10 of the most unique things to do in New Zealand
These are some of the places that have surprised and delighted me the most — the quirky, whimsical, and unusual attractions that are true to New Zealand’s individual character.
Maybe you like escaping the crowds; maybe you love the excitement of coming across something totally unexpected.
Whatever it is, there are plenty of unique places in New Zealand that will tickle your curiosity.
New Zealand is most famous for sweeping landscapes of snow-topped mountains and deep, dark fjords. But, it’s also home to curious wildlife and quirky local art if you know where to look.
These are some of the more unusual things to do in New Zealand; the places that really made me smile in wonder.
1. Explore the Catlins
On the south eastern corner of the South Island, the Catlins is a windy, remote, and somewhat desolate part of the country.
You will typically explore the Catlins on a road trip from Dunedin to Invercargill.
Along this route, one of my favourite stops is The Lost Gypsy Gallery, possibly one of the greatest hidden gems in the whole country.
Describing itself as “A Fantastical Museum of Automata Art” The Lost Gypsy is a gallery and interactive experience where you are encouraged to push every button and wind every handle. It’s obscure, curious, and completely astounding - I was left wide-eyed by the creativity of artist Blair Somerville.
I also loved camping at Purakaunui Bay, a remote DOC campsite on the Catlins coast. It’s worth the detour down a narrow gravel road. The beach has tall cliffs stretching off on one side which make it stunningly scenic.
Sea lions like this spot too - it’s one of the few places you can see them lumber up onto the sand to sleep.
2. Discover quirky Oamaru, the Steampunk town
Oamaru is a small town that took me by surprise - the town overflows with character. In Oamaru’s Victorian Precinct, you’ll find a number of fascinating shops.
This small town is New Zealand’s capital of Steampunk, so there a number of stores selling elaborate Victorian-inspired clothing. There’s also Steampunk HQ, which is great fun to visit.
One of my favourite stops in Oamaru was the Buggy Robot Gallery.
Artist Martin Horspool sifts through kerbside junk, scrap yards and antique store to find the bits and pieces he upcycles into perfectly unique robot characters.
3. Send a postcard from a remote post office in Golden Bay
Golden Bay itself is already pretty far off the beaten track.
It’s a stunning area to visit if you like remote beaches, and it’s also a quirky, hippie little hotspot. There are plenty of gorgeous little places to hunt out in Golden Bay, and one of the most unique is the Langford Store and Post Office.
Have you guessed by now I have a fondness for whimsy? The Langford Store and post office is in the middle of nowhere, on the side of a road 15 minutes outside of the nearest town, Collingwood, which is already a remote part of the remote Golden Bay.
The store has been around since 1928, serving scones with cream and jam, and tea in bone china.
Art, collectibles, and a variety of vintage and retro goods line every available shelf space.
Order some tea, pick up a postcard and sit in the sunshine outside while you fill it out. Then pop into the tiny post office next to the store to send it.
4. Ride an old golf cart along an abandoned railway line on the Forgotten World Highway
It doesn’t get much more unique than cruising along an abandoned railway line in a converted golf cart.
The Forgotten World Adventure tours are one of a kind in New Zealand, offering a quirky way to explore some of the country’s little known rail heritage.
5. Maruia Hot Springs
If you drive from Christchurch through to the West Coast via Lewis Pass, stop at Maruia Hot Springs. The hot pools are naturally thermal, with water piped straight from the underground.
The outdoor pools are framed by rocks and look up at the deep, green forests, which are often blanketed in mist. The It’s a surreal location, and a much more peaceful place to bathe than Hamner Springs, which is more of a large water park than a relaxing hot pool experience.
6. Camp at Gentle Annies, West Coast
Gentle Annies Seaside Camping was a real gem of a place.
The campground is beautiful, there’s a cafe in an old converted cowshed, and it’s right be a long beach where you can watch sunset. Walk down the beach and you’ll find a maze on a hill — it’s as surreal as it sounds.
In the evenings, people light driftwood fires on the beach, and if you’re lucky you might spot Hector’s dolphins foraging in the shallows.
7. Swim at Pelorus Bridge, Marlborough
Pelorus Bridge is one of my favourite places to stop every time I’m in the South Island.
The campground here is surrounded by large, old trees which are a rarity in this part of the country — most of the area is covered in pine plantations,, so this feels like a calm oasis, how it must have felt once long ago when the whole area was covered in old growth forest.
The river next to the camground is divine for swimming.
8. Ride the Driving Creek Railway in the Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel Peninsula is another hippie destination in New Zealand.
There are a number of quirky places to discover on the Coromandel (I love the Gypsy Caravan in Tapu), but one of the most unique attractions is the Driving Creek Railway.
The miniature scenic railway was built by the late artist Barry Brickell, and weaves through native bush to an eye-full tower.
Thanks for reading this far — I hope you found something that tickled your fancy out of my little collection of unique things to do in New Zealand.
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AUTHOR BIO
I’m a freelance travel writer from New Zealand with bylines in National Geographic Travel, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and more.
I’ve travelled up and down beautiful Aotearoa and I love sharing my recommendations for the best places to visit in New Zealand.
