Hokitika, New Zealand

HOKITIKA, or "Hoki", as it is known to its friends, has little to offer at first glance – a jumble of mundane modern buildings interspersed with gussied up edifices from the town's golden days. Still, it is a long way to the next place of any size, and its proximity to the beach and good bushwalks, and a couple of quality restaurants, give it the edge; above all, it is known these days for its festivals, which make the place far livelier than you might initially expect.