I'm sure many of you may have read my posting on the North Island by now.
It's time to mention about our chronicles in the South Island - the place that many people have been raving about whenever New Zealand is mentioned.
I always think many people are biased about their opinions when they make comparison between the North and the South Island.
The moment we went on set sail on The Lynx to Picton (the entrance to the South), we understand why.
These are the regions we visited during our 16 days here in the South:
Nelson
Christchurch
Franz Josef Glacier
Fox Glacier
Queenstown
Te Anau
Wanaka
Mount Cook
We wish the list was longer but then... like most travellers, there's always a budget and time constraint and we just have to make choices.
Picton sits at the stunning Marlborough Sounds. The ferry ride is more than just a cross over. It is an experience.
The experience is enjoyable and the views - indescribable. To me, this surpasses any waterfront cruises.
The Lynx is a popular ferry. We noticed many families and groups. You can simply enjoy the winds (very strong) at the deck or sit back in the restaurant for a cosy picnic. Or else, have some fun on the game machines!
Upon arrival, we picked our new car in Picton and headed off for the Queen Charlotte Drive. This is a popular scenic route if you are travelling to Nelson. It is highly recommended.
Just be warned that the road is long, narrow and winding but it's worth the drive.
You will be rewarded by the spectacular views of Marlborough Sounds. I'm sure glad I don't have to drive... Poor Alex!
Do allow some time for stops to enjoy the beauty of the South. It gives the driver a rest too.
Below photos show Alex and Clayton with Marlborough sounds in the background. The stop is a must!
The drive seems longer than planned and we arrive Nelson in the late afternoon.
Nelson is a small town and not many shops are open by the time we reached there. It is almost a breeze locating our accommodation for the night.
It is a good thing that we are staying in the city. The best thing is you don't even feel that you are. For more information about where we stayed in Nelson, see my Beds-North Island posting.
We had an early rest after a long day from both the ferry cruise and the winding drive.
We set off early that morning to check out Nelson beach.
The beach is long, flat and quiet that morning. The houses up the hill sure have a great sea view everyday. It must cost alot to live here!
Nelson is New Zealand's sunniest playground. It is no wonder that organic farming here is a popular activity too.
It was one of those rare occasions that the Nelson market was on that Sunday morning we were there.
I love local markets. And I have heard from the manager from the famous Boat Shed restaurant that there are alot of nice finds in the usual Nelsom market which opens every Saturday at the Montgomery Square from 8am - 1pm.
I bought this lovely hand-made retro bag for $NZ50 (the one in my left hand). Check out the retro furniture on the photo .
Nelson is also the home to many artistic talents and you can find alot of local artists, designers and craftsmen displaying their masterpieces in the market too.
I was told that you can find fresh gourmet produce in the usual Saturday market too.
This is definitely not a 'junk' market. It is one of the quality flea markets I've seen in this country.
Don't miss a visit to the Nelson Cathedral after the market fare. It's hard to miss this distinctive monument situated on top of Church Hill at Trafalgar Street.
Are you craving for some yummy ice-cream? Don't miss Penguino. This ice-cream cafe is situated at 85 Montgomery Square (see photo). They have a wide range of flavors from gelato to sundaes and bambinos for kiddos.
Being a chocoholic, I was fairly disappointed that I didn't get to savour the delectable treats from the famous Rosy Glow. It is closed on Sunday.
I have heard so much from the locals about the mouthwatering treats it offers. It is located on 20 Harley Street behind the police station. Ask the locals for some directions and you will find your way!
This region definitely deserves a longer stay if your time permits. It is a quaint place to just basked in the warm sunshine.
I would make an effort to stay in an organic farm when I next visit this beautiful town. For those who love the outdoors and enjoy roughing it out, don't miss Abel Tasman National park and Golden Bay.
We continued our journey to Christchurch and made a stop-over in Kaikoura for a night.
This is a very nice and scenic drive. We drove along Highway 6 and 1 stopped by this award-winning restaurant, The Store Kekerengu for a coffee.
It would be lovely to have a meal here next time. The patio seating overlooks the ocean and the gardens are awesome. Check out those giant flow
ers!As we approached this seaside town, we were greeted by miles and miles of rugged coastline (see photo below).
Known for its crayfish and fresh seafood, you will also find these fresh yummies for sale on the road side!
Upon arrival at Kaikoura, we stopped by the i-Site to check on the famous whale-watching adventure.
