Auckland - City of Sails (the world’s best city for yacht lovers), with Mount Eden in the forground. At 196m tall, Maungawhau or Mount Eden is the highest volcano in Auckland (in total 53 inactive volcanos). From the summit, visitors can enjoy spectacular 360-degree views of the city and its harbours. A large, well-preserved crater and ancient Maori Pā, some 50 metres deep, is contained within the summit cone. Auckland population 1,6 million, 1/3 of New Zealands total population.

Muriwai - Maori Bay. Muriwai, with Muriwai Beach north and Maori Bay south of the Muriwai Gannet Colony, is a coastal community on the west coast of the Auckland Region in the North Island of New Zealand. The black-sand surf beach and surrounding area is a popular recreational area for Aucklanders. Gannets nest there in a large colony on the rocks. The area has still retained much of its natural beauty and isolation.

Hokianga Harbour. Just a three hour drive north of Auckland on State Highway 12 the giant kauri trees of the Waipoua Kauri Forest act as sentinels for the undiscovered jewel of Northland's west coast, the historic Hokianga Harbour. Known also as 'Te Kohanga o Te Tai Tokerau', the nest of the northern tribes as most Maori trace their ancestry to the discovery and settlement of this harbour, making it indeed the birthplace of the Nation.

Urupukapuka Island. The largest of all the 140 islands in the Bay, Urupukapuka Island has a long history, both Maori and European. Visitors to the island will discover wonderful deserted beaches, historic & archaeological walks, snorkelling, kayak hire, a restaurant, bar and an ancient Maori Pā. Urupukapuka Island has been under protection as a recreational reserve since 1970 and is the only island in the Bay that is open and accessible to the public.

Waipu Cove. Waipu is a friendly town with an intriguing history, strong Scottish heritage and spectacular natural surroundings. Popular activities around Waipu include fishing, surfing, relaxing on the beach and walking. Waipu Cove, a magnificent ocean beach, is patrolled by life guards during the summer months, and is great for surfing when conditions are right. A little further south is Langs Beach, another holiday spot with extensive views of the Whangarei Heads and the Hen and Chicken Islands.

Orere Point is a small community located at the top of the Firth of Thames, about 25 minutes from Clevedon and 10 minutes southeast of Kawakawa Bay. The beach is safe for swimming and popular for fishing and boating.

Thames Bay. Located on the doorstep of The Coromandel, Thames is a gateway to outdoor adventures. Enjoy a great coffee and soak up the gold mining heritage. A 1.5 hour drive from Auckland, Thames is the rural centre of The Coromandel. The town was formed in 1870 from two smaller settlements - Shortland and Grahamstown - founded to support gold mining in the early 1860s.

Tongariro is New Zealand's oldest national park and a dual World Heritage area. This status recognises the park's important Maori cultural and spiritual associations as well as its outstanding volcanic features. National Park Village borders the dual World Heritage Tongariro National Park to the east and the Whanganui National Park to the West, in the middle of a true wilderness wonderland. The village is located near the base of Mt Ruapehu, at the intersection of SH4 & SH47 on the volcanic plateau, half way between Auckland and Wellington. It boasts great views of all three mountains, Mt. Tongariro, Mt. Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom in the Lord of the Rings filming locations) and Mt. Ruapehu - a unique dual world heritage area, 300,000 years in the making.

Mt. Tongariro (left, 1978 m, last erupted November 2012), Mt. Ngauruhoe (centre, 2291 m, last erupted in 1977) and Mt. Ruapehu (right, 2797 m, last erupted in June 1996) are active volcanoes offering many walking and hiking possibilities. The most popular track is the 7 to 8 hours long Tongariro Crossing. This track crosses a volcanic landscape of dramatic contrasts - steamning vents, glacial valleys, ancient lava flows, alpine vegetation and vivid crater lakes, all with stunning views. During winter time Mt. Ruapehu offers two maintained ski fields.

Mount Ngauruhoe is an active stratovolcano or composite cone in New Zealand, made from layers of lava and tephra. It is the youngest vent in the Tongariro volcanic complex on the Central Plateau of the North Island, and first erupted about 2,500 years ago. Although seen by most as a volcano in its own right, it is technically a secondary cone of Mount Tongariro. The volcano was used as a stand-in for the fictional Mount Doom in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, achieving worldwide exposure.

