New Zealand's most eye-catching public toilets

New Zealand must be one of the most stunning countries in the world for taking a road trip, and it can also one of the most interesting nations to take a toilet break in.

Spending hours in the car usually means taking a bathroom break in some less than inspiring locations - but Aotearoa is home to some most unusual pit stops.

A survey by Budget Car Rentals has found the most unique and interesting public toilets in the country.

Kawakawa

First up is KawaKawa in Northland which has become well-known for its unusual public loos. Designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Regentag Dunkelbunt Hundertwasser, these toilets are the only place in the Southern Hemisphere where you can experience his unique art. Made mostly out of recycled materials and built around a living tree with a rooftop garden, this unique bathroom is a free artistic experience and environmentally friendly.

Matakana

After winning a design competition, Auckland student Steffan de Haan's work was brought to life. The sculpted lavatories took seven years to complete and cost $400,000, but are unique enough to encourage tourists to stop off and enjoy the artwork and a bite to eat at the Matakana markets.

Gordonton

Gordonton is a lovely place to stop and smell the roses. Their small public toilet facility is filled with roses and cherry blossoms and even has a little visitors' book for people to sign. If you're in need of some encouragement, one wall is painted bright yellow.

Redwoods

The Whakaerwarewa Forest in Rotorua is home to a range of bathrooms that look like they've come straight out of a fairy tale. The design of the cylinder toilets replicates the surrounding California Redwoods and are even more stunning at night where they are lit up to display intricate stencils of local flora and fauna.

Tokoroa

The toilets in Tokoroa were uniquely designed to represent the Southern Cross constellation, as a symbol of the different ethnicities and cultures that have used this navigation tool throughout history. Five individual toilets are placed in the area and are joined by a covered walkway. The toilets are still under construction but will be open for business in March this year.

Mangatainoka

This small town just east of Palmerston North is home to the Tui Brewery, which has beer kegs that have been recycled into seats and urinals. 

Wellington

The Wellington waterfront toilets, otherwise known as "lobster loos" or "crayfish crappers", opened in 2011 and soon became a big tourist attraction in their own right. These lavatories came third in a 2015 ranking of the world's best toilets. They were designed by architect Bret Thurston who designed them to be both functional and creative while fitting in with the surrounding heritage buildings.

Invercargill

Invercargill is home to Transport World, which also happens to include a unique men's bathroom. Fuel station inspired, water is dispersed by Shell oil pumps, door handles are made of fuel pumps, and while you're taking care of business, you can look out a one-way mirror to the showroom full of vehicles.