Australian travellers are sticking to the beaten path when it comes to Kiwi holidays, with

figures from booking site Cheapflights.com.au suggesting only 4 per cent of searchers look beyond the big four Kiwi destinations (Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington) when planning their holiday.

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Cheapflights regional sales manager for Australia New Zealand, Nathan Graham, says with return airfares from as little as $350, it’s no wonder New Zealand remains one of Australia’s most consistent top searched locations, but it’s time to think outside the square.

“The big four cities continue to attract the most travellers with Auckland airport seeing 56 per cent of Aussies pass through its gates, and Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington receiving another 40 per cent between them,” he says.

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“We shouldn’t overlook the hidden gems across both the North and South Islands. Tauranga, Dunedin and Nelson are emerging as great jumping off points for travellers keen to explore like a local, and we expect this to increase as demand encourages additional flights and new routes.”

Here are eight of the best hidden gems to add to your next New Zealand holiday itinerary:

NORTH ISLAND

Hokianga

Nearest Airports: Whangarei

Tranquil Hokianga is mostly bypassed on tourist itineraries in favour of Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga. But there’s a lot to love about this west coast section of the North Island if you veer off State Highway One. Highlights include Tane Mahuta (a 2000-year-old Kauri tree), deserted sand dune beaches, the tiny laid-back towns of Omapere and Opononi, the Wairere Boulders and the stunningly beautiful Kai Iwi Lakes.

Great Barrier Island

Nearest Airport: Auckland

An island paradise that’s off the radar for most — it takes four hours to travel there by slow ferry, two hours on the seasonal fast ferry or you can organise a domestic flight connection. Untouched by mainstream tourism, most of Great Barrier Island is made up of protected native forest, bordered by some of the most pristine beaches you’ll find anywhere in the country. Nature lovers will appreciate the abundance of native birds soaring overhead and dolphins frolicking in the surf.

East Cape

Nearest Airport: Tauranga

While Whakatane and Gisborne have their own particular charms, the real star of the show is thelesser-known stretch of road in between. Head to State Highway 35 via the East Cape and you’ll discover a rich Maori heritage, rugged coastlines and deserted golden sand beaches. Must-do: sample the seafood.

Rangitikei

Nearest Airport: Palmerston North

For a real digital detox get out in the sticks and experience rural Rangitikei. The impressive Rangitikei River cuts through this bush-clad region in the lower North Island, providing some of the best scenery in New Zealand and plenty of activities, such as white water rafting, kayaking and fishing.

SOUTH ISLAND

Nelson Lakes

Nearest Airport: Nelson

The Abel Tasman and Nelson are the tourist drawcards for this region but slightly further south you’ll find glistening lakes surrounded by majestic mountains and pristine beech forest. The Nelson Lakes National Park offers a quiet landscape with only the sound of gentle lapping of lake waters — a truly restorative and soothing place to get away from it all. For the more energetic there’s mountain biking and hiking and both lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa offer kayaking (but no noisy power boats).

Oamaru

Nearest Airports: Dunedin / Timaru

Oamaru may be more visited by blue and yellow-eyed penguins than tourists. This small east coast town is a highlight of a road trip between Timaru and Dunedin. Known for its Victorian architecture, mouth-watering cuisine, delicious local wines and fascination with Steampunk art, there’s plenty to keep you occupied for a short stay.

The Catlins

Nearest Airports: Dunedin / Invercargill

Although the Catlins region is incredibly beautiful, it never seems to make it onto that many tourist itineraries. Perhaps because it’s tucked away in the southeast corner of the South Island. For those who’ve driven the Southern Scenic Route, the Catlins embodies “the real New Zealand”, an untouched wilderness of ancient forests, cascading waterfalls, vacant beaches and abundant wildlife.

Invercargill

Nearest Airport: Invercargill

Invercargill is just too far south for most tourists who prefer the hustle and bustle of Queenstown. But make the effort to visit the City of Water and Light and you’ll be suitably rewarded. Though it can get chilly, the famous southern hospitality will keep you warm, as will the lively bars and restaurants. Blessed with access to both spectacular farmland and fiordland scenery, it’s the long, sweeping beaches (where land speed record holder Burt Munro sped on his world’s fastest Indian) that hold the most fascination for visitors.