New Zealand’s Best Kept Secrets

Aukland Beach - via Wikipedia

So you’re thinking of heading down under to New Zealand.  The only question is what to do when you get there. For a small country, New Zealand offers a surprising array of tourist attractions, and any good guidebook will tell you what they are.  However, if you’re up for something different, and time isn’t a factor, it’s worth straying from the beaten track and visiting some of New Zealand’s lesser known spots.  Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Beaches North of Auckland

New Zealanders live for the outdoors, particularly during the summer, and in the country’s largest city Auckland you are spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches.  If it’s a hot day the city beaches can get crowded, so make like the locals do and head north of Auckland for a selection of superb golden sand bays.  For safe swimming and seclusion choose Martins Bay or Scandretts Bay, or if you’re feeling more adventurous head to Omaha or Tawharanui Beaches (perfect for surfing and boogie boarding) or to Goat Island (ideal for snorkeling).

Great Barrier Island

Auckland also boasts a large number of unspoilt off-shore islands, many of which are native bird and wildlife sanctuaries.  The biggest and best of these is Great Barrier Island, just a four-hour ferry ride or half an hour by seaplane.  On Great Barrier Island, or ‘The Barrier’, as it is known locally, you can discover stunning beaches, wonderful bird sanctuaries and hot water springs, among many other activities.  The Barrier has a certain rustic charm, with electricity produced by generators and solar panels, but that doesn’t mean you have to rough it. Some accommodations are as luxurious as on the mainland, though you might want to bring a torch as many establishments switch off their generators during the night.

Great Barriet Island - via Wikipedia

Hawkes Bay Region

If you’re traveling down the North Island, veer east to Hawkes Bay for a visit to Napier, the Art Deco capital of New Zealand.  This quirky little town was almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake in 1931, but this tragedy led to something beautiful, as it was entirely rebuilt in the Art Deco style.  Take a guided walking tour or visit the earthquake museum to learn about the town’s history.  A visit to one or several Hawkes Bay wineries is also a good idea.

Gumboot Throwing in Taihape

There’s an iconic song in New Zealand that goes something along the lines of “if it weren’t for your gumboots where would you be?”  Luckily where gumboots are concerned there is a place to be: Taihape, which is situated in the middle of the North Island, is the Gumboot Capital of the World.  Here locals are so fanatical about their gumboots they throw them about at an annual competition.  This fun day out attracts Kiwis of all ages, backgrounds and throwing abilities, and visitors are welcome too.  Gumboot Throwing Day usually takes place in March, and if you visit after that you can simply buy them to wear, rather than to throw.

Nelson Lakes Region

Once you’ve made it across Cook Strait to the top of the South Island there’s one fantastic place to do some hiking, fishing or boating: the Nelson Lakes. This National Park features two glacier-carved lakes set into some stunning mountainous scenery, offering a rambling and hiking options (from short, gentle walks to multi-day hikes) to suit every level of fitness.   If you fancy a day on the lake then boating, kayaking and fishing are very popular pastimes. Accommodation ranges from five star hotels, to bed and breakfast and eco-nature lodgings.

South Island- via Wikipedia

Scenic South Island Rail Journey

Some of New Zealand’s finest scenery can be found in the South Island, and a relaxing and inexpensive way to see it is the TranzAlpine rail journey from Christchurch to Greymouth or vice versa.  The entire coast-to-coast journey takes around four-and-a-half hours and passes through many of the areas where the Lord of the Rings was filmed.  You will also traverse mountains, gorges and viaducts and witness some hair-raising feats of engineering.  An entertaining commentary is provided by the conductor and regular stops are made at stations for photo opportunities… or you can try your luck in the outdoor viewing carriage.  Most importantly of all, the traditional Kiwi staple of hot mince pies are available on board.

South Island Gems

On the subject of food, the South Island isn’t just known for its scenery.  If you go exploring you’ll find many small towns offer their own local delicacies.   In the town of Palmerston near Dunedin, for example, you’ll find the local delicacy of cheese rolls.  For the best custard squares head to Pleasant Point café near the Railway Station, just outside of Timaru, or for some real Kiwi cooking visit New Zealand chef Jo Seagar’s cooking school and café in Oxford.

To work all that food off head to Clyde, a short distance from Cromwell, for the start of the renowned Rail Trail: a 150-kilometer biking trail which follows an old railway route.  Or if you’re not feeling that energetic, experience some true Southern hospitality at a country homestay at Winton, just north of Invercargill – known for its character cafes and friendly pubs.  Finally if you’re really feeling lucky, pan for gold at New Zealand’s first gold rush town of Lawrence in Central Otago.

You never know, you might just find enough to pay for your next trip down under.

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