We hear the words “off the beaten track” quite a bit these days, especially when we’re talking about travel. It seems that “off the beaten track” is preferable to “on the beaten track” but what does that really mean? Operating our small group tours around New Zealand since 1971 we reckon we’re as well qualified as anyone to answer this question so here are our favourite “Off the Beaten Track” spots in New Zealand.
Guests on our tours always tell us that the people and experiences they have in these spots is what they love most about our trips. Ready to find out more? Read on.
Stewart Island & the Catlins
If how far away from Auckland a place is qualifies it as being off the beaten track, then Stewart Island the Catlins Coast will be at the top of that list. For Aucklanders and all Kiwis, Rakiura / Stewart Island and the Catlins Coast is a dream destination and rightly so!
What we love about Stewart Island and The Catlins
Rakiura / Stewart Island – Ulva Island & Patterson Inlet. Rakiura has an area of 1764 square kilometres but only 20 km of paved roads, so by definition most of the tracks on the island are clearly not “beaten”. You really feel this when you see the Kākā parrots on your verandah in the morning or tick off every native forest bird you’ve ever heard of in a short half day visit to Ulva Island. Stewart Island is that corner of the country where they leave their doors unlocked and car keys sitting in the ignition on the main street!
The Catlins Coast – The coastal route from Invercargill to Dunedin is easily accessible and has really good roads nowadays, but is still under the radar for many Kiwi travellers. Our favourite spots which really capture the remote and quirky nature of life in the Catlins are the Lost Gypsy Curios in Papatowai and the iconic Nugget Point Lighthouse. Another favourite is the petrified forest and penguin spotting hideaways at Curio Bay. You know you’re off the beaten track when you see huge Sea Lions on the beach, as plenty of our guests have over the years in the Catlins.
Visiting Stewart Island and the Catlins with MoaTours
Our Southern Odyssey – Stewart Island & the Catlins 7 day tour spends two nights on Stewart Island plus one night in the Catlins for a real deep dive into this fascinating and remote corner of the country.
The East Cape
If you look at a map of the North Island and go to the most eastern point you see, this is the East Cape. The 334 kilometre journey from Opotiki round the cape to Gisborne would take anyone a full day, but to see it properly you really need to spend a night in the middle. Add to that the fact you have to travel a full day from most of the North Island’s main centres and that the roads are quite different from the paved motorways of SH1 means that this is clearly “off the beaten track”. Just ask how many of your friends have been round the East Cape and you’ll be surprised to hear that many haven’t. And those that have can’t wait to go back again!
Our favourite spots on the East Cape
The iconic Māori churches of Raukokore and Tikitiki, the idyllic coastal setting of Christ Church at Raukokore and the incredible artwork and memorial to the fallen Ngāti Pouro warriors from World War I at St Mary’s in Tikitiki are memorable, moving experiences. St Mary’s church was the vision of Sir Āpirana Ngata and there is a memorial to perhaps the greatest Māori leader of all there as well. We’ve been visiting for many years now and the welcome we receive and the insights our hosts at St Mary’s share make a real impression on all of us.
Meeting the East Cape locals
It seems like every business on the East Cape is a family business and we really feel their friendship and welcome (manaakitanga) every time we visit. We’ve made many friends here over the years and it’s these connections our guests tell us they enjoy most of all, like Sue at East Cape Mānuka, Judy at Rangimarie in Anaura Bay and Trudy at Tui Lodge in Te Kaha.
Tologa and Tokomaru Bays
Settlements like these were so important in the development of both the East Cape and New Zealand as a whole, with wharves built along the coast to allow the all important wool and meat to be shipped off to markets. Things have changed now but the wharves remain, there’s nothing like standing on the wharf at Tologa Bay to feel you’re right on the edge of New Zealand, because that’s where you are, in more ways than one!
Visiting the East Cape with MoaTours
Our East Cape Caper 6 day tour travels the entire East Cape with a night at Hicks Bay, visits to the churches and all our favourite spots included. This trip has been a firm favourite with our guests since 2005.
Great Barrier Island / Aotea
There are still places in Auckland which can be described as being off the beaten track and as Great Barrier Island is technically part of the Super City, this is the most remote part of Auckland. Getting there is actually really easy though, it’s only a 30 minute flight from Auckland but once you’re there you’ll move quickly onto island time. The views are iconic Hauraki Gulf vistas, with Pohutukawa in flower around Christmas framing the idyllic golden sand beaches. Great Barrier has that summer holiday feel, whenever you visit. Here are our favourites.
Great Barrier Island International Dark Sky Sanctuary
With such a low population and limited built up areas, Aotea is the only island in the world recognized as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. You can enjoy the stellar views any time the night skies are clear.
The local Great Barrier art scene and meeting the artists
Great Barrier has become an arts destination in its own right and there are lots of little galleries where you can meet the artists, see their unique works and hear their stories of trial and tribulation. If you’ve ever dreamed of the real artist’s lifestyle you’ll love the Great Barrier artists and their passion.
