Among the many things that New Zealand is known for, the country’s well-renowned meat pies might be the tastiest. There are countless recipes on the internet, and while you can certainly make them at home, the experience of eating them in Aotearoa is unmatched. You can find meat pies at dozens of bakeries across both islands in all sorts of flavors and...
Not many venture to New Zealand’s southernmost coast on their road trips. Many of the itineraries I’ve seen go to Te Anau, and no further, which is understandable. You’ve only got so much time in one country that you’re going to miss a lot. I spent two weeks in New Zealand and even while I was there, I was making notes for my next trip...
When in New Zealand, everyone must visit Milford Sound at some point, and if you’re visiting Milford Sound, you’ll likely stop in Te Anau either on the way there or on the way back (or your tour departs from the town). It’s a cute little town where my cousin and I stayed in an Airbnb in the heart of it, but I will be honest: this isn’t a...
If you’re planning a trip to New Zealand, one of the many places on your list is probably the town of Wānaka, even if it’s just to see a tree. A very famous tree, but still a tree. You may also want to hike Roy’s Peak or check out the lavender farm. You may just pass through on your way to Queenstown. Whatever reason brings you to Wānaka, you can...
Lake Tekapo or Takapō (Māori) is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand and now one of my personal favorites. My cousin and I had planned our entire trip around visiting in late November to see the (invasive) lupin flowers on Lake Tekapo’s shores. They were blooming in abundance, resulting in some pretty epic photos. I was a little nervous about...
The cute little town of Kaikōura, located on the northeastern end of New Zealand’s South Island, was easily one of my favorite places I visited on my road trip late last year. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world, filled with natural wonder and exhilarating adventures, second-to-none. You can swim with dolphins, go whale-watching, see the stars...