EXPERIENCES
IN THE SOUTH ISLAND
The South Island offers a range of experiences, including hiking, mountain biking, skiing, epic playgrounds, museums, train rides and whitewater rafting, which can be a great way to get active and experience the beauty of the region. While we're not so much into whitewater rafting (been there, done that, never again!), we had some pretty cool experiences that we want to share with you.
WHAT TO DO IN THE CATLINS
OTAGO If you love thundering waterfalls, beautiful rainforest walks and wildlife then you will LOVE exploring the Catlins. |
LARNACH CASTLE
OTAGO New Zealand's only castle wowed us with the history and architecture, plus we enjoyed an incredibly beautiful and delicious high tea! |
WHAT TO SEE AND DO ON THE MILFORD ROAD
SOUTHLAND Discover beautiful scenic spots, powerful waterfalls and mirror lakes with glasslike reflections, on the way out to Milford Sound.
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HERMITAGE HOTEL
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OAMARU STEAM TRAIN
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JUMPERNAUT
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RAKAIA GORGE
CANTERBURY A must-see place along the scenic route from Christchurch to Tekapo. Check out the amazing views or head down to the river for a wander. |
MARGARET MAHY PLAYGROUND
CHRISTCHURCH We visit the biggest playground in the Southern Hemisphere. It has everything for everyone!
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TEKAPO HOT SPRINGS
LAKE TEKAPO Relax in one of the 3 hot pools and enjoy amazing views over Tekapo. There's even an ice skating rink here in winter. |
OMARAMA CLAY CLIFFS
CANTERBURY This walk will you make you feel like you're on another planet! You can either explore near the entrance or go deeper into the cliffs.
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SEYMOUR SQUARE
MARLBOROUGH A picturesque park located in the center of Blenheim, featuring lovely flowers, a peaceful fountain and a historic stone clock.
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ADVENTURE TO CASS RIVER
CANTERBURY There's nothing better than a bluebird day, surrounded by mountains and lakes, and driving to see how far you get.
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BRITZ CAMPER
SOUTH ISLAND First time in a camper, first time freedom camping, what could possibly go wrong?! Let's just say it was a cold and dark start to our trip.
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EPIC SOUTH ISLAND TRIP
CANTERBURY You don't want to miss this one! Our trip included everything from an incredible buffet to hearing an avalanche on our hike.
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QUEEN CHARLOTTE DRIVE
MARLBOROUGH An incredible drive snaking 40kms between Havelock and Picton, with many bays to stop and admire the breath-taking views.
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BLUEBRIDGE FERRY CROSSING
COOK STRAIT A 3.5-hour experience crossing the Cook Strait from Wellington in the North Island to Picton in the South Island.
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OMAKA AVIATION HERITAGE CENTRE
MARLBOROUGH An incredible experience with life size planes and figurines each telling unique true stories from wars around the world.
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THE RUNWAY CAFE
MARLBOROUGH Yummy food, airplane cookies and delicious coffee and a REAL airplane to explore! Sit in the cockpit or buckle up in cattle class. |
NEW ZEALAND ALPINE LAVENDER FARM
CANTERBURY Lavender ice cream, cute bikes and rows of lavender near the beautiful Mt Cook and Lake Pukaki - what a dream!
CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
CANTERBURY One of the most photographed places in NZ, this church is an icon in Tekapo along with the dog statue.
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OHAU POINT
CANTERBURY One of THE BEST spots in NZ to see hundreds of seals and their pups, up close and personal FOR FREE and you may even spot dolphins! TEKAPO LUPIN FIELD
CANTERBURY During December & November, this field has an ocean of lupins as colourful and as far as the eye can see! |
WHAT TO DO IN MARLBOROUGH WITH KIDS
MARLBOROUGH There are lots of fun things to do in Marlborough as a family, including many breathtaking hikes + beaches to explore.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN TEKAPO WITH KIDS
CANTERBURY The ultimate playground for families - swimming, playground, hiking and INCREDIBLE views!
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BRAYSHAW HERITAGE PARK
MARLBOROUGH
A huge indoor and outdoor museum showcasing the region's rich cultural and historical heritage. |
INTERNATIONAL ANTARCTIC CENTRE
CANTERBURY Experience a MINUS 18-degree Celsius windstorm in the snow, play with huskies and see rescued little penguins under water!