Getting active on the Barrier
You can’t come to a natural paradise like this without getting outside to enjoy all that scenery and fresh air for yourself, there are lots of easy short walks all over the island we also love cruising with a local skipper on FitzRoy Harbour and out to KaIkoura Island.
Visiting Great Barrier Island with MoaTours
Guests have been saying to us for many years now, “why don’t you go to the Barrier”? So now we do. Our Great Barrier Island Escape 5 day tour is super popular. You know what it’s like, sometimes you leave the places on your doorstep till last!
The West Coast of the South Island
The West Coast is probably the quintessential “off the beaten track” part of the country for many Kiwis. To many North Islanders, the main West Coast road (State Highway 6) probably qualifies all by itself, but there are a couple of magic spots not too far off this road which we have come to love over the years and our guests always tell us they were the highlight of their whole trip. Read on to find out more.
North of Westport – Karamea and Denniston
Let’s play a game right now, find a map of the South Island and go to the West Coast, from anywhere on the route of State Highway 6 trace your finger north. Keep going until the road stops – haven’t you always wondered what the end of this road looks like? We can tell you, it’s a magical spot called Kohaihai, past the last town of Karamea. When you’re standing on the sand at Kohaihai with the Tasman Sea crashing on the beach in front of you and the limestone cliffs, Nikau palms and native pigeon flying over the beautiful pristine bush of Kahurangi National Park behind you’ll know – you’re off the beaten track now.
Another spot we love in this part of the country is Denniston, the site of a deserted coal mining town perched 600m above sea level in the Papahaua Ranges and setting for the novel “The Denniston Rose”. Luckily these days access is much easier than in years gone by when riding the coal wagons on the famous Denniston Incline was the only way up or down. Denniston is now a Category 1 historic place and there’s been a lot of excellent work done to preserve the site, it’s fascinating to walk among the old relics and historical photos and imagine what life must have been like for those hardy souls there over 100 years ago. The views of the sea and coast from the top of the incline are pretty memorable too.
Okarito Lagoon
Just north of Franz Josef Glacier you’ll see a sign pointing to Okarito, follow this country road for 12km and you’ll arrive at a little settlement of about 30 people and New Zealand’s largest natural wetland. This is Okarito. Like so many towns on the coast, Okarito has a history steeped in gold, but it’s also the breeding ground for one of our rarest (and elegant) native birds, the Kōtuku or White Heron. We know just the right people to visit here, our friends Swade and Paula, who take us out on the lagoon in their boat for a wildlife cruise then treat us to a home cooked lunch and a history talk in the old town hall.
Staying with the literary theme, Okarito was the long time home of Booker Prize winning author Keri Hulme and if you’ve read her novel “The Bone People”, you’ll be transported right into that magical windswept world here in Okarito.
Visiting the West Coast with MoaTours
Our Southern Beauty 9 day tour explores the entire West Coast from South to North with a visit to Swade and Paula in Okarito and a trip up to Denniston too. For the real end of the road experience at Karamea and all the other gems of the Northern West Coast you’ll love our Karamea & Wild West Coast Trails 7 day tour.
The Whanganui River, Forgotten World Highway & Whangamomona
In the early years of our nation’s history, before State Highway 1 was completed across the Central Plateau of the North Island, all travel between Wellington and Auckland went via the Whanganui River. If you’ve ever wondered why the river has lots of little settlements with no road access and even a Bridge to Nowhere, that’s why. Once the highway was completed plans changed and projects were abandoned. Fast forward 150 years to today and the Whanganui River is a journey back in time and definitely one of New Zealand’s best “off the beaten track” spots. The Forgotten World Highway has a similar story, nicknamed so by the locals because the areas always seemed to miss out on development money from the government. What’s left today is one of New Zealand’s most spectacular roads, in fact it contains the only section of unsealed road (only 12km now) in our entire state highway network. Thankfully for us it’s in excellent condition and easily travelled on our small coaches, but big tour coaches can’t make this trip! Right in the middle of the Forgotten World Highway is the republic of Whangamomona. True story, the town declared itself a republic in 1989 in opposition to boundary changes which saw them become part of Manawatū-Wanganui but of course everyone knows that if you come from Whangamomona you’re from Taranaki! It’s a colourful spot and we highly recommend lunch at the pub there and also a really unique way to make the journey is on the Forgotten World rail carts. Don’t forget to get your passport stamped at the pub!Visiting the Whanganui River and Forgotten Worlds with MoaTours
If you’ve always wanted to explore this corner of the country then look no further than our Bridge to Nowhere & Forgotten Worlds 7 day tour, which also includes the Gentle Annie, another great New Zealand country road. Our Christmas in Taranaki 5 day tour also travels the entire Forgotten World Highway too.
We love taking our guests off the beaten track to special places and hidden gems, our guests often tell us this is a highlight of the tour. We get to see wildlife up close, meet the locals over relaxed lunches in their homes and hear stories told by expert local guides. Take a look at our 4 – 9 day small group tours to see some of the amazing places we visit.
Tours You'll Love
Southern Odyssey: Stewart Island & The Catlins 7 Day Tour
Incredible wildlife of the South, the Catlins Coast, Otago Peninsula and unplug from the world with two nights on Stewart Island.
