If you can’t get enough of the Steampunk phenomena that is taking over Oamaru, then visit the Steampunk HQ. It’s hard to miss with a steam train out front (put a gold coin in the box and watch the train come alive – although this is best viewed at night).

Almost All New Zealand Books is the little store that could. The well labeled shelves mean you can find a good book easily amongst the 7,000 others and you can even pick up some vintage topographical maps at bargain prices. Listen out for the pie warmer bell as the owner heats up his lunch in the room out back.

A popular culture museum set in the lovely Oamaru, Time Travellers is not your usual cultural offering. In fact, expect a rather surreal experience. Here you’ll be greeted by vintage toys and TV and film memorabilia from the 1900s, then every decade following. There’s also a replica prop time machine based on the 1960 film, The Time Machine.

Selling a range of specialty New Zealand whiskies in an intimate space, Cellar Door offers the opportunity to buy, and try, scotch from one of the country’s oldest distilleries. Distilling in New Zealand began in 1838 by early Scottish settlers and the industry continued to thrive (particularly in the Otago region) until the 1870s when the government put an end to many distilleries

Re:START is a hive of activity, particularly during the summer months. Art Beat is a three month event which takes place in Re:START every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 23 February 2014. Expect to see fantastic local music, installations, performances and graffiti art.

Beat Street café is a bit of a Christchurch institution. The tattooed girls behind the counter, cabinet food (they have vegan cake!) and über cool clientele all make this bohemian café a unique hang out. There’s a real hippy-chic vibe here and don’t forget to look out for the poetry nights that take place every Thursday.

Smash Palace takes the new Christchurch random aesthetic and makes it comfortable and cool. A bus serving as a bar in a formerly empty lot? Hey, why not. Re-appropriated doors acting as tables, outdoor heating, motorbike workshop and an on-site greasy spoon give the site a sense of permanence. Craft beers and the strands of multi-coloured lights fanning out from the roof of the bus indicate good times. Great tunes, great location.

Made from 3000 recycled wooden pallets in an eye catching bright blue, Pallet Pavilion is a unique take on the city’s penchant for transitional architecture.

The Hilltop Tavern offers stunning scenic harbour views, delicious wood-fired pizzas, great music and good old rural Kiwi hospitality. There is a fine selection of craft beer and cider and expect a hearty menu of pub favourites.

A very new market in Christchurch, this is where you should go on Sundays for vintage clothes, knick knacks, cakes and fish tacos

This is the best farmers market in Christchurch. The vendors are all local, either from Lyttelton or the surrounding bays and the focus is solely on community

A Sunday morning must! Discover the wonders of rural living whilst picking up your week’s grocery supplies

As an ongoing community event, Anissa Victoria’s Vintage Market has proven to be quite a hit. Held at Pallet Pavilion, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of Frank Sinatra on vinyl will lure you in; once you’ve had a peek, you won’t want to leave

Anna Worthington, the face, brains and baker behind Cakes by Anna, has a knack for making cakes that are a tour de force in both taste and looks. Get your daily fix at Shop 8 on New Regent Street. Our favourite? Elderflower Lemon and Blueberry

Patisserie Yahagi is a small Japanese style patisserie located down the Church Corner Arcade. The cakes are a wonderful fusion of European flavours with classic Japanese elegance. The Mousse au Chocolat is to die for

Referencing the pâtisseries of Paris, cakes and pastries of all varieties tempt you from behind tall glass cabinets. On your visit try the white chocolate lamington or grandma’s fruit cake

Seven Café has quickly earned the title of one of Upper Riccarton’s best cafés, and is regularly packed with workers, locals and students alike. The selection of cakes and muffins is mightily impressive.

Famous for being the best purveyors of pies in all of Canterbury. Guaranteed to make that road trip even more enjoyable.

The best vegetarian pies can be found here. Even meat eaters will go mad for them. Promise!

One of the most popular of pie shops in Christchurch, try the classics mince and steak and cheese

Although their shop is closed, you can pick up the delicious Bridge Street Bakehouse pies at markets around town.. Try the free-range pork, sage and apple pie

The Naked Baker’s gourmet pies are baked on site and are best enjoyed on the beach at New Brighton

The finest gourmet pies Dunedin has to offer. Thin and crispy pastry is rolled and cooked to perfection around a delicious pie filling; which comes in a plethora of flavours, such as venison, rosemary and red wine (drool), spinach, feta and red pepper (for the vegos out there) and a mouth-watering take on the blokes classic chunky steak. These are pies you must try if ever down South

In the Dame family for three generations, Marlow pies are definitely more commercial than the winner of this category. They are stocked in supermarkets and dairies, and make the perfect $3.00 lunch. Classic flavour combinations such as their award winning mince and cheese are top sellers, and it is no wonder these pies are so reputable in the South Island with that flaky, buttery pastry.”

This bakery, located in the Victorian part of Oamaru, produces pies made from “real” pastry with “real” crusts, made lovingly by hand.

While not strictly a Dunedin made pie, these beauties are made only 1.5 hours away in Roxburgh, however the coveted Jimmy’s earns a spot on the list for being a delicious Otago icon and a family favourite