New Zealand's South Island
We had friends who moved to New Zealand so it was a great excuse to go not once but twice in the space of six months and the scenery, the people, the way of life were enough to make my hubby and I consider moving there. We didn’t in the end because strangely enough it was just a bit too quiet for us. For a holiday of a lifetime though, this is your place.
The list of activities you can do is endless so I’m just going to mention a few of mine and Ed’s favourites but as usual if you want to know more just give me a shout!
Let’s start with the best way to get around! My mother-in-law is a massive fan of NZ and she described it perfectly when she said that the country is so user friendly for visitors – especially us Brits. They drive on the same side of the road as us which helps (even I managed to drive in NZ and that is saying something!) I would recommend hiring a camper van. They come in many different forms from ‘billy-basic’ to ‘totally-rad’. A mid-price camper van will probably set you back around £850 for a week in high season. NZ also allows you to pull off the road.
You can’t visit New Zealand’s South Island without going whale watching. The relatively calm waters of Kaikoura on the NE coast offer a year-round home to the giant sperm whale, and a typical boat trip usually may encounter New Zealand fur seals, pods of dusky dolphins and the endangered wandering albatross. Depending on the season you may also see migrating humpback whales, pilot whales, blue whales and southern right whales. A 2.5-hour trip costs about £60pp.
Moving down onto the West Coast of the South Island you will find the most amazing and unbelievably cool glacier, Franz Josef. The day we climbed the glacier I was a bit unsure as to what I was getting myself into especially when I put the soggy boots on that had been worn a hundred times and were wet through. I soon changed my tune when I walked to the bottom of the glacier and was faced with the most stunning sight (one of many on our trip). I’d never experienced anything like the scenery I saw that day, it was literally like something out of the ice age! A Glacier walk costs about £140pp.
The second time we went to NZ we went in July so it was winter out there, which meant only one thing for us - skiing! We took a road trip and drove down to Wanaka where we hired a fabulous house which overlooked the lake. We spent many evenings lounging in the hot tub after a long days skiing! The ski area nearby is called Cardrona and yet again the scenery blew me away. I can’t really put it into words (which is unfortunate as this is a travel journal) the jaw dropping beauty and sheer awesomeness that meets you when you stop at the top of the mountain to take your breath! I think you may be getting the idea! An hour south and you find yourself in the adrenalin-junkie heaven that is Queenstown. Most things that go on here involve ropes, bridges, rafts and beer! We went white water rafting and I have never had so much fun in a life jacket and helmet ever! It’s scary, brilliant and totally puke inducing but I’d do it again in a heartbeat! Of course, you can do lots of activities that don’t involve water and perhaps require more air such as bungee jumping and sky-diving, the choice is yours. Or of course you could just sample a delicious lamb shank washed down with a glass of bone dry Sauvignon Blanc which sounds much more my thing!
If you like what you read, get in touch, I can put together bespoke itineraries that fit your time and budget constraints and ensure you have a trip of a lifetime!