New Zealand Scenery 2

Visiting the Magical South Island

South Island New Zealand scenery 2 is a little like visiting another country.As you stand at the rail of the Cook Strait Interislander ferry you will look back at Wellington nestled in the curve of the harbour, and forward to Picton and the Marlborough Sounds.

This is the start of a quite different journey scenically.New Zealand certainly has been blessed. I am going to have trouble keeping it brief!

The South Island has got to be one of the most beautiful places on earth.You get a sense of this as you go into Picton through the Sounds and with Queen Charlotte Sound off to the right, you could be forgiven for wondering if you had been transported to Norway.

Arriving at Picton you will have to decide what you can fit in. You are about to see some of New Zealand's most magnificent scenery!

Marlborough is New Zealand's largest wine growing area.Abel Tasman Park offers fantastic kayaking and tramping.You can take a boat trip to explore Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorous Sounds. Expect to view plenty of marine life - seals,penguins, dolphins, birdlife.Havelock has restaurants featuring the delicious mussels grown in the area for seafood lovers.

For more information on Marlborough

St Arnaud - Nelson Lakes has a special place in my heart. We have awoken to find our caravan snowed in, and were towed out by a tractor. Many years later our caravan brakes burst into flames as we toured the area. The generosity of the locals was a very welcome experience.All in a stunning setting!A New Zealand scenic treasure.The pristine lakes and Buller River rapids, beautiful bush with plenty of walks.

If you have time to visit Golden Bay you will not regret it. As you travel over the Takaka Hill you can visit Pupu Springs and Ngarua Caves. From the top you will have a panoramic view of the Bay,Kahurangi National Park and Farewell Spit.This is a remote, wildly stunning example of New Zealand scenery.Which is why it attracts a lot of artists and crafts people.It is also the start of one of new Zealnd's best tramps - The Heaphy Track.A trip to the lighthouse at Farewell Spit is a wonderful experience, along the beach. Nelson, New Zealand's oldest city,enjoys a great climate with often the highest sunshine hours in the country. With all the outdoor activities, wine growing, arts and crafts etc in the area it is definitely a place to spend a few days.Relax on the truly golden sands at Kaiteriteri Beach. Tahunanui, the local beach, is also a favourite holiday spot. Visit some craft outlets at Mapua, take in a few wineries.Kayak, hike, boat,- it is all here.One of New Zealand's oldest cities,

Nelson boasts excellent cafes and restaurants, able to cash in on the seafood and fresh market garden produce the area is reknowned for.All washed down with world class local wines.The Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough is internationally acclaimed.If you are a Lord of the Rings fan - the designer of the movie "ring" is right here in Nelson.

For further information on Nelson

Which route south for more magnificent New Zealand scenery to tempt you? From here you must decide whether you will go down the West Coast, or on to Christchurch.If you are going directly to Christchurch you could stop at Hanmer Springs for a bathe in the thermal pools.It is a pleasant green drive down the coast to Kaikoura where you can do the Whale watching tour, swimming with dolphins, sample some local seafood and enjoy the view of the Southern Alps marching majestically down the spine of the island.Children will enjoy the tunnels intermittently placed along the route as you travel on to Christchurch.

The West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand is scenic dream territory.Only 70 kilometres wide bounded on one side by the ocean and the other by the Southern Alps. You can see beech forests,temperate forests with our stunning native Nikau palms,native rata - similar to the pohutakawa this is an epiphyte,and when the kowhai blooms.........the countryside is a mass of gold.

The rugged coastline is magical. At the northern most tip- Karamea is a favourite of mine.With a tiny population it is the start- or end depending on the direction you are going, to the Heaphy track.It may be a gem you have to miss if time is short, unfortunately.

Through Westport to Punakaiki Rocks with its unusual pancake layers of rocks. Worn away by thousands of years of wind anwater, set against the backdrop of nikau palms, it is a fascinating look at nature.On down through forests to Greymouth and eventually Hokitika.Check the trains are clear of the bridges - you share some in places! Hokitika - home of the original Wildfood Festival is small, but well worth some time.Glassblowing, greenstone( New Zealand jade), a lovely beach, some nice cafes- try the French Cafe in the middle of the town.

