round TRIP
new Zealand
South Island
"Sweet as!"
This is a term you use with great pleasure on the South Island. The larger of the two New Zealand islands is known for its mountains, lakes, glaciers and adventure sports such as bungee jumping, skydiving, jet boating, and rafting. The so-called Southern Alps are home to the 3,724- meter-high Aoraki/Mount Cook and stretch the entire length of the island.
After 3.5 hours crossing from Wellington to Pixton, our first stop is the Abel Tasman National Park with its countless hiking trails and fine sandy beaches. The coastal strip of the park is unmistakable. Rock formations of granite and marble line the headlands, which are hidden in the dense forest. Those who do not want to do without comfort can stay in a luxurious lodge. We recommend the Abel Tasman Lodge in Marahau, one of the most beautiful accommodations on our 4-week-trip.
Through the beautiful Marlborough region, New Zealand's largest wine region, we continue to Kaikoura. The scenery in Kaikoura is spectacular: the city lies between the rugged Seaward Kaikoura Range and the Pacific Ocean. In winter, the mountains are covered with snow, which gives the scenery additional beauty.
Whale watching in Kaikoura is one of New Zealand's deserved attractions. Just outside the city, a deep underwater canyon attracts an extraordinary wealth of marine life, the most famous being the sperm whale. With a bit of luck, you might see two or three of them at once on the 3.5 hour tour and where there are whales there are often quite a few dolphins.
From the Pacific Ocean to the Tasman Sea. A 7-hour-drive over the highest pass in the Sothern Alps gives us cheeky keas, breathtaking views and a worthwhile detour to Castle Hill. Unfortunately, the small town of Franz Josef with the glacier of the same name welcomes us with bad weather. The World Heritage Site remains hidden from us due to dense fog and continuous rain. Our highlight in the region was the jump into the azure blue blue pools at the Makarora River. Ice cold, but afterwards you feel like newborn.
Via Wanaka, we went to Queenstown. The adventure capital is situated on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by dramatic alpine scenery.
Two culinary tips you can't avoid: Fergburger – a Queenstown 'Must Do' and The Cow Pizza & Spaghetti House. Line up, wait and simply enjoy.
Afterwards we were faced with the next difficult decision: Fiordland National Park with the steeply sloping Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound, the deepest fjord in New Zealand? We decided to take a 2-day boat trip on the Doubtful Sound and on the way there we made a detour to Milford Sound. Our conclusion: Milford Sound – speechless. Doubtful Sound – silent. A good decision, but next time the Milford Sound and a sightseeing flight with the helicopter will be on top of our list!
Just after "The Sound of Silence" we went back to the other side of the South Island. After a night in Dunedin, we went to Christchurch, our last stop on our New Zealand tour. On the way, we took some snapshots of the Moeraki Boulders, as well as the penguins and seals in Oamaru.
Christchurch is a city with history: The biggest city of the South Island is also the oldest city in New Zealand! The inhabitants of Christchurch call their city "City of Cranes". Very aptly, because building sites, cranes and pylons in bright orange dominate the picture here. After the devastating earthquakes, construction work was and still is in full swing throughout the city.
The farewell from New Zealand is sorely missed. We have never felt more comfortable, relaxed and safe than on the two islands at the other end of the world. But we will come back – promised. "Kia ora!"
New Zealand, January 2016. | All words and photos by The Sturgheons.
