Quirky cafes are a traveller’s friend. Offering a whimsical touch of local humour and hospitality as well as the traveller’s must-haves: oh so precious wifi and generous amounts of caffeine.

Just such an oasis of café culture can be found in the middle of New Zealand’s South Island, in a small rural town called Geraldine. Called The Running Duck, with a décor that pays homage to Kiwiana, it’s a great place to refuel on treats such as a burger and Kumara chips. Burger names include Motherclucker, The Hallouminati and Lambshank Redemption.

Situated on the main road from Christchurch, Geraldine is the perfect stop-off or base for destinations like Timaru, Aoraki/Mt Cook, Tekapo and Queenstown.