I have been to the Banks Peninsula several times, from day trips to nights. The best experience I have ever had is sleeping in the car and waking up on the bay in the morning to see the scenery.

I just like this place and I like to drive through the beautiful scenery. We ended up in Akaroa, which is one of our favorite places. Stop by the river and take a look at this lovely town.

it was a Beautiful View wonderful place to Visit on School camp

Great gravel road with great scenery.

This place is too beautiful. Please don't visit. It will put you off all other places.

Stunning view everywhere. This is an amazing peninsula and not far away from Christchurch. If you want to stop your car and take photos please be aware of the traffic. The road is not flat. I drove my car from Chuistchurch to the small town Akaroa in the early morning and enjoyed the view of Sunrise. It is really beautiful and peaceful. I believe you will love the drive. Cheers

Beautiful hiking trails, wildlife, green fields , the cliffs. I enjoyed hiking this area. New Zealand is my favorite country to visit, wish I could move there.

Interesting rock formation on the foreshore. At low tide you can walk through the cave. If you are keen it is apparently an easy climb to the top of the rock

Cave Rock / Tuawera is beautiful any time of day, but at night it’s something else. The whole area takes on a calm, almost magical feel. The cross lit up above the beach is such a cool sight—it kind of glows over the water and makes the whole scene feel peaceful and special. It’s one of those spots that just makes you stop and appreciate where you are. Highly recommend checking it out after dark!

Beautiful view, great place for photos and a quick easy little climb to the top of the rocks to view the beach. Great place to watch the sunrise/sunset. I loved the flowers and trees/plants.

Very crowded during the weekend when it is a sunny day, HAVE FUN. Abit hard to find parking as well.

Beautiful coastal landmark at Sumner Beach! Loved exploring the cave at low tide and climbing to the top for great views. A must-visit spot in Christchurch.

Beutiful view of the beach from the top

Beautiful rocks to climb up! Relatively easy to climb it, almost like stairs, and you get a view over the whole beach. Stunning place to just relax

It is a popular tourist attraction in Christchurch. It's 1,000 metres (1,100 yd) in length, and from the summit it is possible to see across the city of Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps in the north and west, and down into Lyttelton Harbour and Banks Peninsula in the south and east. You can get here by car (about 20 mins drive) and park free at the base station. You can also use public transport to get here. It takes about 20 minutes to get up to the top station. There you will find a restaurant, walking tracks, views of the city, toilets. Very popular place, lots of tourists and locals. Level terrain around the stations though there are stairs at places. Wear comfy shoes, take water, wear hat, sunscreen. Great place for photography.

A short Gondola ride up to the top of Mnt Cavendish, a great outlook over the city and a view of some sheep in the paddocks below, but it was the view at the top that looks towards Lyttleton Harbour and the city is spectacular! Very smooth ride and not really that high off ground,(I still wouldn't want to fall out, though), but within reach of some with height fears.

Amazing experience, a must do!! The views of Christchurch & Lyttelton are breathtaking!!! Just do it! You can walk around the viewing platform & out to the edge of the hill (with the sheep) see the paragliders take off & soar the skies. Have a coffee beer or bite to eat at the cafe . The Gondola staff are great & it’s a fun experience. Catch the #8 bus for $4 from Christchurch or uber is approximately $24

I could’ve spent the entire day at the summit. Buying a ticket and the price is quite reasonable given the end viewpoints the number of walking trails. Definitely suggest going on a weekday. I visited on a Monday and there was no queue. Keep an eye out for the lamb along the hillside if visiting during lambing season, an adorable bonus!

Better than expected, view is dope, ride is great, super steep. If you have like 6 hours in Christchurch, this is a good 2 hrs. Accessible by bus if you don’t have a car.

Nice place to see the views over the city. Poorly marked trails if you want to hike around at the top. Food was available at the café on top to grab a snack. Pleasant staff. It was interesting to see where the sheep were hanging out in the rocks in the shade.

A great experience. We arrived early and avoided the crowds. Got a bit windy so bring a jacket. The displays and scenery were great.

What an interesting and different building. Well worth the visit. Free entry, and don't hassle you about donating. Super friendly staff, particularly the young lady (Kathleen was it?). Pleasure meeting you and it was great learning about the place and also other recommendations around town.

Innovative thinking at its peak.Attended Sunday mass here and the worship songs sung by the choir members is mesmerising 🤩Felt very peaceful and the sermon was great and meaningful. Very organised in each and every event . Hope they get enough funding for building the new church.great architecture.

The architectural design is beautiful and unique! It’s worth visiting, and I encourage everyone to make a donation to the church.

We visited in early October , nice and unique church. There was a singing choir and service going on so we attended it. Made some donations , hope it goes to help in the rebuilding of the church building funds. Nice and interesting building structure.

Popped in while exploring Christchurch and was honestly impressed — simple but stunning. Love how they turned something so unusual into a powerful symbol after the earthquake. It was worth a quick visit! It’s not huge, but the architecture is awesome, and there’s a lot of meaning behind it. Nice quiet place to just sit and take it in for a bit. Didn’t expect to be so moved by a cardboard building! It's modern, clever, and surprisingly warm inside. It's definitely a must-see if you're in the area. Closing time is 4pm

The cardboard cathedral is a temporary home for the Anglican community of Christchurch since the original cathedral was badly damaged in the 2011 earthquake. It is made of recyclable materials. It is now dwarved by the new stadium.

Interesting Cathedral - built as an interim replacement of the Christchurch cathedral damaged in Earthquake. Gets it name from the cardboard tubes used for the walls and roof. Interiors looks pretty simple (viewed from outside, couldn't enter the church as it was closed). Stain glass on the facade looks nice.

This museum is a lovely place with excellent service. However, it is currently undergoing renovations and will not reopen until 2027 or 2029—I can’t recall the exact year. The exhibits feature incredibly detailed and unique pieces, especially for those who appreciate pottery. While it might not be worth a dedicated trip if you’re not a fan of this art form, its central location makes it convenient to visit if you’re nearby. Overall, it’s worth a look when it reopens.

Considering it is a pop up while the museum is under renovation this museum was a good visit. The staff were really helpful. We enjoyed it. My grandson loved the meteor!

Usually we are not really into museums but when we visited in the beginning of February 25 we had a really good time walking through the exhibitions (especially the Wharenui Harikoa, because it included light into the art as well) 🥰 Beside the entrance we even had the opportunity to make pompoms at a little creative area, so I would definitely recommend a visit 😊

Some old favourites on display and then the other part dedicated to the the docudrama of New Zealand's 19th century past. Free entry. Combine with a visit to the Art museum on the other side of the block.

Small but well organized museum, free admission, definitely worth a short 20 minute visit. We arrived about 30 to 40 minutes before closing, the staff welcomed us anyway the moment we stepped in. 5⭐ for the great customer service.