Orakei Korako boasts the most active geysers of any geothermal park in New Zealand. Up to 23 active natural geysers play freely through the area, which is constantly changing. Marvel at the number of boiling hot springs and the vibrant colours all around you, or take a native bushwalk through this untouched geothermal paradise. Somewhat 'off the beaten track', the Hidden Valley lies nestled in the Taupo Volcanic Zone between Taupo and Rotorua. Orakei Korako is a mere 25 minute drive from Taupo and 45 from Rotorua, and not far from State Highway 1 and State Highway 5.

Waimangu - Warbrick Terrace. When a local volcano, Mt Tarawera, exploded on the night of June 10th 1886, the world's newest geothermal system came into being. Mt Tarawera opened up like a zip with no less than 13 craters blasting off over an area that snaked for about 17km2, towards what is now known as Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Along that path lay a small lake by the name of Rotomakariri. It was engulfed by what was the shallow Lake Rotomahana which expanded to 20 times it's original size. In gaining an additional 40m in depth, the famous Pink and White Terraces, which are what visitors came to see, were forever lost to view. You can find left over craters filled with hot thermal waters, and mud, of course. These craters are aptly named Echo Crater, Inferno Crater, Black Crater, Fairy Crater and Raupo Pond Crater.

Hells Gate Rotorua is New Zealand's most active geothermal attraction and features the biggest mud volcano in the country as well as the largest hot waterfall in the Southern Hemisphere. Hells Gate is the only place in New Zealand where you can soak and relax in an outdoor Mud Bath, used for generations by Maori to ease joint and muscle pain.

White Island (Whakaari) is the perfect example of an active volcano. It breathes, it roars and it hisses from steaming vents releasing 800°C toxic gases. Situated off the coast of Whakatane, it has had around 35 small to moderate eruptions since 1826. The Maori name for the island is 'Te Puia o Whakaari', which means 'the dramatic volcano'. Although it's privately owned, White Island is a scenic reserve that can be visited by launch or helicopter. From Whakatane, Rotorua and Tauranga you can arrange a walking tour of the island, which leads right into the huge main crater. Hard hats and gas masks are provided for the tour - it's an extraordinary experience.

Cape Kidnappers is a headland at the southeastern extremity of Hawke's Bay on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island and sits at the end of an 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) peninsula which protrudes into the Pacific Ocean. It is 20 kilometres (12 mi) south-east of the city of Napier. Access to the Cape by road stops at Clifton, which is the departure point for many tourists. The cape has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because it is a breeding site for over 3000 pairs of Australasian gannets.

Strathmore Saddle. New Zealand State Highway 43, also called the Forgotten World Highway, is a road that runs 148 km from Stratford in Taranaki to Taumarunui in the King Country. It contains the only unsealed portion of the New Zealand state highway network. Driving the highway takes up to 3 hours, as it passes through rugged countryside. It climbs three saddles: the Strathmore Saddle, Whangamomona Saddle, and Tahora Saddle. 14 km past Whangamomona is the Moki Tunnel, also known as Hobbit's Hole. Near one end of the Moki Tunnel is the turn off for the Mt. Damper Falls, the fourth-highest in the North Island, and past the other end is the Tangarakau Gorge, with walls just under 70 m high. The trip on SH43 may last up to two days if you do some interesing side trips to Mt. Damper Falls or to the "Bridge to Somehere". The second interesting bridge, the "Bridge to Nowhere", can not be reached by car as it has no roads leading to it. Nevertheless it is a popular tourist attraction, accessible by mountain bike or tramping on a variety of different tracks, or by boat or kayak, followed by a 45-minute (one way) walk along maintained bush trails

Mount Taranaki, or Mount Egmont, is an active (last erupted in 1854) but quiescent stratovolcano in the Taranaki region on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island. Although the mountain is more commonly referred to as Taranaki, it has two official names under the alternative names policy of the New Zealand Geographic Board. The 2,518 m mountain is one of the most symmetrical volcanic cones in the world. There is a secondary cone, Fanthams Peak (Māori: Panitahi), 1,966 m, on the south side. Because of its resemblance to Mount Fuji, Taranaki provided the backdrop for the movie The Last Samurai. It offers man hiking and climbing possibilities and during winter month a maintained ski field.