Look at the photo below of the i-Site, I wouldn't mind an office with a million-dollar view like this one!
A shot of me and Clayton with Kaikoura mountains on the background
The breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and its vast oceans are characteristics of this quaint seaside settlement. I like the natural coastal alpine scenery here.
Kaikoura is known for whale watching and dolphin swimming. We weren't able to do any of these here as the tour operators will not accept small children.
I believe this is due to the unpredictable waters of the ocean. And who can control the tides and waves out there?
Do check with the i-Site first before making your bookings for any whale-watch adventures. This is subject to weather conditions.
Mother Nature always has its final call!
Since whale-watching is out, we drove to the Seal Colony hoping to spot some seals.
Our first attempt was not that successful - I think the tourists may have scared them all away!
We tried again the next morning while on our way to Christchurch and this time, the seals were just sun-bathing on the rocks, posing for us!
Moving on, we enroute to Christchurch for a night to board the TranzAlpine, crossing over to Greymouth.
The drive from Kaikoura to Christchurch (around 3 hours) is worth mentioning. You will see miles and miles of rugged and untouched coastline of natural New Zealand.
Christchurch – the most English city in NZ
Friends told us that Christchurch is very English. We soon realized it when we witnessed the elegant gothic architecture in the city.
We had 3 nights here. An overnight stay to board the famous TranzAlpine and two final ones end our tour in the South Island.
Also known as ‘NZ’s Garden City’, the trees and gardens, along with the Avon River create a relaxing and laid back atmosphere.
We started at Cathedral Square which is also the hub of the city. You can’t be in Christchurch without being here! There is something about this place. It’s nice just sitting around here on a lazy afternoon.
Do pop by the I-Site at The Square if you have few days here. This way, you can plan your adventures and time smartly and wisely.
Our first stop is Christchurch Cathedral, a very important landmark of Christchurch – that’s probably the first thing you will notice too.
This awesome towering church is truly the heart of this city. Take a tour and admire the beautiful stained glass window panels and fine artistic architecture so delicately preserved.
There are a lot to see and do in Christchurch. If you are into a shopping spree, you won’t be disappointed here.
You will read more about it in my shopping page.
We a nice boat ride and enjoyed a leisurely punt on the Avon River through the Botanic Gardens. This is our first punting experience. Something different.
Whether you are a garden lover or not, you must not miss the Botanic Gardens. This is one of New Zealand’s best.
With the fine collection of exotic and indigenous plants, the gardens are a restorative place to visit.
I always love flowers so I started going ‘oo-oo’ and ‘aahh’ as I strolled along the flower gardens, especially the rhododendrons and rose gardens. I have never seen such glorious blooms. Look at those pictures!
Well, even Alex enjoyed himself. He admires the fine collection of herbs and maple trees.
Next comes the cultural precinct of Christchurch – The Arts Centre. This is a must-must-must! And if you can, plan your stay in Christchurch on a weekend for this purpose!
The Arts Centre comes alive on the weekends with artists, craftspeople, musicians, street performers and food vendors. There is something for everyone. It’s even a great place to interest kids!
This is a fantastic place to pick up a new Zealand gift.
If you can’t make your way here on the weekends, don’t be disheartened. There are still more than 40 art galleries, craft studios, specialty shops, cafes, restaurants and bars occupying these historic buildings.
The quality of the products is overall quite high.
Do you have a sweet tooth? Whether yes or no, there’s one shop you should visit which is often crowded with visitors and locals. That is the Fudge Cottage Colonial Sweet Shop.
The delicious gourmet fudges are made fresh in Christchurch Arts Centre. Enjoy a free tasting on site! The nicely packed fudges make great New Zealand gift too.
We had a nice afternoon lunch at Le Café, great place, sumptuous new Zealand food. You can’t miss this place. It is usually packed with locals and visitors basking in the morning sun with a yummy sandwich or a nice cuppa..
There is no shortage of eateries when it comes to dining in Christchurch. Check out the bunch of options at Oxford Terrace, known as ‘The Strip’.
We had dinner at an award winning French restaurant, Le Bon Bolli, located near to Hagley Park. Try their special garlic bread but be prepared to sleep alone!
One of our days was reserved for a day trip to Akaroa, a romantic French-inspired village within 2 hours’ drive from Christchurch.
The hilly roads may be winding leading to Akaroa but you will be fascinated with its scenic beauty.
If you do not have a rental car in new Zealand or like to travel stress-free, simply book with either The Akaroa Shuttle or the French Connection. Check the adventure page for more information.