Seems it is currently being renovated, currently a small exhibition is available on the first floor. Nice descriptions, half of the space was pottery when I was there, the other half was mostly unrelated to NZ, such as small display of Roald Amundsens Antarctic expedition, a piece of meteorite from the US, African animals and so on, would have loved some more Māori or NZ related things. Granted I read fast, but having read almost everything, I finished seeing everything after half an hour. Free entrance but they would like a donation. They recommend 5 NZD, and you can choose eftpos donation of 5, 10, 15 or 20 NZD, I had a hard time since I just wanted to drop 2 dollars but it seemed so petty so I just didn’t. Didn’t feel it was 5 dollars worth, would have donated more if the exhibition was fully open and larger and not mainly pottery haha. The staff was super friendly tho!

Had a brilliant time visiting the pop up museum and seeing the wharenui in person. What an absolute stunning piece 😍 the staff were super friendly and loved to chat and help. They kept the exhibit running nice and smoothly. Was beautiful quiet place to reflect when I went (:

A truly amazing space! More than just gardens, this is a living ecosystem where you can relax among ancient trees and observe wildlife up close. Depending on the season, you might see young animals near the cafe. The nearby stream is teeming with life like trout and eels, and the bird watching for native species is fantastic. A wonderfully peaceful and inspiring experience.

Really loved this place! Peaceful, tranquil and gorgeous in the spring sunshine. Wished I could have seen it a few weeks earlier as well as I love daffodils but then again the roses weren’t quite out but … the azalea and rhododendron were. So not at all disappointed. Just means I’ll have to visit again!!! Definitely worth a visit it two and walkable from the city centre.

I hadn't visited the gardens in several years and with this visit was pleasantly surprised how wonderful they were. Although I didn't have time to walk around the whole area the parts we did visit looked beautiful, although my partner who is a keen gardener was surprised to see a fair number of weeds, especially in the border gardens. It was a fine day and it was obvious that the gardens are popular with locals and tourists alike. The Peace Train was in action and was filled each time we saw it. we had lunch at the cafe and, despite the crowds, service was quick and the food good. Overall a great experience and I'd recommend a visit to both gardeners and non gardeners alike.

We visited in spring time when the flowers were almost in full bloom. A variety of plants with a number that having travelled from the UK we had not seen before. It’s lovely place to spend an hour to two wandering around. There is an info centre, cafe and shop too. A must do if visiting the city.

One of Ōtautahi/Christchurch's taonga ... a must see for visitors and a beloved place for locals to walk, canoe and picnic. World Peace Bell area is beautiful; Ilex Cafe very nice - though often busy. Carparking off Armagh St Bridge and also off Riccarton Road. ((Photos are World Peace Bell on Parihaka Day 5-Nov-25)

Free to enter. Car parks are present but can be busy. Flat path and very easy to walk. Just a few blocks away from the CBD / Cathedral Square. This is the one the last devastating earthquake could not take away from gorgeous Christchurch. It is connected to surrounding green area and is located in the middle. Streams with clear water flows where people do kayaking. Also there is wide, flat green lawn areas where people could have picnic and there is a mini train for kids. It is a place where people of any age could go and stroll, get fresh air and let busy thoughts that drives us busy go away for a while. There are a few car parks around but not too big for the potential visitors of good Suny weekend. The CBD is now different after the earthquake. I am so happy there is something so beautiful remains!

I visited the Christchurch Botanic Gardens in the morning, and it was such a peaceful and refreshing experience. The sunlight made the flowers look even more beautiful — especially the roses, which were vibrant and full of color. I also enjoyed watching the birds wandering around the lawns, adding a calm and lively touch to the walk.

Great rail journey! Super helpful staff, great seating and very comfortable. There had been heavy rain the day before which meant less snow on the ground, but even so, spectacular scenery. Highly recommend!

If I could, I'd give this scenic train line hundreds of stars. I had to stop off for a bourbon on my way back to the hotel because it just blew my mind. Train staff were so friendly and not one bend of the track disappointed. I took 2000 photos so that hopefully the experience is emblazoned on my mind.

Loved the journey through the snow capped mountains. In carriage monitors show info on regions being passed through. Staff were really friendly and helpful. Great views from the observation cars. Remember warm clothes if venturing into the observation cars as they are open air.

Great trip on the coastal pacific, don't forget to bring snacks though, the cafe car is good but not great , it can get very busy too. The scenery is great, a must do for train enthusiasts or anyone wanting a relaxing way to see the island and coast.

This very definitely a "bucket list" trip. Outstanding scenery and if you're able to afford to do part or all of your trip in the dining car...then you're in for an absolute treat. Wonderful food, wine and beers to enjoy and exceptional service. Recommended.

I travelled to NZ to do both the TranzAlpine and the Coastal Explorer and I have to say that both of these didn't disapoint. Check in was on point and staff were friendly and helpful. Train itself is very modern with large glass windows, seats are very comfortable and clean. The buffet car is very well stocked and everything is reasonably priced 👍👍. I enjoyed the open air carage at the end of the train where you can feel the freshness as the train climbs through the mountains, this also provides alot of beautiful senic photo opertunitys. I believe that train travel is one of the best ways to see the country side and if you have the opportunity to add this to your travels please do it as you won't regret it.

Part of our tour , we got to take this train from Christchurch to Arthur ‘s Pass .. Buy your tickets in advance, it’s busy and quite popular to do .. there is a locomotive that serves food and drinks , you pay with credit card.. what was Breathtaking, spectacular was the views.. the mountains , some with snowy tops, the rivers and lake with blue-green water .. this a must to do …

Amazing exhibitions and 4D showcase. You can see cute little penguins and huskies there. The snow storm simulation is fascinating. If you’re going in group tour and have a staff guide that’d be much more awesome. I personally think they can add more stuff inside to make the entire experience more fruitful.

Took advantage of the 50% ticket price for locals because theres no way i would pay the full price of $74 per adult and $49 for children. Website did say to allow two or three hours but if you were by yourself you could easily get through in an hour. Huskys had set slot times through out the day but we forgot to go back. Couple of small penguins in the enclosure, shame the viewing windows were dirty. Storm dome was good. 4D theater was good. Lots of parking available and a cafe on site. No ques getting in on a week day.

While slightly on the pricier side ($199 NZD for a family of 2 adults and 2 children), the International Antarctic Centre is well worth a visit. From the moment you step into the first area (a giant display of video from Antarctica on three walls), you're transported to a different place and time. Learning about polar exploration from such a long time ago was fascinating, and the experiences were amazing. Seeing the penguins and Huskies was great, the 4D movie was a lot of fun, and the Hägglund experience was an absolute blast. Being able to experience a summer Antarctic storm was also well worth the time (despite being freezing!!). I would 100% recommend visiting the Antarctic Centre, it was interactive and educational, and extremely fun. We would definitely go back again.

Wonderful place to bring family and friends! We had an (arctic) blast last time we went, had a lot to do and see with all the activities and shows althroughout. Please note though that rides do have a height requirement which they are a bit strict with for safety reasons. The rest are pretty accessible to the young and young at heart. A bit pricey but you doget a lot of enjoyment and knowledge out of it.

What an excellent experience! Absolutely loved the Hagglund trek thru the different terrains. We got to talk with Heather about all the penguins and their antics. We were there for about 5 hours, went for lunch, great food in the cafe, then back in to see the beautiful huskies, and having Jo talk about his beloved huskies! Highly recommended, very interactive 😍

They have their own parking space. Online booking is cheaper. Better try the hagglund ride if you are eligible and our rider was superfriendly. Therafter you will get to see a 4D movie , video demonstrations , huskies ,an antarctic storm in a freezing chamber and little penguins. Renovations are on the way and hopefully waiting for an upgrade.There is a good cafe with delicious food and toilets at the facility.