Ōhawe Beach. Ōhawe is a coastal settlement 8 km west of Hāwera at the mouth of the Waingongoro River. Ōhawe is one of New Zealand’s earliest settled places. The first people hunted several species of moa and other birds here about 1300 AD. Ōhawe township was founded as a military settlement in 1865. The Ōhawe Beach Camp with its very friendly caretaker is somehow special, but offers all a camper needs. The beach is very popular with locals in the area and with large numbers involved in most common beach recreational activities.

Picton (Māori: Waitohi) is a town in the Marlborough Region of New Zealand's South Island. The town is located near the head of the Queen Charlotte Sound, 25 km north of Blenheim and 65 km west of Wellington. Waikawa lies just north-east of Picton, and is often considered to be contiguous part of Picton. Picton is a major hub in New Zealand's transport network, connecting the South Island road and rail network with ferries across Cook Strait to Wellington and the North Island. The town has a population of 4,360 (June 2017), making it the second-largest town in the Marlborough Region behind Blenheim. The town is named after Sir Thomas Picton, the Welsh military associate of the Duke of Wellington, who was killed at the Battle of Waterlo

The dramatic Lindis Pass links the Mackenzie Basin with Central Otago. The actual pass crosses a saddle between the valleys of the Lindis and Ahuriri Rivers at an altitude of 971 metres above sea level. For many months of the year, you can expect to see snow in this mountainous area - often down to the roadside.Adjacent to the highway is the Lindis Conservation Area.

Christchurch (Māori: Ōtautahi), view from Summit Road, is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Canterbury Region. The Christchurch urban area lies on the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula. It is home to approx 400,000 residents, making it New Zealand's third most-populous city behind Auckland and Wellington. The Avon River flows through the centre of the city, with an urban park located along its banks. At the request of the Deans brothers—whose farm was the earliest settlement in the area—the river was named after the River Avon in Scotland, which rises in the Ayrshire hills near to where their grandfather's farm was located. The city suffered a series of earthquakes between September 2010 and early 2012, with the most destructive of them occurring at 12.51 p.m. on Tuesday, 22 February 2011, in which 185 people were killed and thousands of buildings across the city collapsed or suffered severe damage. By late 2013, 1,500 buildings in the city had been demolished, leading to an ongoing recovery and rebuilding project.

Lyttelton, view from Summit Road, (Māori: Ōhinehou) is a port town on the north shore of Lyttelton Harbour, at the north-western end of Banks Peninsula and close to Christchurch, on the eastern coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Due to its establishment as a landing point for Christchurch-bound seafarers, Lyttelton has historically been regarded as the "Gateway to Canterbury" for colonial settlers. The port remains a regular destination for cruise liners and is the South Island's principal goods transport terminal. In 2009 Lyttelton was awarded Category I Historic Area status by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT) defined as "an area of special or outstanding historical or cultural heritage significance or value". According to the 2013 census, the usual resident population of Lyttelton, including neighbouring communities of Rapaki, Cass Bay and Corsair Bay, was 2,859.

Akaroa, view from Summit Road. Just 75 kilometres from the city of Christchurch, Akaroa is a historic French and British settlement nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano. Explore the village with its colonial architecture, galleries, craft stores, and cafés. Relax or take part in the many activities that are on offer. Explore the dramatic outer bays and take your time to soak in the magic of this area. A wide range of accommodation is available and you will need more than a day to explore this little piece of paradise.

Castle Rocks, before Porters Pass. Porters Pass (939 metres) is a mountain pass in the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. It is near Lake Lyndon and is located within Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park. State Highway 73 travels through the pass on its route from Springfield to Cass, and it is the last mountain pass on the route eastwards from Westland to Christchurch. It is also the third-highest point on the South Island's state highway network after the Lindis Pass and the Milford Road (though it is just one metre lower). Although Arthur's Pass is better known, Porters Pass is actually a few metres higher, and it affords views of the Canterbury Plains. The pass was named in 1858 by the Porter brothers who were farming nearby.

Castle Hill is a location and a high country station in New Zealand's South Island. It is located at an altitude of 700 metres, close to State Highway 73 between Darfield and Arthur's Pass. It is private property and located within the Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area. It is widely considered to be the epitome of New Zealand's South Island climbing scene, where on any given day one can find rock climbers bouldering the unique limestone outcroppings. This area has recently seen more visitors, as nearby Flock Hill station was used for the filming of the climactic battle scenes of the 2005 movie, 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'.

