Omarama Clay Cliffs

Omarama Clay Cliffs

Off The Beaten Track New Zealand

Explore beyond the tourist trail

Discover New Zealand’s hidden corners, where few visitors venture and natural wonders feel truly untouched.

New Zealand rewards curious travellers. Beyond the well-known highlights lie remarkable places that remain largely undiscovered. Whether it’s diving among underwater caves, exploring little-visited landscapes, or spotting rare wildlife, there’s always something new to uncover. With quiet roads and a culture that embraces independent exploration, it’s a country made for straying from the well-trodden path.

Poor Knights Islands

Located off Northland’s Coast, the Poor Knights Islands are a marine reserve and one of the world’s top dive sites. The volcanic origins of the islands have created dramatic arches, tunnels, and caves, home to an incredible variety of marine life. Divers and snorkelers might see stingrays, moray eels, and colourful nudibranchs, while warmer currents occasionally bring tropical species rarely found elsewhere in New Zealand.

The Ōmarama Clay Cliffs

Set just outside the township of Ōmarama, in South Canterbury, the Ōmarama Clay Cliffs are towering pinnacles of siltstone and gravel that feel worlds away from the surrounding farmland. These striking formations are an excellent stop for those self-driving through the South Island. The short walk into the cliffs brings you right among their cathedral-like walls, making it a memorable detour on any road trip.

Stewart Island

South of the South Island lies Stewart Island, New Zealand's third island, and also a place that sees very few visitors but offers some of the most authentic wilderness in the country. Over 85% of the island is protected as Rakiura National Park, allowing endemic creatures to thrive and creating a great stop on a New Zealand wildlife holiday. The island is one of the best places to spot the rare and nocturnal brown kiwi in the wild, alongside native parrots like the kaka.

Self-drive trips to New Zealand

One of the joys of travelling in New Zealand is how easy it is to get off the beaten track, particularly on a self-driving holiday. The road network is straightforward, traffic is light, and some of the country’s most interesting discoveries are found by simply taking an unplanned detour.

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Ali on safari

Our New Zealand specialist, Ali, says:

"New Zealand makes it wonderfully easy to step away from the crowds. Beyond the well-known highlights, there’s so much waiting to be discovered if you know where to look — and that’s where our expertise comes in. With excellent roads and open landscapes, it’s perfectly suited to self-drive holidays. Often just a short diversion will lead you to hidden bays, quiet mountain valleys, or welcoming local towns that many visitors miss entirely."

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Alistair

New Zealand Expert

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs About Your Off The Beaten Track New Zealand Holiday

Planning a holiday to Off The Beaten Track New Zealand? Our experts share advice on everything from what to pack, when to go, to tips for families, covering the questions we get asked the most.

Shirley Newman

What can I say….my son and myself had the most wonderful time in Kenya thanks to the first-class itinerary that Ben and Louise put together for us. We spoke with Ben many times to ensure he ‘got it right’. This was our 2nd visit to Kenya, and it certainly lived up to our expectations and memories. We stayed in four locations, firstly at the wonderful El Karama Lodge, Laikipia Wildlife Conservancy, where we even had a visit from Ruth from Far and Wild! Then, for a return visit, to Saruni Samburu, which is absolutely stunning and still one of our favourite places in the world. Next came Basecamp Mara Camp, where we saw our first Cheetah, the only animal we didn’t see on our first visit. After that, onto the wonderful Leopards Hill in the Naiboisho Conservancy, what a way to spend the last four days of this trip. Here we finally spent many hours with a beautiful leopard. Throughout our time in Kenya, we saw many lions, giraffes, elephants, ostriches, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards, to name just a few. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff; we cannot have been looked after any better. Since our return again Ben phoned to see how it went in addition to emails. I would highly recommend Far and Wild; they are so knowledgeable and have personally visited the lodges and areas. We are already planning another visit, and we cannot wait.

16 Aug 2025
Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

17 Sept 2025
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

31 Jul 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

3 Jul 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

28 Jun 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

5 Jun 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

5 Jun 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

5 Jun 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

5 Jun 2024

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