Not somewhere I would of gone of my own accord, but reccomended by others and it did not disappoint. We spent 2hrs there. Great knowledgeable and chatty staff on the hagglund atv. Lots to learn and interactive stuff for all age levels.

What an fantastic morning over the Canterbury plains with our expert pilot Michael. One thing to note is the guys get you involved in setup, unpacking the balloon, helping inflate the balloon, and the same after the flight. Gives you a real sense of what they encounter most days. Michael made the journey great. Being a farmer of 40yrs he had fantastic knowledge and explaining the different fields below and everything in between as well. He gives you an insight into who he is and why he started the business too which is awesome. The weather and sunrise was pretty fantastic as well! Both Michael and Dean are top notch. At the end of the flight they give you champagne/juice, fruits and muffins too. Such a great experience and highly worth the adventure.

A bucket list item for me! I can't recommend Ballooning Canterbury enough. An experienced, friendly Pilot and staff plus breathtaking views - an experience that I will never forget. The nerves don't stick around for very long that's for sure!

What an absolutely amazing ballooning experience we had this morning with Michael (the owner) and Dean! Michael’s knowledge of the area is incredible – not only is he a highly experienced balloon pilot, but also a local farmer who truly knows the land. We were treated to the most magnificent sunrise, and the way the team looked after everyone made the whole experience unforgettable. We chose to travel to Ballooning Canterbury after finding the staff at another company in Methven quite rude and unhelpful. From the first call, Michael was warm and reassuring, explaining that they always phone the night before to confirm (unlike some companies that leave you driving all the way out only to cancel on arrival). True to his word, we received a call with clear directions, and even a flashing orange light guided us into the driveway in the early morning darkness – such a thoughtful touch! Throughout the morning, we were captivated not only by the breathtaking views but also by the fascinating stories Michael shared, including the tale of the two French inventors of ballooning. This was a truly special and memorable experience, and we cannot thank Ballooning Canterbury enough. We highly recommend flying with them – you will not be disappointed.

What an absolutely amazing experience! The entire crew was so friendly, professional, and made us feel comfortable from start to finish. The flight itself was breathtaking — peaceful, beautiful, and perfectly organized. We had our marriage proposal from the skies, and it couldn’t have been more magical! Everything went beyond our expectations, and we’ll remember this moment for the rest of our lives. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable adventure!

Incredible. If I could give more than 5 stars I would! Michael and his team went above and beyond for this tour. Michael himself is an air balloon champion (which he mentions very casually) so you know you're in good hands. The views are spectacular, the ride itself is smooth and Michael explains what you are seeing. The team also give you plenty of photo opportunities! I can't recommend them enough. They also have a surprise at the end for you! A bucket list experience for definite!

Such an amazing balloon experience! The pilot was skilled and friendly, and everything felt smooth and safe. We were lucky with perfect weather and stunning views. Highly recommend!

We had such an incredible experience with Ballooning Canterbury. The flight was a gift for my Mum's 60th birthday. We were awestruck watching the sun rise over the Canterbury plains and the moon set behind the mountains. Michael made it a special experience for everyone. We helped set up and pack down the balloon and were rewarded with mimosa's. I highly recommend Ballooning Canterbury and would like to thank Micheal and his team for making it "the best birthday ever".

Nice, spacious and cozy cafe. Food is great, we had the bacon & eggs and salmon pies with two latte. Prices are reasonable with the final bill coming up to NZD28. The best thing? The staff are really friendly and helpful!

Not very crowded during weekend , foods and drinks are acceptable , sufficient car park outside the cafe shop . Counter and table services are acceptable .

Best fish n chips! Willie and the team offer great food @an excellent price. Look out for the giant salmon on the side of the road. You can even have a cheeky wee glass with your meal

This could be the perfect cafe for travellers. It's big (so you can find somewhere to sit), reasonable food and coffee, toilets (and clean public toilets outside), friendly staff, is near a place kids can play - and is easily find-able because of the nearby giant salmon.

Outstanding and friendly service, their coffee owe my gosh the Mocha is to die for. Highly recommend this cafe as a must stop and dine in on the go

The Salmon Tales Cafe is a nice place to stop if you are on your way to christchurch, or like me, on the way to Mount Sunday. There is a nice souvenir shop and the restaurant has inside and outside seating. Especially on a nice day it is worth it to sit outside. They have great coffees that you can also buy as take away. A lot of choices for food and loved my Salmon sandwich. Too bad they did not have Salmon chowder

Simple restaurant. We tried the salmon fish & chips and pan fried salmon. Very fresh salmon. 1st time eating a salmon fish & chips. Taste is as good as usual cod fish.

I cannot in all honesty review the ski slopes since I do not snow ski. However the facilities at the ski centre are comfortable the trip up to the top of the slopes is an easy one on the ski-lifts. Once there you have fabulous views of the Southern Alps and the Canterbury Plain laid out before you.

As an NZ resident and having skied South Island fields but no overseas fields, I can only judge what is available here. I think the negative comments from over seas visitors while accurate, are unrealistic. This is not Europe with millions of people, massive mountains and visitors with lots of money. Yes, the road up the mountain is pretty rough in places and some sealed parts or a plan to improve it over time would help safety, comfort and reduce likelihood of damage. Coronet Peak has a sealed road and has had it for years but it doesn’t have the snow levels like Hutt generally so pros/cons for both. Facilities here are quite adequate in my view as are the cafe facilities. The Hutt website is very good, including daily updates and webcam shots. Customer service? Initiating service in the rental area for a boot fitting enquiry was pretty slow, but when the older gentleman with glasses and beard in the storage area was advised, he was very helpful indeed so well done to him. Only one person on checkout duties in the cafe at lunch time, that wasn’t good and created an unnecessary queue. Lift facilities and speed are good as is the variable levels of skiing available. Overall pretty good, but to help public opinion maybe show what improvements are intended for the future so that the money paid by customers, can be seen being used wisely.

I’ve been coming here for the past 2 years whenever I’m visiting South Island. This place has a few great trails & it’s more budget friendly compared with Queenstown. The only downside is that the weather here is more unpredictable & volatile compared with Queenstown so be prepared in case the hill gets closed early due to bad weather.

Love the Hutt. There's something for every skier here, from the faster speedskier making only a few turns, to the classy-careful skier and the beginner just starting to make turns. What makes Hutt a great experience is fewer people and quick lifts. No queues. Mt Hutt is effectively a bowl ski area where everything can be seen from the seating/cafes below (great for parents and non-skiers). It could do with a coffee shop/bar up the top though to savour the view and take in the rays. Exactly 1.5hours from Christchurch airport, and be the careful driver when coming up the hill... it's not for heroes or over-takers. Be patient, the drive is worth the chance to park meters from the shop, the tickets and the lifts. I'll be back.

Loved it. Magic carpet belt for beginners. A few chair lifts. There's a good range for every level of skiing or snowboarding. Lessons available. Great food, hot chips, chicken, awesome pizza. Buy passes online to skip the que.