The Waimakariri River, here shortly before Arthur's Pass, is one of the largest of the North Canterbury rivers, in the South Island of New Zealand. It flows for 151 km (in a generally southeastward direction from the Southern Alps across the Canterbury Plains to the Pacific Ocean. In Māori, Waimakariri has several meanings, one of which is "river of cold rushing water". The river is known colloquially in Canterbury as 'The Waimak'. The river rises on the eastern flanks of the Southern Alps, eight kilometres southwest of Arthur's Pass. For much of its upper reaches, the river is braided, with wide shingle beds. As the river approaches the Canterbury Plains, it passes through a belt of mountains, and is forced into a narrow canyon (the Waimakariri Gorge), before reverting to its braided form for its passage across the plains. It finally enters the Pacific north of Christchurch, near the town of Kaiapoi.

From Lake Coleridge you can drive the beautiful Lyndon Road through the Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park past Lake Lyndon. It connects with SH73, the road to Arthur’s Pass, one of New Zealand’s top tourist routes. There are many interesting walks along SH73 and in Arthur’s Pass Village you can get a bite to eat and very likely meet New Zealand’s alpine parrot, the Kea. Except for during winter months the Lyndon Road is well-maintained and can be driven in 2WD vehicles. There was a small ford to cross near the SH73 intersection, negotiable in a 2WD vehicle as long as the water is not running too high. We once got stuck there with our camper van as the water was to high after heavy rain and the ground too soft. Since 2017 the ford is replaced by a small bridge.

Lake Pukaki with the Southern Alps in the backdrop. Lake Pukaki is the largest lake in the area, and it proudly shows off New Zealand’s tallest peak, Aoraki/ Mount Cook, from the many look out points around its shores. The water colour of the lake is a bright turquoise due to glacial flour, made from extremely fine rock particles that have come from the surrounding glaciers. The lake is fed at its northern end by the braided Tasman River, which has its source in the Hooker and Tasman Glaciers.

Lake Wakatipu, view towards Glenorchy. With a length of 80 km, Lake Wakatipu it is New Zealand's longest lake, and, at 291 km2, its third largest. The lake is also very deep, its floor being below sea level, with a maximum depth of 380 metres. It is at an altitude of 310 metres, towards the southern end of the Southern Alps. The general topography is a reversed "N" shape or "dog leg". The Dart River flows into the northern end, the lake then runs south for 30 km before turning abruptly to the east. 20 km further along, it turns sharply to the south, reaching its southern end 30 km further south, near Kingston.

Mt. John Observatory and Lake Tekapo. An observatory may not be on everyone's travel itinerary, but if you pass through Lake Tekapo in New Zealand's south island then a visit to the Mt John Observatory can be worth doing. You don't need to be an astronomy buff to become lost in wonder at what you may see. Mt John is a large hill overlooking Lake Tekapo, just a short drive from the town. What makes it such a great spot for an observatory are the incredibly clear skies it enjoys from its position in the Mackenzie basin - in the rain shadow of the alps, with one of the country's driest climates. The extra altitude of Mt John, about 1030m, means even less atmosphere between the telescopes and the stars. During fine weather and before noon Mt. John offers fantasic 360 degree views.

The majestic Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is an expanse of untouched, awe inspiring alpine landscape sprawled out over more than 700 km2 in the Mackenzie region. From unbelievably blue lakes and wide open skies, to jagged mountain ranges piercing the clouds, exploring Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park offers an off-the-beaten-track adventure that will leave you amazed.

Aoraki / Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand. Its height since 2014 is listed as 3,724 m, down from 3,764 m before December 1991, due to a rockslide and subsequent erosion. It lies in the Southern Alps, the mountain range which runs the length of the South Island. A popular tourist destination, it is also a favourite challenge for mountain climbers. Aoraki / Mount Cook consists of three summits, from South to North the Low Peak (3,593 m), Middle Peak (3,717 m) and High Peak. The summits lie slightly south and east of the main divide of the Southern Alps, with the Tasman Glacier to the east and the Hooker Glacier to the southwest. The view goes up the Tasman valley.

