Great Kiwi Trips

14/09/2026

The best breakfast of your New Zealand trip probably won’t be at your hotel.

It’ll be waiting at the little café around the corner.

A good flat white. Something fresh from the local bakery. A table among the locals as the town begins its day.

New Zealand has a café culture that’s woven into everyday life – and stepping outside your hotel for breakfast is one of the simplest ways to experience it.

Years from now, you probably won’t remember the hotel buffet.

You might remember the local at the next table striking up a conversation and sharing their two cents on where you should stop next.

https://www.greatkiwitrips.com/post/breakfast-in-new-zealand

11/09/2026

How far north have you been?

Northland doesn’t stop at the Bay of Islands.

Keep going.

Tiptoe to the Top.

Past the kauri forests. Past the long, empty beaches. Up and over the giant sand dunes. Keep going until you reach Cape Reinga and, eventually, run out of road.

It’s one of the remarkable corners of Aotearoa featured in our wider guide to New Zealand’s regions, routes and experiences—but it’s well worth exploring on its own.

Take a look:
https://www.greatkiwitrips.com/product-page/things-to-do-in-northland-far-north

08/09/2026

Google says 3 hours. Reality is more like 8.

No, we haven't suddenly forgotten how to use a clock.

A 3-hour drive in New Zealand can easily turn into an 8-hour day.

Why?

Because you’re not travelling through New Zealand just to get from A to B.

There are mountain passes to stop at. Lakes you didn't expect. Viewpoints that deserve more than a quick photo. Tiny towns worth exploring. Cafés you didn't plan on visiting.

And sometimes… you just need to pull over and stare at the scenery for a while.

That’s why we build breathing room into the itineraries we create.

The driving time might say 3 hours.

The day itself? Allow considerably more.

We’ve put together a guide to help you understand New Zealand driving times before you start planning your road trip.

Read the guide:
https://www.greatkiwitrips.com/post/new-zealand-driving-times

02/09/2026

Head south. Keep going. Stay curious.

The Catlins is one of those places where the road itself becomes part of the adventure.

Wild coastline. Ancient forest. Hidden waterfalls. Wildlife. Quiet beaches. And plenty of little detours that are worth taking.

It's not really a place to rush through, ticking off the sights. Slow down, take the scenic route and see what you find.

We've put together a guide to some of the places and experiences worth discovering in this wild corner of the South Island.

Curious to explore The Catlins?
https://www.greatkiwitrips.com/product-page/things-to-do-in-the-catlins-clutha

01/09/2026

The tūi know. Spring is here.

And if you're planning a trip to New Zealand over the next few months, it's a pretty lonely time to be here.

Longer days, blossom everywhere, crisp mornings, and plenty of opportunity to get out and explore.

When it comes to packing, our best advice is simple:

Pack for your itinerary, not just the season.

A few good layers will take you from sunny afternoons by the coast to cooler days exploring the mountains.

We've put together a practical guide to packing for spring in New Zealand – including what to bring, what you can leave at home, and how to pack smart for your journey.

Packing for spring in New Zealand?
Here’s the guide: https://www.greatkiwitrips.com/post/packing-for-spring-in-new-zealand

27/08/2026

A strong flat white in a well-worn ceramic mug. Gumboots parked outside the store. Fresh air. A quiet country road. A windswept coast. That’s the Wairarapa & Hutt Valley in a nutshell.

More of what makes this corner of New Zealand worth slowing down for – from Martinborough’s vineyards and heritage towns to wild coastlines, rail trails and the roads in between.
Explore the guide: https://www.greatkiwitrips.com/product-page/things-to-do-in-martinborough-wairarapa-hutt-valley

24/08/2026

You might drive straight past some of the best food in New Zealand.

It probably won't have a Michelin star. It might be sitting behind a bakery counter, wrapped in paper at the beach, or waiting in the cabinet of a little country café.

A meat pie. A cheese roll. Fish and chips. A flat white. Hokey pokey ice cream. Even an L&P.

Some of these are everyday Kiwi favourites – but they're also part of experiencing New Zealand through Kiwi eyes.

I've put together 18 New Zealand foods and drinks worth looking out for on your travels, including a few you might not have heard of before.

Read the guide → New Zealand Food & Drinks: 18 Kiwi Favourites to Try
https://www.greatkiwitrips.com/post/new-zealand-food-and-drinks

21/08/2026

Don’t rush New Zealand.

It’s one of the easiest mistakes to make when planning a trip here.

New Zealand looks deceptively small on a map. Then you get on the road and discover that those kilometres come with winding roads, mountain passes, scenic stops, coffee stops – and the occasional sheep-induced pause.

Trying to squeeze too much into your itinerary can leave you spending more time getting from A to B than actually enjoying the places you’ve come to see.

We’ve put together 7 common New Zealand itinerary mistakes – and how to avoid them.

Because the best trip isn’t necessarily the one where you see the most.

It’s the one where you actually have time to enjoy it.

Read the guide:

Every year, travellers arrive in New Zealand with itineraries that looked perfect at home. Discover the planning mistakes we see most often and download our complimentary Planning Guide.

18/08/2026

The cheapest flight to New Zealand could actually cost you more.

Not necessarily in dollars.

It could cost you half a day of your holiday. An extra domestic connection. A long drive in the wrong direction. Or a 4am alarm because your return flight leaves at 6am.

And that's why I don't think you should choose your Australia–New Zealand flight based on price alone.

Where you fly into matters.

When you arrive matters.

And how easily that flight fits into the journey you actually want to take matters.

We've put together a guide to the direct flights from Australia – including the different New Zealand gateways and what I'd think about before booking.

Because the cheapest flight isn't always the cheapest trip.

Read the full guide here: https://www.greatkiwitrips.com/post/direct-flights-to-new-zealand

14/08/2026

Forget the big attractions for a moment.

Have you found the little Kiwis?

Whakatāne has a collection of quirky little Kiwi sculptures dotted around town – turning a simple wander into a bit of a treasure hunt.

It's exactly the sort of thing you might miss if you're focused on ticking off the big-name sights. But these are often the little discoveries that make a place memorable.

And that's part of what I like about Whakatāne. it's not somewhere that appears on every New Zealand itinerary, but spend a little time here and you'll find plenty to enjoy – beautiful beaches, coastal walks, Māori history and a wonderfully relaxed pace.

I've put together a guide to Whakatāne and Ōhope if you'd like to discover a little more of this often-overlooked corner of the Bay of Plenty.

Explore Whakatāne & Ōhope – and find a few of the little Kiwi surprises along the way:
https://www.greatkiwitrips.com/product-page/things-to-do-in-whakat%C4%81ne-%C5%8Dhope-eastern-bay-of-plenty