Our Travel

Passers-by can’t help but smile as they spot the wacky, oversized and oh-so-wonderful town statues erected around the country.

A Magical Way to Travel

Covering 223 kilometres and traversing the width of the South Island from Christchurch to Greymouth, the TranzAlpine is travel like no other.

Connect with nature’s healing powers in spaces as spiritual as ancient churches when visiting the country’s many open-to-view gardens.

A photographer wanders through Albert Park near his inner-city home, wondering when travels further afield might be allowed, and begins to reflect on connections close at hand.

The Allure of Waimate

Glorious days spent lakeside, picnics in the park with family, cocktails in the sun with friends, exploring the great outdoors ... however you like to spend your time, the Waimate District has something to offer everyone.

Step back in time to summers past when crowds were scarce and it seemed the biggest problem was what flavour ice cream to choose.

Like a mighty sperm whale, which should never be appreciated only from the water’s surface, it pays to explore this charming seaside town at greater depth.

Once Discovered, Never Forgotten

A 20-minute boat ride from Picton is Lochmara Lodge, a must-visit resort destination with everything to offer.

When a gaggle of gardeners get together to make something happen, an entire district can reverberate with the result for years.

Glamping With a View

While camping may not be high on the agenda for everyone during a South Island winter, you don’t have to rough it to feel at one with nature, as we discover at Valley Views Glamping .

One of a Kind – The George Hotel

For over 30 years The George hotel has stood proudly on the edge of Hagley Park, providing a beautiful, boutique offering for accommodation, dining and events.

Springtime in Selwyn

Whether you are heading to Selwyn for a day trip, an overnight escape or a family adventure, this is an area bursting with hidden gems – especially now!

Natural minerals in geothermal springs around the country have therapeutic properties ‒ and keep toes toasty.

A Gem of a Town – Kurow

Kurow is a town worth taking time to explore, and for those who enjoy exploring New Zealand’s byways, Kurow’s neighbour, the Hakataramea Valley is detour-worthy, particularly if you drive over the Hakataramea Pass.

Hitting the Selwyn Slopes

Offering small field support with big field fun, there is much to discover on the ski fields of Selwyn.

Rats, stoats, kea — and vistas few get to see — Mark Orbell takes visitors to his favourite part of the country, showing off Wānaka’s wildlife, including some he hopes to find neither alive nor kicking.

Wine, Wilderness and Sunshine in Marlborough Sounds

Warm welcomes, world-class wines, midwinter Marlborough Sounds cruises and even a boutique book festival, all under splendid winter sunshine – Marlborough has everything you need for a wonderful winter holiday.

The planting layout of the country’s national arboretum, Eastwoodhill, near Gisborne, is undergoing a reshuffle to a 100-year plan.

A writer/photographer takes a walking tour of the country’s capital, stopping for swirling sculptures, naked models and extremely good cake.

Alpine Pacific Touring Route

As the country’s newest touring route, the 450 km Alpine Pacific Touring Route remains somewhat of a mystery, but is the perfect roadie for those keen to discover North Canterbury’s hidden gems

Fancy a day trip away from the city? These three walks have birds, bush and beach all covered.

The Hidden Gems of Southland

Get away from the everyday and discover the secrets of Southland, New Zealand’s ultimate nature and wildlife destination.

Boutique owner Karan Gregory has an eye for business based on experience earned, not learned.

Welcome to the golden age of cycling, of aching calf muscles and helmet hair. Thousands are pumping up their tyres to explore the best of New Zealand on two wheels.

This spectacular part of Fiordland National Park was once the site of early European contact, exploration and settlement. those early pioneers, and the successful endeavours of more recent conservationists, have inspired a book.

While the golden triangle of Waihi, Whangamata and Waihi Beach isn’t short on glittering activities and pristine landscapes, the Coromandel’s true gems are not tour stops but people giving back to the community.

What lures visitors to Nelson often convinces them not to leave when their holiday is over.

What a story Christchurch has to tell. Once upon a time, its people looked back to Mother England, but today’s citizens are creating one of the world’s most modern cities.

Cycle On with Pacific Cycle Tours

Brett Green and Judy Jamieson-Green have forged a niche offering, allowing you to explore the South Island’s jaw-dropping scenery from the saddle of a bike.

Explore these scenic hotspots without the crowds, enjoying the calm of centuries-old trees and the drifting mist of a hidden waterfall.

Palpable energy courses between Gore and Lawrence, the rural area where Southland stands shoulder to shoulder with Otago.

From the cathedral-like limestone passages of the Ōpārara Basin to small, well-worn coal towns, the isolation of the Buller district feeds the soul.

An entrepreneurial couple have built a Fiordland-based business that takes New Zealanders out of their daily lives and back in time.

A stay at these all-glass cabins on the outskirts of Kaikoura is to step into a magical realm where the world is reframed and time works in mysterious ways.