14 Picture-Perfect Small Towns In New Zealand To Visit On Your Next Road Trip

Just waiting on that sweet, sweet trans-Tasman travel bubble.

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1. Raglan

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This beach town on the North Island's west coast is conveniently less than two hours from Auckland. It's known for its black sand beaches and epic surf break at Manu Bay. But even if you're not a surfer or beach bum, you'll definitely enjoy soaking up the vibe of the town.

It's a chill place, like New Zealand's answer to Byron Bay, but way less pretentious. Spend your day checking out the cool cafes in town, or embarking on one of the many hiking trails that lead out into the hills. Nearby, you'll find the stunning Bridal Falls and extinct volcano Mt Karioi, that has incredible views out to the Tasman sea.

2. Matakana

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This is one for all the foodies. See if you can plan your trip around being there for the Saturday morning farmers' market to get your hands on some of the incredible fresh produce from the surrounding farmland. Mataranka is right on the coast, with amazing white-sand beaches that are a perfect place to work up your hunger before hitting up one of the town's great cafes. Or head into the hills where you'll find plenty of wineries with tastings and restaurants overlooking the vineyards.

3. Havelock North

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Hawke's Bay isn't a hidden gem by any stretch of the imagination, but most people hit up Napier and bypass the cute towns all through the region. Havelock North is technically a suburb of Hastings, but definitely has that small town vibe when you visit.

It's known for its thriving cafe scene, art galleries and multiple vineyards. You can't visit Hawke's Bay without doing at least one wine tasting so you're perfectly positioned for it in Havelock. Just down the road you've got Waimarama with good surf and bright blue water, and the region is usually lucky with good weather year-round.

4. Russell

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A trip up to the Bay Of Islands is always a good idea. Russell is a quaint coastal hamlet on a peninsula, so there are plenty of little coves and hidden beaches to explore. From here, there are so many ways to explore the bay: Kayaking, jet skiing, fishing, dolphin watching or sailing. If you're into seafood, you're going to love the local produce on offer at the town's restaurants — there are plenty of waterfront dining options to choose from. And the best thing about a peninsula? You can see both the sunrise and the sunset over the water.

5. Mangawhai

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Though Mangawhai is only an hour and a half north of Auckland, it's a whole other world. Make a beeline here if you're keen on nature. The beaches often have good enough waves for surfing or you can take a kayak on the calm blue water of the harbour surrounded by sand dunes. Bring walking shoes and tackle the Mangawhai Cliff Walk for 9km of uninterrupted coastal beauty. The town is small, but charming, with a weekly market on Saturdays if you wanna pick up local produce or handcrafts.

6. Taihape

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Come here if you want to say that you've visited the Gumboot Capital of New Zealand. It's even got a giant iron gumboot you can take a pic with, celebrating its agricultural and horticultural history.

It's a great place for adrenaline junkies with white-water rafting, abseiling, kayaking, jet boating and horse trekking in the local area. There's a good network of bushwalks around the town if you're after something a bit more pedestrian.

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7. Kaikoura

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This small town on the east coast of the South Island is known for its amazing wildlife. It's planted between the ocean and the mountains, so it's super picturesque. Here you can go swimming with dolphins, head out on a whale watching trip or check out the local sea lion colony. Be sure to eat some fresh crayfish while you're here, as it's the town's namesake!

In the local Maori language, "kai" means food and "kōura" means crayfish. It gets bloody cold here in winter, but the snow-capped mountains and rugged beaches make it feel almost magical.

8. Arrowtown

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A trip to this quaint goldrush village is like stepping back in time — all the buildings on Arrowtown's main street are original structures dating back to the 1800s. It's just outside Queenstown, but has a much more quiet, laid-back energy. It's surrounded by dramatic hills and sits on the sparkling Arrow river. You can just wander the main street, popping in and out of cafes and shops and have a perfectly pleasant afternoon. If you're after some adrenaline, you can take a 4WD trip to Macetown, a ghost town accessible only by wagon trail.

9. Oamaru

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Three hours south of Christchurch you'll find Oamaru, a town known for having not one but two penguin colonies. As well as long beaches and stunning seaside walks, the town also has a rich history, with some of NZ’s best-preserved Victorian-era limestone buildings.

Be sure to check out the bizarre Steampunk HQ, an immersive art gallery experience with truly unique futuristic-style, Victorian-inspired sculptures made from junk. Down by the beach, keep an eye out for sea lions sunning themselves by the breakwall. If the weather is dodgy, you can pass time in the town's breweries, whisky distillery and cheese factory.

10. Hokitika

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Yet another gold mining town settled in the 1860s, Hokitika is perfectly placed on the South Island right near Arthur’s Pass National Park and the Franz Josef Glacier. The nearby Hokitika Gorge has incredibly blue water and dramatic rocky cliff faces.

Before you immerse yourself in nature, spend some time in the town which has a long history of art and culture — you'll find many poanamu (jade) galleries where you can watch the artists at work. Walk down the beach to check out the iconic driftwood sign and keep an eye out for any poanamu that's been washed down by the river.

11. Geraldine

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The name Geraldine doesn't exactly evoke quaint, cute vibes, but this small country town in the South Island is worth a couple hours of your time. The area is known for its community of artists and craftspeople, which you can feel as you explore the town's artsy boutiques and cafes. There are heaps of walking and cycling trails in the hills around the town, which is also home to one of the country's best observatories. Provided there aren't too many clouds, you're guaranteed some amazing stargazing in the area around Geraldine.

12. Wanaka

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Come for the lake and stay for the town. We all know that Lake Wanaka is beautiful, but on a clear winter's day it's straight-up jaw dropping. The mountains surrounding the town and lake are covered in snow and are perfectly reflected in the mirror-like icy water. The town is buzzing and lively all year round and is a perfect base for a holiday in the mountains. Hikers will love the sheer number of trails around the town and there's even a nearby lavender farm to check out in the springtime.

13. Motueka

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Is it crazy to visit a town just for a doughnut? We say definitely not. This town right at the top of the South Island is home to probably the best doughnut in the country, at The Smoking Barrel. Get there early because they tend to sell out in a couple of hours!

Once you've checked that off, the rest of the town is cheerful and vibrant, full of cute cafes, galleries and shops. Motueka is perfectly situated at the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park, so add it to your itinerary next time you're there!

14. Akaroa

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Akaroa, located on a peninsula formed by ancient volcanoes, was the only French settlement in NZ. You can see the influence come through in the colonial architecture and French street names and it makes for a very charming, little town.

It's worth spending an hour or two wandering around — you could even take a self-guided tour of the old buildings if you're interested. The local eateries are full of excellent, fresh produce and there are a couple of great French-inspired restaurants. The harbour is full of seals and dolphins that are pretty easy to spot if you go out on a boat, or stay on dry land and spend an afternoon at a winery just outside town.