Hands down the coolest thing to do in the West Coast is knifemaking at Barrytown. This experience is unbeatable in value and the amazing things you’ll learn about knifemaking. The hosts are incredibly welcoming too.

A one to four day trail along the West Coast by bike, this is a great experience. You choose how many days you want to spend exploring the region. I had an absolute blast on this trail - you’ll meet so many amazing people!

One of the world’s most accessible glaciers, Franz Josef is a 12 km long glacier best explored by helicopter. There are a couple of excellent helicopter companies in the area to show you the most amazing views of the South Island.

A 13-kilometre-long glacier, Fox is ridiculously beautiful. There are many ways to explore this glacier, including by foot, Heliskiing, ski touring and climbing. You can either go on your own or join one of the highly recommended tours!

Experience the West Coast from the treetops. This awesome cafe and treetop walk is a highlight in terms of tourist experience. Grab some lunch and delicious coffee whilst sitting in the trees. How cool is that?

One of the country’s best tourist destinations is none other than Milford Sound. This epic Southland location is the best place to discover the natural wonders of New Zealand. I love the boat trip and the special kayaking tours too!

An epic place to visit no matter whether you’re from New Zealand or overseas. This predator-free island is great for long half or full day walks. I particularly like discovering the wildlife and birdlife you often don’t get to see on the main islands.

This place is absolutely beautiful. You can choose from a rad range of tours from half day to full days, including an overnight tour! No matter whether it’s raining or the sun is shining, this place is a must visit for everyone.

There’s a lot to love about the Routeburn track. The well cared for track is great for walkers of all levels. I particularly love the views and the cute wee huts to stay in too. This is a must do for tourists!

For a true New Zealand experience, a visit to the Fiordland National Park is a must. The Visitor Centre has all the info you need to make the most out of your unique Kiwi experience, so make sure you visit there before putting on those hiking boots and hitting the tracks!

My favourite touristy thing to do in Otago. The Victorian Precinct is a wonderful way to experience New Zealand as it was in the late 1800s / early 1990s. Dress up, dine like royalty or just marvel at the amazing architecture.

Quite possibly the ultimate tourist activity in New Zealand! A J Hackett Bungy is where bungy jumping all began, so your visit to NZ won’t be complete until you throw yourself off that bridge

Take the gondola up to Skyline Queenstown then head back down again on the luge. This experience is awesome and quite possibly the best way to see the town from above.

See the sites of the Otago Peninsula on foot, by bicycle or boat. There’s a lot to see and do here, from penguin viewing to mountain biking and hiking. The natural landscape is truly superb.

We see one winery when you can see a dozen?! The Queenstown Wine Trail Tours are a great way to explore this spectacular wine making region. I love the varieties of wine and grapes you get to try and the people you get to meet along the way.

A tourist destination of epic proportions, Cardboard Cathedral is a great example of transitional architecture in Christchurch. Stay for an event or service, or just have a wander through the marvelous building.

I love these gardens! Full of spectacular plans and rare species, there is always something new to look at here. Finish up with a coffee at the information centre for a perfect morning excursion.

See Canterbury at its finest at Akaroa Dolphins, a half day cruise around the entrance to the Akaroa harbour. See Hector dolphins, penguins, seals and bird life on this short but perfect trip.

A trip to Hanmer wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa. Get a private pool or hang with the masses at this top tourist desination in Canterbury. I love it!

If you’re visiting Canterbury in winter then you must head to Mt Hutt Skifield. This is a great place if you’re a seasoned pro or just learning to ski or snowboard. If the exercise all gets a bit much for you then never fear, there’s a great restaurant to hang in!

An amazing, contemporary dining experience in the heart of Christchurch, Pescatore is the place to discover food that looks and tastes like art. It’s all about an assault on the senses (in a good way!) so prepare to have your mind blown here.

Saggio di Vino is a mainstay in Christchurch’s fine dining world. They can pair a bottle of wine with a meal like magic and the meals are always fun, creative and flavoursome. I love it!

A fantastic French restaurant on Papanui Road, I love St Germain for their flavoursome and creative meals. You get good sized portions here so won’t be left feeling hungry, and the wine list is simply amazing!

An exceptional pedigree of restaurant in Christchurch, Chillingworth Road knows how to make food that looks and tastes like art. It’s an award winning restaurant in an unassuming location north of the city and is well worth the visit!

The country’s best restaurant according to Cuisine magazine, Roots is hard to beat when it comes to turning foraged and locally sourced food into flavoursome and creative works of art. Every day the menu changes so prepare for something different everytime!

The Stack Conservation is a DOC run hunting park. There are red deer and chamois in low numbers and is full of tussock and alpine scrub. A great hunting park!

The country’s third largest national park, Mount Aspiring is one of my favourite places to visit in Otago. There are 59 bird species call the area home and Lord of the Rings was filmed there!

Visit Curio and Porpoise Bays to experience a Jurassic-era petrified forest, view rare and endangered species and enjoy a range of recreational activities in a spectacular, unspoiled setting by the sea. There’s a lot to love about these two Otago bays. There is everything from yellow eyed penguin to dolphins and other amazing wildlife. I love exploring the bays and discovering something new every time.

When driving along the coast there is always one place we always stop .. Nugget Point! It’s an iconic part of the region and is a great place for walking and hiking.

Whether you’re a tourist or a local, there’s one thing you must do when visiting Otago … Visit the Kiwi Birdlife Park! This is your opportunity to see kiwis up close and personal so don’t miss it!