospitality business that is developing with the ...

What’s so great about Balclutha

Balclutha there are plenty of things to do. The mighty Clutha River is the soul of the district with the well known ...

What’s so great about Riverhead

Riverhead there are plenty of things to do. A historic waterway with a picturesque tavern is a great place to laze ...

What’s so great about Puhoi

Puhoi there are plenty of things to do. A village where the life of the Bohemian refugee (19th century) is ...

What’s so great about Pukekohe

Pukekohe there are plenty of things to do. Pukekohe is not just an enormous vegetable patch rather it’s a microcosm ...

What’s so great about Whataroa

Whataroa there are plenty of things to do. Glorious white heron plumage displays among the timeless swamp Kahikatea ...

What’s so great about Okarito

Okarito there are plenty of things to do. An exquisite lagoon and heritage buildings is a match made in West Coast ...

What’s so great about Blackball

Blackball there are plenty of things to do. The hotel, “Formerly the Blackball Hilton” is famous for its dispute ...

What’s so great about Blackwater

Blackwater there are plenty of things to do. On the way to Waiuta, a well known mining ghost town you will pass the ...

What’s so great about Waiuta

Waiuta there are plenty of things to do. The richest gold field in New Zealand was an almost vertical quartz reef. ...

What’s so great about Ross

Ross there are plenty of things to do. Pretty attractive Ross is an ideal choice for heritage fans with family. ...

What’s so great about Goldsborough

Goldsborough there are plenty of things to do. A town that has disappeared physically with walks and rivers is the ...

What’s so great about Kumara

Kumara there are plenty of things to do. The town of Kumara is a rock star, complete with an enormous Rock to prove ...

What’s so great about Pauanui

Pauanui there are plenty of things to do. Pauanui is a town of two halves. There is the exclusive waterway ...

What’s so great about Hahei

Hahei there are plenty of things to do. White sand, pohutukawa trees framing the beach, a vibrant seaside community ...

What’s so great about Colville

Colville there are plenty of things to do. Colville is a one way road to Port Jackson and the Coromandel Coastal ...

What’s so great about Whangamata

Whangamata there are plenty of things to do. Whangamata is a local secret summer destination for Kiwis. The town's ...

What’s so great about Whangapoua

Whangapoua there are plenty of things to do. Whangapoua and adjacent New Chums Beach (Wainuiototo Bay) have some ...

What’s so great about Kuaotunu

Kuaotunu there are plenty of things to do. A seaside settlement 18km north of Whitianga (approximately 10 minutes ...

What’s so great about Coromandel Town

Coromandel Town there are plenty of things to do. Catch the ferry from downtown Auckland to Coromandel Town for the ...

What’s so great about Tairua

Tairua there are plenty of things to do. An Auckland favourite weekend escape as it is an easy 1 ½ hour drive ...

What’s so great about Waimate

Waimate there are plenty of things to do. Waimate is a short detour off state highway 1 where visitors get to ...

Eltham travel guide

Eltham is one of those small towns where the very visible closure of main street shops could put you off stopping. ...

5 things to do in Wairoa

Wairoa there are plenty of things to do. Wairoa’s main street borders the Wairoa River making it an attractive ...

Rotorua travel guide

Discover a wealth of things to do in Rotorua. The earth’s energy is on full display. Lakes and forests invite you ...

Warkworth – short detour from State Highway one

Warkworth there are plenty of things to do. Warkworth, wrapped around the Mahurangi River is an urban buzz meets ...

What’s so great about Roxburgh

Roxburgh there are plenty of things to do. Roxburgh Dam car park has a short walk to the lower lookout or drive to ...

What’s so great about Blenheim

Blenheim there are plenty of things to do. Blenheim is a gourmet treat tantalizing the senses encouraging visitors ...

What’s so great about Bridge Pa

Bridge Pa there are plenty of things to do. A tiny settlement has been continuously inhabited by Maori. Bridge Pa ...

What’s so great about Burkes Pass

Burkes Pass there are plenty of things to do. Pre-European Maori regularly travelled through the area to the rich ...

What’s so great about Cheviot

Cheviot there are plenty of things to do. Cheviot Museum is an excellent place to fossick around for local history. ...

What’s so great about Collingwood

Collingwood there are plenty of things to do. Collingwood perched at the mouth of the Aorere River is a gem. ...

What’s so great about Dargaville

Dargaville there are plenty of things to do. Want to find out more about the Kauri Coast then Dargaville is an ...

What’s so great about Eltham

Eltham there are plenty of things to do. Eltham is the second largest town in Taranaki, home to Victorian buildings ...