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BELOW ZERO ICE BAR
OTAGO Chill out and experience one of the coolest bars in Queenstown! Sip on icy cocktails and touch the frozen sculptures in this wonderland. |
A TASTE OF ARROWTOWN
OTAGO A journey through Arrowtown's fascinating history and visiting the BEST fudge store in NZ (you won't leave empty handed!). |
PUZZLING WORLD
OTAGO Prepare to be confused and amused at the same time, experience a room where you can barely stand plus get lost in a giant maze! |
TWIN GLACIER & ALPINE LANDING FLIGHT
WEST COAST An incredible scenic flight over Fox Glacier & Franz Josef Glacier plus a snow landing where we got to play in the snow!
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CHRISTCHURCH BOTANIC GARDENS
CANTERBURY Explore this 21ha park which has themed gardens, sculptures, ponds, giant trees and a conservatory which takes you back in time.
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WHAT TO DO IN CHRISTCHURCH WITH KIDS
CANTERBURY Check out our top kid friendly, fun and awesome things to do in Christchurch including loads of free activities.
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BOTTLE LAKE FAIRY VILLAGE
CANTERBURY Step into a magical world full of fairy houses in the Bottle Lake Forest. Each one is uniquely designed by local kids. |
WHAT TO DO IN WANAKA WITH KIDS
OTAGO From an iconic hike with breathtaking views, to eating amazing sorbet, we give you our top things to do in Wanaka with kids.
WHAT TO DO IN BLENHEIM WITH KIDS
MARLBOROUGH The town may be small but there is an abundance of outdoor activities that are perfect for the whole family.
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WHAT TO DO IN FRANZ JOSEF WITH KIDS
WEST COAST From exploring rainforests with blue mushrooms, to hiking around reflective lakes and seeing it all from above in a helicopter.
POLLARD PARK
MARLBOROUGH There are over 24 hectares to explore including perfectly manicured gardens, a crystal-clear river plus one epic playground. |
WHAT TO DO PICTON WITH KIDS
MARLBOROUGH There are so many family outdoor activities to do in Picton and we have picked our favourite out of the bunch!
AIR FORCE MUSEUM OF NEW ZEALAND
CANTERBURY Experience the past, present and future of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. There is so much to interact with in this huge, FREE museum!
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TIMEZONE
CANTERBURY This arcade is full of hands-on games, glow in the dark mini putt, ten pin bowling & spinning cars. It's the perfect place for a rainy day! |
WHAT TO DO IN GREYMOUTH WITH KIDS
WEST COAST Learn about the rich gold mining history, go on plenty of fun and exciting short walks to find waterfalls, greenstone and possibly some gold!
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WHAT TO DO ON THE WEST COAST WITH KIDS
WEST COAST From pancake rocks and a blowhole, to panning from gold and exploring glaciers, this is the ultimate region to explore with kids!
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WHAT TO DO IN HOKITIKA WITH KIDS
WEST COAST Take a short walk around the gorge with blue water, hunt for greenstone at the beach or climbing a 47m high tower above the forest.
MILFORD SOUND CRUISE
SOUTHLAND Cruising through the 8th wonder of the world, experiencing countless waterfalls and even wildlife - this is a must do!
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SHANTYTOWN
WEST COAST Step back in time where you can try your luck at gold panning, take a train ride and learn about the important history of the area. LINDIS PASS
OTAGO Lost in the mesmerizing beauty of Lindis Valley, where the golden tussock grasslands meet the endless blue sky (and sometimes snow!).
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ADVENTURE PACKED OFF-ROAD BUGGY TOUR
WEST COAST Drive off-road on a buggy or quad through rainforest and rivers, in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We give it 5 stars!
WHITESTONE CITY
OTAGO Step back in time to the Victorian era in the quirky town of Oamaru. Ride on a penny farthing carousel!
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STEAMPUNK HQ
OTAGO Journeying through time and imagination, where a mesmerizing blend of Victorian history and futuristic innovation meets fantasy. |
WHAT TO DO IN OAMARU WITH KIDS
OTAGO A Victorian town soaked in history, where kids see little blue penguins up close, ride a historic steam train and pedal on a penny farthing!
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WHAT TO DO IN TE ANAU WITH KIDS
SOUTHLAND A picturesque town in Southland which is the gateway to the 8th wonder of the world, there is plenty to do as a family.