Good maintained acess gravel road Good veiwsof mid Canterbury Plenty of parking for allvtyes of vehicles including busses

Favourite place to ski! Great facilities, awesome food and beautiful views! Pizza & hot chocolate are 10/10 - I got both multiple times through the week. Though it’s a long drive up it’s certainly worth it. If you’re coming for the day I recommend driving up earlier to get parking. They offer free shuttles at the bottom car park if you miss out which is great.

Friendly volunteer staff, and a great musuem collection where visitors can get up close to the aircraft. A new hanger was under construction at the time of the visit, so this place is going to be even more amazing in the neat future. Photos are of the main display hanger.

Brilliant museum with extensive collection you can get up close to. A very surprising gem. Well worth a visit.

Wasn't expecting much, after all, this is Ashburton. But wowzers, I was blown away by the aircraft on display. Awesome museum, an absolute must for even the slightest aviation enthusiast.

This museum is packed into 2 small hangers which makes it difficult to view each aircraft individually but then there is the pleasure of walking between them with no restrictions. This will all change when the new hangar is built next year. There is a great mixture of aircraft to view from fast jets to helicopters and gliders as well as a huge range of artefacts. Admission prices are very reasonable and the staff friendly and knowledgeable. Allow about 2 hours for a visit to this well worth it museum. Less with children as there are no specific activities for them. There is no cafe on site.

I luv this museum! You can see the airplanes very close and have a great experience. I went there a lot of times and very recommend!

Great aviation museum and expanding. The staff are lovely and it's on a live airfield, rude not to go!

Worth a visit guys - The staff are quite a funny bunch and very very friendly. Lots to see and if you into planes well worth the visit. Just a few pics below so you can see how good it was,

Extremely knowledgeable, smart and witty guy. Peter taught me a lot about astronomy, despite me having 4 years of tertiary astrophysics experience! We didn't get an opportunity to view through the telescopes much as the clouds were in the way but check the weather ahead and plan carefully.

A great evening of stories scientific and personal, from a life devoted to following a passion for astronomy. Peter is a great teacher, with a northern english sense of humour (that’s a good thing!). The session is 2-3 hours, with time for questions and answers, in a small group. Highly recommended.

Peter is an amazing host and it shows how much passion he has for what he’s doing. He answered all of our questions and showed/ told us so much about our amazing universe. Totally recommend going here!

Unfortunately, we couldn't change the weather. Clouds blocked out view. Not a star visible in the sky. But Peter showed us around and we got to view videos and photos and learn how to take them ourselves. We stayed for two hours and learned heaps. Our 12 year old girls enjoyed it even though it wasn't hands on this time. Definitely ignited more interest. Well worth the visit.

What a great evening we had! Helped by a totally clear night we were fascinated and had our minds blown by the millions of stars we saw, planets in our solar system, Peter's insights and his incredible photography. Not only is this the best thing to do in Geraldine, but up there with our best experiences in New Zealand.

Peter is such a l lovely and knowledgeable old man who told us a lot about astronomy and let us explore the sky with two of his giant telescopes. We were quite lucky with the sky and were able to see nebulas, the famous jewel box and many more beautiful sky objects. His volunteering commitment to support astronmic research is impressive and with every word he explains, you hear his passion for this science. A simply wonderful night with some other nice and interested people. Clear recommendations.

We got plenty of telescope observation time, and a lovely clear night... Save your Tekapo money and check out Peter and his Observatory, he's going to show you some fantastic highlights... and you can choose what you want to see, Cassini Divison, Great Red Spot, Globular Clusters, nebulae. What a treat!

This place is fantastic, spent several hours there with a 5 & 6 y.o, they were not bored with so much to see! An incredible collection of historical agricultural and motoring history here with plenty of other bits and pieces as well. 7 huge sheds full of exhibits! It's very unassuming from the road, don't be fooled!

Lovely place and hidden gem in Geraldine. Super friendly staff. Great collection of cars , would definitely visit again. Not just cars but also other machinery from ships, tractors, bikes and a lot more.

A must see for vintage car, tractors and machinery of all kinds, got a personal tour with Bruce. The highlight for me, a Canadian is an International Travel All, that was purchased in Canada, travelled around North America then was brought back to New Zealand where it travelled extensively here. There is also a very Canadian Bombardier Alpine Skidoo snow machine that warmed my Canuck soul😎

#NZ 04 2024 FamilyTrip# A worth with price Vintage Experience! All my family members enjoy the visit. 😍 Lots of vintage cars.. Truck.. Etc 😍 Surprisingly, Some cars are new and can be used! Really eyes opened! Yeah..

Incredible collection of vintage cars, tractors, machinery etc. Well worth the admission ticket of NZD 15 per pax. Definitely worth visiting if you’re stopping by Geraldine!

It's a lovely place to stroll down memory lane.. not just cars , but all sorts of machinery and such. I only discovered it by accident... but very worthwhile to pay a visit.

Awesome place. There is so much history here. The volunteers are incredible and know what they’re talking about. There’s something here for everyone. From vintage cars and machinery to models and household stuff. So fun. Love seeing the 80’s mazda too! Just a nice reminder that time doesn’t stop and that vintage will one day be todays ‘modern’ cars..

The exhibits were interesting, but the collection is quite small and the experience felt underwhelming for the price. By the end, it just didn’t feel like there was much more to see. Unless you’re very into Māori rock art, you could probably give this one a miss.

The staffs are very friendly and always have warm smile:) the information I got from here is very useful and helpful, I get to know better about Timaru. Please note that entry is NOT for free and the parking lots nearby is NOT for free as well.

The two women working were delightful and a wealth of knowledge, the museum was also very well curated and fit a lot of information in. Would 10/10 recommend

Great little centre with some kid’s activities inside. My daughter loved pushing all the buttons to watch the videos and the drawing. And my husband loved seeing and reading about the history. Highly recommend stopping in.

Fascinating exhibition of Maori rock art, had a lovely chat with Donna about this piece of local history.

Rock Art is described so well here, the guide so informative and descendant of the local iwi. Seen the real art around Duntroon and now understand.

A very interesting exhibit. We had seen this rock art in various places, but this explained all that is known about it. There was no tour available when we visited, but everything was well organized and clearly presented. The attendant suggested we should plan to spent 45 minutes to an hour to see it. We were there for an hour and 45 minutes and didn't quite have a chance to view all the videos. I suggest the amount of time depends upon the interests of your group. Younger kids would have enough after a half hour. If you want time to read all the materials and view all the videos, you might allow 2 or 2 1/2 hours, or more. I consider it worthwhile if you are interested in archeology, Maori History, etc.

Probably one of the best places I’ve walked around,great views and plenty of great amenities and things to look at.best thing to do is explore yourself.

Another kite festival down 'The Bay' Fantastic to see all the kids ( and adults ) enjoying the great weather. I was surprised at how many had never flown a kite before. I guess for us 'Old people' it was a rite of passage, learning how to first build then fly your home built kite...

Nice place to stay and beautiful beach walk.

Grate place to stop when visiting Timaru . 3 places merged on one place Rose garden, park and beach . They offer train ride as well $2 for 3 round and $6 golf .I love this place .

