Guides

Whether you’re treating yourself, exploring the rebuilding city, or simply after a fresh take on home base, Christchurch is forever full of surprises. The Garden City is home to top of the line retail, quality eating and drinking establishments, and plenty of activities to nourish body and soul.

If you haven’t got long in this beautiful geothermal town, then it pays to plan your visit so you know exactly what hot spots to head to first.

Toss any preconceptions you might have, there is A LOT to do in Palmerston North. If you like food, drink, art, shopping and friendly people, you’ve come to the right place. While you won’t be able to fit all the great places into just one day, this guide will lead you to some of the very best bits. Each spot offers something different, but they all have one thing in common - the owners, proprietors, chefs, artists, curators, shopkeepers and staff take pride in their work and are excellent ambassadors for Palmerston North.

Whether you’re preparing a picnic, BBQ or just looking to stock up your fridge and pantry with items not from the supermarket, we have your guide to the independent butcheries, bakeries, delis, greengrocers and liquor stores in Christchurch.

Fill your day getting amongst the finest places to eat, drink and shop in Tairāwhiti Gisborne.

The Waitaki region has got it all - the ocean, mountains, bike paths, walking tracks, great food and award winning wine.

A place where every house in town seems to have a million-dollar view, can’t be a bad place to spend 12 hours, and with endless activities both indoor and out, Wanaka will be sure to charm even the toughest of critics.

Ōamaru is more than meets the eye. While Steampunk is this Waitaki town’s usual calling card there’s also a host of local food and drink to try, native wildlife to discover, inventive art to enjoy and friendly locals to meet. You’ll need more than a few hours to check it all out. 

Excellent coffee, excellent wine and excellent food. There’s little more that needs to be said to encourage one to spend 12 hours in this special slice of North Canterbury. Add breathtaking views, easy driving and friendly people to the mix and the deal will be well and truly sealed.

Casual beachy vibes, good people, good food. A township with a penchant for zero waste and keeping NZ beautiful. Welcome to Raglan.

Lovers of sport, great food and wine are all part of a population of people who have a palpable sense of loyalty to their city, and with plenty to be proud of it’s no wonder they have made Hamilton their home.

Whether you're visiting Porirua for the day or staying the night, we have the best things to see, eat and do in this little Greater Wellington town of 55,000.  

Not all coffee is created equal, so in our guide to New Zealand’s coffee roasters, we pay homage to those roasting, brewing and serving it the best. You’ll find micro roasters rubbing shoulders with the country’s biggest producers.

When you only have 12 hours somewhere you want to hit the best places first, right? Here’s our guide to the coolest spots in Tauranga.

The proud capital of New Zealand, Wellington is well-known for its quirky, colourful streets, its love of fashion and events, and its bustling hospitality scene.

Twelve hours in Marlborough and too many options? We’ve got you. From eating and drinking to shopping and exploring, follow our guide to make sure you get the best out of your trip.

The best of art and food collide in coastal New Plymouth. Enjoy world class art, culture and cuisine in a seaside setting, with a backdrop of mountain views.

It’s all about dramatic landscape and enchanting seasons in Central Otago.

Known for its stunning vistas and native bush, the South Island of Aotearoa has a lot to offer when it comes to a relaxing escape and features some of the best hotels and boutique accommodation options in the country.

The city centre of Napier is reminiscent of a movie set from the 1930s with its Art Deco elements. You need not explore to find it. Take a stroll down the streets bursting with fashion, art and eateries.

Dunedin, which is Celtic for Edinburgh, is the fifth largest city in the world in terms of geographical size. Home to the University of Otago, the only breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross, the steepest street in the world, the only authentic Chinese garden in the Southern Hemisphere, the first public art gallery in the country and so much more, ‘Dunners’ is a city full of surprising attractions, friendly people and food and drink that showcases the very best of what the bountiful region has to offer.

Make the most of your time in Invercargill, one of the southernmost cities in the world. Known for top notch hospitality, cheese rolls and rolling green hills, Invercargill features the very best of Southland cuisine, culture, fashion, design, art and entertainment. You’ll need to use your time wisely to get a sampling of it all.

This coastal town perched just an hour and twenty minutes southeast of Christchurch has all you could want out of a weekend getaway: great food, charming accommodation, and stunning scenery. Home of the small, rare Hector dolphin and New Zealand’s only French settlement, the town of Akaroa still imparts a refreshing and unique charm.

A quaint township in Hastings, Havelock North punches well above its weight when it comes to eating, drinking and shopping. Looking for things to do in Havelock North? We have you covered with this 12 hour guide.

If you have an appetite for rich culture and relish sampling local food and wine, Hastings and the Hawke's Bay district are bursting with flavour in all aspects.

A wonderfully quiet place, Whanganui’s charm is in the pretty streets where there’s no rush to find a park or feel frazzled by traffic. There’s no need to drive far here anyway, so join the locals sipping coffee on street corners, and find some of the most acclaimed art in the country at the numerous galleries.