Despite welcoming around three million overseas visitors each year (nearly one tourist for every two citizens), New Zealand never really feels busy. And for travelers who enjoy a destination on the quieter side, there are enough small places across Aotearoa (its Maori name) to ensure you are never too far from a peaceful escape.
While they are not usually uppermost on most travelers’ itineraries, these six Kiwi towns each offer an authentic slow-travel experience set against landscapes that run the gamut of wild West Coast beaches and scenic Wairarapa plains. And while small, these communities are anything but dull, proving that travelers can experience the very best that New Zealand has to offer without the crowds.
Hokitika, West Coast, South Island
The main street of Hokitika, New Zealand, on a winter afternoon. Image credit: Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock.com
Once a busy gold-rush port, Hokitika is now a relaxed seaside town known for its wide beaches and scenic setting. Just a 30-minute coastal drive from the larger town of Greymouth to the north, it offers plenty to do that typically does not involve crowds. Quiet highlights include the Hokitika Museum, housed in a former Carnegie library and featuring displays on West Coast life.
An easy 30-minute drive inland will take you to the Hokitika Gorge, where a short hike leads to a suspension bridge over the turquoise water of the Hokitika River. A second pedestrian bridge sits upstream and is often overlooked by tourists, providing a fine spot for a little peace and quiet while you admire the views. For a relaxing overnight stay, the Beachfront Hotel Hokitika features ocean-view rooms over the Tasman Sea, with blackout curtains for maximum privacy.
Oamaru, Otago, South Island
The Victorian Precinct in Oamaru, New Zealand. Image credit: trabantos / Shutterstock.com
Located on the other side of the South Island and about a 3.5-hour drive south of Christchurch, Oamaru is certainly pretty. With elegant Victorian-era limestone facades lining its downtown, plenty of green space, and a working harbor on Friendly Bay, Oamaru has become the place to go in New Zealand for cosplay enthusiasts. Whether you dress up for the Steampunk NZ Festival over the King’s Birthday weekend in early June or simply want to stroll dressed to the nines, head to the town’s Victorian Precinct for a walk along what is rated as the best historic district in the country.
Another big draw is the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony. Located just south of the Oamaru Breakwater, here you can watch the world’s smallest penguin species toddle ashore after a day at sea, all from the comfort of a purpose-built grandstand. For a genteel and relaxing overnight stay, check into Pen-y-bryn Lodge, built in 1889 and one of the country’s largest timber-framed buildings.
Ōpōtiki, Bay of Plenty, North Island
Main Street (Church Street) in Ōpōtiki, New Zealand. Image credit: Ulrich Lange, Dunedin, New Zealand, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ōpōtiki is a quiet community on the Bay of Plenty, about two hours northwest of Gisborne. Sandwiched between the Waioeka and Otara Rivers, whether you are day-tripping from “Gizzy” or here for a night or two, try to time your visit for the popular Ōpōtiki Rodeo. Held over the summer, usually in early January, the event draws Kiwi cowboys to the Ōpōtiki Rodeo Grounds for skill-testing riding events, games, and food and drink stalls. Also worth checking out, the Ōpōtiki Lions Club Market is held on the second Saturday of each month and is a great opportunity to pick up local crafts and produce.
While these events do see the town get a little busier than usual, you will never have to beat off the crowds at the Ōpōtiki District Museum, where you can learn more about the region’s early history. For fans of two-wheeled transport, the 91-kilometre (56-mile) Motu Trails network begins on Church Street and passes through native forests and coastal dunes. And for a relaxing overnight stay, book a beachfront cabin at Tasman Holiday Parks – Ohiwa, one of the best places to stay in the area for those seeking some quiet time.
Geraldine, Canterbury, South Island
Cox Street in Geraldine, New Zealand. Image credit: nizar kauzar / Shutterstock.com
Back on the South Island, Geraldine sits on the Inland Scenic Route 72 between Christchurch and Tekapo. It feels more village than highway town, though, with speed limits dropping to a crawl along its tree-lined main street. As for attractions, check out the Geraldine Vintage Car and Machinery Club Museum. Vintage-vehicle enthusiast or not, you can easily spend a few hours getting lost among the museum’s collection of rarities, classic roadsters, and tractors.
Enjoy a good walk with some wildlife spotting? Then include the Talbot Forest Scenic Reserve on your itinerary for the chance to do some lizard-spotting on a peaceful loop hike. Book a room at the highly rated ASURE Scenic Route Motor Lodge, as you will want to stick around after dark. Geraldine is a gateway to the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest, which provides an excellent excuse to get in some stargazing.
Murchison, Tasman, South Island
A church in Murchison, New Zealand. Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Home to just 520 people, how could Murchison be anything other than quiet? Popular among kayakers and known as the “Four River Plain,” Murchison sits in a mountainous region where the Buller, Matakitaki, Mangles, and Matiri Rivers converge, ensuring no end of white water to tackle. It is also popular with hikers, and the Buller Gorge Swingbridge, 14 kilometres west of town, is a must. New Zealand’s longest swingbridge, this 110-meter (360 ft) structure is the centerpiece of the Buller Gorge Swingbridge Adventure and Heritage Park. Other things to do include rainforest trails, ziplining, and (not-so-quiet) jet-boat rides.
In-town events worth considering include February’s Murchison A and P Show, an agricultural fair with equestrian events, log lifts, and wood-chopping competitions. For a relaxing overnighter, book the Murchison Lodge for its timber-lined guest rooms, communal fireside seating, and garden, all in a riverside setting.
Featherston, Wairarapa, North Island
The “Windgrass” sculpture by Konstantin Dimopoulos in Featherston, New Zealand. Image credit: marina_mrtnva / Shutterstock.com
Located near the southern tip of the North Island, Featherston is only a one-hour train ride from Wellington, the country’s capital. It is a great escape for those seeking a little less bustle, with uncluttered streets leading past boutique shops, cafes, and eight bookstores (a substantial number given the town’s population is under 3,000). A former railway town, Featherston has successfully rebranded itself as New Zealand’s “Booktown,” something it celebrates every May at the Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival. This popular event brings readers and writers together for book signings, workshops, and celebrations of the art of storytelling.
You will also want to dive into Featherston’s railway history, and the Fell Locomotive Museum is the perfect place to do so. Home to the world’s last surviving Fell engine, the 0-4-2T H199, which entered service in 1877, you will learn how this remarkable machine tackled the steep Rimutaka Incline, a line that operated for 77 years before the tunnel replaced it in 1955. Accommodation is plentiful, with the restored Royal Hotel offering Victorian-era guestrooms above a quiet bar, all just a few steps from the town’s indie bookshops.
The Final Word
Given its size in comparison to its population (it is roughly the size of Britain but with about a tenth of the people), New Zealand offers endless ways to get away from the crowds. The best way to experience a laidback, serene Kiwi adventure is undoubtedly to visit one of its peaceful small towns, more than one if you can swing it. Featuring small populations and dramatic landscapes, these six quiet towns are perfect destinations for anyone seeking an authentic taste of Aotearoa.