This place is not too large but everything is quite reasonable. Next to the sea and seaport, there is a beach for you to walk around. Inside there is also a play area for children. There's also a block of houses that I haven't finished yet. It's a suitable place if your family goes out and has children along.

I visited Caroline Bay for the Rock n Hop festival. Which was brilliant. It should be noted that if you want to put your children into the fancy dress competition you have to register online the week before. Anyway Caroline Bay is worth a visit any time with the new adventure playground, aviary, rose garden, fountain pond, then stairs up so that you can view the whole area. Timaru is a place that actually takes advantage of and uses the natural lay of the land to get the best views with amenities.

Such a beautiful place. A kind lady, who'd pointed out a seal to me first, helped me to get there, while I was out in Timaru, in an attempt to lose myself in nature. She showed me the area of the beach where penguins come at night to have their little beach party. I could see tiny footprints which I hoped belonged to a penguin or two. A path along the beach led to the cliffs, oh, those beautiful cliffs. A bridge above a railway track and a tiny unused lighthouse were the sights that greeted me there. I do wish the lighthouse was open for the public. It'd give an even greater perspective, I think. A small path from the cliff led onto another cozy part of the bay. A wide selection of small to large round pebbles could be found there. Another bridge that extended into the sea gave an absolutely graceful view of the sea. The sea changed its colors from light blue to shades of green and dark blue. Altogether, it was a peaceful and beautiful day out there, in the midst of nature. Hope to see some penguins next time!

We choose 1 hr trek with Hannah and had so much fun with the horses and taking in all the beauty. My husband rode a calm horse , Torque while I had a very cheeky horse Bobby . We had to turn around half way because I dropped my phone and had to look for it. If you have Bobby, he does a few jumps here and there while trekking which might be scary for a beginner but after a few small jumps you get used to it. Word of caution , if you take your phone , put it safe in a zipper pocket or tightly secure pants or you’ll drop it like I did. Hannah is in the process of setting up her payment portal so only takes cash or bank transfer. Must do for anyone near Fairlie!

Love the ride. I joined the 1.5hr trek and it’s my first time riding horses. Most of the horse trekking in NZ don’t operate in May. But luckily we can still ride here. Hannah was patience and the horses were calm throughout. Hannah was also taking pictures for us so we can enjoy the ride and scenery.

This was an absolutely amazing experience. I am so happy that Real Kiwi Horse Trekking operates all year round. Even in the winter months. Hannah was so good with helping us book a ride and Sue took us on an amazing 2 hour trek through the woods, along the river and through the hills. All with amazing views of the sheep, cows, and of course the mountains They were so friendly and made this ride so easy. I have not ridden much before this but this made me feel like a pro. The horses were wonderful and I cannot recommend this enough. Definitely make this stop on your NZ trip. It's worth it.

A wonderful experience! They operate year-round so we were able to do a trek with them in the winter. Hannah was great to communicate with when planning, and our guide Sue was fantastic - smart and steady leading the horses, always checking in to make sure we didn't need anything, and even took photos during the ride so we didn't need to worry about fumbling with our phones. The horses were great on the trail, and the views and landscape we trekked over were just breathtaking. Definitely recommend, would trek with them again!

Definitely one of the favourite highlights of our South Island trip, our guides Sue and helper Riley were both lovely, patient and caring. It was fun noticing all the little quirks and personalities of the horses too. Well recommended. 😊

Hannah was very kind and friendly. It was our first time riding horses, and everything went perfectly. The horses were smart and steady. We absolutely loved this experience!

Had a fantastic time with Hannah and Sue, loved learning all about the farm, horses were fab, knew what they were doing! 100% recommend

We had a lovely time at Alpine Alpacas; the staff were welcoming and friendly, and we really enjoyed meeting the alpacas, plus the horse and the Shetland pony ❤️ Feeding them was such a cute experience! The shop has some really nice things too. Would highly recommend to anyone staying in Fairlie or passing through :) Thank you for a lovely morning!

Our group of 6 throughly enjoyed ourselves visiting Alpine Alpacas. We felt very welcome by the staff members, Sharon and Riley, who took the time to tell us about the different animals and their personalities. A We also had the joy of meeting Spot, an eleven day old lamb! Definitely the highlight of our day.

We love Riley’s guide tour!! When she said she is lots of animals’ mom, I can see proud on her face. She knows her children very well, very professional! Very nice tour!

Had a great time at Alpine Alpacas today! The staff were lovely and the alpacas are so cute. I really enjoyed feeding and stroking them and meeting the horse and Shetland pony too :) a great place to visit.

Amazing 45 min guided tour experience with Riley at 10am. The animals are very cute. Riley ensured we had a great time. Thanks for showing us around.

Excellent up close experience with alpacas, lambs, horse. You can feed them too. Riley was a great guide. She explains well.

We had a lovely time feeding & learning about the alpacas. Riley was really friendly & knowledgeable, would recommend if you’re staying in the area

We found this place on Google as we were passing through and so glad we did! There are 30 wallabies in total and a bunch of other animals as you walk around the paddocks, there's a super cheeky peacock too. The wallabies are so sweet and gentle, the lady that owns the place is a real character, she obviously cares so much about her animals, we found her to be sweet and certainly has a sense of humour! Myself and Husband absolutely loved it. And for $15 for a huge bag of food and unlimited time walking around the paddocks, we thought it was a super reasonable price! 100%recommend ❤️

This experience was truly unique. I recommend learning about how this place was founded before visiting—it adds so much meaning. Gwen, also known as the “Lady Wallaby,” dedicated many years to caring for these wallabies. An amazing and inspiring experience!

You must stop by this place. The lady who owns this place is definitely part of the experience. A cheeky woman she is which made me laugh so much. It was $15 cash to get a bag of feed. We didn’t even finish the feed because wallabies are surprisingly gentle and slow eaters. They are very soft and gentle as well. Some are more shy than others but make sure everyone gets some feed! I highly recommend to kids and adults! She also has two cockatoos that can speak and say “I love you”. So cute.

Super fun to feed and pet wallabies! Make sure you have cash if you are an international tourist, only kiwi credit cards are accepted. Overall great time! If you’re in the area, you should stop by!

Great place to visit when in Waimate, especially with kids. Gwen, the owner, is very nice. NZ eftpos or cash (15 NZD per adult, 10 NZD children above 5 years)

Highly recommend this tour! Affordable price for an unforgettable experience! Those wallabies all have different personalities and they are all lovely. The host is kind to me and give a really detailed guidance on how to feed wallabies, which I think it’s very necessary to learn. Don’t miss this park if you pass by! 很好玩中国人不骗中国人！！！

Great to feed some wallabies. A lovely place tucked away, in the small town. A good visit if going from Timaru to Oamaru. $15 to hand feed the wallabies, a great coloured peacock wandering around as well. Really easy to navigate if you read the signs as well.

This was such a highlight of my road trip up the east coast. I decided to randomly stop and check it out and it was such a creative and fun place to visit. So many interactive and unique exhibits and well worth the visit. Very highly recommend.

