7 Offbeat New Zealand Towns To Visit In 2025

If you have ever dreamed of stepping into a fantasy world filled with towering mountains, emerald forests, and crystal-clear rivers, New Zealand (known as Aotearoa in Māori) is a photo-perfect destination to fulfil your fantastic wishes. This island nation, where iconic scenes from The Lord of the Rings were filmed, offers more than just cinematic beauty. In the many offbeat New Zealand towns to visit in 2025, ancient Māori traditions are maintained and celebrated alongside the preservation and promotion of New Zealand’s dynamic natural landscapes. Whether you are trekking across rugged landscapes, marveling at endemic wildlife, or simply enjoying a friendly chat with the locals, the many offbeat New Zealand towns to visit in 2025 exude a warmth and vitality that is as stirring as a traditional haka. You will definitely look fondly at your memories and experiences in the island nation of Aotearoa.

Taihape

Taihape, affectionately known as the Gumboot Capital of New Zealand, is a quirky and spirited town nestled beside the Hautapu River in the fertile Rangitīkei region of the North Island. Originally established in 1894 as a coach stop en route to Hastings, Taihape (originally called Otaihape, meaning “the home of Tai the hunchback” in Māori) grew into a vibrant, offbeat farming community. Its rich soils and rainy climate made gumboots a local necessity, eventually inspiring the town’s most iconic celebration: Gumboot Day, held every March. The massive gumboot sculpture at the town center is an endearing and offbeat tribute to this rural staple, drawing hundreds to take groupies and selfies beside this footed monument. From Taihape, outdoor explorers can venture into nearby treasured landscapes such as Mount Ruapehu, the Ruahine Ranges, and exquisitely maintained gardens like Rongoiti and Titoki. You might also opt to learn more about the town’s agrarian roots during the Agricultural and Pastoral Show each January. With cozy stays available at places like the Coachman Motel or Gretna Hotel, Taihape is a warm and whimsical destination with gumboots to boot about.

Wānaka

Tucked against the shores of its namesake lake, Wānaka is a captivating and offbeat South Island town, set against the backdrop of the mountains you might recognize from The Lord of the Rings. Named after the Māori word wānanga, meaning "a place of learning," this tranquil destination has evolved from a historic Māori settlement and early European exploration hub into a thriving resort town you can learn more about. With the soaring Southern Alps surrounding the area, Wānaka is a gateway to adventure, for which travelers can venture into the Mount Aspiring National Park for access to glaciers, waterfalls, and remote valleys.

Winter brings skiers and snowboarders to the powdered slopes of Cardrona and Treble Cone, while summer invites fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding on Lake Wānaka and nearby Lake Hāwea. At the #ThatWanakaTree, a lone willow emerging from the lake, photographers can take many memorable and iconic photographs of this exquisite setting, suitable for postcards. For something mind-bending, you can check out Puzzling World’s illusion rooms and maze. Finally, when night falls, you can retreat to charming lodges like Oasis Yurt or The Dacha for a restful stay. Just under an hour from Queenstown, Wānaka is an all-season paradise of serenity, snow, and scenic splendor.

Whakatāne

On the sun-bright shores of the Bay of Plenty, the offbeat town of Whakatāne is a location brimming with Māori legends and coastal wonders. Located along the Whakatāne River, this vibrant community is just a short drive from Tauranga and Rotorua, and the town’s name honors the story of Wairaka, a brave Māori woman whose statue now stands at the harbor. Visitors to this offbeat destination can explore sacred sites like Te Wairere Falls, Irakewa Rock, and Muriwai’s Cave, each connected to the ancestral guardian Toroa. At Ōhope Beach, ranked among New Zealand’s best, you can swim, surf, or follow the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi (Footprints of Toi) trail through forested headlands and coastal cliffs. You ought not miss the Whakatāne Museum and Arts for insights into regional history and creativity. Just offshore, Moutohorā (Whale Island) serves as a sanctuary for native wildlife, including the elusive kiwi bird, making Whakatāne the Kiwi Capital of the World. Once the sun sets and you feel the need to sleep, you can seek out welcoming and offbeat accommodations from fine lodgings like Tuscany Villas or 37 The Landing Motel.