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SNOW TUBING AT TEKAPO SPRINGS
CANTERBURY Embrace the thrill of snow tubing down a 150-metre hill at Tekapo Springs. An unforgettable adventure awaits between July & September.
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TŪHURA OTAGO MUSEUM
OTAGO
Step into a world of science that has over 40 fun and interactive displays plus a tropical forest full of butterflies flying around you! |
OTAGO SETTLERS MUSEUM
OTAGO Discovering Otago's heritage at the Settlers Museum - a captivating journey into our own family history! |
WHAT TO DO IN ARTHUR'S PASS WITH KIDS
CANTERBURY One of the most scenic drives in NZ and home to filming locations for Lord of the Rings and Narnia!
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FOX GLACIER VIEWPOINT
WEST COAST Get uninterrupted views of the stunning Fox Glacier and the Southern Alps without having to hike to the viewpoint! |
WHAT TO DO IN FOX GLACIER WITH KIDS
WEST COAST This incredibly picturesque town has walks through the lush rainforest, mirror lakes to photograph and a glacier to marvel at.
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WESTLAND HERITAGE PARK
WEST COAST Who doesn't love miniature train rides? Only $2 a pop, this affordable adventure is fun for the whole fam! |
WHAT TO DO IN MT COOK WITH KIDS
CANTERBURY Mt Cook National Park is one awesome outdoor playground! There are short and long walks with the most amazing views.
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GLOWWORM DELL
WEST COAST Step into a magical world, where thousands of glowworms glow every night all around you! It's a must-do in Hokitika. |
RENWICK CHRISTMAS TREE DISPLAY
MARLBOROUGH A small but charming xmas tree display happens every year in Renwick and there's a even gnome hunt for the kids.
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BURKES PASS
CANTERBURY Stop in at Burkes Pass and check out Three Creeks vintage collection and St Patricks church which was built by the early pioneers. |
WHAT TO DO IN CANTERBURY WITH KIDS
CANTERBURY Canterbury has it all - hikes through snowy mountains, snowtubing, fun arcades and plenty of magical fairy forests.
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WHAT TO DO IN OTAGO WITH KIDS
OTAGO Explore the rugged Catlins, spot wildlife, have high tea in a real castle and visit some of NZ's coolest museums.
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WHAT TO DO IN SOUTHLAND WITH KIDS
SOUTHLAND Cruise through Fiordland's majestic fjords, find real gemstones at the beach, enjoy epic sunsets and spot some cheeky kea.
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GOLD PANNING IN GOLDSBOROUGH
WEST COAST With so much gold still to be found on the West Coast, we tried our luck gold panning in Shamrock Creek. Did we find any?
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JANE SEDDON SHIPWRECK
NELSON TASMAN From wartime hero to weathered relic, the Jane Seddon's rusting hull tells tales of resilience in Motueka. |
PICS PEANUT BUTTER FACTORY TOUR
NELSON TASMAN Where else can you ride a bike to make peanut butter, watch a factory in motion and taste test NZ's finest peanut butter?
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WHAT TO DO IN NELSON TASMAN
NELSON TASMAN These two regions offer incredible caves, golden beaches with clear water, beautiful walking/hiking tracks and so much more!
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MIYAZU JAPANESE GARDENS
NELSON TASMAN Take a peaceful stroll through the Miyazu Gardens in Nelson where the architecture and design offers a kiwi insight into Japan. |
QUEENS GARDENS
NELSON TASMAN The gardens in central Nelson are a mix of Chinese design and regal beauty, offering a beautiful scene on a short stroll. |
BROADGREEN HISTORIC HOUSE
NELSON TASMAN Step back in time where history comes alive in every room. Explore, touch, and discover the stories of the past firsthand.
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NELSON CATHEDRAL
NELSON TASMAN Enjoy the stunning architecture and vibrant stained-glass windows and immerse yourself in the rich history of the cathedral.
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SUP & KAYAKING
NELSON TASMAN Explore the amazing views of Nelson Tasman while paddleboarding or kayaking in the clear and calm waters.
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CHASING AURORAS
NELSON TASMAN Experience the magical southern lights in the South Island. Find out where to see them & how you can capture them on your camera.
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A TASTE OF HAVELOCK
MARLBOROUGH Discover the green shelled mussel capital of the world from ocean to plate. This is one very tasty experience!
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