I was actually surprised that I really enjoyed this activity. Was a lot to see and do here. The kids loved it and so many things to touch and experience. Is an outside area so we did that first with the weather about to turn! Really cool. Would recommend to anyone in the area to go and check out it. You will be surprised!!!

Loved this museum! It’s a mix of both cool and freaky stuff! I would highly recommend visiting this place. You will easily spend an hour or so if you love taking photos like me! It has many interactive elements which were a massive highlight!

Steam Punk HQ Was great fun! Everything is interactive. Lots of buttons to push and levers to move and things that make noise or flash lights. There are vehicles to climb in & on and amazing machines and sculptures and giant roaches on the wall! Ever wanted to play an evil dentist? Or mad scientist? This is the perfect opportunity. Quirky kids of all ages will love this place!

I love carefully curated clutter where I can poke around and fiddle with stuff. While not a steampunk aficionado per se, I am a generalist nerd, so I have made my rounds with Gibson and Sterling. The place is perfectly sized for a couple of hours of serious examination or an hour of casual wonder. It is a bit like the original Meow Wolf in Santa Fe. While it doesn’t have as strong and in-depth of a narrative thread as MW, it does stick its main theme with fanciful interpretive plaques like a traditional local history museum. Oh, and there is a little Weta Workshop connection and kickass movie prop if you read carefully.

Definitely go to this. 2kids loved it 1 didn't. Ages, 13, 11 and 9. Fun activity and lots of cool photos and things to do

Second time here and still enjoyed our visit. Loved the things that we can activate. Well worth the visit.

Always a delight to visit. Arrived home with birthday presents of beautiful candles and 2nd hand books. Chocolate and hokey pokey and a conversation with a lovely lady about life and travel.

A excellent place for understanding th heritage of North Otago lots to see and do. Organized events and Steam train rides Blue Penguin colony lots of cafes and restaurants brewery Something for all ages to check out

Lovely vibe. You can see that alot of energy is going into restoration of the buildings and its memories. The heritage festival weekend was being held when we visited and is well worth attending.

A gem in the South Island - Oamaru. We were only staying a few days but ended up being almost a week. There is so much to explore, and this quarter is fascinating.

On a recent trip to the South Island we passed through Oamaru and had lunch and a look around Oamaru's Victorian Precinct. What an unexpected surprise! Amazing attraction. The focus on steam punk an unexpected bonus, especially knowing that this has been a long-time focus of the area. The charming blend of history and quirkiness was captivating, with the steampunk twist adding an extra layer of fun.(as you will see from my few photos). Think a must see if you have children and want a great place to explore with them. Loved every moment of our brief stay and was sad to be on our way to our next destination. We will definitely be back !

Great place glad it was on the list to visit

Went to the Steampunk Festival over the long weekend. People watching on steroids! Had fun seeing the tapestry of costumes, conversations and shared obsession unfold all around. The historic setting alone is worth the visit, but even better if you can time it with an event like this one.

Absolutely love this place in spring. Good for walks and children will love the playground.

Stayed at the top 10 Oamaru, this park is about 5 mins from there,very impressive different gardens within the park. Children's play area, bridges over the water. Such a beautiful place definitely worth a visit

Beautiful garden. Well worth the stop. When we visited the glass houses were closed as they were undergoing restoration. I'm very envious of the private house that sits in these gardens, it is an amazing little piece of paradise.

Gardens on all their autumnal glory. Very pleasant to walk around. Has a lovely kids play park with a Humpty Dumpty wall. The Alps to ocean bike trail goes through the gardens. Very nice atmosphere after a long ride.

Was a bit 'abandoned' during winter. But it is still worth going to see the aviary, the green house and the park in general. There are a lot of ducks, the sign asks people not to feed the ducks with bread, but grain/seeds so the ducks don't get sick.

Outstanding. Well maintained gardens with a vast variation of plantings in a beautiful setting. Great playground with paddling pools for kids. Picnic tables and clean toilets

Not as good as I expect, maybe it’s because in the winter. The bird areas are quite good, they are adorable. There are some parking lots and toilets next to the garden which are so good.

Elephant Rocks Review This is a free and easily accessible natural attraction that’s well worth a visit if you're in the area. Located just a short drive from Duntroon, the site features massive limestone boulders scattered across a wide open field, creating a surreal and scenic landscape. Photos don’t do justice to the scale of the rocks — it's only when you're standing beside them or climbing to the top that you realise just how huge and impressive they are. From the top, you're rewarded with sweeping views across the field and out toward snow-capped mountains on the horizon. There’s ample parking and a couple of picnic tables at the entrance, and even on a busy day the space is vast enough that it never feels crowded. It’s an ideal spot for a leg stretch, a peaceful walk, or snapping some truly one-of-a-kind photos. While I wouldn’t suggest making a long drive just for this one stop, it's absolutely worth the short detour if you're passing through or exploring nearby. A refreshing and memorable place to enjoy the outdoors and take in the natural beauty of these unique rock formations.

We stopped here for what we thought would be a quick picnic lunch and explore. We were here for almost 2 hours exploring every corner we could. Our kids spotted 2 elephant looking rocks and 1 rhino, most of the time too busy climbing and hiding around the grounds. Heaps of room in the parking area and has a few picnic tables before heading into the field. Lovely spot.

It's interesting to see so many rocks clustered in one area. According to Susan, a staff member at the Vanished World Centre, these rocks were submerged in water before, and years of rain and wind created their shapes, like elephants, etc. Thank you to the private owner for allowing visitors to walk in and experience this. We saw many interesting rocks but just couldn't find the elephant. We did find the hippopotamus... haha. It's good to explore and spend some time enjoying nature's creations the sheep. Just be cautious of all the sheep droppings around.

What a fun and quirky stop! The massive limestone formations at Elephant Rocks are absolutely stunning — it really feels like stepping into another world. The scenery is unreal, and the view is worth every step. Just be prepared for a little extra adventure — the place is full of lamb poop everywhere! 😂 Half the fun is actually trying to find a clean spot to land your foot. It definitely adds a hilarious twist to the experience. Overall, a must-visit for a good laugh, awesome photos, and a unique New Zealand countryside vibe. Just don’t forget your sense of humor… and maybe some sturdy shoes! 🥾

Seen a video from a soc med - was excited to see but unfortunately when we went their it was mostly big rocks.You can hardly see an elephant formation. Unless they meant Big rocks which stands as an Elephant rock. We still enjoyed it though by climbing the rocks. Visit this place when it is a nice weather. Since this lroperty is a private owned - please bring a gold coin with you for donation

If you're on the way to mpunt cook or anything up there, it's definitely worth it to spend the 15 minutes and have a look at em. Also if you're interested in bouldering there are some problems you can try even without shoes or a crashpad.

Not sure why elephant Rocks but years gone by maybe. A very amazing formation non the less in an amphitheatre like setting.

Interesting part of history about New Zealand's coast. Especially after reading about the Gold Rush and Dunedin. More importantly to respect nature and not to go too close to the wildlife. Short walk into the Seal colony and you can see many seals sun bathing or having a conference. Fun fact from chatgpt Katiki Point Lighthouse was originally powered by oil and had to be manually maintained by lighthouse keepers — today, it’s fully automated and solar-powered! Plus, the surrounding area is one of the best places on the South Island to see the endangered yellow-eyed penguin (hoiho) in the wild.