The road leads on to Erewhon High Country Station at the end of the valley. The 35,000-acre Clydesdale horse stud and working farm near the headwaters of the Rangitata Gorge is as close to nowhere and off-the-beaten track as it is possible to get. Even the name Erewhon, 'nowhere' spelt backwards (with the w and h transposed), from Samuel Butler’s classic novel, Erewhon, forewarns of its remoteness.

Grebe Valley. The Grebe River is a river in Fiordland, New Zealand. It arises north-west of Lake Monowai in an area once part of the lake but cut off by an enormous landslide about 13,000 years ago. The river now flows north, between the Townley Mountains to the west, and the Hunter Mountains to the east, and into Lake Manapouri's South Arm. Its major tributaries are Jaquiery Stream, Florence Stream, Emerald Stream, and Percy Stream, all from the west. Borland Road runs along much of the Grebe Valley to Lake Manapouri. It was built in 1963 to support a transmission line between the lake and Tiwai Point aluminium smelter in Bluff. A tramping track runs from the northern end of Lake Monowai to the head of the Grebe and up to the road. The Department of Conservation maintains several huts for trampers in the area.

View from the Remarkables towards Queenstone, Lake Wakatipu and the Cecil Peaks with Mount Nicholas in the backdrop. Queenstown (Māori: Tāhuna) is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It has an urban population of 15,300 (June 2017), making it the 27th largest urban area in New Zealand. In 2016, Queenstown overtook Oamaru to become the second largest urban area in Otago, behind Dunedin. Queenstown has earned the reputation as ''adventure capital of the world'' for good reason – there are probably more ways to get an adrenaline rush in this awesome little town than you can hope to achieve in a lifetime. From bungy jumping to skydiving to jetboating - there really is something for everyone!

Lake Te Anau - Boat Harbour. Lake Te Anau is in the southwestern corner of the South Island of New Zealand. The lake covers an area of 344 km2, making it the second-largest lake by surface area in New Zealand (after Lake Taupo) and the largest in the South Island. It is the largest lake in Australasia by fresh water volume. The main body of the lake runs north-south, and is 65 km in length. Three large fiords form arms to the lake on its western flank: North Fiord, Middle Fiord and South Fiord. The surface of the lake is at an altitude of 210 m. It has a maximum depth of 417 m, so much of its bed lies below sea level. Boat Harbour at Te Anau Downs is the starting point of the Milford Track as the boats start here taking you to the northern tip of the lake to the official start of Milford Track. The Kepler Track starts and ends at the south tip of the lake at the Waiau River.

Milford Road North. State Highway 94 is a New Zealand state highway connecting the large Southland town of Gore with one of New Zealand's most popular destinations, Milford Sound. It also passes the significant townships of Lumsden and Te Anau as well going through the Homer Tunnel (in this area it is also called the 'Milford Road', with the section from Te Anau up to the Sound being 119 kilometres. The road also goes through Fiordland and crosses the Main Divide of the Southern Alps.

Milford Road South. Milford Road is regarded as one of the most scenic roads in New Zealand, and with a peak elevation of 940 metres, the country's third highest highway after the Desert Road (SH 1) and the Lindis Pass (SH 8). However, the "Milford Road" part is also one of the more dangerous public roads in New Zealand, with injury crash rates around 65% higher than the rest of New Zealand's network, and a fatality crash rate of almost twice average (per vehicle kilometre travelled), making it the third most dangerous section of New Zealand's State Highway network (as of 2008).

Milford Sound (Māori: Piopiotahi) is a fiord in the south west of New Zealand's South Island within Fiordland National Park, Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve, and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. It has been judged the world's top travel destination in an international survey (the 2008 Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards by TripAdvisor) and is acclaimed as New Zealand's most famous tourist destination. Rudyard Kipling had previously called it the eighth Wonder of the World. Milford Sound attracts between 550,000 and 1 million visitors per year. This makes the sound one of New Zealand's most-visited tourist spots even with its remote location and long journey times from the nearest population centres.

Mitre Peak (Māori: Rahotu) is an iconic mountain in the South Island of New Zealand, located on the shore of Milford Sound. It is one of the most photographed peaks in the country. Part of the reason for its iconic status is its location. Close to the shore of Milford Sound, in the Fiordland National Park in the southwestern South Island, it is a stunning sight. The mountain rises near vertically to 1,690 m, i.e. just over a mile, from the water of Milford Sound, which technically is a fjord.

