The island nation of Aotearoa, more familiarly known as New Zealand, abounds with so many landscapes and seascapes that the entire country looks like it emerged from a storybook. That feeling only intensifies once travelers discover the South Island’s legendary fjords, the old-school gold mining town full of present-day natural treasures, and the world-class wine region growing some of the Southern Hemisphere’s finest wines. In case that’s not enough, there’s also the enchanted peninsula full of pristine beaches, lush forests, and a natural thermal spring right on the coast. For anyone hoping to launch a new chapter of excellent excursions, Aotearoa may very well be the perfect place to visit.
Oban
As the principal settlement on Stewart Island (or Rakiura in Māori), a small island off the southern coast of the South Island (or Te Waipounamu), it’s easy to see Oban as a town far removed from the troubles of the outside world. Indeed, Rakiura National Park covers most of the island and features an expansive array of pristine beaches, coastal forest, and critical habitat for native animals like penguins, kiwis, and seals.
Moving closer to town, Horseshoe Bay has a lovely walking track sporting incredible coastal views, along with a flat golden sand beach fit for paddling. And just by the center of town, Bathing Beach is a tranquil stretch of shore that’s easy to walk (especially during low tide) and take in the views. For being such a tiny town, Oban has plenty of its own delicious food, a longtime local favorite is the Kai Kart for incredibly tasty fish-and-chips and additional dishes made with locally caught seafood. And for some more fine local hospitality, guests can stay at Greenvale Bed and Breakfast, enjoy comfortable rooms with stunning ocean views, and fuel up with a continental breakfast every morning.
Te Anau
Situated on the eastern shore of Lake Te Anau is the town of Te Anau, the ideal launchpad for exciting excursions around Fiordland on the South Island. Of course, a key highlight here is Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a surprising variety of landscapes, from icy glaciers and steep fiords to lush temperate rainforest and moss-covered valleys, and it’s a great park to spot wildlife like bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, and penguins. Even close to town, the Kepler Track is an incredible path to take for challenging yet satisfying mountain hikes and camping. Or, for those wanting a more easygoing day outside, Te Anau Golf Club offers 18 holes of golf with splendid views of the Murchison Mountains.
For a truly unique Te Anau experience, one might want to check out the Te Anau Glowworm Caves and explore this network of 12,000 year-old limestone caves with fascinating rock formations, swirling whirlpools, an underground waterfall, and actual glowworms illuminating this subterranean environment. Once one’s ready to return to ground level, Dunluce Boutique B&B is ready to welcome guests to their peaceful sanctuary featuring bright and cozy guest rooms with special amenities like deluxe king-sized beds, underfloor heating, and premium plant-based toiletries.
Arrowtown
Just 14 kilometers (9 miles) northeast of Queenstown is the historic mining settlement of Arrowtown (or Kā-muriwai in Māori), a town that continues to house all sorts of illustrious treasures long after the original gold rush ceased. But first, one might want to learn about this 19th century gold rush, and the Lakes District Museum has over 30,000 artefacts documenting the stories of European and Chinese migrants who settled in the region in search of precious gold.
At the nearby Historic Arrowtown Chinese Settlement, visitors can walk the grounds and spot partially restored huts where the Chinese settlers were forced to live, and where they then proceeded to establish their own community on the banks of Bush Creek. From there, it’s easy to find the Sawpit Gully Trail and take the steep path up to reach a glorious stretch of beech forest and tussock grasslands. (It’s an especially gorgeous walking path to do when fall foliage appears.)
In case there’s not enough to see and do in town, Arrowtown is also a short drive away from Coronet Peak, a ski resort that remains open in the warmer months for mountain biking, disc golf, and scenic gondola rides. And whenever one’s ready to return to town, the award-winning Millbrook resort makes the journey oh-so worthwhile with its luxurious lineup of rooms and suites, two 18-hole championship golf courses that host the New Zealand Open every summer, and a fabulous day spa featuring a full menu of sumptuous treatments.
Wānaka
Around an hour’s drive from Queenstown, travelers can reach the charming and carefree resort town of Wānaka. While here, folks can branch out and explore the majestic mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park, a nature lover’s paradise with ample hiking trails set in a vast wilderness of towering peaks, frigid glaciers and snowfields, and thick beech forest that comes alive with the natural music of birdsongs and roaring waterfalls.
