People love famous places. They'll travel far and wide to see the country's only roller skating museum (Lincoln, Neb.) or the world's largest ball of twine (Cawker City, Kan.). Any road trip will undoubtedly yield multiple tourist attractions and distractions, with localities boasting things like "the best apple pie on this side of the Mississippi."
It was on my most recent road trip when I discovered that New Zealand, already pretty random in itself, is also home to many obscure roadside attractions. After a week driving on one of the few major highways (which are often unpaved), I blame this country's general awesomeness for releasing my inner shutterbug and turning me into a huge sucker for all things nerdy.
I began in Auckland. Though you won't find the most esoteric stops here amongst the busy, over-commercialized streets, Auckland isn't lacking in whacky venues. Take, for instance, the Sky Tower. Similar in design to Seattle's Space Needle, the Sky Tower stands as the crowning glory of the Auckland skyline. Hovering at 328 meters, it is also the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere. And, in true Kiwi style, you can bungee jump off the side of it.
A more clandestine Auckland attraction that I found particularly amusing was tucked away on a tiny street corner in the Central Business District. It was a little white building with Uncle Sam painted on the front wall, pointing at passersby and declaring, "I Want You." After further investigation, my travel buddies and I found this little slice of home to be none other than the White House "exotic dance" club. Clearly some Kiwis took Bill Clinton's actions while president a bit too literally. Nice one, executive branch.
Traveling up north from Auckland, I passed through Wellsford and stopped at Utopia Café, a hippie coffee shop shaped like a mystical tugboat. This place was so crunchy that I nibbled on a vegan bran biscuit while meditating in the outdoor prayer garden.
In the nearby city of Whangarei, I visited Clapham's Clock Museum. I kid you not folks, an entire museum devoted to timepieces. If that weren't enough, outside in the town basin stands the world's largest sundial, which is just a giant pole sticking out of the ground — more like the world's largest letdown.
Further up the coast, I passed through Kawakawa. Now if the name of this town isn't enough to send you into a fit of immature giggles, its acclaimed roadside attraction will. Kawakawa boasts what are arguably the world's most photographed public restrooms. Designed by Austrian artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, the toilets feature tile mosaics, sculptures, a living tree and a grass roof. Peering through my camera's viewfinder, I pondered the irony of taking a dump in a piece of art.
Of course, it wouldn't be New Zealand without at least one Lord of the Rings-themed tourist trap every 500 kilometers. Aside from the actual Hobbiton set in Matamata, the town of Waitomo offers travelers the luxury of spending the night in a hobbit-hole motel. I was impressed with the circular doors and wild pigs traipsing in the front lawn, though happy I didn't have to check for Ringwraiths under the bed that night.
I've given up on trying to escape this penchant for all tourist attractions, despite the inherent tackiness that comes with wearing a camera around my neck at all times. I'm willing to sidetrack an extra hour just to see Tane Mahuta, the largest tree in the Southern Hemisphere, and to fly all the way to Dunedin to stand at the bottom of Baldwin Street, allegedly the steepest street in the world. Yes, I do plan on taking another trip just to see a replica of Stonehenge in the Wairapa Valley, and yes, I will take enough photos of sheep to fill an entire Facebook album.
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Ally Gimbel is a junior majoring in English. She can be reached at Allyson.Gimbel@tufts.edu.
