Local Gems
Here are some of the local gems we’ve loved in the places we’ve visited to capture stories and photos for our business. We are not paid by anyone we mention in our Local Gems stories on this page - these are experiences, businesses, or people that we wanted to celebrate and acknowledge that we thought you might also enjoy knowing about.
Donegal House (Kaikōura)
Donegal House is establishing itself as a mecca for people travelling around the country in campervans because of its well appointed (and very reasonably priced) facilities. We came across it for the first time on the very day that the current owners took over and it is thriving in their competent hands. Even on that…
The Cow Shed (Murchison)
Sometimes it’s amazing how many times you can drive past something and not notice it’s there. This is the case for The Cow Shed in Murchison. According to the member of staff who showed us to our table, The Cow Shed has been operating for more than 13 years but this was the first time…
The Coffee House (Rai Valley)
If you’re travelling through Rai Valley on a weekday do yourself (and your tastebuds) a favour and stop for a drink and a bite to eat at The Coffee House. The coffees are excellent and the food is delicious. There are a range of savoury and sweet treats. My personal favourite are the egg and…
Le Cafe (Picton)
Le Cafe is a cultural hub for the Picton community, hosting many visiting musicians and providing a meeting spot for locals and a highlight for visitors to the Picton waterfront. We absolutely loved the food that we were served. My fish was perfectly cooked and beautifully presented and Clem’s venison burger was delicious. Sitting in…
Cloudy Bay Vineyard (Marlborough)
Whether you’re a serious wine connoisseur, a gourmand, or just someone looking for a picturesque setting to enjoy a nice glass of wine, there’s an experience for you at Cloudy Bay. We enjoy relaxing outdoors sitting in a couple of the excellent bean bags and watching the clouds scuttle overhead. It always feels like the…
The Styx (Nelson)
The Styx Restaurant By The Sea is a Nelson institution and has a special place in my heart. It was established by chef Joe Horton and Tony Robertson in 2012, the same year that I moved to Nelson with my two children and started my own business. Since then it’s been a dearly loved venue…
Moutere Inn (Upper Moutere)
Many a weary traveller has taken respite in this fine establishment during its 125-year history. It’s the oldest public house in New Zealand and is still in its original building. The Inn is a popular weekend destination for motorcyclists, Nelsonians, and visitors to the region. What perhaps isn’t so well known is that the food…
Neudorf Vineyards (Upper Moutere)
It’s been more than 30 years since I first visited the cellar door at Neudorf Vineyards. The first block was planted in 1978 by Tim and Judy Finn. With the recent passing of Tim in our minds we went to spend an afternoon in the lovingly created space he and Judy have curated for so…
Pizzeria Bella (Nelson)
It’s been a little while since I had a visit to Pizzeria Bella but I needed something to eat before catching Bill Bailey at the Trafalgar Centre and popped in here. The place was humming with happy diners and I was warmly welcomed by the attentive staff. I was very pleasantly surprised by the delicious…
Maruia Falls (Shenandoah)
The power of nature is evident at Maruia Falls, south of Murchison. The falls were formed by the powerful magnitude 7.3 Murchison earthquake of 1929. Maruia Falls are quite a sight (and a sound) but please do heed the warning signs – these falls are definitely for looking at and not for swimming. Maruia Falls…