Outdoors, what to do Archives

Baldwin street, steepest street in the world

Puff, huff and stagger up Baldwin St, Dunedin, the steepest street in the world. The ground rises a metre for every ...

Surf in cold water Bali, Dunedin where the waves reign

Tumultuous Southern Ocean roars its way into Dunedin’s surfing culture with swells from the south west to the north ...

Otago Peninsula top 11 things to do

Explore, experience and enjoy Otago Peninsula attractions. Relish the chance to get up front and personal with the ...

Dunedin gardens and parks attractions & things to do

Dunedin is a treasure for garden lovers, Dunedin Botanic Garden, Larnach Castle & Olveston Victorian & Edwardian ...

Lady Thorn Rhododendron Garden

Discover a quiet treat overlooking the busy Port Chalmers harbour. A converted quarry is now an outstanding garden ...

Lan Yuan Garden

Dunedin is home to a classic Chinese scholars garden, Lan Yuan. A fascinating glimpse into Asian garden fung shui ...

Tannock Glen Garden

Dunedin offers rhododendrons ideal growing conditions creating one of New Zealand’s glorious spring displays of ...

Glenfalloch Garden and Restaurant

Otago Peninsula Glenfalloch woodland garden is a beautiful example of how the harbour’s panoramic views have been ...

Dunedin attractions, things to do for free

The Best Bits are always free and Dunedin does not disappoint with walks, museums, galleries and gorgeous gardens ...

Top 11 things to do in Dunedin & Otago Peninsula

Rejoice art and heritage buffs. Dunedin is home to an authentic castle complete with ghostly tales. Elaborate stone ...

Rarawa Beach attractions and things to do nearby

Idyllic remote camping in the sub-tropical climate of Northland, New Zealand is on the bucket list then Rarawa ...

Ninety Mile Beach things to do and places to visit

Explore the wide open spaces of Ninety Mile beach, a legal highway only open for traffic at low tide. How to get ...

Cape Reinga, Te Paki Sand Dunes

Cape Reinga is a rite of passage for many visitors. The remote location adds to the bucket list appeal. Cape Reinga ...

Parengarenga Harbour, Kokotu spit attractions and how to get there

The extraordinary beauty of gleaming white slicia Kokota Sand Spit and the crystal blue water of Parengarenga ...

Hobbiton attraction, things to do and what to see

Hobbiton is one of New Zealand’s premier attractions. The Hobbiton movie set and film location for Lord of the ...

Whanganui Kai Iwi and Castlecliff beaches things to do

Whanganui River Mosquito Point swimming spot, Kai Iwi Beach and Castlepoint beach both with well regarded holiday ...

Whanganui parks, gardens and reserves attractions and things to do

Whanganui showstopper is the Whanganui National Park with town parks and reserves creating an outdoor bonazza for ...

Whanganui River, how to kayak, hike (tramp) the Whanganui River

Whanganui River, how to kayak, hike (tramp) the Whanganui River. Best options for a beginner to experienced ...

Whanganui Bridge to Nowhere things to do

Discover the legacy of a BRIDGE TO NOWHERE, leading to abandoned farms … a concrete arch leading to regenerating ...

What to do in 11 Wellington neighbourhoods

Notable neighbourhoods, local places to hang out and check in on the action Wellington has an awesome diversity of ...

Punt the Avon River, kayak Lyttelton Harbour or splash around the Groynes

Christchurch water sports take the slow lane. Not a jet ski or jet boat in sight, rather it’s elegant Edwardian ...

Coromandel Driving Creek attractions, things to do

Sheer magic where the timeless imagination of Harry Brickell has left a lasting legacy of joy, fun, adventure with ...

Coromandel Peninsula 12 things to do for free

Holidays are about creating memories and laughing together. The Coromandel offers plenty of attractions and places ...

Diving instructors, where to dive and who to dive with in New Zealand

Dive Zone Coromandel premier dive instructors with a passion for the marine world Get wet, grab the adventure. ...

