10 Best Small Towns in New Zealand for Slow Travel

For ultimate relaxation and nature galore, here are the 10 best small towns in New Zealand for slow travel. As a slow travel expert, I’ve circled New Zealand for the quaintest villages where life is leisurely and nature is abundant. If you need a bit of R&R from the hustle of life, welcome. You’re in the right place.

I’ve traveled New Zealand every way imaginable. From town hopping and luxury lodges to sleepy towns and tenting on the beach.

As I move across country, head full of music, I discover hidden gems not often lauded on Instagram. See, New Zealand is the perfect place for slow travel.

You can read why here:

8 Ways New Zealand is the best place on earth for slow, mindful travel

Outside of famous cities like Auckland and Queenstown, New Zealand mostly consists of rural land and wild nature. Pastures roll in abundance, green and lush. Walking tracks await the crunch of our boots. Little boutique towns offer an array cultural experiences.

This country taught me the meaning of slow travel.

Here are the 10 best small towns around New Zealand for slow travel: a guide designed to lower your blood pressure, deepen your breath, and replenish your spirit.

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10 Best Small Towns in New Zealand for Slow Travel

1. Havelock North

Starting off the list is thriving community of Havelock North.

Although Napier is one of the main attractions on the east coast of the North Island, I was delighted by cute little Havelock North. The “Village” looks new and fresh, its intersecting streets plugged with cafes and restaurants. The Hawke’s Bay region is known for its wineries, and Havelock North is a great base to explore nearby vineyards and orchards while enjoying the countryside.

Rising above Havelock North is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been: Te Mata Peak. No hike required, simply drive up to the summit (sunset recommended) and enjoy the secluded beauty unfurling in giant green waves all around you.

After sunset, wind back down to the Village and grab a sushi platter and a cocktail at Piku Izakaya Japanese Restaurant. Or grab some delightful eats at the pink pizza house, Pipi.

2. Matapouri

The beaches around Matapouri are my go-to hiding place every summer.

Matapouri is a small seaside community and doesn’t offer a lot in terms of entertainment… except for beach after beach of sparkling gold sands and crystal clear waters.

Outside of Matapouri Beach, there are many coves to discover in the area, like pristine Whale Bay or Sandy Bay, where freedom camping offers a stunning beachfront experience.

The Matapouri region is where I’ve found some of the cleanest water in New Zealand. Perfect for little swims.

Tutukaka is a short drive away if you really need a pub and a meal. Schnappa Rock Restaurant and Bar sources local ingredients for scrumptious eats by the marina.

Otherwise, snooze on Matapouri’s sands and enjoy “small town” vibes as children bike the streets and families picnic under the sun.

3. Methven

We came across Methven by accident. I was hungry and grumpy about it and so Shaun quickly found a cafe to stave off my Lebanese wrath.

Primo E Secundo welcomed us, a cottagecore cafe where we proceeded to devour a most delicious country brunch. Impressed, we took a walk through the small town and fell in love.

These days, Methven is an endeared stop on our South Island travels. It’s a dainty town that comes alive during ski season for its surrounding mountains. With many cottages for rent, we tend to hide at The Studio at Northfield, framed by a garden and a farm scented with walnut trees.

A nearby attraction is Mount Sunday, the filming spot for Edoras in the Lord of the Rings. Hiking to the top of Mount Sunday is bang for your buck… a mere 45-minutes for jaw-dropping views. Bring sunscreen and your camera for a free experience of Middle Earth.

4. Whangamatā and the Coromandel

The Coromandel is an idyllic summer destination. This was where I experienced my first car-sleep in New Zealand. Overlooking a tropical jungle with the ocean in the distance, I began undoing my need for a luxury hotel on my travels.

I fell in love with Whangamatā, a tiny beach town where the sand ran white into crystal waters. The little town is lined with pubs and diners and speciality food shops. Life is good here. Sunbathe during the day. Have a wine in the afternoon. Stroll the beach at sunset.

Off the coast of Whangamatā is Whenuakura (Donut Island), a wildlife sanctuary that allows kayakers into its turquoise coves. The cluster of islands is revered and protected by the Māori community (indigenous people of New Zealand).

These are places for deep ponderation and appreciation for mother earth. I remember thinking how healthy nature seemed here. Everything so alive, deep rich colors for happy plants and clean waters. A great contender as one of the best small towns in New Zealand for a slow travel experience.

5. Mangonui and Doubtless Bay

It was a delight to come across the fishing village of Mangonui on our Northland travels. A heritage town made up of 150-year-old buildings, this is a place for sunhats and linen dresses. And a great base to explore some of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches.

When I’m not beach hopping across Doubtless Bay, I usually traipse the Mangonui waterfront, ducking in and out of cafes and boutiques. Mangonui Fish Shop is famous for its fish and chips and overwater deck. Fill your belly with deep-fried goodness and a Pepsi on a hot day, admiring picturesque views of the bay.