Akaroa

With its winding lanes, French street names, and harbor views, Akaroa is an offbeat destination with many lackadaisical and whimsical attractions. Located on the Banks Peninsula and just over an hour from Christchurch, this coastal retreat was settled in 1840 by colonists from France hoping to claim New Zealand for their country. While the British ultimately took control, Akaroa retained its Francophile affiliations, celebrated in the town’s French architecture, boutique eateries, and quaint accommodations. One can enjoy a coffee at a streetside café along Rue Lavaud before venturing to Ōnuku Church, a striking blend of Māori and Christian artistry. The Akaroa Museum tells many tales regarding Antarctic explorer Frank Worsley and the swashbuckling pirate William “Bully” Hayes. On the water, you ought to keep an eye out for Hector’s dolphins, the world’s smallest and rarest dolphins. Likewise, you ought to participate in a guided tour to see Little Blue Penguins or fairy penguins waddling ashore at Pōhatu Bay. With luxurious lodgings like Newton Heights B&B and Tresori Motor Lodge, Akaroa is a stunning and offbeat retreat in New Zealand’s South Island.

Queenstown

Set against the dazzling panorama of Lake Wakatipu and the towering Southern Alps, Queenstown is the undisputed adventure capital of New Zealand, with many lush and vivacious destinations that will thrust you into fantastical and whimsical worlds. Just 40 minutes from Wānaka, this high-energy destination is an excellent place to go skiing and snowboarding across the snowy slopes of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, or the exclusive Soho Basin, in addition to adrenaline-rushing bungee jumps from the iconic Kawarau Bridge.

When riding on jet boats through the canyons of the Shotover and Dart Rivers or taking leisurely strolls through the region’s acclaimed vineyards, you might recognize many of the cinematic settings around Queenstown, as these dramatic landscapes served as sets for The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Mission: Impossible 6. Travelers to this wondrously filmic town can venture into Queenstown’s historic gold mining sites for a deeper immersion into history. As day turns to night, you should definitely gaze at constellations from Kiwi Park, a dark-sky destination to see the Milky Way Galaxy in all its starry splendor. Whether you’re relaxing at the lakeside Kamana Lakehouse or the boutique Stay of Queenstown, this town lives up to its royal name by offering a majestic and regal experience for everyone.

Kaikōura

Nestled between the snow-haired Seaward Kaikōura Range and the Pacific Ocean, the coastal town of Kaikōura is a sanctuary for marine life lovers and seafood aficionados. Its name stems from the Māori words “kai” (food) and “kōura” (crayfish), and there is no better place in New Zealand to savor the delicious delicacy of crayfish than Kaikōura. The town is also a world-renowned spot for whale watching, where one can get front-row views of migrating sperm whales, dusky dolphins, and fur seals just offshore. For an unforgettable encounter, you can take a boat tour or try a helicopter flight for panoramic marine vistas.

On land, you ought to explore the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway to see a thriving seal colony basking on the rocks. Adventurers can also raft the Clarence River or ski the slopes at Mount Lyford. Within historic landmarks like Fyffe House, you can tour the historic home of a former whaler that is built on whale vertebrae foundations. Once the day ends, you can retire and relax in one of Kaikōura’s offbeat accommodations, such as the Sudima Kaikōura, Nikau Lodge, or the Dusky Lodge, Kaikōura.

Hokitika

Perched along the wild West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Hokitika is a small town with many offbeat wonders and amenities to see. It is famous for its artistic flair, dramatic landscapes, and rich heritage, although it was once a booming gold rush town during the 1860s. These days, Hokitika has become a haven for creative minds and enthusiasts of the outdoors, especially since the place is so praised for being “The Place to Regenerate.” You can certainly feel rejuvenated when strolling along the black-sand beaches where driftwood letters spell out “Hokitika,” a name derived from the Māori phrase meaning “to return directly.” You will also find artisans carving precious pounamu (greenstone) from the nearby Arahura River, a sacred site for the Ngāi Tahu people.

The Carnegie Library is a charming location to learn more about the town’s compelling history, similar to how you can traverse the Pounamu Pathway to learn more about the town’s cultural legacy. Hokitika also shines at night thanks to the glowworm grotto at the Glow Worm Dell. If you are in town in March, the Wildfoods Festival promises a bold culinary experience with wild and wacky delicacies. Should you ever wish to feel regenerative in this place, many of Hokitika’s lodgings, like the Amberlea B&B or Woodland Glen Lodge, will definitely attend to your daily and nightly needs.

While New Zealand as a whole is already one of the best destinations within many travelers’ bucket lists, its offbeat small towns are what make the country’s magic and wonder truly shine. Each destination, be it Taihape’s quirky gumboot pride, Wānaka’s alpine ambiance, or Whakatāne’s deep spiritual connections, provides a uniquely Kiwi experience that you will come to admire and adore. Between Akaroa’s charming French legacy, Kaikōura’s spellbinding marine encounters, and Queenstown’s legendary thrills, these offbeat and unique destinations showcase the majesty and magic of Aotearoa with a combination of heritage, natural attractions, and compelling modern charms and festivities. This year, you will be looking fondly back at your memories of when you ventured into the many offbeat New Zealand towns to visit in 2025.