Top attractions, 11 best things to do on the West Coast

Remote, off the beaten track from New Zealand’s well known visitor destinations the West Coast offers adventure, a ...

West Coast National Parks & Scenic Reserves best things to do

NZ West Coast National Park offers visitors a diverse range of things to do from exploring fascinating natural rock ...

West coast wilderness trail top sights

West Coast Wilderness Trail is a leisurely exploration of 19th century gold prospector’s mining trails. The wide ...

West Coast, walks and hikes places to go and things to do

Leisurely dawdle on a flat boardwalk at Okarito Lagoon or embark on a multi-day tramp of the Heaphy. There is a ...

Kawatiri Coastal trail – Westport top pick

NZ Westport top pick attraction Kawatiri Coastal trail shared track for cyclists and hikers. The Kawatiri Coastal ...

Cape Foulwind, Tauranga Bay – Westport top pick short walks

West Coast NZ unforgettable short walk for all fitness levels, seals, expansive views of wild west coast beach and ...

Paparoa Track and Pike29 Memorial Track – a New Zealand Great Walk

Multiple day tramp Paparoa Track crosses the Paparoa Range. It takes you through alpine tops, limestone karst ...

Ship Creek, West Coast

The place to go to view dunes where the harsh coastal climate; constant wind has impacted the landscape. The path ...

Waterfalls Haast Pass & Mount Aspiring National Park walks

Rainfall, mountains and runoff create a series of waterfalls on the must-go destinations for waterfall buffs and ...

Top 10 walks, Buller District: where to go

Visit unforgettable places … Unwind in hidden corners of the West Coast, Buller district. Find walks exploring ...

Top 10 hidden walks West Coast, Punakaiki, Greymouth and Lake Brunner

West Coast, South Island is a premier walking destination. The West Coast is packed with interesting places to go. ...

The Charming Creek North Walkway West Coast

West Coast, NZ Charming Creek walkway a great short walk, suspension bridges, rustic mining relics, dense lush ...

Top picks for families & friends in Hokitika

Find places to go from the strikingly beautiful Hokitika Gorge to quietly glorious lakes where swimming, boating ...

Waikato River Trail, attractions, things to do and places to visit

Discover the mighty Waikato; New Zealand’s longest river flowing 425 km to the sea from Lake Taupo. Historically a ...

Top 11 favourite Waikato short walks

Discover the mighty Waikato River where suspension bridges, hydro dams and scenic landscapes invite visitors ...

Hamilton great short city walks in the Waikato

Discover a flat easily navigable city, Hamilton with walks along the mighty Waikato River creating an imposing ...

Waikato Te Awa shared pathway trail attractions, things to do

Discover Te Awa shared cycle walking trail along the scenic Waikato River. Easily accessible with a firm flat ...

New Zealand Auckland beaches places to visit and where to go

Mission Bay with award winning restaurants a slow sandy stroll from the promenade Auckland North Shore’s Takapuna ...

Waitomo Caves, beyond the tourist circuit, what to see and best things to do

New Zealand tourist circuits invariably include Waitomo. Black water rafting or a boat trip on the underwater river ...

Waitomo Caves highlights what to see and do

Adrenaline fuelled underwater adventure or a leisurely cruise on an underground river Waitomo offers choices on how ...

Auckland surf & snorkel where to go

Discover Auckland, city of sails, surrounded by water. Surfing, snorkeling and swimming are great year round ...

Auckland Road Trips

Imagine a city (Auckland) with three wine / vineyard districts nearby, Kumeu, Waiheke Island & the Matakana Coast. ...

Auckland best activities for animal lovers

Find Auckland’s wild side. Uncover where the animals live in Auckland from farm animals everyone can pet to ...

Auckland 5 picnic spots: the estuary & beach

Picnic at the beach within sight of Auckland's Skytower, the Hauraki Gulf, Waitemata Harbour and estuaries. Nearby ...

