6 of New Zealand’s Lesser-Known Treasures

New Zealand is already one of the world’s top ‘travel wishlist’ destinations, with spectacular scenery, Lord of the Rings film sets, and unique local culture and history drawing in the crowds. If you’ve already seen the New Zealand must-dos, from the Onsen hot pools of Queenstown to the cultural tours of Rotorua, it’s time to take a side step - or at least a turnoff - from that well-trodden path, and uncover some lesser-known treasures.

Castle Hill

The Dalai Lama once called Castle Hill the ‘Spiritual Centre of the Universe’, but it still hasn’t become overly well-known to visitors. Roughly a 90-minute drive from Christchurch, this site is splattered with gigantic limestone rocks that decorate rolling green countryside. Some stones are the size of vehicles, while others are the size of houses, and many are well worth clambering up for views of the surrounding area. The whole site is set well back from the road for a tranquil experience, and the area is big enough that you won’t be surrounded by tourists even if there are others around.

East Cape

Image: Studio Tdes (Own work), CC-BY-SA-2.0, via Flickr

As the name suggests, this is the most eastern point of mainland New Zealand. As little as an estimated one percent of tourists make it this far, but those who do are well rewarded for their efforts. The coastal drive there is stunning on its own, but the East Cape adds the opportunity to see the first sunrise in the world each day, as well as hikes, beaches, and secluded waterfalls throughout the region. The nearest city is Gisborne, which is a little over three hours away, or it’s roughly five hours from Rotorua.

The Tree Church

Have you always felt nature is worthy of worship? Make a beeline to the Tree Church, a spectacular structure created from living plants in a small town just 20 minutes south of Hamilton. Beginning in 2011, creator Barry Cox chose different trees for different parts of the church, such as Leptospermum for the walls, and cut leaf alders for the roof to allow natural light to pour through the spaces. The church is found amidst a beautiful garden with various other attractions, so you can easily spend a lazy afternoon in this natural space.

Moeraki Boulders

Maori legend explains the Moeraki Boulders by saying that they are gourds that washed ashore after the Araiteuru canoe was wrecked as it arrived in New Zealand. The scientific explanation says that these strangely spherical boulders are calcite concretions roughly 65 millions years old. Each one is up to two metres high and weighs several tons, and when you look down the beach to see dozens of them scattered like giant marbles, you may be tempted to decide your own story for these intriguing natural sculptures. Moeraki is just an hour north of Dunedin, and this spot is a must-see if you’re driving a motorhome along the coastal road to Christchurch.

Linton Mosaic Sculpture Garden

Tucked away in the charming seaside town of Akaroa, the Linton Mosaic Sculpture Garden is a clear labour of love by local artist Josie Martin. She has adorned her Victorian home and lush gardens with a world of mosaics and mosaic sculptures, as well as other artistic treats, flowers, citrus trees, and vegetable plants. From the mosaic piano to the sculpted water fountain, to the rich home interiors that have elements imported from around the world, a stroll through this physical illustration of pure creativity offers a truly unique experience in New Zealand. You’ll find it just over an hour from Christchurch.

Waipu Caves

Image: Natalia Volna(Own work), CC-BY-SA-2.0, via Flickr

Many tourists and locals know about the Waitomo glowworm caves, but few know about the constellation of sparkling wrigglers in the Waipu Caves less than two hours north of Auckland. Unlike their well-known counterparts to the south, these caves are completely undeveloped, so you won’t have a carved walking path, guides, or safety equipment to help you find your way. You must ensure that it is safe to enter, and you’ll need sturdy shoes and a torch (flashlight). Just be sure to switch it off occasionally and look up - sooner or later you’ll be surrounded by thousands of glowing worms that mimic the night sky outside.

The benefits of travelling New Zealand in a motorhome are many, but being able to stop and discover lesser-known treasures and hidden gems from the tip of the North Island to the wind-blown coast of the South Island is arguably the best. Use these six incredible places to get you started, and never turn down the opportunity to see something new! Remember that you may also start by grabbing motorhome hire from locations like Greymouth, Thames, Taupo, and all over NZ.