The South Island of New Zealand is a true jewel. It features by far the most stunning landscapes I've ever seen, hands-down. The pure green forests, aqua lakes, fresh thick air, crisp blue sky and unnamed windy roads amongst jagged peaks and valleys were mesmerizing beyond belief.
There are several cultural differences to be aware of. First, Kiwis overestimate driving conditions and weather. "Sure, you can swim in Lake Wakatipu -- it's summer here," (the water was 50 degrees!) and "Highway 6 is easy to drive" (I found out it was a two lane road only paved some of the way). Second, they underestimate walking conditions. A "moderate bushwack" means a scale up the face of K2.
Before you plan your trip, read about these four areas, my favorites, on the South Island to get inspired to explore them on your own.
I. Queenstown
Queenstown is nestled on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, at the bottom of the massive and memorable "Remarkables" mountain range. Known as an extreme sports heaven with thousands of young people pumped with so much adrenaline they can hardly speak, I decided to spend four days there. Seeing all of the alluring activity options, I chose the Queenstown "sports combo": whitewater rafting, jetboating on a glacier river, paragliding and taking the Gondola above the city -- all in one day! Most unique was the Dart River jetboating trip. Yes, it was freezing cold but a truly invigorating adrenaline rush. Each jetboat held about 10 people and I didn’t see anyone who didn’t have a perma-grin on their face the rest of the day. I realize that I might be more of a risk-taker than most women, but none of these activities felt life-threatening or frightening.
Taking the gondola to the Skyline Summit is a must on a clear day. It offered panoramic views from the observation deck and a luge ride along a curvy track. I also enjoyed walking in the Queenstown Gardens, biking along the track to Frankton, shopping on Shotover Street and drinking beers in different bars along The Mall. If it rains or snows, Queenstown has plenty to entertain you -- movies, shopping, collecting souvenirs, dining on international cuisine, and downing native beers on tap. I stayed at the safe and friendly Bumbles Backpackers Hostel for 4 nights and it was the perfect amount of time to do all of the activities I wanted to without getting tired of the town.
PREVIOUS PAGE
