Roadside Attractions in New Zealand
24 stops across 11 regions in New Zealand — the oversized, the handmade and the barely-signposted.
Worth the detour in New Zealand
Te Puke Giant Kiwifruit
Te Puke, Bay Of Plenty
Standing proudly as a tribute to the agricultural capital of New Zealand, this enormous corrugated fiberglass fruit celebrates the region's booming kiwifruit industry. Visitors can climb inside the hollow structure for a unique photo opportunity and browse the surrounding orchard shop for local treats. It is a classic example of New Zealand's famous penchant for oversized roadside landmarks.
Terror Tunnel and Forgotten World Highway Mailbox
Whangamomona, Taranaki
Located along New Zealand's remote and winding Forgotten World Highway, this quirky roadside stop features the Moki Tunnel—locally known as the Terror Tunnel—a narrow, hand-carved one-lane tunnel driven through the papa rock. Just outside sits a famously decorated rural mailbox representing the isolated spirit of the region. It is a quintessential photo stop for adventurous road trippers exploring the Republic of Whangamomona.
Giant Paua Shell
Riverton, Southland
Standing proudly in the coastal town of Riverton, this larger-than-life sculpture celebrates the iconic New Zealand abalone, locally known as paua. It serves as a tribute to the region's rich maritime and diving heritage, offering a brilliant photo opportunity with its shimmering, iridescent-painted surface that mimics the famous colorful interior of a real paua shell.
The Giant Corrugated Iron Dog And Sheep
Tirau, Waikato
Tirau is known as the corrugated iron capital of New Zealand, largely due to the whimsical sculptures created by local artist Steven Clothier. The town's information center is famously housed inside a massive sheep, while a giant sheepdog sits right across the road. Constructed entirely from corrugated iron, these oversized roadside icons celebrate the local farming industry with brilliant folk art creativity.
The Giant Goodwood Gumboot
Te Kuiti, Waikato
Standing proudly as a tribute to the quintessential New Zealand wet-weather footwear, this towering yellow rubber boot celebrates the rural farming spirit of the region. It holds the title of the world's largest gumboot and serves as the centerpiece for the annual Gumboot Day festival. Visitors can stop by to snap a photo with this massive piece of footwear history right in the heart of town.
The Giant Milk Bottle
Ngatea, Waikato
Standing proudly alongside State Highway 2 in Ngatea, this oversized concrete dairy bottle pays homage to the region's rich farming heritage. Originally built in the late 20th century as a clever marketing landmark for a local store, it has since become a mandatory roadside photo stop for travelers exploring the Hauraki Plains.
Browse by region in New Zealand
The busiest regions here are Waikato (6), Otago (5), Bay Of Plenty (3). Every listing has photos, opening hours, admission and directions, and the directory grows whenever somebody searches for a stop that isn't in it yet.