If that’s not enough, Mangonui neighbors Coopers Beach. This lesser-known beach gave me a sense of being back in Bali. Sea cottages dangle over golden sands, peppered with sea rock where you can wade in and out at low tide. It’s a place I wouldn’t mind spending more time in on my future travels.

6. Mount Maunganui

I’m surprised you don’t hear more about Mount Maunganui. I stayed here on a solo trip, where I found myself enchanted by Maunganui Road, the singular main street stretching straight to the base of the Mount. Slowly approach the dormant volcano as you peruse the myriad of bohemian boutiques, surf shops, and health cafes.

Tramping up to Mount Maunganui summit is an absolute must. There are different difficulty levels to choose from… it took me 30 minutes to reach the top. I was only a little out of breath for an unforgettable view of a giant cobalt ocean meeting the city shores.

Descending the Mount is a special treat, with view after view of the coast before arriving on a white sand beach. Families splash in the water or queue up to ice cream trucks. Surfers ride the silky waves. And there’s a line of beachfront cafes to rest your feet and fill your belly.

You can even walk little Moturiki Island. A beautiful summer’s day in paradise.

7. Martinborough

Over the hill from Wellington (my current home) sits the township of Martinborough. The village square is a literal square… a cross point connecting dozens of vineyards, earning the region a spot on the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. This criss-cross of vineyard paths makes a perfect design to host Toast, the famous annual wine festival. 

These are impressive accolades but the Martinborough lifestyle remains slow and relaxed. The town square is lined with colonial buildings refurbished into pubs, cafes and designer shops. In the Neighborhood Coffeehouse is a personal favorite, where the coffee is brewed with care and served with gourmet eats.

Martinborough is the centre of numerous leisurely activities. Cycle the wine trails and sample pinot noir. Pick lavender if the season fits or peruse crafts and wares at the Martinborough Fair. 

Drive out to the rugged coast of Cape Palliser or hop to other small towns in the region like Masterton, Featherston, and Greytown.

8. Tākaka

Another bohemian town, Tākaka sports a Balinese vibe with its vegan cafes and hippie shops. It’s situated in the Golden Bay area and a great base for nearby beaches up the coast. 

Te Waikoropupu Springs, a freshwater spring, is a short drive away. An easy 20-minute walk through gorgeous bush, the spring cascades around you in ultimate clarity straight to the bottom.

There are many charming backpackers in town… take your pick and mingle with the hippie community. For your eats, I highly recommend the Dangerous Kitchen. The decor is absolutely darling, and you can find yourself a little spot in the garden out the back. And be sure to roam the town for quirky gift shops and artisan fashion stores.

9. Aoraki/Mount Cook Village

If you’re looking for a true nature getaway, Aoraki/Mount Cook Village is the place for it. I can’t stop talking about this tiny alpine village. I spent a few days here a few months ago and I’m aching to return.

Aoraki is the tallest mountain in New Zealand. Driving through the Southern Alps is a hell of an experience. Upon arrival, I turned the music down in the car. The place instills a sense of majesty and I wanted to listen to the song of mountains and smell that crisp clean air.

Come prepared because the village doesn’t have a store. No one told me that so I had a choice between two cafes to feed myself. Such limited options offered a sense of ease. The only entertainment in these parts is nature and the company of the people around you.

Although there are many small tracks to enjoy the rugged terrain, the Hooker Valley Track is the main attraction, bringing you to Hooker Lake and the base of Aoraki herself.

When I wasn’t trekking the mountain tralis, I sipped coffee and ate pie at the Hermitage Hotel.

Read below for things to do in Aoraki/Mount Cook Village.

Itinerary for a healing getaway in Aoraki/Mount Cook Village

10. Moeraki

I made a special trip out to Moeraki to try Fleurs Place. It came highly recommended, a rustic waterfront cafe renowned for sourcing local ingredients and seafood fresh off the boat.

Moeraki is another fishing village I found most enchanting. Maybe it’s because I had picked a rainy day. I savored a cocktail at Fleurs Place, admiring a moody harbor through the window with fishing boats bobbing on the water.

The Moeraki Boulders also fascinated me, giant bowling balls sleeping along the beach. I always describe this place as forlorn, with an endless coastline and uninterrupted horizon. And if you’re looking for a scenic drive to appreciate the wild South Island landscape, I highly recommend cruising along Highway 85. It’s epic.

I’ve never lived in a small town but I could imagine myself doing it Moeraki. A slow life with simple pleasures, where I would be well-stocked with fresh seafood and the seaspray on my skin.

This concludes my list of the 10 best small towns in New Zealand for slow travel. Go mindfully and enjoy your gentle travels across country.