If you’re a regular visitor to our website you’ll have read all about our colleagues' adventures in New Zealand. Well here's some more of what they got up to......
Our journey started by collecting an 8-seat luxury mini van complete with Sat Nav that we would be carting ourselves about in for the next week. The South Island is such a beautiful place and the best way to see it is by road. This way you can stop for photos whenever you want and drive as much or little as you like in a day.
We spent the first night was spent in Christchurch, at the 3* Chateau on the Park Hotel which was in a great central position. We visited the Museum, which gave us lots of information and insight into the recent Earthquakes that Christchurch has experienced and the mass of devastation to the lovely buildings, which are now being pieced back together. Christchurch is a great base to explore nearby Kaikoura where you will find an abundance of whales, dolphins and seals.
The next day we headed to the gorgeous Lake Tekapo, at the heart of the Mackenzie District.
Surrounded by a vast basin of golden tussock grass Lake Tekapo is famous for its unique turquoise colour, which is the result of finely ground rock in its glacial melted waters. Situated right in the centre of the south island, the Southern Alps in the west and the Two Thumb Ranges in the east protect Lake Tekapo from rough coastal weather, and of an evening the unforgettable clear sky reveals why the lake has a reputation for clean air.
Be it summer or winter, snow covered or golden yellow, the surrounding mountains and the three main contributing rivers of the Macauley, Godley and Cass valleys offer grand panoramic views and many opportunities for outdoor pursuits such as fishing, kayaking and hiking.
Lake Tekapo’s main settlement is a small yet flourishing village situated at the southern outlet of the lake and provides needs for many of the region’s visitors including dining and other services.
We stayed in the lovely Peppers Blue Water Hotel, which looked directly over the Lake. We visited in Autumn going into winter and the Mountain tops were covered in snow, which was beautiful. We drove towards Dunedin, stopping for photos on the way at Mount Cook, which is the highest Mountain on the South Island and again looking lovely with the snow resting on top.
On arrival at Dunedin we headed straight to the Albatros Centre, which is the only mainland place in the world that you are able to view these magnificent birds in their natural environment and then go on to visit the yellow eyed penguins. The Otago Peninsula, just outside Dunedin, is the home to an array unique wildlife. Dunedin itself it quite a large City with a real Scottish influence, and is also home to the world’s steepest street and the world’s smallest bar.
Next we headed toward the fantastic Fjordland region stopping off at its gateway, Lake Te Anu, which is also the largest lake in the South Island. Visitors to Te Anau have a great choice of things to do including scenic boat cruises, scenic flights, kayaking, diving, fishing, coach tours, golf, four wheel driving and hunting.
Te Anau's Wildlife Park is only 10 minutes walking distance from the Department of Conservation Visitor Centre on the Lakefront. Here you can view the rediscovered Takahe, a flightless alpine bird, along with other unique native birds such as the Kaka, Tui, Kea and the Parakeet.
Don’t forget to check out the Te Anau Glowworm Caves - a rare example of a living cave that is still under formation. A beautiful cruise across the lake drops you off at The Grotto. From here a short walk and a fresh water boat ride take you deep into the cave, which is only 15,000 years old and lit by thousands of tiny bioluminescent insects. There we stayed the night in the Hotel Distinction, which was right on the Lake-front.
Early the next morning we left for our trip to Milford Sound where we had a Scenic Cruise booked.
The Waterfalls were at their best and the scenery just spectacular, we were given a tour and some really useful information about this area, this has to be at the top of your list of things to do when visiting New Zealand.
Our last three days were spent in the beautiful town of Queenstown named so as it is fit for a Queen. This is the home to just about every sport you could wish for, from Dart River Boat trips, 4WD Nomad Safaris, Bunjee Jumping and also the famous Shotover Jet which Price William and Kate experienced when they were recently there. We also got the chance to have a ride on this thrilling jet boat experience which speeds through the narrow canyons of the Shotover River and spins at 360 degrees it was amazing.
The Alpine resort of Queenstown also offers more relaxing pursuits, like a Gondola ride, great walks and the chance to go looking for gold in the old gold mining town Arrowtown. Because of its dramatic scenery Queenstown is used often for film shoots and is well known for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. There is a great choice of restaurants and bars and also a chance to have a trip on the very famous TSS Earnslaw, which is a vintage steamship that cruises up and down Lake Wakatipu.
I would say that New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places in the World, with amazing scenery wherever you go, very clean, lovely welcoming people, great food and an appeal that shines through all year round, there are no Visas required, and no creepy crawlies to worry about!
Travel Blog by Tracey Murray
Phone Tracey: 01275 848097
Email Tracey: [email protected]
Visit Tracey: 2 The Precinct, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 6AH
