You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to spots to stop on the drive between Dunedin and Oamaru. So many beaches, viewpoints and short walks! Kātiki Point Lighthouse is a great option — it’s a short distance from the main road, it doesn’t take long to visit and there are several interesting things to see. Kātiki Point Lighthouse Pulling up to the car park you’ll first notice the awesome view over the coastline south of Kātiki Point. From there it’s a short walk to the lighthouse and then a little further to where the wildlife hangs out. The lighthouse dates back well over 100 years and is inte ..read more

The main road north of Dunedin bypasses Kakanui, but those willing to take the (very short) detour are greeted by a cute seaside village with some great beaches. Here are the best things to do in Kakanui, including beach hangouts, shell hunting and more! Campbell’s Bay / All Day Bay Campbell’s Bay is the place to go if you’re looking for some surf and sand in Kakanui. It’s a popular weekend beach spot for people living in Oamaru and Dunedin, attracting a lot of families because of the surfing and swimming conditions (and the world-class beach!). You’ll get some great views from the cliffs nea ..read more

Sitting just close enough to Nelson to be a viable day trip destination, Golden Bay is full of natural wonders, great beaches and some surprisingly good food. In this Golden Bay itinerary I’ll show you some of the things you can see on a day trip as well as tips for spending a few days in the region (hint — stay a night or two if you can!). Golden Bay Itinerary: Day Trip It takes around two hours to drive from Nelson to Tākaka, the main town in Golden Bay. There’s heaps to explore near Tākaka, including Rawhiti Cave, Tata Beach, The Grove and Te Waikoropupū Springs. The drive from Nelson takes ..read more

John Wilson Ocean Drive, sitting above St Kilda beach in Dunedin, is one of the most scenic city roads in New Zealand. It’s perfect for a stroll or for somewhere to park up and eat your takeaways. I’ll tell you everything you need to know about John Wilson Drive! Where Is It? John Wilson Ocean Drive (just John Wilson Drive to locals, which is what I’ll refer to it as in the rest of this post) is in the suburb of St Kilda, Dunedin. It’s 5 km from the Octagon (city centre) and only 3 km from St Clair Beach. Combine John Wilson Drive and St Clair / St Kilda Beach for an awesome beach day in Duned ..read more

Golden Bay is a small region at the top of the South Island famous for its unspoilt beaches and quiet pace of life. There are heaps of fun things to do in Golden Bay, including trips to Abel Tasman National Park, the scenic drive to Anatori and a place where you’ll see some of the clearest water in New Zealand. Tākaka and nearby Tākaka is the biggest town in Golden Bay and you’ll most likely pass through it a couple of times. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Golden Bay it’s your best bet, although Collingwood is nice too. Tākaka Hill The steep, winding road over Tākaka Hill separates ..read more

The bottom-tip of an island as eye-catching as the South Island is bound to be full of views you’d pay good money to see. Luckily, you don’t often have to, with dozens of free trails and roadside viewpoints to choose from. You can go from watching penguins, dolphins and sea lions at Curio Bay to Milford Sound in five hours, but if you’re keen to go a little slower I’ll show you everything you need to know. Southland Travel Guide This Southland travel guide will give you an insight into the towns and regions of Southland as well as plenty of tips on how to make the most of your trip. If you’re ..read more

The main road along the South Island’s West Coast takes in a huge variety of landscapes on its run between Jackson Bay and the Kohaihai River. This 550 km stretch features glaciers, mountains, reflective lakes, ancient rainforests, coastal rock formations and plenty of long, lonely stretches of beach. Weaving it all together is a bunch of tourist towns where you’ll find history, good food and a bed for the night. West Coast Travel Guide This West Coast travel guide will attempt to condense our knowledge of the West Coast into one easy to read blog post — we’ve written about a lot of the places ..read more

The main road along the South Island’s West Coast takes in a huge variety of landscapes on its run between Jackson Bay and the Kohaihai River. This 550 km stretch features glaciers, mountains, reflective lakes, ancient rainforests, coastal rock formations and plenty of long, lonely stretches of beach. Weaving it all together is a bunch of tourist towns where you’ll find history, good food and a bed for the night. West Coast Travel Guide This West Coast travel guide will attempt to condense our knowledge of the West Coast into one easy to read blog post — we’ve written about a lot of the places ..read more

With rivers, lakes, fiords, sounds and straights to explore it’s no wonder some of the South Island’s most iconic tours involve boat trips. Keen to leave dry land behind for a while? Keep reading our list of the top 12 boat trips in the South Island. Māpua Ferry The Māpua Ferry is one of the shortest boat trips on this list, plying the route between Māpua and Rabbit Island. It’s a fun day trip from Nelson — hang out in Māpua and eat some nice food then catch the ferry to Rabbit Island for some beach time. Punting on the Avon A relaxing boat ride down the Avon River is a unique South Island ex ..read more

The Southern Alps meet the sea in Kaikoura, a small tourist town in the far north of Canterbury. There are some excellent beaches in Kaikoura, including the main beach in town which is towered over by mountains. Kaikoura Beach Kaikoura Beach is a stone’s throw from town — and it’s a very stony beach! It’s not the most pleasant place to walk, especially on a scorching day, but the views more than make up for it! There’s a boardwalk along some of Kaikoura Beach and if you want to see it from above, where the mountains really come into focus, head up to the Kaikoura Lookout. READ MORE: Top 12 Be ..read more