About a 5/10 min walk (down a hill) to the actual viewpoint but absolutely worthwhile. We were there for 15 mins and saw whales, potentially dolphins and were less than 10 feet from some seals.

I went with my family yesterday hoping to see yellow eye penguins in the wild and we were not disappointed. We saw 4 in total and many seals laying in the sun. The walk itself is also very beautiful and takes 5-10 minutes.

One of my favourite spot on whole trip. Grate off road, good parking place . the light house is close but don’t worry you can see grate wildlife live . some 🦭seals and albatross you can take pictures very closely if you are lucky you can see big water waves and natural view as well highly recommend 🥰

Good place to visit and absorb history and nature. Saw fur seals hauled out on the grass, which is most unusual. Heaps on the rocks too. The off shore reef was pumping.

Absolutely stunning spot, first time I've been there and walk is good and soo nice see all the fur seals 🦭 around lying on the grass 😀 Definitely worth a spot to visit

A beautiful spot to visit. The walk is mostly flat and easy, with just a downhill stretch when heading towards the colony. Peaceful views and well worth the visit.

When tourism becomes crazy! You know when you turn up somewhere and there’s multiple bus stop signs outside it’s time to turn around and leave. And they charge you to get onto a free beach to see some rocks. Which you can basically see on any other beach in NZ and the world! There’s gift shops, a cafe, an alpaca feeding area, they really have hyped this place up to be something. Crazy! Luckily I was driving this way anyway but to think that some people come over from the west coast all the way to see this is bonkers! Tourism overhype to the max!

Moeraki Boulders are little stunners perched on the beach it’s like 1,000,000 years ago someone rolled the dice and there they stayed. Absolutely worth the stop, the beach also beautiful we enjoyed the walk as well. Would rug up can be a little cold. There is a cafe there but it wasn’t open when we were there. Great stop after a few hours driving.

A little underwhelming as there were a few scattered boulders half buried. Only cool thing I felt were the boulders that were cracked open. It shows you the interesting formation of these boulders. Based off Wikipedia The Moeraki Boulders are concretions created by the cementation of the Paleocene mudstone of the Moeraki Formation, from which they have been exhumed by coastal erosion. The main body of the boulders started forming in what was then marine mud, near the surface of the Paleocene seafloor.

Went during low tide and honestly found the boulders a bit unimpressive. The ocean itself was beautiful, though, and worth a look if you’re passing through. Can get crowded with tour buses, so I wouldn’t make a special trip unless it’s already on the way.

Im sure it would have been beautiful but i didnt like that a public beach is privatised and monetised, in a way. Its only NZD2 to access the beach, its not alot.. and yes, the money is to maintain the walkway and etc... just doesnt sit right with me.

Beautiful place. There’s a public carpark with a 5 minute walk down to the beach. Alternatively, you can park by the café for a shorter stroll and view trail (a small NZ$2 donation supports the boardwalk)

Great boulders in an otherwise boulder free beach. Some have broken open, and you can see crystal deposits in the centre. The short walk to the beach is short but fairly steep, an alternative route is via the shrubbery and down some steps. The gift shop is beautiful, with lots of interesting items, not obviously tourist fodder, and the prices vary, but a lovely place with items for everyone.

When tourism becomes crazy! You know when you turn up somewhere and there’s multiple bus stop signs outside it’s time to turn around and leave. And they charge you to get onto a free beach to see some rocks. Which you can basically see on any other beach in NZ and the world! There’s gift shops, a cafe, an alpaca feeding area, they really have hyped this place up to be something. Crazy! Luckily I was driving this way anyway but to think that some people come over from the west coast all the way to see this is bonkers! Tourism overhype to the max!

Moeraki Boulders are little stunners perched on the beach it’s like 1,000,000 years ago someone rolled the dice and there they stayed. Absolutely worth the stop, the beach also beautiful we enjoyed the walk as well. Would rug up can be a little cold. There is a cafe there but it wasn’t open when we were there. Great stop after a few hours driving.

A little underwhelming as there were a few scattered boulders half buried. Only cool thing I felt were the boulders that were cracked open. It shows you the interesting formation of these boulders. Based off Wikipedia The Moeraki Boulders are concretions created by the cementation of the Paleocene mudstone of the Moeraki Formation, from which they have been exhumed by coastal erosion. The main body of the boulders started forming in what was then marine mud, near the surface of the Paleocene seafloor.

Went during low tide and honestly found the boulders a bit unimpressive. The ocean itself was beautiful, though, and worth a look if you’re passing through. Can get crowded with tour buses, so I wouldn’t make a special trip unless it’s already on the way.

Im sure it would have been beautiful but i didnt like that a public beach is privatised and monetised, in a way. Its only NZD2 to access the beach, its not alot.. and yes, the money is to maintain the walkway and etc... just doesnt sit right with me.

Beautiful place. There’s a public carpark with a 5 minute walk down to the beach. Alternatively, you can park by the café for a shorter stroll and view trail (a small NZ$2 donation supports the boardwalk)

Great boulders in an otherwise boulder free beach. Some have broken open, and you can see crystal deposits in the centre. The short walk to the beach is short but fairly steep, an alternative route is via the shrubbery and down some steps. The gift shop is beautiful, with lots of interesting items, not obviously tourist fodder, and the prices vary, but a lovely place with items for everyone.

You can visit the world's only mainland colony of Royal Albatross at the tip of the Otago Peninsula in Dunedin, New Zealand. Small guided tours to a glassed hide allows viewing of some of the nesting albatross. To protect the albatross from human disturbance, the headland is not publicly accessible. You can see adults in flight with their three metre wingspans as they glide around the headland. The centre is free to enter but tours are charged. Uneven terrain, lot of walking. Toilets available. Cafes available on site. Before the walkabout tour, you are given a demonstration/lecture about the birds and the work of the centre. Popular with tourists. Wear comfy shoes, take water, wear hat, sunscreen. Parking is easy. Amazing place to visit. Great place for photography.

We really liked our time at royal Albatross center yesterday. The staff is super friendly, answers all questions and the information provided about the life as an albatross and the nesting at this spot was really good. We saw 4 birds on the nests and some more in flight action. The cafeteria and souvenir shop are also nice for a short stop. Coming there without the tour is also ok, as you have a great viewing spot outside the center and the peninsula is beautiful. But I would recommend the tour if possible, as it was really interesting, time moved quickly and with the entry fee you support the work of the center.

We had a lovely afternoon today visiting the Royal Albatross Centre and doing the Classic Albatross Tour. Libby our guide was amazing - so passionate and informative. We learnt so much about these amazing birds and even better got to see the adults in flight and albatross fledglings nearly old enough and ready to take flight to South America. The red billed gulls also made themselves known - extremely comical and loud. A great visit.

Seeing Royal Albatross fledglings and parents, including feeding, was a very, very special experience. A well thought out visitor centre, and our viewing experience was enhanced by our very knowledgeable guide. The cafe is also worth a stop - the carrot cake is superb!

Awesome place to visit, didn't go on the tour, so missed seeing the Albatross - it was quite a blustery day. There are hundreds of Seagulls nesting here - that was a site to see. We had some lunch in the cafe - would recommend.

