6 Nicest Small Towns In New Zealand
Where else can you walk from a wharenui to a vineyard, or from a lighthouse to a light show, without leaving town? New Zealand is divided into the North and South Islands in the South Pacific, featuring a landscape of volcanoes and rivers. In the 1800s, small towns developed from gold rush camps, pre-existing Māori settlements, and British colonial ports. Most of these towns still maintain their layout and identity. These six towns are uniquely defined by the visual beauty of their landscapes, the walkability of their town centers, and the continuity of living lightly among the rhythms of nature and deep history. Check your map, plan your stops, and get ready to hit the road.
Hāwera
In Māori, Hāwera means “burnt place”, a reminder of the devastating fires of the 1880s that destroyed much of the early town. To make matters worse, there were no significant streams or rivers nearby. Today, the city remembers its past at the Tawhiti Museum, one of New Zealand’s most detailed museums, where full-size characters and intricately crafted dioramas tell stories of Māori and Pākehā history. Inside the museum, you can ride Traders & Whalers, a boat experience through dark river scenes of frontier life in the 1800s. Next door, Farmpower Hall features an amazing collection of vintage tractors and farming machinery.
Next, walk around the corner to the Lysaght Watt Gallery for rotating exhibitions of regional artists, then take a short drive to Puketarata Garden, a private garden on a hilltop with native plants and views of Mount Taranaki. Each year, the Hāwera Winter Festival offers lightworks, local food, and music to help brighten the short days.
Whakatāne
Whakatāne ranks among the sunniest towns in New Zealand, averaging over 2,300 hours of sunshine each year. Start your visit with the Whakatāne Historic Trail, a self-guided walk that passes several significant landmarks, including Muriwai’s Cave, the Mataatua Waka Replica, and Kapu Te Rangi, the historic pā site connected to the ancestor Toi. You will also pass Mataatua Wharenui, sometimes called “The House That Came Home”, a fully carved Māori meeting house that returned to Whakatāne after 130 years overseas.
To end your day, you can either take a short drive or a 4 km walk to Julian’s Berry Farm & Café, where you can pick berries in season or watch the sunset while enjoying coffee and cake under the trees. The town celebrates Matariki, the Māori New Year, in July, commemorating the rise of the Matariki star cluster (or Pleiades), which is an opportunity to reflect on the past and contemplate the future.
Arrowtown
Did you know Arrowtown’s gold rush began in 1862 when someone struck gold in the Arrow River? That single discovery brought miners and businesses pouring in. Your visit can begin at the Lakes District Museum, which features gold pans, miners’ tools, and settler exhibits, all housed in a former bank. Within walking distance, you can see the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement, which maintains and preserves the original huts built by Chinese miners during the boom years.
Grab a seat for a cup of coffee and homemade cake at Provisions of Arrowtown, an attractive café located inside a former stone cottage. You can also sit outside in the garden, which offers a peaceful setting. Next, walk along the Arrow Bridges River Trail, which crosses over five bridges, including the historic Kawarau suspension bridge, on its way toward the Gibbston wine region. Make sure to come back in October for Gin Fest Arrowtown, where distillers and cocktail lovers come from across New Zealand.
Cambridge
Cambridge is often referred to as “The Town of Trees and Champions”. Begin your Cambridge experience with a walk around Te Koutu Lake Domain, where a short path meanders under oaks next to calm water and open lawn. After your walk, continue into the Cambridge Museum to see the exhibit “A Cambridge Timeline” that shows the history of the area using artifacts, photographs, and racing sports gear.
For lunch, consider having a sit-down meal at Alpino, a rustic Italian restaurant with walls of exposed brick, handmade pasta, and tables that line the street. Other experiences include the Farmers’ Market, which takes place in Victoria Square on Saturday and is full of vendors selling regional produce. If you are visiting in April, the annual Cambridge Autumn Festival offers live music, workshops, and art.
Akaroa
Fun fact: Akaroa sits inside the crater of the long-extinct Akaroa Volcano, which last erupted over eight million years ago. Kick things off by visiting the Akaroa Museum, which consists of three protected structures featuring displays about settler life, as well as ship logs, clothing, and photographs. After you visit the museum, take a walk uphill to The Giant’s House, a hillside garden displaying mosaic art called “The Happiest Garden on Earth”.
In the afternoon, follow the Purple Peak Track to Hinewai Reserve, where you will find roughly 20 kilometers of trails through native forest, regenerating bush, streams, and waterfalls. As your visit draws to a close, you can enjoy some wine tasting at Caldera Vineyard Estate with views across the hills and harbor. To celebrate the town's heritage, every October, the Akaroa French Festival comes to Akaroa with parades and pétanque.
Cromwell
Upon finishing the Clyde Dam in 1990, Cromwell’s main street disappeared underneath the newly created Lake Dunstan. A few of the buildings from the 1860s gold rush were preserved or rebuilt on higher ground to form the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. Inside, visit Hullabaloo Art Space, explore the restored shops, or walk down to the lakefront. The precinct's waterfront offers something for everyone, from enjoying the shore to boating, swimming, and kayaking.
Just five minutes south of Cromwell, Rose Creek Farm features guided tours of rare Valais sheep, horses, and working beehives. Next, visit Highlands Motorsport Park, where their motto is “Experience the Exceptional”. You can race golf karts, rent supercars, or even wander the sculpture garden. In July, join the town for Light Up Winter, featuring a lantern release and the iconic hat-lighting competition.
Why These Small Towns Stand Out
Arrowtown maintains its gold-mining history. Cambridge honors its past through its athletes and tree-lined streets. Akaroa establishes walking tracks connecting volcanic hills and its historic French architecture. Whakatāne uses a mix of shops and landmarks of Māori history. Hāwera built one of the most respected museums in the country. Cromwell raised its historic precinct out of the water and back into a working waterfront. These towns keep what they have without overbuilding. Whether touring gardens or visiting museums, the experience remains grounded in reality.