Port Underwood, an itinerary between Blenheim to Picton

Discover Heritage trail ghosts and summer hot spots, beaches and walks. The winding Port Underwood road offers ...

Best 10 short walks in Marlborough

Brilliant scenery and a temperate climate is an ideal combination for holiday outdoors exploring wild Marlborough ...

Top 10 things to do in Marlborough

Uncover your summer holiday Downunder in Marlborough, New Zealand. The top of the South Island is sunshine, ...

Picnic & swim top spots in Marlborough, South Island

Brilliant sunny weather is the perfect recipe for a picnic. Marlborough offers a beautiful Edwardian-inspired ...

Pelorus River scenic reserve things to do

Discover enchantment. A pocket sized reserve of original river flat podocarp forest harking back to a period before ...

Wildlife & conservation in Marlborough, NZ

Wildlife encounters, places to go, attractions and things to do in Marlborough from endangered kiwi and native ...

Queen Charlotte track, top 10 things to do

Discover an underrated walk. QUEEN CHARLOTTE TRACK is part of the Marlborough Sounds. It’s beautiful and where the ...

Marlborough gardens and parks places to go

Discover Marlborough’s garden delights. Places to go range from sprawling rural gardens to urban gems. ...

Top 12 family friendly attractions, things to do in Picton

Picton is a glorious composition of active adventures in Picton. Grab a chance to kayak or walk the glorious Queen ...

Top 10 short walks in the vicinity of Abel Tasman National Park

The Great Walk, Abel Tasman coast walk is unmissable. The beauty of the walk is found elsewhere within and outside ...

Nelson city popular walks, waterfalls and places to go

Explore on foot or cycle the contrasting natural landscape of Nelson Tasman region. From multiple day treks to ...

Nelson top 5 beaches and beyond in Abel Tasman

Finding a beach in Nelson is ridiculously easy. You can hardly move from the regional airport and one of New ...

Beaches Hawke’s Bay places to go

A top surfing beach, Mahia is a contrast to the calm paddling water at Ahuriri estuary. Discover a place to surf ...

Walks – Central Hawke’s Bay – places to go

Maraetotara waterfalls, Tuki Tuki shared walking, Otatara Pa heritage pa (village) Blowhard Bush Reserve is a ...

Walks – North Hawke’s Bay – places to go

Discover walks with plenty of room to stretch your arms wide as you embrace wide open spaces. Places to go include ...

Gardens and Parks in the Hawke’s Bay

Like no other, a ridiculously perfect growing climate, fertile soils, Hawke's Bay is the place for beautiful ...

Lake Taupo short family friendly, dog friendly walks

Dog friendly, short easy strolls suitable for all fitness levels ticks the boxes for kids and mature walkers. Lake ...

Bay of Plenty Beaches, places to go

Unearth a new favourite, go diving, surfing, windsurfing or cruise the bay. From safe swimming beaches to driftwood ...

Mount Maunganui, activities, events, attractions

Mount Maunganui is a resort town focused on the beach, the promenade with its shops and nearby summit for its ...

Bay of Plenty Top 5 beaches

Award winning Mt Maunganui Main Beach with its well earned celebrity status, Waihi Beach festival vibe and summer ...

Christchurch 14 top picnic spots

Rediscover the impromptu feel of a picnic. The sense of adventure, getting away from it all is the stuff of ...

Christchurch things to do for free

Discover the sheer diversity of things to do for free from enormous lego pieces in the Imagination Station of the ...

Best 10 short walks in the Bay of Plenty

Discover McLaren waterfalls, coastal Bay of Plenty beaches, estuaries and heritage Maori Pa sites on a short easy ...

Whirinaki Te Pua-A-Tane conservation park guide

Aotearora New Zealand is home to a prehistoric rainforest. Ancient forest giants tower up to 200 metres. The ...

Kauri Coast beaches things to do & see

Fascinating dangerous currents and shifting sand bars continuously moving with the surging ocean and high tides ...

Wellington military history trail

Abandoned military bunkers, forts, memorials and museums tell the story of Aotearoa New Zealand at war and peace. ...

