These Towns in New Zealand Have the Best Main Streets
From its volcanic mountains to its lush hills to its unspoiled beaches and sparkling lakes, the island nation of New Zealand is home to many natural wonders. The North Island offers geothermal marvels and rolling farmland, the South Island boasts the dramatic Southern Alps. The culture of the New Zealand reflects its dual heritage, which combines Māori traditions with European influences. There is a discernible charm that, in some ways, is best expressed in the nation’s small towns, where nature and community spirit come together to form a unique experience for residents and visitors, who have an appreciation for the outdoors.
This article examines seven towns with populations under 50,000 that are home to some of the best, unique main streets that one will find in all of New Zealand. Arrowtown is a former gold mining settlement, Cambridge is known as, “Town of Trees and Champions,” Wanaka has its alpine vistas, Martinborough is marked by its Union Jack street, Oamaru stands out with its quirky Steampunk HQ, Te Anau is valued for its lake and national park and Whanganui for its Victorian and Art Deco architecture. Join the tour of these small New Zealand towns and discover all the island has to offer.
Arrowtown
Set along the banks of the Arrow River, in a valley enveloped by mountains is the village of Arrowtown. During the fall months, the foliage is something to behold, a medley of red, orange and yellow shades. The downtown features many well preserved 19th century buildings with charming cobblestone streets. Arrowtown’s main street features architecture of the Gold Rush era style and has a vintage vibe. Be sure to visit the Arrowtown Bakery and Café, known for their classic mince pies and the Remarkable Sweet Shop, with their handmade fudge. Annual events like the Arrowtown Autumn Festival celebrate the area’s heritage with parades, markets and performances. Historical landmarks include the Lakes District Museum and Gallery, the Chinese Settlement and the Arrowtown Jail.
Cambridge
The main street of Cambridge has the quaintness of an English village, with its colonial-style buildings and boutiques. Popular downtown shops include Over the Moon Dairy Company known for their cheeses and Paper Plus Cambridge, a bookstore. The town has earned the nickname, “The Town of Trees and Champions,” due to its tree-lined streets and its annual equestrian events like the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Awards. Nearby Cambridge Stud is an iconic farm with a remarkable breeding heritage of champion racehorses. The Waikato River runs alongside Cambridge and the town is surrounded by verdant farmlands. Historical landmarks are St. Andrew’s Church, a breathtaking Gothic Revival, Cambridge Museum and Lake Karapiro.
Wanaka
Lying along the shores of Lake Wanaka and with the backdrop of the Southern Alps, the town boasts stunning waterfront views. Wanaka’s main street is marked by modern alpine-style architecture. The town has a real alfresco vibe with cafes and restaurants that extend out on the sidewalks. The Cardrona Distillery has excellent spirits. Wanaka is a haven for the outdoorsy types with access to Roys Peak Track with hiking trails and panoramic vistas. Blue Pools Track offers water views. Sticky Forest has some of the best mountain biking trails in the area. Of course, the lake has all the water activities. Historical landmarks are Wanaka Station Park with their historic gardens, Rippon Winery and Puzzling World for its designs and illusions
Martinborough
The Huangarua River runs near the town of Martinborough, which is surrounded by vineyards, rolling hills and big sky. The downtown’s center is designed in a Union Jack layout, adding to the Martinborough’s unique charisma. The main street is populated by wine tasting rooms and cafés, such as the Palliser Estate and the Knucklebone Coffee Bar. Visitors should consider the Martinborough Hotel, a Victorian historical landmark. The Ata Rangi Vineyard is another to explore, given their history as pioneers in sustainable winemaking. The Claremont Water Tower is another period building. Wellington offers guided wine tours, where one can sample award-winning selections for the region. Another tip from the locals is to look for fresh produce at the cafés.
Oamaru
Not only is Oamaru blessed with pristine Pacific views, but there is a lovely creek running through the town. Oamaru’s main street is admired for its Victorian precinct and also its limestone buildings. Steampunk HQ is a remarkable art collection and gallery, with sculptures and designs in the steampunk theme (a subgenre of science fiction). Steampunk HQ’s influence extends far beyond the museum with Oamaru’s annual Steampunk Festival, featuring workshops, performances and costumes. This brings many visitors from around the world and has created an eccentric atmosphere to the town’s culture. The Oamaru Opera House is an Edwardian architectural masterpiece, and the Totara Estate (the birthplace of New Zealand’s frozen meat industry) are other notable historical landmarks. Commercial attractions like The Whitestone Cheese factory and the local limestone sculpture galleries in the Victorian precinct, are not to be missed.
Te Anau
Lying along the shores of Lake Te Anau and bounded by Fiordland National Parks, is the town of Te Anau. There is even a river flowing out of the lake that meanders through town and the area is enveloped by unspoiled wilderness. While Te Anau’s main street has a serene vibe, it remains distinctive in its focus on eco-tourism. Historical landmarks are the Fiordland National Park (the visitor’s center offers a rich history of conservation), Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, is focused on native species and the historic boats tour through groups such as Fiordland Historic Cruises, will not disappoint. Glowworm cave tours and the Outdoor gear shops of Fiordland expeditions are worth a stop.
Whanganui
The main street of Whanganui features a blend of Victorian and Art Deco architecture, which is accompanied by a vibrant art community, where one will find numerous local studios and galleries. The town hosts notable studios like Chronicle Glass Studio, with its spectacular glass-blown art. The annual Open Studios event draws visitors from all over to tour the local galleries and to watch their creative process. Another annual festival is the Whanganui Festival of Cultures, which honors the town’s commitment to diversity. Do not skip historical landmarks like the Durie Hill Elevator, which is the nation’s only underground elevation. The Whanganui Regional Museum with its Māori artifacts and the Sarjeant Gallery, are worth a look.
Parting Thoughts
These small New Zealand towns showcase the diversity and charisma of the nation’s culture. Their main streets blend rich histories, natural beauties, thriving art and culture scenes, which should land them on anyone’s bucket list. From gold rush era towns to mountain visits to shimmering lakes and mighty rivers, the island nation is beckoning.
