Buller Region
Looking like a ZZ Top tribute band, the straight-talkin', bearded fellas at this recreated high-street mining hut rollick your socks off with tales tall…
Must-see attractions in South Island
Kurow Heritage & Information Centre
Dunedin & Otago
Local hero Richie McCaw rates a mention at this very sweet community-run museum, filled with lovingly preserved curios. Staff are knowledgeable and…
Fiordland & Southland
Spanning the Waiau River about 12km north of Tuatapere, this suspension bridge, completed in 1899, is the longest of its kind in NZ. Its 15m-high concrete…
Murchison Museum & Information Service
Buller Region
This small volunteer-run museum showcases all sorts of local memorabilia (coins, minerals, telephones, sewing machines, toasters etc), the most…
Fiordland & Southland
Ten kilometres southwest of city centre Invercargill, this 26km sandy beach invites brisk walks and bike rides. Southland racing legend Burt Munro once…
Marlborough Region
There's something quite appealing about this style of regional museum: it cheerfully leaps between displays on the local hospital and jail, Māori family…
The West Coast
Admire expansive views of boulder-studded sea from this roadside lookout. A granite column commemorates the opening of this section of coastal highway in…
Nelson
McCashin’s was a forerunner of the craft brewing craze in NZ, which started way back in the 1980s. Visit the historic Rochdale Cider building in Stoke …
The West Coast
Admire the gallery space of Czech-born local Petr Hlavacek, regarded by many as one of NZ's finest landscape photographers, and buy a print if you're…
The West Coast
The community-run Goldfields Heritage Centre harks back to Ross's shiny years, with displays and dioramas on gold mining, a scale model of the town, and…
Fiordland & Southland
For those who appreciate stomach-flutteringly steep lookout points, the Fortrose Cliffs are a worthy photo-op on a drive between Invercargill and the…
New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame
Dunedin
At the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame you can try to match bike-champ Karen Holliday’s average speed of 45.629km/h, or check out the high-stepping style…
Fiordland & Southland
Dubbed 'Gemstone Beach' for the slivers of quartz and garnet that supposedly churn ashore, Orepuki Beach is more likely to reveal smooth pebbles and…
Christchurch & Canterbury
Occupying the photogenic Town Board Office building (1885), this cute little museum tells the town's story with an eclectic mix of exhibits, including an…
Banks Peninsula
Unveiled in 1923, the elaborate cupola, spire and flying buttresses of the Akaroa War Memorial are a grand tribute to locals who gave their lives fighting…
Dunedin & Otago
Steampunk for kiddies: this unusual playground includes swings suspended from a giant penny farthing, a slippery pole accessed from an armoured elephant,…
Dunedin & Otago
Housed in Kurow's old post office, Vintner's Drop acts as a tasting room for Ostler Vineyards, along with other small local producers. Try the signature…
Banks Peninsula
Graciously restored in 2015, this 1864 Anglican gem features extensive exposed timbers, stained glass and a historic organ. Well worth a peek whether you…
Christchurch
This majestic bridge and archway spanning the Avon River is a memorial to those who lost their lives in two world wars and conflicts in Vietnam, Borneo,…
Queenstown & Wanaka
Producers of one of the region's most acclaimed pinot noirs; its cellar door is in the front yard of the rustic Gibbston Tavern.
Blenheim
Quality handcrafted wines from this historic and picturesque vineyard at the foot of the hills. Tours available by arrangement (per person $20, minimum…
Christchurch
Housed in the Arts Centre's beautifully restored 1916 Library building, the Central Art Gallery exhibits contemporary works by established and emerging NZ…
The West Coast
Housed in the gorgeous, recently strengthened Carnegie Building (1908), this museum has displays on greenstone, gold mining, history and whitebait fishing.
Fiordland & Southland
At Harrold Bay, 2.5km southeast of Oban, is a simple stone house built by Lewis Acker around 1835, making it one of New Zealand’s oldest buildings.
Banks Peninsula
The first consecrated burial ground in Canterbury, this hillside monument makes for a poignant wander. Follow the trail (up the hill) off Rue Brittan.
Kaikoura
The 30-minute Point Sheep Shearing Show at the Point B&B is fun and educational. You can feed a ram, and lambs between September and February.
Christchurch
At the top of the Bridle Path, overlooking Lyttelton, this stone shelter commemorates the courage and hard work of the region's pioneering women.
Westland Tai Poutini National Park
On a clear day, this is one of the best land-based positions from which to see Fox Glacier (though its retreat may mean you see just a snippet).
Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities
Christchurch
Part of the University of Canterbury, this petite, well-designed museum has an interesting collection of Greek, Roman and Egyptian antiquities.
Havelock
Inhabiting an old Methodist church, this cute, locally focused museum presents old colonial tales in a contemporary, easily digestible style.
Fiordland & Southland
A former Māori whaling lookout, this grassy islet lies just metres off shore and is accessible at low tide. It's 4km southeast of Orepuki.
Dunedin & Otago
This small park offers a nice view over Ōamaru, with the ocean to the east and the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps to the west.
Banks Peninsula
Akaroa's Catholic church (1863) is a cute, frilly edged old dear, featuring richly coloured stained glass imported from Stuttgart.
Banks Peninsula
Erected in 1858 near Daly's Wharf, this diminutive historic building helped to control the smuggling of alcohol into the town.
Nelson Region
Housed in an attractive 1913-built school building, this museum has a tiny but interesting collection of regional artefacts.
Dunedin
Completed in 1886, Dunedin's bluestone Gothic-revival Catholic cathedral sits halfway up the hill above the town centre.
Fiordland & Southland
Get a selfie in this wacky collections of teapots and statuettes arranged in Graham Renwick's garden.
Fiordland & Southland
This wooden church has perched on a knoll overlooking the bay since 1904.
Buller Region
Housed in an old church 2km east of Reefton on State Highway 7, this museum is crammed with prospecting paraphernalia.
