Karitane

Off the Main Road and Worth It

Karitane is one of those places you'd completely miss if you stuck to SH1, which is exactly why you shouldn't. From Warrington, take the coast road up and stop at Puketeraki Lookout along the way. The views out over the coast are expansive and quiet, which pretty much sets the tone for the whole stop.

A Pā Site, a Loop Walk, and Blowholes

It's a single country store kind of town, simple and unhurried. But just nearby there's a historic Māori Pā site and a loop walk that ties the raw coastline together with some genuine history. If the tide is high when you arrive, even better. That's when the blowholes get going and add a bit of drama to the whole thing. Worth an hour or two if you're already on this coastal stretch between Dunedin and Oamaru rather than grinding up SH1.