Discover where locals travel in New Zealand

23.11.2023 - 10:20 / lonelyplanet.com

As far away from everywhere else as it gets, New Zealand is a dream destination for anyone with a case of wanderlust.

Filled with movie-worthy natural scenery, threaded with long-distance bike trails, lined with beaches and dotted with sophisticated cities, this country has it all – so much, in fact, that figuring out what to pack into an itinerary can feel overwhelming.

Which is why we asked a trio of our most knowledgeable New Zealand–connected correspondents for recommendations about where they vacation in their country. If you’re planning an under-the-radar tour of New Zealand, start here.

Naomi Arnold is a journalist and author who lives in Nelson.

Golden Bay’s geography truly defines its character. A wide C-shape at the northwestern corner of New Zealand’s South Island, it’s a blessed world of bush, paddocks, small towns, rivers and beaches, all encircled by two national parks, the Ramsar bird haven of Farewell Spit, and the sea. 

With only one road in and a population density similar to Mongolia, Golden Bay has an alternative vibe and a last-place-on-Earth quality. In the 1970s, hippies flocked to the area, particularly Takaka, which still maintains a laid-back atmosphere with meditation retreats, hippie communes, and a renowned trance music festival. Travelers often skip it in their rental-car race around New Zealand – but with its joys strung along the coast from the calm golden Tata Beach to the wild western Wharariki Beach, it’s worth well more than a day trip from the regional hub of Nelson. 

In the main town of Takaka, Wholemeal Café has been serving tasty, robust fare for nearly half a century. Nearby is Pohara Beach Top 10 Holiday Park, a favorite for families and budget travelers. The beachfront Adrift in Golden Bay is the area’s only five-star accommodation, for those looking to splurge. And don’t miss marveling at some of the clearest water ever measured at Te Waikoropupū Springs.

From Nelson, the bay is a two-hour drive over Takaka Hill, climbing to 791m (2595ft). Go slow: the road has 257 corners, as my friend Adam once counted, with some of the hairpins almost 320 degrees. That hill is enough of a barrier to protect Golden Bay from too much interference by the rest of the world.

Just the way the locals like it. 

Travel blogger and entrepreneur Anita Hendrieka is a New Zealand native currently based in the Albanian Riviera.

You couldn’t find a more Kiwi beach if you tried.

Ngawi, located at the southernmost point of the North Island (about an hour and a half from Wellington) in the Wairarapa region, is a local favorite for its unique black-sand beaches and rugged coastline. It’s a peaceful and wild place, with a resident population of just 40 people. It’s where to go when you need to