New Zealand Archives - Hoblets On The Go

Hokitika is a compact, culturally rich town on New Zealand's South Island West Coast, where rugged natural landscapes, a gold-rush heritage, and a thriving arts and crafts scene combine to create a deeply rewarding and distinctly off-the-beaten-track destination.

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New Zealand

New Zealand: Otago – ‘Bradrona’

Bradrona in Otago is an unusual roadside landmark in the Cardrona Valley, where a simple farm fence covered in bras has evolved into a recognised local attraction, drawing travellers for photographs, curiosity and a glimpse of Central Otago’s playful character.

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New Zealand

New Zealand: Otago – Cromwell giant fruit monument

The Cromwell Fruit Statue stands at the town’s entrance as a bright and unmistakable tribute to Central Otago’s orchard heritage, welcoming travellers with a cheerful reminder that this dry inland region is famous for some of New Zealand’s finest stone fruit.

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New Zealand

New Zealand: Otago – Chook Tree

A playful roadside landmark near Hector, the Chook Tree combines coastal scenery, local character and understated humour, offering travellers along State Highway 67 a brief yet memorable stop on the northern West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

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New Zealand

New Zealand: Otago – Oamaru, Steam Punk HQ

Steampunk HQ in Oamaru is an immersive art gallery that transforms industrial scrap and Victorian imagination into a bold, interactive experience set within the town’s historic harbour precinct, blending heritage architecture with retro-futuristic creativity and mechanical spectacle.

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Canterbury

New Zealand: Canterbury – Rakaia Giant Salmon

The Rakaia giant salmon statue is a playful yet symbolic roadside attraction celebrating the region’s famed salmon fishing, offering travellers a convenient photo stop and a warm introduction to Canterbury’s river heritage and rural character.

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New Zealand

New Zealand: Wellington – Wētā Workshop

Wētā Workshop in Wellington offers a guided, behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship, design and technical skill involved in creating film props, costumes and special effects for internationally recognised screen productions.

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New Zealand

New Zealand: Manawatū-Whanganu – Taihape, Giant Gum Boot

A cheerful roadside landmark, the Giant Gumboot captures Taihape’s farming heritage, community spirit, and fondness for the practical realities of rural life in a single, unmistakable symbol.

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New Zealand

New Zealand: Manawatū-Whanganu – Okahane Giant Carrot

Okahane Giant Carrot is a cheerful roadside landmark offering travellers a quick, quirky stop for photos, laughter, and a memorable break that adds character, conversation, and lighthearted fun to long journeys through wide open landscapes and everyday adventures alike everywhere.

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New Zealand

New Zealand: Waikato – Hobbiton

Hobbiton in Matamata is a magical film set brought to life, where visitors stroll through hobbit holes, gardens, and the Green Dragon Inn amidst rolling Waikato hills — a captivating experience for both film fans and travellers alike.

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New Zealand

New Zealand: Waikato – Tokoroa’s “Talking Poles”

Tokoroa’s Talking Poles form a striking outdoor art exhibition, each pole reflecting the town’s cultural heritage, natural surroundings, and strong sense of community pride.

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New Zealand

New Zealand: Waikato – Morrinsville Herd of Cows

The Herd of Cows in Morrinsville transforms the town into an outdoor art gallery, blending local creativity with dairy heritage through dozens of hand-painted cow sculptures scattered across streets and parks, each capturing a distinct story of community pride.

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New Zealand

New Zealand: Northland – Kawakawa, Hundertwasser Toilets

The Hundertwasser Toilets in Kawakawa turn a simple public convenience into a colourful, artistic statement, blending creativity, community spirit, and environmental design.

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New Zealand

New Zealand: Giant metal dog and sheep ice-cream store.

We have a great liking for weird and quirky roadside attractions and were delighted to in Tirau, New Zealand, an enterprising local had exercised their creativity in building a wonderful example of functional art. Using their ingenuity, corrugated steel and paint they created two buildings, one shaped like a sheep and another like a dog. Much to my delight, the corrugated steel dog housed an ice cream store which served the most amazing creamy honey and fig ice cream. Yumm!

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Waikato

New Zealand: North Island – Hobbiton Film Set

Back in the 1990s Peter Jackson was looking for a location for sets for his upcoming Lord of the Rings Trilogy. One of the important locations was Hobbiton and for this he selected a sheep farm just outside Matamata on the North Island.