Towns, Cities

Kelburn, New Zealand: Wellington’s Hillside Suburb

Kelburn, New Zealand is one of those Wellington places that people see before they can name it. The suburb climbs the hills above Lambton Harbour, which means the harbour, the city and the surrounding ridgelines all sit below it. Stock photo libraries are full of images captioned simply as Lambton Harbour viewed from Kelburn, and…

Things to Do in Gisborne New Zealand: Coast and Culture

Things to Do in Gisborne New Zealand. Gisborne is the sort of place that rewards travellers who are happy to slow down. Sitting on the east coast in the Tairāwhiti region, the city and its surrounds pack in surf beaches, bush walks, a sacred mountain, a historic wharf and a railway line that crosses an…

Camping in Gisborne: Freedom Sites, Parks and Permits

The first city in the world to see the sunrise is also one of the easier places in New Zealand to find somewhere to sleep. Camping in Gisborne covers a lot of ground, from holiday parks a short walk from the city centre to freedom camping sites where the beach is right on the doorstep….

Gisborne Beaches in New Zealand: Surf, Swim and Sunrise Spots

Gisborne Beaches in New Zealand. Gisborne sits on a curve of coastline that looks straight into the morning sun, and the region around it, Tairāwhiti, is famous for beaches that catch some of the first light anywhere in the world. That shapes the rhythm of a day here. People are on the sand early, the…

Accommodation in Gisborne New Zealand | Where to Stay

Accommodation in Gisborne New Zealand. Gisborne sits on the east coast of the North Island, in the Tairāwhiti region also known as Turanganui-a-Kiwa. It is a small city with a big coastline, and the accommodation on offer reflects that. Within a short drive you can sleep in a city motel, a self-contained apartment, a working…

Restaurants Gisborne New Zealand: Where to Eat

Restaurants in Gisborne New Zealand. Gisborne has a habit of turning visitors into locals. Food writers have joked that people arrive for a couple of nights and simply forget to leave, won over by the salt-sweetened breeze, the golden sunrises and the wine. A big part of that is the eating. Tairāwhiti Gisborne is quietly…

Hastings Camping Grounds: Holiday Parks and Freedom Camping

Hastings Camping Grounds. Hastings is one of the handiest places in Hawke’s Bay to base yourself if you are travelling by campervan, caravan or tent. The town sits among orchards and vineyards, with the coast a short drive away, and the camping options range from full-service holiday parks to designated freedom camping spots around the…

Havelock North New Zealand: Hawke’s Bay Village Guide

Havelock North New Zealand. Havelock North sits in the Hawke’s Bay region on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, less than 2 km south-east of Hastings. It is officially part of Hastings District, but spend an afternoon in the village and you will quickly understand why locals treat it as a destination in…

Things to Do in Hastings, New Zealand: Food, Wine and Outdoors

Things to do in Hastings, New Zealand. Hastings sits in the heart of Hawke’s Bay on New Zealand’s North Island, and its reputation runs well ahead of its size. The district is often called the gem of Hawke’s Bay for its culinary treasures, and that label holds up once you start poking around. Fruit orchards,…

Accommodation in Havelock North: Where to Stay in Hawke’s Bay

Accommodation in Havelock North. Havelock North is one of those Hawke’s Bay towns that quietly does a lot of things well. The village centre holds cafes, restaurants, bars, a shopping area and a village supermarket, so you can leave the car parked and walk to dinner. That compact layout shapes the accommodation scene as well,…