Guides

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. We've rounded up a day trip guide for when you have 12 hours or less, but we suggest you come back with more time. 

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.

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.

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.

Whether you’re an adventurer, art lover, beachgoer, or gourmand (or indeed all four), Taranaki has you covered. Here’s our guide to the best ways to spend 48 hours in this small province with a big personality. It's worth making the off-the-beaten-track trip to.

Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland may be considered the big city, but that doesn’t mean you can’t unwind here. Filled with pockets of nature and a vibrant culture, Auckland is an amazing place to reflect, and enjoy the beauty of the region.

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

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, all in our 12-hour day trip guide to New Plymouth. 

Experience the unique city centre of Napier, reminiscent of a 1930s movie set with its Art Deco elements, for a day trip. Take a stroll down the streets bursting with fashion, art, and eateries.

Lovers of sport, great food, and wine make up the population of people who have a palpable sense of loyalty to their city, Hamilton.

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.

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.

Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland is a world-class city with all the trimmings: great shopping, cafés, and dining can be found on every corner. The real magic, though, comes when you journey out of the city centre to enjoy the pockets of nature on the doorstep of the city.

There’s never been a better time to holiday in Auckland. A recent surge in the offerings of great accommodation options, across a range of price points, has made the experience of staying in a hotel here better than ever, whether you’re looking to be right downtown, on the city fringe or within greater Auckland.

A place where every house in town seems to have a million-dollar view, you'll find endless activities to fill 12 hours in Wānaka.

If you've got a day trip to Marlborough planned, we've got you covered with our 12-hour guide. From eating and drinking to shopping and exploring, our guide will make sure you get the best out of your trip.

Akaroa is simply picture-postcard. The harbour town is perched on one of the dozens of inlets on Banks Peninsula. Found just an hour and twenty minutes drive from Christchurch, Akaroa has fast become a popular and charming location to visit in the region. As Aotearoa’s only French settlement, the town exudes a certain je ne sai quois with colourful history, great food, quaint accommodation, and stunning scenery. No surprise really that the rare Hector dolphin decided to call this place home too.

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

Auckland is home to some of the best art galleries in New Zealand. From public spaces to dealer galleries, here are the best places to get your dose of high culture, and where to grab a drink or meal to make a day of it.

Dramatic landscapes and enchanting seasons abound in Central Otago. Enjoy a slice of it in 12 hours. 

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.

Tāmaki Makaurau: Auckland is an isthmus dwarfed by two almighty harbours, Manukau to the south and Waitematā to the north. It’s no surprise, that Auckland is nicknamed the “City of Sails”, with its abundance of boats (and ocean) that can be seen in every direction. Boats aside, there are many reasons why 1.5 million people call this place home. With a diverse culture, a bustling food and drink scene, beaches, and 48 dormant volcanoes to keep things interesting, Auckland is as cosmopolitan as they come. Here’s how to spend the day in the biggest city in Aotearoa.

Known as a hub for creatives and growers, an enviable number of sunshine days per annum, and glorious beaches and national parks to explore, Nelson Tasman is a favourite holiday destination for many. But if you don’t have more than a couple of days up your sleeve, it’s still possible to cram in many of the best experiences the region has to offer. A visit of any length to the sunshine capital of Aotearoa will leave you feeling recharged. With our guide at hand, you’ll be able to relax while ticking off some of the highlights around town.

Known for its stunning vistas and native bush, the South Island of New Zealand 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.

Think you can't experience a taste of Kaikōura in 12 hours? We can prove you wrong. We’ve gathered a neat package of activities, delicious food, scenic spots, and great entertainment that can all be squeezed within a day trip to this seaside town. 

The Nelson food and drink scene is a mixture of exciting newcomers matched with popular staples that have stood the test of time.

Two of the best things about Auckland are its diverse culture and its excellent food scene. A great way to experience the city, then, is to enjoy the overlap between those two and eat delicious food from all around the world.

 For the people buying specialty truffle oil instead of matching tracksuits in lockdown… we’re looking at you. 

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

Whether you’re looking to treat your friends to a bountiful dinner party or yourself to something sweet, Christchurch can fill all your foodie desires. With incredible farmland surrounding the city and local makers, bakers, and tasters, there’s plenty to find around here. While there’s a good night out to be had in Christchurch, we’re quite fond of filling our pantries and hampers with local goodies, enjoying some delicious food at home. 

Casual beachy vibes, good people, good food are what make Raglan what it is. A township with a penchant for zero waste and keeping New Zealand beautiful, follow our guide to make the most of your day trip. 

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.

If you're visiting Porirua for a day trip, we have the best things to see, eat and do in 12 hours in this Wellington suburb.  

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.

Excellent coffee, excellent wine, and excellent food abound in North Canterbury's Amberley and Waipara. Add breathtaking views, easy driving, and friendly people to the mix and 12 hours in this region will fly by.

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 more, ‘Dunners’ is a spectacular city. With friendly people and food and drink that showcases the very best of what the bountiful region has to offer, you'll find yourself wishing you had more time. 

As one of the best places in the world to enjoy coffee and breakfast, Sunday brunch is practically a religion for Aucklanders. There’s a great café in every neighbourhood, so brunch is a great way to explore the lengths of the city. We scoured the city for the best places to grab a late morning or early afternoon bite, no matter where you’re looking to go. While some stick with the classics and some mix it up, they all do a great cuppa and a lovely atmosphere.

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.

Wellington is well-known for its quirky, colourful streets, its love of fashion and events, and its bustling hospitality scene. Here's how to spend 12 hours in the capital city.