We took a stroll through the charming harbourside village and browse in some of the shops on Rue Lavaud.
This is after our 3-hour swimming with the dolphins trip. It’s Alex’s list of ‘must-dos’ before coming to NZ!
They are no ordinary dolphins. These are the world’s smallest, rarest and friendliest dolphins only on Akaroa Harbour! Read about it in our adventure link.
If you don’t feel like a wild adventure, pick one of the 2 hour scenic ones from the few tour operators here. Experience the wild side of new Zealand cruise.
I must say that there are plenty to do in this quaint town. It’s small in size but big in character – if you know what I mean. If we come back here again, this town definitely deserves a night’s stay.
A Memorable Train Trip and Meeting the Glaciers
This is an experience we look forward to in the South Island – Boarding The TranzAlpine – consistently rated among the top ten train journeys in the world!
A must-do for anyone visiting the South Island.
Don’t miss this unforgettable trip that travels over the Canterbury Plains, through the heart of Southern Alps; passing tunnels, untouched forests and spectacular gorges to the West Coast.
This is the best train trip I have ever had!
We made our way to Greymouth, picked up our rental car in new zealand and then en route to the West Coast.
This is one of New Zealand’s natural best. The uniqueness of glacial ice meeting the temperate rainforest on the South Pacific Island.
Where else can you find glaciers just 305 above sea level and just few km from the beach?
We arrived at Franz Josef township after a 3 hours drive. It is hard to imagine how Franz is like during the busy months, given that it is the busiest tourist stop on the West Coast.
There are heaps of adventures here and you can ‘shop’ for your adventures and options here.
No trip to Franz is complete without doing the glacier walk. We did ours by driving to the car park 5km south of the town and walk to the terminal face.
It was one rough adventure with Clayton on a pram. We couldn’t complete the glacier walk for that reason!
Do spend some extra on a guided glacier walk and climbing experience if you can afford the time.
We booked ourselves on the flight of a lifetime, “The Grand Traverse”, with Air Safaris, a spectacular scenic flight seeing experience allowing us to explore the Mount Cook and Westland National Parks.
It is definitely an experience worth investing! Fine weathers are necessary for any helicopter flights. So do plan an extra day at the Glaciers, just in case.
Heli-hiking is another option if you want to combine a short helicopter flight with couple of hours of exploring ice caves and pinnacles that you couldn’t reach on foot in a day!
Or if you just want to set foot on the glaciers for that special photo moment, check out Heliservices who can land at any of the designated landing sites in the Westland National Park.
You probably will spend your money on adventures and food more than shopping in Franz. The shopping scene needs more development but you can still find yourself a new Zealand gift; there are some lovely new Zealand souvenir to take home.
Fox Glacier (Fox, to the locals) is the smaller of the two glacier towns.
It offers an intimate ‘village’ experience than Franz. You may prefer to do your glacier walk here if you find the ones in Franz too crowded. It delivers an excellent experience too.
Alternatively, you can also drive to the glacier carpark 8 km from town and walk to the foot of the glacier in around 30 minutes.
A ‘must-do’ at Fox Glacier is a visit to lake Matheson, 6km west from town.
We did the full walk with Clayton on the pram, another ‘interesting’ and tiring experience for us! It is an easy walk through the native forest which encircles the lake. It usually takes around an hour (took us longer with Clayton).
It was unfortunate that we didn’t get that ‘perfect shot’ of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman mirrored in the crystal waters like in a NZ picture book… yet, it’s a nice walk.
I heard from a local that the best picture perfect location would be take at the café at the Lake Matheson car park.
When it comes to dining, options at The Glaciers may be limited but there are still few nice cosy places to pick out and chill out. This is especially so in Fox, being a smaller town.
In Franz, we had lunch in The Landing, a popular and casual place to hang out; the chocolate brownie is yummie! For dinner, it was at Blue Ice Café. Blue Ice is a nice, cosy restaurant with an intimate feel. Friendly service and delicious menu, run by two sisters.
You can even adjourn to the bar upstairs if you feel like some partying!
Blue Ice is fully licensed.
Our brunch was at Alice May, a cheap family dining with lots of steaks and great chips. Big servings, great prices!
In Fox Glacier, the most popular place to dine seems to be Café Neve on the main road. The food is simple and delicious. The Garoupa fish I had was fresh and nicely done and Alex raved about the pizza he had that night. Just be prepared to wait a little longer on busy nights.