Those who prefer a different kind of exploration, it’s a short drive over to Maude Wines Tasting Room, where guests can try Maude’s incredible and delectable lineup of Pinot Noirs, Pinot Gris, Chardonnays, Rosés, and sparkling wines. And just across the street from Maude Wines, Wānaka Golf Club offers 18 holes of golf with panoramic lake and mountain views.
For anyone wanting more thrills, it’s a short drive up to Cardrona Alpine Resort, New Zealand’s largest ski resort and one that stays open in summer for epic mountain biking high in the Southern Alps (or Kā Tiritiri o te Moana). From there, the drive back to town feels so much better when one knows it will lead to a soothing stay at Edgewater, a posh boutique hotel on the shores of Lake Wānaka that’s specially designed with maximum relaxation in mind.
Aoraki/Mount Cook
Just down the road from Aotearoa’s highest peak is Aoraki/Mount Cook (also known as Mount Cook Village), a town set in between Queenstown and Christchurch that must be seen to be believed. Perhaps the top attraction here is Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook (3,724 meters; 12,218 feet), and a variety of walking and cycling tracks through alpine meadows, glaciers, and rugged mountain terrain.
Another way to experience the incredible natural scenery is by helicopter, and the Helicopter Line provides amazing journeys above this legendary park — 40% of which is covered by glaciers. At night, the skies shine bright, and the Hermitage Hotel offers Big Sky Stargazing sessions where guests can fully appreciate the views above.
While driving and exploring around the area, folks can stop at the Tasman Delta Café and grab some fresh fare and hot dishes while taking in the vibrant views of the Tasman River and the Southern Alps. And back at the village, the Hermitage Hotel sports a prime location in the national park, a storied lineage dating all the way back to the 19th century, and contemporary creature comforts like Wi-Fi internet, en suite coffee machines, and air conditioning.
Arthur’s Pass
Nestled in the Southern Alps, around 134 kilometers (84 miles) northwest of Christchurch, is the scenic outpost of Arthur’s Pass. Long considered by the indigenous Māori people as a critical route connecting east to west, it’s now known for Arthur’s Pass National Park, a nature preserve that abounds in mountain peaks surpassing 2,000 meters above sea level and outstanding opportunities for hiking, mountaineering, and (seasonal) backcountry skiing.
Speaking of skiing, Craigieburn Valley Ski Area may not have snowy slopes just yet, but it is open in summer and autumn for mountain biking and alpine walks. And then, there’s Craigieburn Forest Park, a natural wonderland full of braided rivers, beech-filled valleys, and plenty more high mountain peaks.
While Arthur’s Pass is an amazing place for adventurers to go hiking and mountaineering, those seeking an easier ride will find one with TranzAlpine, the train that runs through the Southern Alps and provides a more comfortable way to enjoy the scenery from here to Christchurch or Greymouth. And for some more comfort, Wilderness Lodge Arthur’s Pass provides private and posh rooms and lodges on a 4,000-acre, high-country sheep farm.
Martinborough
It’s only about an 82-kilometer (51-mile) drive from Wellington to Martinborough (Wharekaka or Huangarua in Māori) in the South Wairarapa District of the North Island (or Te Ika-a-Māui), yet it’s a journey that leads to an incredibly fruitful wine country village. To get a full taste of what’s growing here, visitors can head to Tirohana Estate Vineyard to try their award-winning and handmade boutique wines, and to enjoy a leisurely meal at their restaurant and pick up delicious souvenirs at their Emporium shop.
In addition, Poppies Martinborough has a great variety of high-quality red and white varietals, and Escarpment Martinborough has nurtured a reputation for crafting complex, layered, and flavorful wines. While there are many more fantastic wineries worth visiting in Martinborough, it’s understandable if anyone would like to switch it up a little. Fortunately, Martinborough Golf Club is an 18-hole and par 72 course open for tee times. And at Parehua Resort, guests can wander around the lush gardens, kick back at the resort’s spacious and well-appointed cottages and villas, feast on farm-to-table treats at York Bistro, and stay within very easy reach of Martinborough’s central village and world-famous wineries.
Ōkato
Sitting in the shadow of Taranaki Maunga on the North Island’s west coast is the explosively gnarly surf town of Ōkato. For anyone curious about that massive stratovolcano to the south, Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki (formerly known as Egmont National Park) protects the entirety of Mount Taranaki and provides ample opportunities for adventurous hikers to climb the mountain and check out the region’s diverse environment full of grand waterfalls, lush rainforests, and mossy wetlands.