Had a really wonderful visit on World Albatross Day. Saw the birds right from the carpark gliding around and the chicks nesting were really special to see. In particular, I was impressed by the tiaki- the respect, passion, and conservation efforts in place to care for these beautiful creatures. I would certain recommend a visit to view and support conservation efforts for these birds and this place.

This was on my bucket list : It did not disappoint, absolutely amazing, went when the chick's were hanging out waiting for their parents to come back.. saw so many pass overs from the parents. LIBBY, our guide was the most fantastic guide and knew at the answers to my millions of questions.. BEST DAY EVER.. my 8 year old son loved it so much. We have been watching the live feed camera since going there. Everyone should have this to their bucket list

Awesome tour with Angus. Would recommend! Learned about yellow eyed penguins as well as blue ones. Got lucky and saw both! Wouldn’t mind spending more time waiting to see the penguins at the beach, but can appreciate that they want more people have a chance to see them. Keep up the good work guys!

Incredible work by the OPERA! During our tour they explained us how they started it and they work towards the conservation of penguins and andemic wildlife in general. It goes from replanting trees to having a rehabilitation center for yellow eyed penguins. It is a great location if you want to spot little blue penguins, fur seals and sea lions without bothering them. And because of the rehabilitation center you have the chance to be close to yellow eyed penguins as well.

I visited today and was delighted by our guide Ashley. She was so enthusiatic and able to give so much information about the yellow eyed penguins and their declining population. I encourage you to please visit and book a tour of this wonderful nature reserve. No wild yellow eyed penguins were seen on this visit but it was so wonderful to see a couple of young ones in rehabilation. I admire the work that they are doing and they deserve every ounce of support that you can give.

We stopped by OPERA and were lucky enough to join a tour that just leaving. We so enjoyed the Penguin and Wildlife tour. Our guide, Connor was personable and a wealth of information about the wildlife and reforestation efforts. The time flew by. We also got to observe a yellow penguin in rehab - fascinating. Highly recommend. Connor is obviously passionate about his role in supporting conservation. Thank-you Connor.

The tour was excellent. We got to see a Houho (yellow eyed penguin) on the beach plus plenty of seals and blue penguin nests. Our tour guide Angus was one of the friendliest, and was most patient with all our questions. His passion for wildlife conservation came through. I would highly recommend this tour? Specially the evening one for a better chance of sightings

Wonderful Experience at the Opera Reserve. Our visit to the Opera Reserve was truly memorable. We joined a tour (10 pers.) led by an incredibly knowledgeable guide, Maggie, who shared fascinating insights about the wildlife and natural surroundings. The bus trip to the coastline was stunning, offering breathtaking views, and the introductory film was both informative and engaging with a lovely touch of Māori. We unfortunately only saw some wild seals at the beach. What stood out most was the dedication to protecting the yellow-eyed penguin, an endangered species. This tour is a must for nature lovers and anyone who appreciates conservation efforts. Highly recommended!

I visited the OPERA with my whole family today and we had such an amazing time. Connor, who is such a funny, awesome guide (and had all the answers to our questions), did our tour today. We saw seals, many different birds and little blue penguins in the hatching houses. Unfortunately we were not lucky enough to see the yellow eyed penguin in the wild - instead we saw the two male yellow eyed penguins in the care facilities. It was so interesting to learn about the animals and why they are endangered. The OPERA is doing such an amazing job and we were happy to support them through our visit! YOU NEED TO GO!!! MASSIVE THANKS TO CONNOR AGAIN - HE REALLY COUGHT US WITH HIS ENTHUSIASM ABOUT THE PENGUINS!

We had an amazing two-hour tour at Orokonui Ecosanctuary. As a couple, we really appreciated how our guide not only knew so much about the natural history but also shared fascinating insights into the cultural history of the area. Their enthusiasm made the experience engaging from start to finish, and it truly deepened our appreciation of the sanctuary. Highly recommend!

It is an ecological island wildlife reserve developed by the Otago Natural History Trust in the Orokonui Valley - 20km from Dunedin. It covers about 290 ha or 720 acres of regenerating native forest. Lots of wildlife, especially birds can be seen at the feeding stations. There is a visitor and education centre. Entry fees are payable. Popular place, need to go early to avoid the heat too. Fair bit of walking around under tree shade. The terrain is uneven. Toilets available. Restaurant is available at centre. Wear comfy shoes, take water, wear hat, sunscreen. Beautiful place. Lots to see. Parking is easy. Great place for photography.

Wonderful sanctuary for indigenous wildlife. Great to see the Takahe family with their cute fluffy young chick's, plus kakas, tuis, robins and more. Too cold for the tuatara to come out today, it started snowing just before lunchtime!

Such a great place to visit if you love nature and the outdoors. So many native birds, I’ve never seen so many Korimako-Bellbird and Tui!! We saw Takahe, Kaka, Otago skink (Mokomoko) and Jewelled Gecko as well 😃

We didn't get to do all the pathways but what we did do was amazing. Just so beautiful and well worth the visit.

Plenty of parking, even for a few campervans. Allow an hour or 2 for your visit. You'll see lots of bird life, even some reptiles if you're patient. There is toilets and a giftshop and cafe at the visitor centre.

Very nice place. If you're patient enough you can see plenty of birds and other protected wildlife up close

The drive to point where this takes you (from Lanarch castle) is pretty average (apart from one viewpoint). Got to the point this said and it was VERY underwhelming after driving a gravel road. Might be nice if you drive via Portabello but wouldn’t bother driving the way above (until you hit a viewpoint) then turn around! Don’t waste your time or fuel! The views on road to Lanarch Castle are far more beautiful.

There are multiple places on the roadway to sit and view the amazing place. People also love running through the edge of the road and the view is extraordinary on the sunset

If you get the chance to come for a drive then you must do so. The views are incredible and well worth the afternoon (or even full day) you will spend driving, walking looking & photographing. True New Zealand.

A very beautiful and quiet place in Dunedin. The drive from Dunedin is breathtaking and you already enjoy a lot of scenic views before reaching this place. The road is not paved at the end so it is wise to take a 4x4 ride but still a sedan has no issue. There is no shop or drinking water so you should have drinking water and snacks with you. You are literally at the end of the world here as there is nothing in front of you but Antarctica very far away. I would say it is a must visit place if you are in Dunedin.

Nice drive for the views. Unfortunately due to bollards erected all the way to the end there is absolutely nowhere to stop along the way. Lighthouse at end cannot be accessed as it’s in conservation area. Really disappointing drive..

Mostly a single lane dirt track

We took a bus tour from Dunedin to Nature's Wonders wildlife park, located on the far south coast of Otago Penninsula. 30 minute drive. Via 8 wheelers, small groups of 4-6 covered nasty dirt roads to the coast. Amazing beauty on a sunny, windy day. We saw seals nesting on the rocks and some rare penguins, yellow-eyed Hoiho - about 500 left alive. The highlight was the natural beauty. Long rolling green hills with sheep grazing - sweeping into the sea. Craggy rocks and sandy beaches. On a sunny day, it was amazing. A far outpost that is worth the effort to see.