Wellington walks, attractions, things to see and do

Explore Wellington city centre on foot finding a writer's walk, the interesting waterfront with its buzz of people, ...

Rotorua 10 free & cheap things to do

Discover Rotorua without breaking the bank. Geothermal activity at Kuirau park, magnificent redwoods to picnic ...

Taupo things to do for free

Uncover holiday experiences where cost is not part of the experience. The best bits in life are free with Taupo ...

Rotorua walking trails

Rotorua has a number of walking trails and shared cycle trails for visitors to get outdoors and experience nature. ...

Cycle your way through history and vineyards

For families where there are various degrees of fitness levels the Arrow River Bridges excursion is relaxing with ...

Inland Otago road trip guide where to go and what to see

Discover who turned up and named places and the legacy left behind. There are railway bridges, lonely cemeteries ...

Mangawhai & Mangawhai Heads Walks

Find coastal walks where sweeping panoramic views creates a special place to stretch the legs and go walking. For ...

Pacific Coast Highway where to go and what to see

Uncover contrast between quiet rural settlements and the bustle of Napier. Travel the east coast of the North ...

What to do at the beach: driftwood mansions & art

What to do at the beach with kids and people who have ants in their pants. Sandcastles are for little kids with ...

What to do at the beach: Sandcastle building tips

The kids need amusing, that annoying brother / cousin is itching to do something. Beach sports is always a goodie ...

Auckland day trip to Motuihe Island

Auckland skyline and Hauraki Gulf are the backdrop to safe sandy beaches and interesting walks through regenerating ...

Great West Coast road trip, route 6

Route 66, USA eat your heart out, here’s a route with attitude. State Highway 6, rugged, hidden corners and a ...

Mahurangi Regional Park

A regional park that spans both sides of the Mahurangi Harbour creating Mahurangi East and Mahurangi West. The park ...

Tawharanui Regional Park

Tawharanui Regional Park is white sandy beaches overlooking the Hauraki Gulf. Farmland pastoral scenery, shingle ...

Auckland, get yourself on the water

Auckland adventures have a water playground in the backyard. Things to do include kayaking and exploring Hauraki ...

Autumn in Auckland, 9 inspiring places

Relish nature’s announcement of a weather change. The inperceptable bronze colour tinted leaves is sub-tropical ...

Amazing Auckland, Puhoi, Warkworth, Matakana and beyond, beaches and parks

North is where Auckland locals go for the summer. There are several glorious regional parks as well as sheltered ...

Shakespear Regional Park

Shakespear Regional Park is an invitation to enjoy a summer rite of passage, collapse on a beach under an umbrella. ...

Greymouth, an inland day trip to Kumara, Lake Brunner, Moana township and Jacks Mill

The town of Kumara is a rock star, complete with an enormous Rock to prove the point. Kumara’s location is ideal ...

Glacier Country, West Coast’s Gillespies Beach

There are interpretation panels and historic photographs of the period when the area was bustling with miners ...

Take a trip to the ice age, unmissable things to do in Glacier Country

Melting glaciers, disappearing rapidly. Visit now. The ice is melting, the story of the retreat of glaciers makes ...

8 Unmissable Walks In Glacier Country

There are over 30 walking tracks from short scenic tracks to multiple day backcountry tramps. From glacier faces, ...

Lake Brunner what to see and do

Discover a local secret, Lake Brunner. Deep inky waters are home to wild brown trout. The largest lake on the West ...

Denniston Plateau, Westport what to see and do

Denniston is an extraordinary evocative landscape that is unforgettable for its messaging about the role of coal ...

Top 10 waterfall short walks North Island

Waterfalls and dazzling displays of light filled spray. Nature’s show and tell performance is never boring for kids ...

Spring flowers, blooms eleven places, where to go and what to see

Transient spring blossom flits into view as a burst of pink tinted colour. It’s infectious happy moments as the ...

