7 Most Welcoming Towns in New Zealand

New Zealand has one of the most pristine environments imaginable, and since it is free from natural predators, you can explore the mountains, fiords, coasts, and forests without worry! The people are also famously friendly and easygoing, always keen to point you in the right direction or swap stories out on the trails, or at the local brewery. Adding some culture into the mix, the Indigenous Māori are well-represented across both the North and South Islands, and happily share their history and practices with all who are interested. If you are intrigued, pay a visit to these seven welcoming towns in New Zealand.

Paihia

Towards the Northern tip of the North Island, Paihia acts as a stepping stone to the Bay of Islands. This collection of 144 islands can be explored from the air, via a helicopter tour, or by boat, on either a half-day, or full-day tour (all arranged by the good people of Paihia). Highlights include the smattering of sandy beaches that sprout somewhat unexpectedly from the generally rough shorelines, and Hole in the Rock, an eroded tunnel through a particularly imposing island.

If formal tours are not your cup of tea, try hiking to the Opua Forest Lookout to get a full view of the town, and the distant archipelago. Paihia also has a lovely public beach, and serves up freshly-caught seafood at its restaurants along the wharf. Finally, given its engaging watery surroundings, Paihia is praised for its sailing, scuba diving, and sea kayaking opportunities.

Rotorua

Thanks to its position on the Ring of Fire, the North Island city of Rotorua delivers a mystical, geothermal atmosphere, enticing visitors with natural hot springs, mud baths, and geysers. This Bay of Plenty community sits on the South side of the bulbous, tree-lined, caldera-formed namesake lake.

When not being pampered by the landscape or snapping pictures of the steamy and colorful pools at Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland or Waimangu Volcanic Valley, there are serene hikes to be had in the Whakarewarewa Forest Park (including the Redwoods Treewalk, complete with boardwalks and 28 suspension bridges). Rotorua is also an excellent place to share in Māori culture. Pop on over to the Te Puia museum and cultural center to learn about the geysers and what they mean to the original stewards of the land.

Picton

Picton is a tremendous welcome to New Zealand's South Island for anyone aboard the Interislander and Bluebridge ferries. As the expanse of the Cook Strait fades, the idyllic port town of Picton reveals itself. Passengers may be tempted to put a pin in their ambitious itineraries, and instead set up shop here. This Marlborough town is nestled at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound, and cradled by headlands (Wedge Point and the Snout), making it an ideal hub for hiking, biking, paddling, boating, and fishing. At the same time, Picton treats its leisure-loving visitors to streetside cafe patios, top-notch seafood restaurants, independent shops, and the fruits of Marlborough's world-class vineyards.

Nelson

Another inviting spot on the North end of the South Island (the first city founded on New Zealand's lower half, and the nation's second settled city, overall) is vibrant Nelson. Situated on the Eastern shore of Tasman Bay, Nelson enjoys the pristine environment of a small Kiwi town, while boasting the art, culture, and amenities of a bigger city. Mount Richmond Forest Park sprawls to the south, putting up challenging treks for the more advanced adventurers, while the white sandy beaches and enjoyable shoreline trails of Abel Tasman National Park, to the north, offer a more relaxing sample of the region's unbeatable scenery.

Nelson itself has developed quite the reputation in regards to sociables. It is home to the island's first commercial winery, is considered the craft brewing capital of the country, and was even awarded the "Top Cider City" honors by National Geographic. Nelson also has one of the highest densities of working artists around. Check out their plethora of mix-medium galleries, and stunning street murals splattered throughout town.

Akaroa

Over on the South Island's East Coast, Akaroa is as picturesque as it gets. This quaint seaside town hunkered down in Akaroa Harbour, near the tip of the Banks Peninsula, just 50 miles outside of Christchurch. Founded by France back in 1840, Akaroa still has street names like Rue Jolie and Rue Lavaud, and still serves up authentic French cuisine (offering international visitors a two-for-one cultural special).

In addition, from October to April (i.e. the growing season in the Southern Hemisphere), the Akaroa Farmers Market pops up each Saturday to showcase some of the region's best produce, baked goods, handcrafted cheese, fudge, and whatever else your belly might desire. As is common in New Zealand, parks, reserves, gardens, and hiking trails surround this little community. But no visit to Akaroa would be complete without getting out on the water to see the rare Hector's Dolphins and the Little Blue Penguins of Pōhatu.

Queenstown

Queenstown welcomes all, but especially those with an outgoing spirit. This Otago town rests on the North shore of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by the remarkable South Alps (the North-South range is called "The Remarkables"). The stage is therefore set for all sorts of outdoor recreation, as well as zanier activities, with tour agencies on hand to facilitate any and all of it.

Bungee jump off a bridge (the highest in New Zealand), or off the side of a mountain, skydive, zipline through the forest, take a relaxing cruise on the lake (or a high-octane ride on a jet boat), give your mountain bike a run for its money, knock off a local hike or two, play a few rounds of golf, sip locally-grown wine, take to the air for a bird's-eye-view of the jaw-dropping Lord of the Rings setting, or carve through any of the four ski areas. Your wish is Queenstown's command.

Te Anau

Just a two hour scenic drive southwest of Queenstown, Te Anau is ready to show you some of the country's premier natural attractions. Plopped on the south end of Lake Te Anau, and the edge of Fiordland National Park, this small town is a pleasure simply to set foot in. But if you flew all the way over to this island nation, then chances are you have Milford Sound on your bucket list, and maybe a few of the Great Walks. Dramatically carved by once hulking glaciers, the fiords in this corner of the South Island look like they were copy and pasted straight out of Norway.

While the entire park is beautiful, Milford Sound is the clear standout. Take a scenic cruise past the towering cliffside waterfalls and towards the mouth of the Tasman Sea, rent a kayak for the afternoon, or tackle the 53-kilometer (33-mile) Milford Track, the most popular of New Zealand's multi-day hikes, and once called (on good authority) "...the finest walk in the world." Other nearby contenders for that crown include the point-to-point Routeburn Track, and the Kepler Track, which starts and finishes right on Te Anau's doorstep. Hikers have the option of pitching a tent, or booking a bunk in the well-maintained shelters along the way.

Whether you seek to walk in the footsteps of Tolkien's cinematic characters, check off some of the best long-distance hikes in the world, get your adrenaline fix, or sink into a tranquil hideout, New Zealand opens its arms to you. From top to bottom, this island nation can do no wrong. It is ridiculously beautiful, laid back (yet adventurous), and gracious. North or South, coast to coast (to coast to coast), there are plenty of small towns to book a stay in, but these seven are some of the most welcoming.