New Zealand’s South Island is renowned for its alpine
mountain ranges, majestic glaciers, impressive fiords, world class wine and
food and captivating scenery. From the wide range of outdoor activities to the
National Parks teeming with diverse wildlife, the South
Island will ignite your sense of adventure, feed you with vibrant heritage and
instill a will to discover more about this ancient and fascinating part of the
world. And it is certainly a destination that lives up to the mantra of
‘the best things are life are free’.
We take a look at our Top 5 on the South Island.
Queenstown Hill
Completely worth the uphill climb for some of the South
Island’s most magnificent 360 degree views. Breath in NZ’s crisp, fresh
mountain air and panoramic scenery over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the
Remarkables in the distance. If you happen to be visiting in late June / early
July then don’t miss the Queenstown Winter Festival, packed full of free
events, performances, markets and more. Queenstown itself is very pretty,
positioned on the edge of a Lake Wakatipu, with the dramatic alpine ranges as
the backdrop. Enjoy the city’s excellent food and wine scene, explore the
various walking trails and visit nearby Arrowtown for not only the quaint,
picturesque scenery but the vibrant gold mining history and small town heritage
buildings.
The Blue Pools, Wanaka
Located in the serene Mount Aspiring National Park, here you’ll
discover some of the bluest and clearest water in the world. Reached via an
easy walk from the car park, the Blue Pools are part of the Makarora River with
the colour achieved as a result of reflecting light off the small particles of
rock flour created by the glacier as it grows and crushes rock in its path. The
water here is so clear in fact you can spot the large rainbow and brown trout
swimming along and feeding in the pools.
Fiordland
Famous for that unbelievable New Zealand vista of majestic
mountains and cascading waterfalls and home to the stunning Milford Sound and
Doubtful Sound, this wilderness region is not only a recognised World Heritage
Area but it is also known as the sightseeing and walking capital of the world. Consisting
of 14 fiords spanning 215 kilometres of coastline with Fiordland National Park
and there are some excellent walking trails which can be explored independently
or as part of a tour and range from short walk up to multi-day tracks and
catering for all fitness levels. The beautiful lakeside town of Te Anau is
here, nestled on the edge of the striking Lake Te Anau and is the closest town
to Milford Sound. The town of Manapouri sits on the shores of Lake Manapouri
and Waiau River, housing some equally picturesque walking trails and is the
gateway for excursions to Doubtful Sound. Fiordland is dramatic, pristine, wild
and free to visit plus it’s one of New Zealand’s absolute must-sees.
Marlborough
The Marlborough wine region is world famous for its
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir production and is a fantastic free
experience not only for the incredible and abundant wine tasting but also for
its stunning views of the picturesque vineyard landscape and the fact it is an
absolute foodie’s dream. Here you can drive or ride a bike and sample your way
along the Marlborough Wine Trail, with over 140 boutique and larger scale
wineries in the region to visit. Don’t miss: Cloudy Bay cellar door.
Treks, Trails & Tracks
Abel Tasman Coast Track
This is one of New Zealand’s ‘Great Walks’ and is situated
in the breathtakingly beautiful Abel Tasman National Park in the Nelson/Tasman
region. While the track is 60 kilometres long, there is the option to walk a
part of the track for a day or allow 3-5 days if you want to cover the entire
length (which would involve additional accommodation costs). Expect to see white
sand beaches, crystal-clear bays, lush coastal forest and rock pools with many
opportunities to spot the local wildlife.
Hooker Valley Track
This is a 10 kilometre roundtrip walk and one of the most
popular tracks in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. It is alpine scenery at its
finest, with impressive glacier lakes and icebergs and spectacular views at
every turn as you follow the Hooker River and cross over three swingbridges. Endangered
kea, the only alpine parrot in the world and one of the most intelligent birds,
can sometimes be heard along the track.
Click here for our Top 5 free things to do in New Zealand’s North
Island.
Click here for our current New Zealand holidays or contact one of our friendly team at Holidays of Australia & the World on 1300 854 897 or holidays@holidaysofaustralia.com.au to create your perfect New Zealand experience.