Best places to go wharf jumping in New Zealand

It's a quintessential Kiwi thing. Water bombing with the loudest splash possible. Kids plank deliberately in the ...

Seven top favourite hot mineral pools to visit in the North Island

From a touch of luxury to a wilderness natural spa to beach tidal pools New Zealand has an abundance of natural hot ...

Charleston, Paparoa National Park, Punakaiki Pancake Rocks

Charleston is a former gold mining town, now a hub for adventure tourism. The town sprung into existence after the ...

2 heritage sites and a lake where water is optional to visit from nearby Kerikeri

Staying in Mangonui or Kerikeri and want to explore nearby? Here are two day trip ideas for your holiday with ...

Whangarei 6 family friendly walks

Whangarei offers visitors a variety of walks from the well known Hatea River walk past tempting cafes, a stunning ...

Coromandel Peninsula where to go camping

Coromandel Peninsula is the quintessential summer beach destination offering plenty of choices of what to do and ...

Pinnacles walk

The Pinnacles, a must go destination for adventure seekers, trampers who enjoy the challenge following the ...

Coromandel what to do with kids and families and the young at heart

The Coromandel is a kid’s idea of a holiday. Rather than a carousel of themed entertainment the Coromandel offers a ...

A guide to 16 Coromandel Beaches, hidden gems, location and what to see

Fish n chips on the beach, picnics, reading a book, water sports or exploring nearby tracks Coromandel Peninsula is ...

14 Best Coromandel Beaches: Find Your Perfect Shoreline

Getting around and what to do nearby. Coromandel and beaches are synonyms for each other. Here is a list of ...

Daffodils, spring flowers where to go

In a picturesque small country village is a place where spring is warmly welcome. Nodding daffodils herald the end ...

Larnach Castle gardens

Description: Check out day trips around Otago Peninsula. Larnach Castle gardens are magnificent, especially the ...

Dunedin Botanic Garden

Dunedin Botanic Garden is New Zealand's first botanic garden and holds the status of six star Garden of ...

Olveston House

Explore a Dunedin heritage merchants home. “Opened as a historic house museum in 1967, Olveston is a time capsule ...

10 ideas for a slow trip through Cromwell

Cromwell’s historic district at the junction of the Kawarau and Clutha Rivers was swallowed by the lake in the late ...

Riverton, Southland 9 holiday ideas for families

Just past Invercargill you could be excused for simply zipping past another small town on your way to the big ...

11 family walks & birding hot spots of The Catlins

The Catlins is a superb location to introduce kids and urbanites to the wild. Wildlife, galore with plenty of ...

8 great reasons to visit Nelson

Superb weather, outstanding scenery, active adventures or lolling on the beach or meandering the art scene Nelson ...

10 family walks to explore near Milton: best things to do

Milton is a town with a passionate local community which boasts some great independent shops ranging from a butcher ...

10 outdoor things to do in New Plymouth

Taranaki has spectacular outdoor places to go from a short fantasy walk in Mount Egmont National Park to a stunning ...

10 reasons to visit Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park & Karangahake Gorge

An area quietly slumbering in the valleys of the Coromandel. It is all too easy to keep on driving through the ...

Matiu/Somes island, day trip from Wellington — what to do

An inviting picturesque island bang smack in the middle of the harbour invites the question, what happened there? A ...

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 ...

Abel Tasman Travel Guide

Abel Tasman is New Zealand’s pocket handkerchief park. A treasure with global appeal due to glittering gold sandy ...

10 Taranaki Gardens and Parks worth a detour

The ten gardens are both privately owned and public spaces for visitors to enjoy. Perhaps the private garden you ...

10 short easy Coromandel walks

Explore historic logging trails where kauri was extensively milled and gold mining relics. You have opportunities ...

Auckland 10 family & friends things to do

Unearth interesting facts in an Auckland cemetery walks, viewing two massive oceans in a morning, exploring a ...

10 holiday ideas for families in Akaroa

Holidays with kids Akaroa is an ideal holiday destination for local and overseas visitors due to the mix of ...

