6 Most Breathtaking Towns In New Zealand
From the lone Wānaka Tree rising out of Lake Wānaka to the yellow-eyed penguins along Ōamaru’s coast, some of New Zealand’s most striking scenery is found in its small towns. These six locations stand out as the most breathtaking towns in New Zealand, where visitors can experience Wānaka on the lake’s southern shore, Russell’s historic seaside setting, and Raglan’s rugged west coast. With over 15,000 kilometers of coastline, the country’s varied terrain shapes each of these towns in distinct ways, giving them their own character and appeal.
Wānaka
About 70 kilometers (43 miles) north of Queenstown is the resort town of Wānaka. The town is surrounded by mountains and sits on the southern shoreline of Lake Wānaka. It is an outdoor hub with year-round recreation. A mountain to explore within town is Mount Iron, a 540-meter (1,771-foot) peak with the Mount Iron Track, a 4.5 km (2.8-mile) short trail that residents and tourists can explore. Hikers can enjoy the stunning views of the town, the surrounding landscape, and the adjacent lake.
Across from the lake is Pembroke Park, a great place to relax for the day. Visitors can picnic, play rugby or soccer, and take in views of the lake. Across from the park is Wānaka Beach, a rocky and pleasant beach offering views of the iconic Wānaka Willow Tree and a perfect place to enjoy the sun and water. The Haka House Wānaka is a wonderful place to unwind and recharge for the weekend and is within walking distance of the park, the beach, and local restaurants like Charlie Brown Crepes for delicious treats and freshly brewed coffee.
Arrowtown
Next to Queenstown is Arrowtown, a historic mining town nestled in a dramatic river valley surrounded by glorious mountains with rivers flowing through the region. On the outskirts of town is the Sawpit Gully Trail, a 7.9 km (4.9-mile) trail offering hikers delightful views of forests, rivers, and surrounding mountains. The Arrow River runs through the trail, and hikers can explore German Hill and Brow Peak for spectacular views of the town. Across from Butler's Green is Dishery, a local spot perfect for brunch, drinks, and gathering for local events. People can also enjoy their meals on the go and have picnics on Butler's Green for an amazing day in the sun.
Just near the Arrowtown Village Green is the Lakes District Museum, a museum showcasing the town's mining history, and it has an impressive art gallery set in three historical buildings. One of those buildings was the former Ballarat Hotel, which houses over 30,000 objects and artifacts. On the southwestern end of town is the Millbrook Resort and Country Club, a luxurious escape from reality, as it provides people with gorgeous rooms and suites, a spa to relax in, a health and fitness center, two 18-hole golf courses where golfers can enjoy the panoramic views of the scenery, and an ideal place for weddings, meetings, and events.
Russell
On the Bay of Islands is the coastal town of Russell, renowned for being one of the first European settlements in the nation. It features historic architecture and scenic coastal views, making it a great place to enjoy the ocean. The Tapeka Point Track is a 1 km (0.6 mile) trail taking hikers to the top of the Tapeka Peninsula. The trail also showcases striking views of the landscape and ocean around, and is an incredible spot to enjoy the sunset. Within walking distance of the trail is the Seascape Bay of Islands, luxury villas where people can enjoy the views of Tapeka Point Beach, which is close to numerous trails, and has incredible suites to enjoy for a weekend in solitude and paradise.
Just near downtown is Russell Wharf, a gateway to the adventurous Bay of Islands dating back to the 19th century, and a bustling waterfront area with numerous activities and sights throughout the region. Visitors can access the Bay of Islands via the Northland Ferries service, which offers a 15-minute harbour crossing while taking in the views of Kororareka Bay. Within walking distance of the wharf is Seaside Cafe, a waterfront restaurant serving dishes like acai bowls, salmon, kumara rosti, ribeye steak, and Bay of Islands oysters. The restaurant can also host functions and has plenty of rooms for large crowds, making for memorable times together.
