South Island Dreaming
Sometimes this job delivers proper pinch me moments. Winning a place on an incentive trip with AAT Kings to New Zealand’s South Island was one of those. This is Part 1 of my South Island series, beginning in Christchurch and on from there.
Christchurch: Trams, Punting & A City Reimagined
Christchurch, a city that feels familiar with a quiet charm; with its definite British vibe, leafy streets and elegant architecture.
Courtesy of Tourism Christchurch, I managed to squeeze a lot into my short stay:
• Punting on the River Avon: drifting quietly past willows and old stone bridges, in the sunshine with someone else doing the hard work with the pole. Very relaxing, very pretty, highly recommend.
• A walking tour with a Māori guide: a brilliant way to hear the stories behind the streets and learn more about local history and culture, with time to taste one of the famous pies.
• Riding the historic tram around the city: hopping on and off at different stops, getting my bearings and admiring the mix of heritage buildings, street art and new architecture.
• A wander through the Botanic Gardens: the perfect antidote to jet lag, with wide lawns, colourful flower beds and shady paths that make you slow down, smell the air and truly appreciate the silence.
Christchurch was the ideal gentle start, a chance to stretch my legs, breathe in some fresh air and ease into “New Zealand Time” before the big landscapes kicked in; and boy did they deliver.
Tranz Alpine - The Scenic Route of Dreams
We boarded the TranzAlpine train at Christchurch station bound for Arthur’s Pass. As the landscapes began to unfold like a movie outside the window: Snow capped peaks shimmering on the horizon, lakes and vast valleys opening up around every bend, there were lots of oohing and aahing sounds around me 😊
With Simon at the wheel of ‘Miranda’ our AAT Kings coach and Tamara keeping everything running smoothly as our tour director, it was time for lunch in Hokitika. A walk on the beach for a photo at the iconic driftwood ‘Hokitika’ sign and a browse around the Pounamu Shops, selling the legendary greenstone, a sacred treasure in the Maori culture which symbolise spiritual energy and strength.
Last stop for the day was seeing the Franz Josef glacier in all its’ wonder from a distance. Although, a little cloudy, it never took away from the sheer splendour of this glacier which is approximately 12 km long, with ice up to 300 metres deep.
En route to Queenstown:
One of
my early highlights was the Haast River Jet boat. Gliding along glacial water
with mountains towering on either side.
A little bit of excitement and adventure when the boat picks up speed but still plenty of time to just sit back and soak up the views. What a great way to break up the journey whilst listening to stories of local history, nature and life in this remote corner of New Zealand.
Note to file under: “Things I’ll be recommending a lot from now on.”
Queenstown greeted us with a full day of leisure and wall to wall sunshine. Cradled between dramatic mountains and the deep blue of Lake Wakatipu, it is a place where Middle earth scenery meets a laid back lakeside buzz.
Most of the hotels are tucked into the hillside, so wherever you stay, you are likely to wake up to those sweeping views.
From here, the activities are endless: Lord of the Rings locations to explore, vineyards made for lingering over a glass of local wine, a floating sauna bobbing gently on the lake and a cable car ready to whisk you up for yet another jaw dropping panorama.
In the evening, we boarded the historic TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu towards Walter Peak and leaving the lights of Queenstown behind. By the time we stepped ashore, the air had that lovely cool alpine freshness.
We were treated to a lavish BBQ feast: platters of succulent meats sizzling straight from the grill, colourful salads piled high and all the trimmings you could possibly wish for. Think crisp, fresh vegetables, perfectly roasted potatoes, homemade sauces and dressings that tempt you back “just for a little bit more”.
Afterwards, we wandered out to watch a sheepdog in action, a simple but captivating slice of station life, before boarding the Earnslaw once more for the gentle journey back to Queenstown.
In Part 2, I will be heading deeper into the landscape: cruising through the sheer cliffs of Milford Sound, soaking up lakeside calm in Te Anau and uncovering the coastal charms of Dunedin and beyond.