Queenstown and its Surrounding Beauty
There are a couple of routes to Queenstown if you are coming from the West Coast. Highway 6 is a easier drive all the way from Wanaka to Queenstown; the drive is less than 2 hours. You will drive around the edge of Lake Dunstan, bypassing Cromwell, through Kawarau River Gorge, then into Gibbston Valley and then to Queenstown.
Alternatively, you can travel via Crown Range; it’s a winding uphill drive which takes a slightly shorter traveling time.
On our way to Queenstown, we stopped by at the A.J. Hackett’s Kawarau Suspension Bridge, the world’s first commercial bungy operation – the ‘orginal’.
You don’t have to bungy to visit. You get a nice view of the rushing waters of the Kawarau River. It’s equally fun to share the excitement of the jumpers too.
There’s a good selection of A.J. Hackett gear if you like to do some shopping. Great place to pick up a new Zealand souvenir.
I asked few of my friends who had holidayed in New Zealand on which was their favourite city. All of them surprised me with a common answer…… Queenstown!
With that in mind, we planned a longer stay here. With so many people echoing the same sentiment, it can’t be wrong.
The first thing that impresses me as I set foot in this well-talked about town are the mountain ranges of the Remarkables and the calm waters of Lake Wakatipu.
I soon understand the popularity of this adventure capital. The streets are filled with booking offices. You can find all sorts of fun and crazy activities of all kinds!
Shopping in Queenstown is excellent particularly if you are an outdoor seeker. There is a good range of outdoor gear so don’t worry if you didn’t come prepared.
There are also nice shops for the serious fashion shoppers. Here, shops are open til late everyday, unlike most of the towns where shops tend to close at 5pm except for late night shopping.
You won’t be short of New Zealand gift shops in this busy town, which is said to have more than 1 million visitors a year! Wow… that’s simply amazing!
One shop that stands out from the rest is ‘In The Pink’, this pinkish and colourful shop with lots of designer and quirky knick-knacks from all over the world. It’s a lady’s favourite!
Yet, with all the crowd and touristy stuff, Queenstown is a beautiful place to linger, relax, unwind or go crazy and wild. Whatever you like to do, there is something for everyone, even kids!
Kids are not left out in Queenstown. There are many kids friendly activities and restaurants.
Despite its compact size, Queenstown has close to 18,000 accommodations to choose from. There’s practically a bed to suit everyone from backpackers to luxury lodges, with rates as low as $NZ18 to $NZ2,000 a night!
We stayed in 3 different places over the 4 nights – The Heritage, Shotover Lodge and Garden Courts Suites and Apartments.
Alex and myself are both adrenalin seekers to some extent. He loves the wild water adventures and me, anything in the air!
Alex booked himself with ‘Serious Fun River Surfing’. According to Alex (his exact words), this 4-hour activity at the Kawarau River is for the brave-hearted ones who want to experience the ‘unknown’ of the fast rapids!
Well, it’s definitely not for me! I opt for hang-gliding with ‘Skytrek’, the only company that is licensed to hang glide at The Remarkables.
That was an amazing and awesome experience. The views were incredibly beautiful. The best part of it was the ability to control and fly the kite (with supervision of course!) at some point.
We both took turns on the Shotover Jet, an exhilarating ride that took us through the rocky canyons of the Shotver River. The major highlight was the world famous Shotover Jet 360º spins! Hold on tight!
It’s probably not feasible to cramp up your days with too much activities especially if you only have few days in Queenstown.
Always make room for any cancellation or postponement as most outdoor activities are weather permitting. Check with the operators on availability once you made up your mind.
The best thing is to visit the I-Site and have a look at what’s available and from there, you can make decisions based on your liking and preferences.
Even if it rains and the weather is not too pleasant, you need not lose heart in Queenstown. You can still relax in one of the many cafes, do a wine tour, take an enjoyable ride on the Skyline Gondola, go rafting, relax with a massage or simply shop til you drop!
The café culture in Queenstown is very noticeable. Vudu café is a nice place for a light lunch and good coffee. Winnies is known for its pizzas.
We had an unpleasant experience at this restaurant, ‘Solera Vino’. After finding ourselves a table, we were told by the waitress that it does not welcome children. A lame excuse was given then.
There should be a sign to make that known. That will save us the embarrassment – so parents, stay away from this restaurant if you have children with you, it’s not kids-friendly.