Milford Sound - view up Cleddau Valley and Arthur Valley (right). The mouth of Arthur river into Deepwater Basin represents the trail head of the Milford Track as well.

Ship Creek Beach. From swamp forest to windswept sand dunes two short walks will give you give a real taste of the wild West Coast. Walk through lush shaded forest and experience one of the best examples of swamp forest, featuring stunning specimens of New Zealand’s tallest tree, the kahikatea (white pine). Or follow the ruggard west coast dunes before heading into a dense coastal forest of stunned, windswept trees. Take in spectacular views of the coastline and dune lake along the way.

Seven Mile Bluff, north of Rapahoe, on a stormy and rainy day, seen from Motukiekie.

Sunset on Rapahoe Beach (Point Elizabeth and Big Rock). Rapahoe has a small, but very nice holiday park, just a few steps off the beach.

The Pancake Rocks are a very popular tourist destination at Dolomite Point south of Punakaiki village. The Pancake Rocks are a heavily eroded limestone area where the sea bursts through several vertical blowholes during high tides. Together with the 'pancake'-layering of the limestone (created by immense pressure on alternating hard and soft layers of marine creatures and plant sediments), these form the main attraction of the area. The Pancake Rocks are presently explorable by a number of walkways winding through the rock formations, parts of these wheelchair-accessible and others carved into stairways up and down the rock faces. State Highway 6, the only through road on the West Coast, passes through the town.

Fox Glacier (Māori: Te Moeka o Tuawe) is a 13-kilometre-long temperate maritime glacier located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. It was named in 1872 after a visit by then Prime Minister of New Zealand Sir William Fox. In 1998, the name of the glacier was officially altered to Fox Glacier / Te Moeka o Tuawe. Fed by four alpine glaciers, Fox Glacier falls 2,600 m on its 13 km journey from the Southern Alps down to the coast, with it having the distinction of being one of the few glaciers to end among lush rainforest only 300 metres above sea level. Although retreating throughout most of the last 100 years, it was advancing between 1985 and 2009. In 2006 the average rate of advance was about a metre a week. In January 2009, the terminal face of the glacier was still advancing and had vertical or overhanging faces which were continually collapsing. Since then there has been a significant retreat, with the 2009 high level clearly visible as vegetation line on the southern slope above what is left of the lower glacier today.

Fox Glacier as seen from Cook Flat Road, off SH6 towards Lake Matheson.

Surat Bay in the Catlins is quiet and peaceful spot, home to many sea lions, seals and native birds, all of which can be viewed in their natural environment. There is a walking track on the Scenic Reserve at the mouth of the estuary and often sea lions can be seen on the beach. Surat Bay was named after the sailing ship the "Surat" that was shipwrecked here on New Years Day in 1874.

Catlins - Cannibal Bay. Cannibal Bay is another one of those beautiful sheltered & secluded bays that is usually by-passed by the "must see NZ in 2 weeks" type who have only allocated 2-3 days to see the Catlins. But if it's sealions you want to see then the 8km drive down a narrow winding gravel road is well worth it. Cannibal Bay is linked with a short climb over reasonably high sand dunes with the far north end of Surat Bay.

Catlins - Nugget Point. This Department of Conservation Wildlife Reserve at Nugget Point has dramatic views of “The Nuggets.” These wave-eroded rocks, which are likened to the shape of gold nuggets, can be seen from the viewing platform at the Nugget Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1869-70, is 9.5 metres high and situated 76 metres above sea level. The walk from the car park is 20 minutes (one way). Along the way you may see the fur seal colony on the rocks at sea level to the left of the track and also below the lighthouse, or the many seabirds that make The Nuggets their home. During the months of December – February elephant seals also make The Nuggets their stopover point.

Bluff (Māori: Motupōhue), previously known as Campbelltown and often referred to as "The Bluff", is a town and seaport in the Southland region, on the southern coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the southernmost town in New Zealand (excluding Oban) and, despite Slope Point and Stewart Island being further to the south, is colloquially used to refer to the southern extremity of the country (particularly in the phrase "from Cape Reinga to The Bluff"). According to the 2006 census, the resident population was 1,850, a decrease of 85 since 2001.