New Zealand - The South Island
The stunning South Island of New Zealand offers the tourist everything from whale watching, trekking and hot air ballooning to getting up close and personal to glaciers in the Antarctic!
Christchurch, where most people will start their trip in the South Island, is the capital city. It’s compact and easy to explore, with a host of museums and galleries, including the Canterbury Museum which has a gallery devoted to Maori art. The airport at Christchurch is a leading hub for researchers in Antartica and at 38 Orchard Rd. you’ll find a working Antarctic research station.
Christchurch is also the centre of the Air New Zealand domestic network which serves Nelson, Dunedin, Queenstown and Invercargil. If you book well in advance you can travel pretty cheaply. Alternative forms of travel are train, although the rail network is not extensive, or road. A camper van is probably a better alternative than a car and although the roads are relatively quiet and peaceful, New Zealand has quite a high accident rate, so do take care on the roads. If none of these modes of transport appeal you can always try hot air ballooning!
There are lots of animals in New Zealand, mainly sheep(!) and the indigenous wildlife is particularly enchanting. A “must see” experience is to go whale watching in Kaiowa, the only location in the world where whales can be seen all year round. You’ll even get your money back if you don’t spot one.
The beautiful colonial style town of Queenstown with its wooden buildings and wide verandas has a claim to fame as one of the most popular destinations for intrepid bungee jumpers. Few people who make the trip to New Zealand leave without launching themselves from a great height at the end of a springy rope. The rush is incredible and it can be quite addictive.
Most people will be familiar with the film “Lord of the Rings” and much of the film was shot on location in the South Island, particularly in the mountains around Queenstown.
The south Island has an Alpine landscape and climate, so skiing and snowboarding are popular in winter at places like Coronet Peak and the Remarkables.
The Southwest corner of the South Island is known as Fiordland. Here you’ll find stunning fiords and lakes, and a boat trip to Milford or Doubtful Sound can be made from the lakeside towns of Manapouri and Te Anau.
Further north, the “Green Rush” geographical area stretches from Mapua on the Coastal highway through the Abel Tasman National Park and Kahurangi National Park. One of the most beautiful areas of the South Island, the Green rush encompasses two national parks, golden beaches, wineries, olives, art and adventure. One of the best ways to see this fabulous countryside is to either trek or hire a kayak. In many parts motor transport is not an option so what better way to appreciate the stunning environment.
So much to see. So much to do. And the weather is pretty good too. New Zealand will steal your heart as soon as you step off the plane.