10 Whimsical Towns in New Zealand
New Zealand, a country known for its dramatic landscapes and cultural history, is composed of two main islands: North Island and South Island. While tourists often flock to famous cities like Queenstown or Auckland, New Zealand’s smaller towns offer some of the most whimsical and unexpected experiences. Whether it's unusual architecture, quirky festivals, or deep-rooted local traditions, these ten towns reveal a side of New Zealand that goes beyond the ordinary tourist trail.
Whangarei
Whangarei is the northernmost city in New Zealand, located just off State Highway 1—a key stop for those heading towards the Bay of Islands. The city starts near the coastal Whangarei Heads, stretches inland through its bustling urban center, and culminates at the Hatea River Walkway. Whangarei stands out for its blend of heavy industry and an unexpected arts scene. Its quirkiness can be attributed to its collection of unusual sculptures, public art installations like the towering ‘Waka and Wave’ sculpture, and the city's fixation on clocks, which adds a curious charm to its streets.
Start at the Whangarei Art Museum, a compact space that hosts rotating contemporary art exhibitions, which is a sharp contrast to the surrounding industrial landscape. Then, head to the Claphams National Clock Museum, where a collection of timepieces tells the story of timekeeping from centuries past. Finally, make the steep climb up to Mount Manaia, where panoramic views provide a dramatic perspective of the volcanic landscape juxtaposed against the calm harbor below.
Kaikoura
Kaikoura lies along the eastern coastline of the South Island, tucked between the Seaward Kaikoura Range and the Pacific Ocean. The town starts at the mouth of the Kowhai River and follows the rocky coast to the Peninsula Walkway. Kaikoura’s quirkiness stems from its extreme proximity to marine life, where seals, whales, and dolphins can often be seen without even leaving the shore. The town's name, meaning 'eat crayfish,' adds to the peculiarity, as the local cuisine revolves around the sea, with roadside stalls selling freshly caught crayfish cooked on the spot.
For essential stops, begin with the Peninsula Walkway, a scenic path along the cliffs where you can spot seals lounging on the rocks below. Then, visit Fyffe House, a pink building that once was a whaling station. Lastly, take a whale-watching tour, where giant sperm whales and pods of dusky dolphins are frequent sightings, reminding you that Kaikoura’s relationship with the ocean is as essential as it is unusual.
Oamaru
Oamaru is located on the South Island’s eastern coast, beginning along the Waitaki River and extending to its harbor. The town is defined by its distinctive white limestone buildings, which give Oamaru a historic feel, but what makes it truly whimsical is its unexpected embrace of the Steampunk subculture. This genre blends Victorian industrial aesthetics with futuristic technologies, turning Oamaru into an unlikely hub for an artistic movement that you wouldn’t expect to find in rural New Zealand.
Start your visit at the Steampunk HQ, an eccentric museum housed in an old grain elevator, where you will find contraptions like the “Infinity Portal” and bizarre industrial sculptures. Next, wander through the Victorian Precinct, where shops, galleries, and cafes occupy old stone buildings, preserving the town’s 19th-century aesthetic. Finish at the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, where you can watch the world’s smallest penguins return from the sea at dusk.
Hokitika
Hokitika is situated on the wild West Coast of the South Island, beginning at its famous driftwood-strewn beach and extending inland to rainforests and the Hokitika Gorge. The town, once a booming gold mining center, now thrives as a destination known for its greenstone carving and the annual Wildfoods Festival, where adventurous eaters can sample everything from huhu grubs to fried scorpions.
Start by visiting the Hokitika Gorge, where a short walk takes you to a swing bridge spanning milky blue waters. Next, stop by a local greenstone workshop, where you can see artisans carving pounamu into intricate pieces, deeply tied to Maori culture. Finally, if your timing is right, experience the Wildfoods Festival, where you can taste unusual local delicacies, cementing Hokitika’s reputation as a town that’s anything but ordinary.
Martinborough
Martinborough is located in the Wairarapa region, sitting just beyond the Remutaka Range and culminating in a grid of streets designed in the shape of a Union Jack, a layout that sets the town apart from most others. Known for its boutique vineyards and small-town charm, Martinborough’s quirkiness also comes from the fact that it is entirely centered around wine culture. It’s one of the few places where you can cycle from one family-owned vineyard to another within minutes—it feels like a living, breathing wine village in the middle of rural New Zealand.
To experience Martinborough’s flavor, start with a visit to Poppies Martinborough, a winery where you can not only sample local wines but also enjoy a curated wine platter in the sun-drenched garden. Next, head to the Martinborough Wine Merchants, a wine shop that doubles as a wine-tasting room with bottles from dozens of local vineyards. Finally, take a stroll through the town square, where you can visit the Martinborough Museum to learn about the region’s early European settlers and how the town's wine legacy came to life.