South toward the truly spectacular Franz Joseph and Fox glaciers I recommend you allow time.

For information on the glaciers

From Gillespie's Beach it would be a day walk to the seal colonies.But it is well worth the effort.Make time to see the Kotoku at Waitangi Roto Nature Reserve,too. New Zealand's white heron, this is the only place you can see them.With a jet boat ride to a board walk through pristine forest, you will love this.

Look here to see what you think.

The options from here are back to the east through either Aurther's Pass which has a huge viaduct and is a wonderfully scenic drive, Lewis Pass further north or on south and through the Haast Pass.All are lovely drives.

Those who are coming from Christchurch. We will catch up with those who have opted to go through Haast Pass, shortly!I am hopping back to Christchurch to pick you up now!Maybe we can meet at Te Anau?

From Christchurch you will do a gorgeously scenic drive down through Fairlie to Aoraki Mt Cook.New Zealand's highest mountain at 3754 metres or 12349ft( slightly less after a chunk fell off a few years ago)As there are 27 other mountains in the Southern Alps with peaks of over 3,500 metres, this is the spectacular scenery movies are made of.Glacial lakes, mountains, rivers - it is popular not just for the scenic delights, but the diverse outdoor activities.Twizel, originally a temporary town for power station workers, is now a centre for all the area has to offer.

On through the MacKenzie country you will want a photo stop at Lake Tekapo.It is the highest lake in the country. The cute little historic stone Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of the lake, along with the bronze statue of a sheepdog - a tribute to "man's best friend" which are especially important to those who farm and work this area, are icons of this area.

Again this is territory for those who love the outdoors - fly fishing,ski and snowboarding, hot pools, ice skating and off road mountain biking.

On to Queenstown via the fruit growing districts of Otago.Apricots, cherries, and more wine.Especially good Pinot Noir comes from this area.

Queenstown - a top ten World destination for 2008 is a vast outdoor playground set amongst beautiful mountains, rivers and Lake Whakatipu.After some side trips to Arrowtown - a must in autumn when the colours are glorious, Glenorchy- Lord of the Rings country, and a few wineries, extreme activities to get the pulses racing, and a quiet meander around the town, it is time to move on to world heritage Fiordland. From Te Anau a pretty small town and the hub of Fiordland, you are only 21/2 hours( 174 kilometres) to Milford Sound.The scenic Milford Road will keep you interested with stunning alpine views and walks en route.A trip by boat along the 16 kms of fiord is a beautiful experience, with waterfalls, marine life, and if you are lucky, some wonderful reflections for those photographers amongst you.

You will almost certainly also want to do the Doubtful Sound tour.I recommend the one that goes through the underground power station. This is a fascinating experience.It is combined with a boat trip on the Sound.

Look here for more information on Fiordland

After these must do's there is still much more to keep you in the area if you have time, with tramping, boating, and outdoor activities.Much of this still untouched area truly is.............breathtaking!

You go back through Invercargill, and Bluff the oyster centre of New Zealand.A few may even venture across Foveaux Strait to enjoy some wilderness and nature on Stewart Island.The third rarely mentioned New Zealand island seen on any map of the country.

If not you will probably decide to head back to Christchurch and the airport via Dunedin, a university city founded by pioneers of Scottish descent. Allow time to make a trip out to the Otago Peninsula to see the Albatross colony at Taiaroa Headand, www.albatross.org.nz the yellow eyed penguins and Larnach castle.

Check here for more information on Dunedin

Have a look at the Moeraki boulders on your way north.I am told the Fish Shop on the wharf at Moeraki is a fantastic experience.In fact it has become quite famous at least in New Zealand!

Your Tour is over- you are hopefully inspired to visit our wonderful little country - Godszone as we sometimes call it. This introduction to New Zealand scenery enhanced by the YouTube videos, should give you plenty of ideas. Select what appeals,organise your itinerary to include the things that most appeal.

RETURN TO NEW ZEALAND SCENERY FROM THE NORTH ISLAND

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