New Zealand Travel Blog

October welcomes spring temperatures pretty much everywhere across the North Island, with relatively little rainfall and longer daylight and sunshine hours to boot. It’s still not too hot, though, so it’s a great time for getting out and about in the great outdoors for hiking, cycling, and other activities. 

January is a beautiful time of year to visit the North Island of New Zealand. With the peak summer holiday season in full flow, you can expect lots of high temperatures, long days, plenty of sunshine, and less rainfall than at other times of year.

In the words of 'old mate', the usually reticent high country scribe Claver Esmond, 'Kurow is where the (Waitaki) river strangles enough, as if plying open a portal, with access to another chapter, as the Waitaki story refreshes'. Esmond claims to have traveled this area extensively as a kid and says the simple memories still endure.

When we talk of contrasts, the Waitaki river valley has them in bucket loads. You can attack this routeway, from either end..the Pacific Coast just north of Oamaru, or from Omarama on the inland Queenstown to Christchurch highway.

What is there to do in Oamaru? In short, plenty. The big 'O', is exactly that, a kaleidoscope of colour, character and surprises!

The Mackenzie Country township of Twizel (pronounced Twyzyl) virtually sprang up overnight. The name comes from the word Twizla, meaning fork in the river and was built in 1968 to house construction teams working on the Upper Waitaki hydro electric scheme.

New Zealand boasts more than 15 official sun and naturist clubs with probably just as many associate operations. While the climate as you head further south in the country may dim the enthusiasm for naturists, there're still ardent followers prepared to brave the elements.

Timaru through the hinterland to Fairlie, Tekapo and the Dark sky, tells the story of New Zealand's farming legacy. Take SH8 for a chance to marvel at the beauty of the back roads of New Zealand.

Lyttelton is a busy port town at the north western end of Banks Peninsula, close to the South Island's biggest city Christchurch. It's eclectic and well worth a visit. More than 3,000 live here and although badly damaged in the 2011 earthquake, it has bounced back with cute cafes, lots of artists, a brewery bar and an iconic Saturday Street market.

Akaroa is the jewel in Canterbury's bank peninsula's crown and just an hour and twenty over the hill from Christchurch. Highway No. 75 out of Christchurch to Akaroa is well signposted. At the end is Akaroa Village. It's on the waterfront and your starting point for harbour cruises, fishing trips, swims with Hector dolphin and close up experiences with other wildlife. Here, Orca may even cast a beady up at you!