Hanmer Springs
Hanmer Springs is a small alpine village located in the Canterbury region, along the Waiau River and framed by towering mountains. Its whimsy comes from the fact that this tiny village is built almost entirely around thermal waters, making it a spa town unlike any other in New Zealand. The mineral-rich hot springs have been drawing visitors for over a century.
Start your visit at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa, where you can soak in the natural hot springs and experience a range of pools, including sulfur pools and aqua therapy. For those looking for a bit of adventure, head to the nearby Thrillseekers Adventures, hosting jet boat rides on the Waiau River. Finally, take a forest walk in Hanmer Forest, where you can explore old Douglas firs, winding trails, and quiet spots to take in the surroundings.
Tirau
Tirau is a small town in the South Waikato District, located along State Highway 1, best known for its unusual obsession with corrugated iron. The town is instantly recognizable for its large, corrugated iron sculptures that stand like sentinels outside the town's many shops and cafes. Nearly every building on its main street features some kind of corrugated iron artwork, with the most famous being the giant dog and sheep buildings, which function as the town’s information center and a wool shop, respectively.
Start your exploration at the Big Dog and Sheep Buildings, where you can see these massive sculptures up close and learn about the town’s love for corrugated iron. Next, visit The Castle Pamela, a toy museum housed in a medieval-style building. It has one of the largest collections of dolls and toys in New Zealand. Finally, wander through the town’s many antique stores and gift shops, where you will find everything from memorabilia to locally made crafts.
Feilding
Feilding is a rural town in the Manawatū-Whanganui region, known for its classic New Zealand farming roots. The town rests near the Oroua River and is marked by its beautifully preserved Edwardian buildings. What makes Feilding whimsical is its proud agricultural identity, highlighted by the fact that it hosts one of the largest livestock sale yards in the Southern Hemisphere, right in the town center. Every Friday, you can watch the spectacle of livestock auctions as farmers from all over the region gather.
Essential stops in Feilding include the Feilding Saleyards, where you can take a guided tour to learn about the history of farming in the region while seeing the action firsthand. Next, visit the Coach House Museum, which houses a collection of horse-drawn vehicles, farm equipment, and exhibits detailing Feilding's agricultural heritage. Finally, stroll through the Feilding Farmers Market, held in Manchester Square, where local vendors sell fresh produce and handmade goods, giving you a true taste of rural New Zealand life.
Motueka
Motueka is a small town in the Tasman region, located near the Abel Tasman National Park. The town sits along the Motueka River and stretches to the coastline, where you will find orchards and vineyards scattered throughout the area. Motueka’s whimsy lies in its laid-back, bohemian atmosphere and its connection to the arts, as well as the abandoned Janie Seddon shipwreck, which has become an unlikely tourist attraction. The rusting remains of the ship sit just offshore and are best seen at low tide when you can walk closer to the decaying hull. It is a favorite spot for photographers and history buffs alike.
To explore Motueka’s quirks, start with Motueka Sunday Market, a lively spot where you can find everything from local arts and crafts to produce and vintage finds. Finally, take a detour to Toad Hall, a café and local favorite known for its organic produce, live music, and eclectic garden atmosphere.
Paihia
Paihia is located in the heart of the Bay of Islands, near the Waitangi River. This town is the perfect base for exploring New Zealand’s maritime history, but what makes it whimsical is its intimate connection with the sea and the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where New Zealand’s founding document was signed. Paihia also has an eccentric side, as seen in its annual "Birdman" festival, where participants jump off a wharf in quirky homemade flying contraptions.
Begin your journey in Paihia with a visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, a site of immense historical significance where you can explore the meeting house, waka (canoe), and interactive museum exhibits. Next, take a boat tour through the Bay of Islands, where you can see the famous Hole in the Rock formation and swim with dolphins in the open water. Finally, visit Paihia Wharf, where you will find local shops and eateries.
New Zealand’s smaller towns are brimming with character. Take Whangarei, for example, where a heavy industrial backdrop meets vibrant public art and quirky clock museums. In Kaikoura, the town’s deep connection to marine life creates an experience that merges natural beauty with playful culinary traditions centered around crayfish. Lastly, Oamaru embraces an unlikely fusion of Victorian charm and the Steampunk subculture, transforming it into a haven for the creatively inclined. These destinations highlight New Zealand’s playful spirit and its ability to surprise visitors at every turn.
