The West Coast
A visit to Sunset Point is a quintessential Hokitika experience: watch the day's light fade away, observe whitebaiters casting nets, munch fish and chips,…
Must-see attractions in South Island
Blenheim
The most famous, most upmarket and most expensive tasting experience; private tastings and tours are also offered. Jack's Raw Bar shucks and serves…
Dunedin & Otago
Opened in 1876, these beautiful gardens are among the oldest in New Zealand, and are a lovely place to stroll and relax, with expansive lawns, waterways,…
Greymouth
A wide community of West Coast artists is represented in this former bank, which displays contemporary NZ prints, paintings, photographs, jewellery and…
Nelson Region
Just below the summit of Takaka Hill are the Ngarua Caves, a rock-solid attraction, where you can see myriad subterranean delights including moa bones…
Kaikoura
At the northern entrance to the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway, overlooking the Point Kean Seal Colony.
Blenheim
Prepare to be blown away by the Pioneer Block and Reserve range sauvignon blanc and pinot noir at Marlborough's most awarded winery. There's a good…
Fiordland & Southland
It's worth stopping at McCracken's Rest, a lovely lookout point with views of wind-lashed Te Waewae Bay (and, if you're lucky, Hector's dolphins and…
Fiordland & Southland
If you can find a parking space, pause at Pop's View for a bird's-eye view over the forest-cloaked Hollyford Valley. It's 87km north of Te Anau along the…
Nelson Region
Situated at the SH60 Moturoa/Rabbit Island turn-off, Seifried is one of the region’s biggest wineries. Try its chardonnay and delicious Sweet Agnes…
Abel Tasman National Park
A short detour off the Abel Tasman Coast Track between Torrent Bay and Anchorage is Cleopatra's Pool, a beautiful natural rock pool and moss-lined slide.
Blenheim
Consistent, quality wines including exceptional riesling and stellar dessert wines. Check out the '90s song lyrics on the pavers of the cloister.
Blenheim
French winemaking meets Marlborough terroir with très bon results. The cellar door is housed in a beautifully restored wooden church.
Abel Tasman National Park
Beautiful views across Waiharakeke Bay to Awaroa Head, and the long, golden beach of Totaranui can be enjoyed at the Skinner Point lookout.
Abel Tasman National Park
The lookout at Separation Point, at the northern end of Abel Tasman National Park, has panoramic views of Golden Bay and the Tasman Sea.
Nelson Region
Pop in for tastings and fill a flagon to go at this teeny-weeny but terrific craft brewery. Pick of the ales is the Red IPA.
Blenheim
Stylish, edgy architecture features at this espionage-themed winery with drops in the top echelons. Memorable merchandise.
Blenheim
Opposite the Aviation Heritage Centre is this collection of more than 100 restored cars dating from the 1950s to the '80s.
Blenheim
Carbon-neutral family estate with some of Marlborough’s oldest vines. Relaxing gardens and a classy cellar door.
Blenheim
Sustainable, small-scale family winemaking and a personable cellar-door experience. Delectable dry-style gewürztraminer.
Abel Tasman National Park
Just south of the Falls River swing bridge there's a worthwhile detour to the North Head lookout across the Tasman Sea.
Marlborough Region
The lookout on the Tirohanga Track has beautiful, wide-ranging views of Picton and Queen Charlotte.
Blenheim
Doctor-owners produce and prescribe a range of fine vinous medicines, including some mood-altering riesling.
Abel Tasman National Park
Just south of Bark Bay is one of the Abel Tasman's scenic highlights: the lookout at South Head.
Christchurch & Canterbury
At 27km long and up to 4km wide, the Tasman is the largest of NZ's glaciers, but it's melting fast, losing hundreds of metres of length each year. It is…
Christchurch
Christchurch's city square stands at the heart of the rebuilding efforts, with the remains of ChristChurch Cathedral emblematic of what has been lost. The…
International Antarctic Centre
Christchurch
As one of only five 'gateway cities' to Antarctica, Christchurch has played a special role in Antarctic exploration since expeditionary ships to the icy…
Fiordland & Southland
Hardware shops aren't usually a must-see, but this one holds a piece of motoring history. In among the aisles of bolts, barbecues and brooms in this…
Mavora Lakes Conservation Park
Te Anau
Within the Snowdon State Forest, this conservation park's huge golden meadows sit alongside two lakes – North and South Mavora – fringed by forest and…
Fiordland & Southland
Posing for a photo beside the Stirling Point signpost is a quintessential Bluff experience. Distances to Wellington, London and New York are indicated by…
Christchurch & Canterbury
Just off the highway, this mountainous area becomes a mecca for ski bunnies from June to October, with several fields in its midst, including Broken River…
Central Otago
Gold was discovered in Bendigo in 1862; relics from the rush can be seen at this historic reserve, accessible off SH8, near the north of Lake Dunstan…
Dunedin & Otago
About as ‘hidden gem’ as you can get in an area rife with nosy tourists, these eerie and kinda creepy pinnacles, ravines and ridges have been shaped by…
Dunedin
Speight’s has been churning out beer on this site since the late 19th century and is the oldest operating brewery in NZ. The 60-minute tour gives an…
Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Christchurch & Canterbury
This multimedia museum opened just three weeks before the 2008 death of the man regarded by many as the greatest New Zealander of all time, explorer and…
Queenstown & Wanaka
Apart from its impressive Star of David–shaped rose window, this 1874 stone Gothic Revival church, built from local schist rock, wouldn't be worth noting…
The West Coast
Blackball's major talking point is this century-old pub, once known as the Dominion. When it was renamed in the 1990s, a certain global hotel chain got…
Milford Underwater Observatory
Milford Sound
Run by Southern Discoveries, this small observatory is NZ's only floating underwater observatory, with displays on the unique natural environment of the…