Akaroa
On the Banks Peninsula, the town of Akaroa is renowned for its British and French history, marine wildlife, swimming, and volcanic scenery. The Akaroa Village Inn sits in the heart of downtown, directly across from the Main Wharf. The rooms are cozy, with amenities like free Wi-Fi, parking, and laundry services, perfect for getting ready for a day in the scenery. Just east on Beach Road is the Akaroa Dolphins Tour, offering wildlife cruises on the turquoise waters of Akaroa Harbour, with sightings of exotic dolphins on a nature cruise or a private charter. The former takes around two hours on a luxury catamaran and offers a high chance of spotting Hector’s dolphins.
South of town is Misty Peaks Reserve, offering hikers 500 hectares of terrain explored via a 17 km (10.6 miles) track. The loop takes about 6 hours to complete, starting in Akaroa and including sites like Mt. Bernard and Flea Bay Road. Mountain biking is allowed, and visitors can see Newton’s Waterfall, found within the reserve. Before leaving to explore, an adorable place to begin the morning with a fresh breakfast is Waffle Haus Akaroa, serving bacon and butties, endless waffles, Vivace espresso, and French crepes in a relaxed setting.
Raglan
On the western end of the North Island is Raglan, a surfing mecca, with its black-sand beaches and arts scene. Ngarunui Beach is known for its black sand and is ideal for swimming, surfing, and relaxing. There's a five-km (three-mile) trail near the beach that runs through a patch of coastal forest, adding to the incredible adventure. Outside of town is the Raglan Golf Club, an 18-hole course situated under Mount Karioi, offering golfers views of the town with challenging holes. The course can host weddings, reunions, gatherings, and birthdays, making for a spectacular place to play on the green and spend time with friends and family.
In town is the Raglan Museum, which showcases the town's history through exhibits on World War I, native birds in the Raglan Whaingaroa area, kerosene and its importance locally during the 1900s, and surfing, which has been a vital part of local culture. The museum is open year-round, and admission is $5. In the heart of downtown is the Raglan Backpackers, Surf, Kayak, Paddleboard Hire, and Waterfront Lodge, a hotel that's a one-minute walk from all the action, offering gorgeous waterfront views, shared rooms and dorms, and surfing lessons to conquer the waves. Visitors can rent paddleboards and wetsuits to have a blast in the water.
Ōamaru
The beach town of Ōamaru is a breathtaking place, thanks to its Victorian limestone architecture, gorgeous coastal views, and unique wildlife, like yellow-eyed penguins. Holmes Wharf is a historic wharf in town, showcasing the community's maritime history and offering a place to view the crystal-blue ocean waters on a sunny day. Nearby is the town's Heritage Precinct, a section of town with well-preserved Victorian-style architecture, currently home to restaurants, shops, and galleries. These include Grainstore Gallery, where local art can be viewed and purchased, and the Craftwork Brewery, serving locally crafted ice-cold ales in a lively setting.
South of the Wharf is the Ōamaru Blue Penguins Colony, where visitors can observe and enjoy the presence of the blue penguins returning from their fishing expeditions. The colony has over 500 birds, most of which are visible during the birding season from November to December. One can also learn about their lives and watch the unique species of penguins return home around 8:00 p.m. in the grandstands. Further south is the Bushy Beach Scenic Reserve, a peaceful place to visit the beach, connect with nature, and enjoy the calming sound of waves crashing onto the sand. The reserve is home to the yellow-eyed penguin colony, and visitors can walk the Bushy Beach Track and view the adjacent cliffs.
A Scenic Retreat In New Zealand
These gorgeous communities are havens that serve as places to escape to for short or extended weekend trips, with Akaroa having European charm all around, Raglan with its black-sand beaches, and Ōamaru being home to its rare penguin reserves, making for unique stories to share with friends, family, and work colleagues about the adventures of a lifetime in the "Land of the Long White Cloud and Middle Earth."
