Gore © Harriet Upchurch

In the spirit of exploration, I've put together a list of townships that may not be a fixture on many holiday itineraries, but are definitely great towns to visit and well worth veering off the beaten track for. And remember, you're bound to find your own Kiwi Secret by stopping and discovering what the town you might normally just pass through is really about.

Corrugated iron sheep, Tirau
© Tourism Waikato


St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes National Park
© Latitude Nelson


St Bathans © Tourism Central Otago


Gore © Harriet Upchurch

1 - Omapere
Omapere is near South Head, at the entrance to Hokianga Harbour in Northland. This beautiful township offers a dazzling white-sand beach, great fishing, sailing and swimming.

2 - Tirau
Tirau is a quintessential New Zealand farming town that is fast becoming a destination in its own right. This country town has many claims to fame, which include its quirky corrugated-iron structures, its variety of specialty retail shops, and great food and coffee.

3 - Maketu Beach
Maketu is a small holiday town with stunning coastal views. The sandy beaches of Maketu are great for swimming, exploring rock pools, surfing, fishing and gathering shellfish. Bird watching, jet-boat rides, golf, honey-bee products and kiwifruit orchards are other attractions.

4 - Inglewood
Inglewood is nestled amidst the vivid greenness of Taranaki's dairying heartland, just below the forested fringe of Egmont National Park. Its collection of art and craft studios is not to be missed, and a visit to the Fun Ho! National Toy Museum will delight the kids.

5 - Foxton
Foxton township, a few kilometres inland from Foxton Beach, is a service town for surrounding farms and has murals depicting the history of the region. Here you can also check out the Dutch windmill and MAVtech, as well as other quirky museums.

6 - St Arnaud
St Arnaud is a beautiful alpine village southwest of Blenheim, resting beside Lake Rotoiti, a magnificent lake created by glacial movements thousands of years ago. Activities in the area include mountaineering, snow sports, walking, boating and fishing.

7 - Barrytown
Barrytown is the epitome of a small West Coast town. Here visitors can relax and put up their feet while admiring breathtaking sunsets and enjoying great hospitality. Here you can also enjoy tramping, black-water rafting, fishing, kayaking, bird watching and horse trekking.

8 - Woodend
Woodend is a delightful township surrounded by lush farmland and lifestyle blocks. The town lies between the shingle beds of the Ashley and Waimakariri Rivers and offers activities such as fishing, swimming, surfing and horse riding, as well as vibrant arts and crafts.

9 - St Bathans
In its heyday, St Bathans boasted 15 hotels, and although it has only two operating facilities these days (one is said to be haunted), it's a tranquil spot to explore. St Bathan's Blue Lake is entirely man-made, and is a beautiful setting for swimming and kayaking.

10 - Gore
Known as the country music capital of New Zealand and the trout-fishing capital of the world, Gore has numerous cultural and recreational activities, from galleries and museums to ice-skating and kayaking. Check out the museum dedicated to the illicit moonshine whisky.

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