A good place to pig out is Fishbone Bar and Grill. I like the interiors. It is colourful, fun and contains a lively atmosphere. The friendly service complements the fresh seafood and delicious desserts. They even have fun children books to entertain the kiddos!
For fans of Lord of the Rings, there are many tours that take you through the spectacular journey exploring the ‘Rings’ locations.
For us, the Skyline Gondola is one great (and relaxing) way to have a bird’s eye view of Queenstown and enjoy in comfort as a family. The views from the Skyline Restaurant are stunning! It’s a pity we didn’t have time to try out the mouthwatering buffet it offers.
Whatever you choose to do here in Queenstown, don’t be too busy to miss out on the tranquility and beauty of Lake Wakatipu and the mountain ranges of The Remarkables.
It’s just an ideal way to be rejuvenated and refreshed by the breathtaking views that Mother Nature freely offers.
We were privileged to stay in 3 great accommodations over the 4 nights here. 2 of them are apartment style and the other is a luxury lodge near Arrowtown.
Don’t forget to read about our experience by clicking on the links.
For a day out to escape from Queenstown bustle, we drove a 45 minutes to Glenorchy. And this is one of the best decisions we had made in the trip!
The road is one of most scenic highways in the world. It truly is! Alex and myself can’t helped but go ‘oo’ and ‘aahh’ throughout the entire drive!
No wonder much of filming for ‘Lord of the Rings’ was done here!
We stopped by to capture magic moments of mountain ranges mirrored in the crystal clear and calm aqua waters of Lake Wakatipu.
This is another New Zealand’s natural best! I promise!
If you don’t have a rental car in new Zealand, get one for this purpose! You won’t regret this experience.
This is home to one of the most expensive luxury lodges in the country, Blanket Bay, also a member of the small luxury hotels of the world.
Blanket Bay sets a new standard for luxury new Zealand accommodation.
If you don’t feel like driving that far, Arrowtown makes another enjoyable outing with a less hectic pace and it’s only 20minutes drive from Queenstown.
We stopped by this historic town on our way to Wanaka. Personally, even though there is not much to do here but it is nice walking along the arcades and lanes.
There are a few award-winning restaurants and cafes in Arrowtown. We relaxed by Café Mondo for a nice coffee. This place has one of the best homemade choc-chip cookie! The big cookie is crusty of the surface but moist and soft on the inside.
If you love chocolates like me, don’t miss these delectable chocolates by ‘Patagonia’ (tucked in a side lane), freshly made on premises by a chocolatier from Argentina.
Are you ready for the best drives in the world? To do that, I recommend you get a rental car in New Zealand.
This is the famous milford road. We had heard much about the alpine beauty of Milford Sound from books and friends.
It may be a long drive from Queenstown but you will be too distracted by the beauty of virgin rainforest, mirrorlike lakes and alpine scenery to even notice it!
Surprisingly, the long drive had turned out to be so refreshing. We were rejuvenated by Mother Nature, no wonder Milford Sound is regarded by many as one of the scenic wonders of the world.
To fully enjoy the drive and trip, you need to allow plenty of time for stops, to capture those special moments and marvel at the sheer landscape .
Don’t forget to top up your petrol (if you have a rental car in new Zealand) at Te Anau as there are no gas stations in Milford Sound.
Most importantly, rub on some insect repellent to keep away the famous sandflies of the west coast! It itches terribly if you are bitten!
My first aid tip: Don’t leave home without a bottle of tea tree or manuka oil.
There are many coaches and tours that offer trips to Milford Sound but it can be exhausting to make it back to Queenstown within a day and you would be spending most time in the bus.
A better thing to do (which we did) is to stay in Te Anau for a night. That way, you can see Milford in an unhurried pace.
The lakeside town of Te Anau is a good base to the spectacular Fiordland National Park, famous for its varied walks. It’s very popular among hikers from all over the world.
To really experience and get close to the fiord and feel the spray of the waterfalls, you need to take a scenic New Zealand cruise. There are a few cruise operators in Milford Sound.
Bring a windbreaker if you intend to sit at the deck (it’s windy and cold!), that’s where you learn more about the surrounding landscape with the commentary guide.
To avoid the rush with the coach tours (which usually take the 1.30pm cruise), plan it either earlier or later.
If you have time, the overnight cruise would be a great experience. Unfortunately we have to skip that as the overnight cruise does not accept little children.
Well, whether it’s a 2 hour cruise or overnight one, I’m sure you will be refreshed by the enchanting beauty of the fiords.
