Tairawhiti, perched on the easternmost outcrop of the country, is the first to see the sun and offers more firsts unique to this region.

• Home to the country’s longest natural rockslide, grab an inflatable water toy or body board and head inland to Rere rockslide, a wild ride in rushing water over perfectly formed rocks.
• Mt Hikurangi is the best spot to be one of the first in the world to welcome a new day, the highest non-volcanic peak on the island.
• A sacred place to immerse yourself in the whakairo (carvings) and traditional stories of Māori culture from a local Ngati Porou guide.
• Grab your waders and head for the sparkling blue waters as you test your courage feeding stingray at Dive Tatapouri, an incredible personal experience with the magical marine life.
• With an arboretum, heritage trail and tandem bike adventure, not to mention the unofficial chardonnay capital of New Zealand, there is something here for everyone.

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Quirky places have quirky food too! Read on to find out what this is...(above)

Invercargill, one of the southernmost cities in the world, is enveloped by beautiful, untouched, remote landscapes and is known for doing things its own way.

• First up would be sampling a cheese roll (above), a delicacy in this region, and the perfect snack - cheese in a slice of bread!
• Dig This is a unique experience to get out of your comfort zone and get the blood pumping. Pick from a wide range of diggers from mini to mega and try your hand at 360 spins, handstands, playing digger basketball or crushing an entire car.
• At Bill Richardson Transport World discover world class vintage trucks, the largest of its kind, or head to E Hayes Motorworks to learn about local legend Burt Munro and his incredible speed achievements.
• Make your own chocolate at Seriously Good Chocolate Company before venturing into nature on Tuatapere’s Hump Ridge track and the awe-inspiring landscapes.

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Visit Waitaki's scenic contrasts of windswept beaches with mysterious boulders, and look out for Hector’s dolphins and Little Blue penguins (oamaru blue penguins, above) and watch them as they adorably waddle into shore to sleep and shelter.

• See the carved valleys and deep rivers while gliding from the sky. 
• The Steampunk festival sets the small town of Oamaru abuzz as 19th century Victorian England costumes take over and events, workshops and activities scatter the city.
• If you’re lucky catch a glimpse of some of the smallest dolphins in the world.
• Further inland, the Whitestone Waitaki Geopark is a landscape to marvel, from Elephant Rocks to Clay Cliffs, the topography is rare and exceptional.
• Visit the Moeraki Boulders and take a guess at how they got there, in a region with unique formations and events.

There's more...