60. Race to the top of a record-breaking street

Despite a controversial Welsh pretender to the throne last year, Dunedin is still home to the world’s steepest street, as judged by Guinness World Records. Baldwin St was usurped in July last year by Ffordd Pen Llech in Harlech, Wales, causing a national outcry. Dunedin surveyor Toby Stoff worked tirelessly to show the measuring system was flawed — even travelling to Wales to prove his point — and the title came back to Dunedin in April. Celebrate this victory for New Zealand with a walk to the top but be prepared to lose your breath — the street may only be 350m long, but its steepness means it could take you about 10 minutes to scale it. BYO Jaffas.

61. Walk out to Nugget Point Lighthouse

Atop Clutha’s Nugget Point sits a small lighthouse. Each night it peers into the deep blue waters of the rough and tumble Southern Ocean to warn approaching vessels that the crashing waters below are filled with gold nugget shaped rocks that are best avoided. However if you approach the lighthouse by land, following a gentle 20-minute gravel path, you’ll find an expansive viewing platform that offers spectacular, unobstructed, views of sea and sky as far as your eye can see.

Nugget Point Lighthouse is a photographer’s dream and truly one of the great treasures of the South.

62. Cross the mighty Clutha River on a punt

Why not take a punt and try something completely different? And yes, we do mean this completely literally. The historical Punt at Tuapeka Mouth has been ferrying punters across the Clutha River since 1896 and is the last surviving vessel of its kind. If you’re unaware, as we were, of what a punt actually is, visualise a small platform, strapped to two pontoons and attached to each side of the river by a couple of overhead cables to prevent you from floating away as you cross. It operates during the peak hour rush, 8am-10am and 4-6pm depending on river levels, and this memorable little trip is bound to be a fun little family pleaser. Sure, you could drive across the nearby Clydevale bridge, but where’s the fun in that? facebook.com/tuapekamouthferry

63. Take in the ‘Top of the World’ on the Hump Ridge Track

Whether you’re a keen, track-hardened tramper or someone who appreciates a piping hot shower after a day of sweating it out on your feet the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track has you covered. Catering for those who want to be left alone to get on with it right through to those who prefer their bag flown in by helicopter each night and everyone in between, there really is no excuse for not lacing up your hiking boots and hitting the trail. The walk will take you past historical sites from the area’s milling past before plunging you into the native Fiordland forest, where you’ll wind your way around some breathtaking views of Te Waewae Bay and the Takitimu Mountain Ranges. In July, the Hump Ridge Track was named as New Zealand’s 11th Great Walk. It’s undergoing some upgrades now and will officially be opened in 2022 ... but why not walk it now so you can say you did it before the crowds? humpridgetrack.co.nz

64. Take a selfie at the end of the South Island

You know exactly where you are at the iconic, overstuffed signpost at Bluff’s Stirling Point; 18,958km away from London, 15,008km away from New York and 18m away from Oyster Cove restaurant, which is where you should go for lunch right after you snap your selfie. At this end of the country seafood should be the only thing on your mind. Best to time your visit with oyster season but if your travel plans take you there outside the season you’ll still be able to feast on fresh Foveaux Strait blue cod, Stewart Island salmon and creamed paua. The only thing more delicious than the food is the view.

65. Spot kiwi on Stewart Island

As we’re known as “Kiwis” the world over, making the effort to see our famous namesake pecking about it in its natural environment should be on every Kiwi’s travel bucket list. Okay, it’s not as easy as popping down to the zoo, but it does guarantee an adventure you’ll tell many times over. This expedition will take you to the very edge of our land, across a turbulent ocean and then into the deep forest that’s plunged in the dark of the night as a guide leads you to a favourite foraging spot of the iconic yet highly elusive bird. Or, as kiwis are so plentiful on Rakiura Stewart Island, outnumbering the locals 50:1, you might get lucky and just see one waddling across a nearby rugby field. Job done, you can forget about trudging into the cold night forest and pop into the pub for a pint instead. Cheers! rakiura.nz/kiwi-spotting