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Something for Everyone in New Zealand - South Island Part 2
This is the second part to this article which describes various
areas of New Zealand. The first part of the article was about
areas within the North Island.
The South Island also has two major cities, Christchurch and
Dunedin. Christchurch is the second largest city in New Zealand
and Dunedin is relatively small with a population of around
120,000 and is very much considered a university town. The South
Island offers completely different scenery to the North Island.
Everything from rugged coastlines, to majestic mountain ranges,
fjords, glaciers, and stunning lakes.
Marlbourough: Just over the Cook Strait (the stretch of water
between the bottom of the North and the tip of the South Island)
from Wellington lies a gourmet paradise. The area is called
Marlbourough and comprises a number of small towns including
Picton, a picturesque town which is the transit point for the
inter-island ferry from Wellington. The Marlborough Sounds
through which the ferry sails are a maze of deep channels,
sheltered waterways and secluded bays offering a wealth of
activities from fishing to walking the Queen Charlotte Track.
Just down the road from Picton lies Blenheim. Blenheim is
estimated to have an average of 2,438 hours of sunshine every
year and as such holds the title of the sunniest town in New
Zealand. Blenheim is also the home to over 50 wineries and the
Sauvignon Blanc produced in Marlbourough is considered to be
amongst the finest in the world. Many awards have been won from
wines produced in this area. As well as the famous Sauvignon
Blanc; Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir,
Riesling and Semillon are also produced so there will be
something to suit most palates. In February of each year the
largest Food and Wine Festival in New Zealand is held in
Marlbourough. It is a great occasion offering the opportunity to
try the wines and gourmet foods produced in the area.
Nelson: Nelson is located at the top northwest corner of the
South Island. Nelson offers enormous diversity in both scenery
and activites. There are three National Parks which may be
accessed easily from Nelson. The Abel Tasman National Park which
runs along the coast offers fabulous views and great beaches. On
the other hand the Nelson Lakes National Park located south of
Nelson is set amongst mountains and 2 gorgeous lakes. The
Kahurangi National Park contains the famous Heaphy Walking Track
which takes between 4 - 6 days to complete through stunning and
diverse terrain. Nelson is also a wine growing area and has
several world class brewmasters producing boutique beers.
West Coast: The West Coast runs 600 km along the coastline and
is not wider than 70 km at any one point. The population of the
West Coast is only about 31,000 people and they have a
reputation for being extremely friendly and hospitable. This
area is an adventure and outdoor wonderland offering forest and
beach walks, caving, all sorts of boating experiences, glacier
walks, scenic flights, mountain biking, horse treks, fishing,
exploring old gold mines and ghost towns and gold panning to
name a few.
Kaikoura: Kaikoura is located on the West Coast of the South
Island approximately half way between Picton and Christchurch.
It is a rugged area flanked by the majestic mountains. Kaikoura
is famous for whale watching and crayfish (lobster). The name
Kaikoura literally translates to meal of crayfish from the Maori
language. The focus in Kaikoura is on the preservation of the
abundant marine life which is a stark contrast from the days of
the mid 1800's through to 1964 when whaling was the major income
source for the area.
Hanmer Springs: Hanmer Springs is a small alpine village
approximately an hour's drive from Christchurch perfect for a
weekend getaway. Hanmer Springs is a thermal area and is famous
for its therapeutic hot pools. Various spa treatments are on
offer so a visit here is guaranteed to unwind the weariest
traveller. Hanmer Springs has a quiet and peaceful atmosphere
but offers something for all tastes, from numerous short walks,
golf and dining, to thrill seeking adventures in jet boats or on
mountain
bikes. In winter you can also ski and it is possible to
sit in the therapeutic pools and be surrounded by snow!
Christchurch: Christchurch has quite often been referred to as
the most English city outside of England. The River Avon runs
through the middle of the city and provides a stunning and
relaxing backdrop to a bustling city centre. Christchurch is
famous for its beautiful gardens for which it has won
international awards. There really is something for everyone in
this city. Shopping is great, restaurants are many and varied,
there are numerous activities to undertake and accommodation
options are plentiful.
Akaroa: Akaroa is a stunning village unlike anywhere else within
New Zealand. The economy of Akaroa is very much geared up for
tourism. Akaroa is about 1.5 hours drive from Christchurch out
on Banks Peninsula. The most stunning views are on offer as you
near the village which make it well worth the journey. Akaroa is
an historic French/British settlement nestled in the heart of an
ancient volcanic crater. There is a real French flavour to the
village with all street names being French eg rue Lavaud and rue
Jolie, the main streets. Akaroa is an absolutely charming and
beautiful area with wonderful restaurants, plenty of
accommodation options and many activities which predominantly
focus around the harbour. There are both seal and penguin
colonies close to the village which you may visit by boat or 4
wheel drive.
Dunedin: Dunedin has a strong Scottish heritage which is evident
in the early architecture. It has some of the best preserved
Victorian and Edwardian architecture in the Southern Hemisphere.
It had New Zealand's first university and is very much a
university town to this day. Dunedin is home to the steepest
street in the world - Baldwin St. There is a shop at the bottom
of the street where you can get a certificate after climbing to
the top. Larnach Castle is a must see whilst in Dunedin. It was
originally the home of an early politician. Building commenced
in 1871 and was completed 12 years later. These days it is has
been restored and offers upmarket accommodation. Organised
harbour cruises on the Otago Harbour offer the opportunity to
view albatross, fur seals, penguins, nesting birds and dolphins.
Southern Lakes: Queenstown is perhaps the best known town in
the area of the Southern Lakes. It is a small town situated on
the beautiful Lake Wakatipu. It is a spectacular town in a
spectacular area of the country. Queenstown offers an incredible
range of activities for the tourist and is referred to quite
deservedly as the adventure capital of the world. The bungy jump
originated in Queenstown and there are numerous other adventure
activities. Shopping is excellent and there are numerous
restaurants and styles of accommodation to suit all tastes. This
area has four very distinct seasons and offers some of the best
skiing and snowboarding conditions in winter and early spring
(June to September). Wanaka is located approximately one hours
drive from Queenstown on the shores of yet another lake, Lake
Wanaka. Although many of the same types of activities are on
offer, the pace is far more sedate and less hectic than
Queenstown. If you prefer a quieter and more secluded atmosphere
still offering the stunning vistas, Wanaka may be the place for
you. Fiordland is the largest national park in New Zealand
covering almost 3 million acres. Milford Sound is one of the not
to be missed locations in Fiordland. There are many day trips
which can be taken from Queenstown. It is an unspoilt area
offering lush vegetation, majestic mountain peaks and dramatic
waterfalls.
Hopefully you have a taste of what is on offer in New Zealand.
It really is the most beautiful country and truly does have
something for everyone.
About the author:
Sue Taylor is the author of several articles about New Zealand.
She and her husband Grant have travelled extensively and for
more information about their travels and for further tips about
New Zealand, please refer to http://www.newzealandtravelsite.com
and http://www.taylortraveltales.com
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