Towns, Cities

Accommodation in Whitianga New Zealand: Planning Your Stay

Accommodation in Whitianga New Zealand. Whitianga draws visitors for its coastal setting, warm summers and relaxed pace of life. Once the practical side of your trip is sorted, the rest of the holiday falls into place, and choosing where to stay is the biggest decision you will make. New Zealand’s accommodation scene is broad enough…

Best Restaurants in the Bay of Islands for a Foodie Road Trip

Best restaurants in the Bay of Islands. The Bay of Islands is one of the most scenic parts of Northland, with sheltered waters, sandy beaches and small towns that see a steady flow of holidaymakers throughout the year. It is also a spot where the local food culture shines. Restaurants here range from relaxed cafes…

Fishing Bay of Islands New Zealand: Top Spots, Species and Charters

Fishing Bay of Islands New Zealand. The Bay of Islands earned its English name in 1769, when Captain Cook sailed into Northland and noted the great number of islands lining its shores, helping to form several safe anchorages. More than two centuries later, those protected waters make the region one of New Zealand’s most rewarding…

Surfing in Raglan, New Zealand: Spots, Surf Schools and Tips

Surfing in Raglan New Zealand. Raglan is a small coastal Waikato town that has built its identity around surf culture and a relaxed, bohemian vibe. It has become a famous stop on the worldwide surfing circuit and is regularly featured on lists of the world’s best surf destinations. Surfers come from all over the globe…

Things to Do in Thames, New Zealand: Gold Rush Heritage and Coromandel Adventures

Things to do in Thames, New Zealand. Thames sits on the edge of the Coromandel Peninsula, about a 90-minute drive from Auckland. Known as Te Kauaeranga Thames, this compact town has an outsized history. It was once a booming gold rush settlement, and the industries of the late 1800s, gold mining and kauri logging, left…

Camping in Raglan New Zealand: Holiday Parks, Freedom Campsites and Local Tips

Raglan, on New Zealand’s west coast, is the kind of town that makes you slow down without even trying. The camping scene here matches that relaxed mood. You can pull into a beachfront holiday park with everything laid on, find a grassy spot by the estuary with the sunset in front of you, or freedom…

Things to Do in Bay of Islands, New Zealand: Top Activities

Things to do in Bay of Islands, New Zealand. The Bay of Islands is a stunning holiday destination in subtropical Northland, in the far north of New Zealand. This elegant, vast district sits on the beautiful east coast and is centred around more than 144 subtropical islands, which has made it one of the country’s…

Thames New Zealand Accommodation: Where to Stay in the Coromandel

Thames New Zealand Accommodation. Thames sits on the Coromandel Peninsula, roughly a 1.5 hour drive from Auckland. For travellers exploring the wider Coromandel, it’s both a convenient stopover and a base worth lingering in. The town itself has an easy-going character, with a backdrop of expansive bush wilderness and rugged coastline that makes outdoor plans…

Raglan New Zealand Restaurants: Where to Eat and Drink in New Zealand’s Surf Town

Raglan New Zealand Restaurants. Raglan sits on the west coast of the North Island‘s Waikato region, a town best known for its surf breaks, black sand beaches and laid-back creative energy. For a place with a relaxed pace, it has a surprisingly lively food scene. Visitors often arrive expecting a few basic cafes and end…

Bay of Islands New Zealand Accommodation: Where to Stay

Bay of Islands New Zealand Accommodation. The Bay of Islands is one of those New Zealand destinations that gets into your memory and stays there. Sheltered water, clusters of small islands, and a relaxed Northland rhythm make it a natural stop on any North Island itinerary. Before you can enjoy any of it, you need…