From there, it’s worth driving back down to catch Highway 45 and reach incredible surf spots like Stent Road and ride those waves (or, at least, enjoy the views). While on Highway 45, one might also want to stop at the Cape Egmont Lighthouse that’s been lighting up the Taranaki coast since 1881.
After a long surf session in the Tasman Sea, or perhaps a long walk at Mount Taranaki (or even just a long drive around the area), it’s easy to work up an appetite, and it’s a good idea to return to town to stop at Ōkato Takeaways and grab some tasty fish-and-chips and fish tacos to eat. From there, it’s a quick drive over to Goodin Country Garden, a lovely country-style retreat space where guests can book a room, or book the entire house, to enjoy maximum peace and quiet.
Whakatāne
Located on the coast of the Bay of Plenty region, around 86 kilometers (53 miles) east of Rotorua, is the bright and sunny town of Whakatāne. Since this town regularly registers the most hours of annual sunshine, visitors will often run into great weather to explore local beaches like Ōhope Beach, an idyllic spot for surfing, birdwatching, surf fishing, and simple strolls along the shore. Just to the north, the Kohi Point Walkway is great for hikers and walkers seeking to get to the top and take in panoramic views of the beaches and the town below.
For anyone curious to learn more about Whakatāne’s backstory, they can head to the Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre to explore the museum’s many interesting artefacts documenting local Māori history and culture. And outside, there’s the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi (or Footprints of Toi) Trail that guides visitors through verdant native forests, critical seabird habitat spaces, and historic pā sites (or what were once fortified Māori villages). Whenever one’s ready to wrap up for the day, 37 The Landing Motel is ready to welcome guests to a snazzy and comfortable executive motel featuring stylish and spacious studio rooms and apartment-style suites.
Hahei
Where Mercury Bay opens up to the larger Pacific Ocean, Hahei places travelers right by some of the finest attractions and features of the dream-like Coromandel Peninsula. For one, there’s Cathedral Cove, possibly New Zealand’s most famous beach with its iconic natural arch, its picture-perfect white sands, and its illustrious emerald water. Then, the town’s main beach at Hahei Beach is a clean and welcoming space for beach volleyball, kayaking, and surf fishing.
To the south, visitors will find the unique geological wonder that is Hot Water Beach, a stunning white sand beach where geothermal activity causes pockets of hot water to bubble up to the surface. Should anyone crave some refreshment, one can simply return to town and stop at The Pour House for local craft beers and tasty Aotearoa-style pub fare. And for some more local hospitality, folks can stay at Tatahi Lodge Beach Resort for “a little slice of heaven” complete with lush subtropical gardens and secluded lodge-style accommodations.
Matapōuri
Up in the Northland Region of the North Island, about 195 kilometers (121 miles) north of Auckland, is the spectacular town of Matapōuri. Even at the central village, one just needs to hit the Whale Bay Loop Track to walk in the footsteps of the pre-colonization Māori people who launched their whaling missions here, and to simply enjoy the panoramic coastal views. Also in town is Matapōuri Beach, a sheltered cove that makes a great family-friendly beach for swimming, snorkeling, diving, and boogie boarding. Then, should one feel the urge to explore more of the shore, it’s a beautiful drive up to Woolleys Bay for a nice hidden gem that locals love for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing.
Just a little farther north, Sandy Bay hosts the Polar Bear Surf Classic surfing competition every winter, and it’s open year-round to visitors wanting a more rustic and pristine surf beach. And in case anyone wants to spend some extra quality time at Sandy Bay, Glamping & Equine Sandy Bay offers a one-of-a-kind luxury glamping experience at their Awatuna Yurt, plus they provide guided equestrian rides where guests can explore more of Tūtūkākā Coast on horseback.
Write Exciting New Chapters With These New Zealand Towns
Across the islands of Aotearoa, travelers will find all sorts of enchanting options for magical and uniquely charming trips. On the island of Rakiura, Oban is a surprisingly satisfying beach town that lets visitors unplug from outside worries and reconnect with nature. Moving to the South Island, Te Anau opens up to the otherworldly landscapes of Fiordland, while Wānaka provides a plethora of opportunities for year-round recreation. And over at the North Island, Martinborough exudes wine country sophistication and scenery, while Whakatāne has a cultural heritage as rich as its natural beauty, and Hahei abounds in world-famous beaches like Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach. No matter where one decides to go, it’s easy to jump into the ultimate storybook fantasy in these New Zealand towns.
