Bibliophiles gather around; here's your comprehensive guide to New Zealand's best bookshops. Each of these fiercely independent bookstores brings a strong sense of personality, enriched by the culture and history of the towns they call home.  From North to South, from mystical fantasy to heartfelt memoirs, there's plenty to tickle your bookish brains at these local spots. So clear your shelf and break out your Good Reads list; here's where to get your literature fix across Aotearoa.  

Who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned road trip? Sitting at the start of the Inland Scenic Route and the Starlight Highway, the charming towns of Geraldine and Fairlie are the gateway to the Mackenzie region’s famous blue lakes and dark skies – and both deserve far more than a quick toilet stop. Fuel up on breakfast and art in Geraldine, stock the chilly bin with the town’s best local produce, then take the scenic drive over the hills to Fairlie for pies, boutique shopping and a proper country pub dinner. Keen to keep going? Lake Tekapo is only around 40 minutes further down the road.