10 great short walks for families in the Wairarapa

Bustle of a capital city is replaced by quiet spaces, hills, valleys, wetlands and river flats where the occasional ...

6 Taupo family friendly outdoors places to visit, nature explored

Let’s get the kids outdoors and meet the wildlife. Taupo offers several options for families with native bush walks ...

6 stunning places, autumn glory in the South Island

Discover New Zealand’s burst of autumn colour. The best places for glorious seasonal change are the Hawkes Bay, ...

7 outdoor inspirations Hurunui

Unearth North Canterbury Hurunui charms. While Hanmer is the star of the district this isjust part of the story of ...

Auckland 3 must-go short walks & hikes

Cornwall Park has wide open spaces galore for families and individuals to relax, refresh and revive in Cornwall ...

White water rafting NZ 6 top spots: thrills, holiday fun

White water rafting, kayaking, canyoning, jet boating or natural rock water slides take your pick. Your family ...

Raglan day trips to Kawhia and Aotea Harbours inland route

For visitors wanting to explore the area find beaches framed with orange tinted reefs, beaches with natural hot ...

Poor Knights Islands

The best spot for diving is … advocates debate where to go and what divers will encounter. The Poor Knights Islands ...

Best 10 short walks in Nelson

Walks from very easy short strolls to medium walks that are in remote locations. You can stand in an area of ...

9 favourite public parks and gardens to visit in Christchurch

Gardens continue to stir the imagination and contribute to a sense of peace. For families gardens with play areas ...

9 family excursions & short easy walks

Exploring the outdoors is a core part of the holiday experience with New Plymouth / Taranaki offering a range of ...

Muriwai Gannet Colony attractions, things to do

Observe ocean gannets as they soar above their Muriwai beach nesting site. Discover one of Auckland’s best day ...

Best short walks & picnic locations, Lake Hawea

Wanaka and Hawea are natural crossroads in the journey to the West Coast. The rivers offer bountiful fly fishing ...

4 special places to visit in the Aongatete Forest, Kaimi Ranges Conservation Park

Volunteers the backbone of conservation, the passionate individual who gives time freely. This article is ...

5 great free walks in and around the Hokianga Harbour

Walks are a way to immerse yourself in the landscape and slow down the senses. You have a chance to observe small ...

10 gardens to visit in Auckland, things to do

Slowly explore lush subtropical gardens, create year round flora magic and seasonal treats from leaf fall to spring ...

8 fabulous gardens and parks in Southland

Cool climate with a brisk winter deepening the sparkle to spring blooms. Autumn is glorious with the leaf colour of ...

Dunedin day trip to Middlemarch

Scenery that inspires international acclaimed artists Extraordinary places where the bustle of the gold mining era ...

Westport to Karamea & Kahurangi National Park what to see

Long empty beaches River estuaries rich in bird life Incredible granite and limestone formations of the Oparara ...

Great Alpine Highway 73, day trip to Arthurs Pass

The Great Alpine Highway is a day spent exploring natural landscapes from impressive karst rock formations to ...

Napier cycling wine trail day trip

For the energetic cyclists there is an opportunity to cycle from Havelock North—Clive, 47km, flat route 2–4 hours. ...

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 ...

Day trip Dunedin cycling from Port Chalmers to Aramoana spit

Port to Port ferry (Portobella wharf – Port Chalmers) 11 km bike ride in conjunction with Dunedin’s Bike rental in ...

Auckland day trip

Sunshine, beaches with space to spare, native scenery hugging the coastal road. A classic day at the beach complete ...

Whanganui River Road in a day

The road is approximately 79 km in length and is carved from the cliffs surrounding the river. It is the only ...

Wellington Wildlife: 5 favourite places

An inviting picturesque island bang smack in the middle of the harbour is predator free and today the island has ...

Zealandia, a city sanctuary hidden in plain sight

This article is a heartfelt ode to one of the world’s great sanctuaries and it is in Wellington.