ROAD TRIPS

92) MILFORD SOUND

Half of Milford’s magnificence is experienced before you even get there; the two-hour drive from Te Anau is the most scenic highway in the country. It is even better in winter, when the mountains come alive with waterfalls.

93) SOUTHERN SCENIC ROUTE

This road trip takes in the South Island’s best scenery. Start in Queenstown, then head to Dunedin via Fiordland, Invercargill and the Catlins for mountains, beaches and plenty of wildlife. southernscenicroute.co.nz

94) EAST CAPE

State Highway 35, around East Cape, is the best under-the-radar tourist highway. A visit to remote communities such as Ruatoria, Tikitiki and Te Araroa feels like a step back in time where kids ride horses to the playground, empty beaches are everywhere, and most pubs and fish’n’chip shops serve fresh kaimoana.

95) REPUBLIC OF WHANGAMŌMONA

Deep in Taranaki is a curious little place known as Whangamōmona, a (jokingly) self-declared republic complete with its own passport stamp. The only way there is via the appropriately named “Forgotten World Highway”, deep in the wilderness between Taumarunui and Stratford.