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Cheeky Kea's best travel tips and destinations chosen for you.
Affordable Day Tours. The Cheeky Kea Secret to Stress-Free Summer Adventures.
We all know the feeling: you want to explore the rugged beauty of Kaikoura or the alpine heights of Arthur’s Pass, but the thought of navigating holiday traffic, hunting for a park, and staring at the bumper in front of you feels... well, like work.
What if the most affordable way to see the sights was also the most relaxing?
Jesse Holmes
Jan 133 min read
Tips for celebrating and travelling in a 'cheeky' New Zealand summer
With temperatures warming up, we look forward to welcoming summer into Aotearoa on the 1st of December. For Kiwis’, the change of seasons is not just an excuse to dust off the jandals (flip-flops) and fire up the BBQ; although many would argue that this is quintessential! Truth be told, it is one of the best times to explore our beautiful backyard and the great outdoors with friends and whānau (family). With that being said, check out our highlights and top tips for travellin
Jesse Holmes
Dec 9, 20254 min read
Sip, savour, and explore: on a Cheeky Wine Tour in Waipara Valley
As well as tours to some of Aotearoa’s most scenic destinations, one of our most popular day trips lies on Christchurch’s doorstep - a journey north through the beautiful Waipara Valley for a day filled with laughter, platters, and Pinot Noir! While proving you don’t always need to travel far to feel like you are miles away, home to bold reds, crisp whites, and vineyard views, Canterbury’s top wine region serves up glasses that will make you want to move in permanently!
Jesse Holmes
Nov 12, 20252 min read
Discovering the hidden jewels of New Zealand’s West Coast
This week we travel westbound with Kevin to Te Waipounamu’s (te reo for New Zealand’s South Island) famous West Coast! These exclusive summer only tours operate from the 1st of November 2025 until the 31st of April 2026, so get in quick to secure your chance to visit this incredibly special part of Aotearoa. But don’t worry if you plan to travel to Aotearoa any other time of the year as we can help you explore this region with a personalised private tour.
Jesse Holmes
Oct 24, 20255 min read
‘What Can I Say Except You’re Welcome to Kaikoura!’
Kia ora and welcome to Kaikōura; one of the South Island’s best kept secrets. There is so much to boast about this treasured location; from its marine life to its rich cultural heritage. Keen to learn more about this real life paradise? Keep reading as we explore our team’s personal highlights and top tips.
Jesse Holmes
Oct 17, 20255 min read
‘Welcome to Arthur’s Pass’
From one national park to another, this week we head west to Arthur’s Pass.
As well as being the ultimate alpine environment for native flora and fauna, like Kevin the cheeky Kea, there are also plenty of things for you to see, do, and explore on one of our most popular day tours. With dates filling quickly, there has never been a better time to book a trip to the jewel of Kā Tiritiri o te Moana; New Zealand’s Southern Alps.
So, what makes these tours so darn special?
Jesse Holmes
Oct 13, 20256 min read
Admire Aoraki Mt Cook and the Magnificent Mackenzie District
Nau Mai, Haere Mai Welcome to Aoraki Mt Cook National Park! This week we depart Ōtautahi Christchurch and head inland towards what we...
Jesse Holmes
Oct 3, 20256 min read
Welcome to Otautahi Christchurch! Top things to see and do in Canterbury.
As we operate out of Christchurch, what better way to start our next series of blogs than by taking a closer look at some of the best things to see and do in Ōtautahi and wider Canterbury.
Jesse Holmes
Sep 29, 20255 min read
Kia ora, spring in Christchurch - The Garden City
There is a reason we are known as New Zealand’s Garden City. With extensive public gardens currently blooming with Daffodils and Cherry Blossoms, Spring is the most colourful season to stay in our picturesque city. And what better way to spend your time here than exploring some of our neighbouring locations that make Ōtautahi a hub for adventurers and relaxers alike.
Jesse Holmes
Sep 19, 20253 min read
Why us? Cheeky Kea Travel - Your South Island small group tour experts
Kia ora and welcome to Ōtautahi Christchurch!
Located on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, we are fortunate enough to be surrounded by the best of both worlds; with the Pacific Ocean (Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa) to our right and the majestic Southern Alps to our left.
As such, we are just a day trip away from some of our country’s most iconic scenery - so iconic we know you’ll have a camera roll filled with Instagrammable pictures at the end of the day!
Jesse Holmes
Sep 12, 20253 min read
What are the 10 best top Christchurch attractions
The top things to do in Christchurch combine natural beauty, top-notch attractions and lots of art and culture,,,,, Before we dive into the top things to do in Christchurch, here's a short history lesson. Christchurch was once well known for its gardens, green parks and a meandering easy pace, but in February 2011, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake destroyed over half the buildings in the city and took the lives of nearly 200 people. Since then, a steely resilience, resourcefulness
Jesse Holmes
Nov 7, 20235 min read
The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogy must see filming locations in beautiful New Zealand.
The Hobbit Trilogy and The lord of the Rings where filmed entirely in New Zealand, throughout locations in both the beautiful North and...
Jesse Holmes
Sep 10, 20234 min read
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