Kiwis share NZ's 'least impressive' tourist attractions they still love

Kiwis are sharing the most mundane views and experiences around the motu - but not for the reasons you’d think.

One NZ Reddit user put out a call for Kiwis to post the “least impressive tourist attractions” they’ve been to.

“I work as a guide in the South Island, and I love visiting the most mundane and underwhelming features in our beautiful country,” the OP explained.

Phew, and here I was thinking we'd have to scrap someone for being a haterrrr.

“Today I ventured to the Londonderry Rock, a sizable boulder 2km from the township of Kumara near the west coast,” the guide shared. “It has scathing reviews, but maybe people set too high expectations for a rock.” Even though our country’s small, we’ve got plenty of wonders to visit - and apparently even the “least impressive” spots still deserve some hype.

Naturally, the comments flooded in with recommendations.

Raurimu Spiral

“The Raurimu Spiral - as a kid, I was expecting it to look like a f***ing roller coaster,” one person mentioned.

“It's pretty cool from an engineering standpoint,” another backed the spot.

The single-track spiral railway, designed in 1898, climbs a whopping 139 metres, starting with an impressive horseshoe curve in the central North Island, sitting on the North Island Main Trunk line between Wellington and Auckland.

It's no roller coaster, but still pretty impressive!

Wind Wand

“I'm always a bit puzzled when some tourists say they're going to see the magical wind wand," a commenter wrote, while another agreed, “The area is very cool. But the wand is just a long red boi erecting itself from the ground.

The Wind Wand is a 48-metre kinetic sculpture made from red fibreglass that leans and sways in the breeze. Weird flex (literally), but I reckon I could watch it for hours.

Frog Rock

“If you like rocks, you'll love Frog Rock,” someone else suggested. Another gave a tip: “The Weka Pass railway that runs behind Frog rock is much better than Frog rock... mind you, you can get some really good photos of the vintage trains from on top of Frog Rock…" Exactly as it sounds, the rock located on North Canterbury’s Weka Pass Road, resembles a frog pretty well (at the right angle).

Can you see it?!

The world's longest place name

“Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapiki-maungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu - The world's longest place name is just a sign beside a field… in the middle of bumf***knowhere," a commenter wrote. While the sign has been reported to be underwhelming, trying to get someone to say the 85-letter name in one go, makes it all worth it.

Toothbrush Fence

“The Toothbrush Fence. Although it was impressive enough to get a mention on a Flight of the Conchords episode.”

The roadside attraction in Te Pahu, Waikato, came about in 2006 with hundreds of toothbrushes hung on wire along Limeworks Loop Road.

The toothbrush fence got its moment on Flight of the Conchords, with Rhys Darby’s Murray calling it a “major New Zealand attraction.” In Season 2, even the NZ Prime Minister tries to recreate it in New York City.

Hobbit’s Hideaway

“Hobbit's Hideaway has to be in line for this award,” someone said of the Mount Victoria walking track used as a filming location for ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’.

It really is just a walking track, but to say you’ve been there is a brag worth the visit.

Can you vouch for any of these spots, or have you got some of your own shoutouts worth a mention?