We know - it's not in Australia. But we couldn't resist the opportunity to pack our thermals and our nerd credentials for a hop across "the ditch" to explore the reinvented, art-covered, quietly badass city of Christchurch, New Zealand.

We’re riding vintage trams, and trawling the Riverside Market for charcuterie and She Chocolate. Then it’s onto the TranzAlpine, one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys, followed by ziplining above the Canterbury forests. Our last day is set aside for a full-blown Lord of the Rings trip to Edoras (aka Mount Sunday).

There’s street art, quake stories, kea birds, and a pneumatic burger tube. Yes, really.

Head to howfarwillyoutravel.com for our interactive map with links to all the places we've visited (plus a few more), For more, join us on Instagram and Facebook.