What’s so great about Gore

Gore there are plenty of things to do. Southland is not awash with tour buses. Quiet side roads and plenty of space ...

What’s so great about Havelock North, Hawkes Bay

Havelock North there are plenty of things to do. Havelock North’s past reaches back 800 years with a rich history ...

What’s so great about Hurunui River Mouth

Hurunui Mouth there are plenty of things to do. There are no shops, supermarkets, petrol stations or facilities and ...

What’s so great about Kawhia

Kawhia there are plenty of things to do. Kawhia is a local holiday resort for New Zealanders who regularly travel ...

What’s so great about lake Hawea

Lake Hawea there are plenty of things to do. Flat land around the lake is at the southern end near its outflow to ...

What’s so great about Mahoenui

Mahoenui there are plenty of things to do. Mohoenui is a very small scattered farm community with two interesting ...

What’s so great about Manaia

Manaia there are plenty of things to do. Manaia is home to one of New Zealand’s largest bread factories where the ...

What’s so great about Mangakino

Mangakino there are plenty of things to do. Mangakino is a small town on the banks of the Waikato River in the ...

What’s so great about Marokopa

Marokopa there are plenty of things to do. A place that is known for its beach access. And the wild west coast ...

What’s so great about Mataura

Mataura there are plenty of things to do. Mataura is a town worth the short road trip from Gore, a mere 12km where ...

What’s so great about Middlemarch

Middlemarch there are plenty of things to do. A town where welcomes are guaranteed. Visitors are appreciated for ...

What’s so great about Murchison

Murchison there are plenty of things to do. The route from Nelson to Murchison is scenery on steroids with mountain ...

What’s so great about Naseby

Naseby there are plenty of things to do. A snapshot of gold mining heritage complete with the Royal Hotel serving ...

What’s so great about Ngunguru

Ngunguru there are plenty of things to do. Ngunguru is a blip on the highway disecting the community from the ...

What’s so great about Otorohanga

Otorohanga there are plenty of things to do. A town celebrating kiwiana is an amusing place for kids and all age ...

What’s so great about Owaka

Owaka there are plenty of things to do. The town has a general store, medical centre, a library and visitor ...

What’s so great about Patea

Patea there are plenty of things to do. A classic song sums up the place. A strong community spirit has seen the ...

What’s so great about Piopio

Piopio there are plenty of things to do. Play golf on a course where sheep munch the grass or take the kids on a ...

What’s so great about Pukerangi

Pukerangi there are plenty of things to do. Take the side roads, slow down on the unsealed gravel road and absorb ...

What’s so great about Ranfurly

Ranfurly there are plenty of things to do. A pit stop leads into several hours exploring the byways of Ranfurly ...

What’s so great about Renwick

Renwick there are plenty of things to do. A quiet town where the traffic swirls around the corners of the local ...

What’s so great about Riverton

Riverton there are plenty of things to do. Riverton is a perfect mix of culture, history, and adventure. From ...

What’s so great about St Bathans

St Bathans there are plenty of things to do. Gold mining, the ghost towns, the settlements where once thousands ...

What’s so great about Te Waitere

Te Waitere there are plenty of things to do. Te Waitere should be part of a road trip exploring the King Country. ...

What’s so great about Tuapeka

Tuapeka there are plenty of things to do. Punt across the river on the free ferry View the Tuapeka Mouth ...

What’s so great about Tutukaka

Tutukaka there are plenty of things to do. Tutukaka’s badge of honour is an enormous dive bottle marking the ...

What’s so great about Upper Moutere

Upper Moutere there are plenty of things to do. What to take the slow lane to Golden Bay beaches and Farewell Spit. ...

What’s so great about Waipu

Waipu there are plenty of things to do. The nineteenth century witnessed new immigrants, with an austere protestant ...

What’s so great about Ophir

Ophir there are plenty of things to do. Ophir, Maniototo district Central Otago is a detour where the 19th century ...

What’s so great about Clyde

Clyde there are plenty of things to do. Explore the historic buildings, precinct and two museums. Linger in the ...

What’s so great about Waipukurau and Waipawa

Waipukurau and Waipawa there are plenty of things to do. Only 6km apart linked by a ribbon of State Highway two. ...

What’s so great about Weka Pass

Weka Pass there are plenty of things to do. Evocative names such as Frog Rock make you want to check out the place. ...

What’s so great about Winton

Winton there are plenty of things to do. The Winton Heritage Trail is a 14 stop heritage walk through the town, ...