Wanaka and Mount Cook
I hope by now you would be charmed by the beauty of the South Island.
Before moving to our last alpine destination, Mount Cook, we stopped by Wanaka for a night via the Crown Range road.
Make sure you are a competent driver (or be extra alert!) if you are taking this drive. The roads are narrow and winding but you will be rewarded with spectacular views that would take your breath away!
Often overlooked, Wanaka is a charming little town and gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park, a World Heritage Area. It is definitely less busy than Queenstown and I find it a great place to sit back and relax, especially after so many days of adventure and moving around..
It’s definitely a nice place to slow down and enjoy quality time with family and friends.
This natural beauty of Wanaka is outstanding in its own way. It is different.
All we did during our short time here was to stroll along Lake Wanaka, took a drive around its surrounding area, marvel at the alpine scenery and relax in a couple of local cafes.
Be sure to have a coffee or do lunch perhaps in ‘Kai Whaka Pai Café and Bar’. It is the most popular casual cafes in Wanaka. The staff greets you with smiles and the food is yummy! The prices – great value!
The homemade muffins are a must-try! I ate one and bagged two more for breakfast the next day!
Wanaka may be an ideal place to spend your nights if you don’t like the hustle and bustle of Queenstown. Do book well ahead if you are coming here between Nov and March. Wanaka is a popular destination among the locals and overseas visitors.
I notice quite a few lake edge accommodations, stylish lodges and quality bed and breakfasts in this area. Though the choices are unlike Queenstown, you can still choose from budget beds to luxury new Zealand accommodation, depending our your budget.
We spent our night at the Oakridge Pool and Spa Resort, a lovely complex at the Cardrona Valley. We were attracted by the cosy and friendly atmosphere in this place.
Most of all, the scenery surrounding the resort is astounding! Read more about it by clicking on this link.
We set out early the next day for our drive to Mount Cook.
The drive to Mount Cook is easy and scenic. This is especially so at the last stretch leading to the alps. It was one of our most memorable drives in the South Island.
You know, I will never forget the light jade-green waters of Lake Pukaki! I have never seen anything like this before!
The lake is so, so beautiful. It is so calm and you can see reflections of Mount Cook and the alps mirrored in the waters.
You will enjoy this beauty for miles and miles until you approach the grandeur of Aoraki Mount Cook. We were too awestruck by the snowy alps right before our eyes.
This experience will far exceed those who do not have a rental car in New Zealand – true!
Aoraki Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest mountain. This alpine village is surrounding with such dazzling backdrop, a favourite with trampers and international visitors.
You should stay here long enough for a walk or hike, there are many different levels of walks/hikes to choose from. This is a fantastic way to get close to the majestic alps.
And if your budget allows, a scenice flight, some includes glacier landings, will promise an unforgettable ‘once a lifetime’ experience.
We did a walk with Clayton on his pram at the Hooker Valley– it was challenging on those unpaved roads – we could only make it to the first bridge! Despite that, we had a lovely time and the views were awesome, more superior than just viewing it from the hotel room.
We can never be more thankful for the clear skies and perfect weather that very day.
Mount Cook village has limited choices when it comes to accommodations. Nevertheless, there are still options to suit every traveler, from budget dorm beds, affordable chalets and motels and New Zealand luxury travel.
Dining is limited to the Old Mounataineer’s Café and Bar or the restaurant in The Hermitage Hotel. If you plan to do your own cooking in the motel or chalet, make sure you stock up your groceries in Wanaka or nearby Lake Tekapo.
If you still prefer to stay in a bed and breakfast, a luxury villa or a quality lodge, take a look at what Lake Tekapo has to offer.
We did a brief stop at this quaint lakeside town after saying goodbye to the pristine alpine beauty of Aoraki Mount Cook.
Before that, we visited Mount Cook Salmon Farm, the first fresh water salmon farm in New Zealand. This is ‘de’ place to savour fresh raw/smoked salmon. And the salmon are free from chemicals!
Another stop for amazing views of Mount Cook and the jade-green lake is the Lake Pukaki visitor centre. A great stop for some photo moments with majestic Mount Cook as the dramatic backdrop.
While in Lake Tekapo, we visited the Church of the Good Shepherd, an important landmark in this region. Nearby, you will also spot the bronze statue of a sheepdog standing tall.
After capturing our last few magic moments of the emotive landscape of the lakes and glaciers, we head for Christchurch, our final destination in the South Island, before boarding our flight with Air New Zealand to Auckland.
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