Category Archives: Unusual New Zealand

Unusual New Zealand

Curious about Country Music?

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As an ex Country music show host Barry Skinner’s happy to play requests, if it’s Country, I bet my virtual cowboy boots that your song is in his extensive music collection.

Barry’s spent decades collecting vinyl, signed photographs, posters, badges and other Country music memorabilia. He’s been a judge at the Gold Guitar Awards in Gore, and in 2011 he was inducted into the Gore Hands Of Fame, in other words Barry is one of NZ’s “go to guys” for all things Country music.

You don’t need to have a personal interest in something to appreciate someone’s dedication and that’s … Read the rest

Tophouse, St Arnaud

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Tophouse near St Arnaud was established in 1887 to accommodate drovers travelling between Nelson and Canterbury. Today Tophouse operates as a guesthouse, cafe and tiny bar. The white washed walls cover a mix of cow manure, horse hair, straw and sand used in its construction.

The tiny bar at Tophouse is an addition to the building, it could squeeze in a standing dozen with the front lawn handling the over flow (insect repellent recommended). The bar started serving alcohol again in 2008 after 39 dry years. It was too early in the day to raise a glass for us so … Read the rest

Weird and wonderful short walks in Takaka

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Weird – The Labyrinth, Scott Road
The Labyrinth consists of a maze like pathway through limestone rock formations. Pick up a brochure at the entrance (or Takaka i-SITE), it helps you find formations that to someone look like The Kissing Pigs, a Troll Bridge, Stegosaurus and plenty more. We’re wondering if the person who identified the formations was high on something other than life at the time. Then there’s the smurfs and plastic toys along the way, we’re probably just not imaginative enough. 

We could kind of make out The Indian’s Face, maybe. Still, it’s an unusual attraction worth a … Read the rest

Curious or creepy? Wunderbar, Lyttelton

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Wunderbar prides itself on being unique, I’m going to call it curious, and a little bit creepy. The dolls head light shades could be considered cute, and if you’re going to behead some victims and display their heads in a cabinet it’s probably best they belong to Sindy and Barbie.

It was the hair roller light shades (with hair) that led me into creepy territory. I don’t know if the hair was real, neither of us was keen to examine it closely.  I couldn’t help wondering though whether hair from a hundred nanas was hanging out with us on Friday … Read the rest