South Island of New Zealand

Queenstown sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu with the Remarkable Mountain Range as a backdrop. The scenery truly is remarkable as the name suggests. Queenstown is also the self-proclaimed adventure capital of New Zealand with plenty of activities to keep adrenalin junkies happy.

In winter, snow transforms the region into a remarkable alpine playground for skiers and snowboarders.

WHAT TO DO?

Here are my tips for the best activities in Queenstown:

1. Shotover Jetboat

The Shotover Jet is the world's most famous jetboat ride - and with good reason. Your adrenalin will be pumping as you fly down the narrow Shotover River Canyons, narrowly missing the sheer cliffs either side. You'll twist and turn and spin 360 degrees, sometimes in just a few inches of water!

2. Take a Luge Ride

Said to be the steepest lift in the Southern Hemisphere, you will ride the gondola high above Queenstown to the Skyline complex. From there you can hop on the chairlift up to the start of the luge ride. Jump in your luge and hurtle down the winding downhill track. You won't be able to resist racing your friends. Just make sure you come in first - there's a camera that takes pictures of you as you cross the finish line! You'll want to go again and again.

3. Bungy Jump

Kiwis seem to take great delight in jumping off things - and they do it well. So when in Rome... In Queenstown there are three great bungy jumping options:

(a) The original Kawarau Bungy. It's 43 meters high and is the only one in Queenstown that'll dunk you in the river.

(b) The Ledge Bungy. This one's from the top of the Skyline complex so you can combine it with your luge rides. It's 47 meters high and, because you're fitted with a body harness, they let you take a running jump!

(c) The Nevis Highwire Bungy. This one's a crazy 134 meters giving you about 8 seconds of freefall! You'll jump from a gondola strung out over the river. Take a look at the YouTube video below to see how amazing it is.

4. Watch the sunset over Lake Wakatipu

The view across Lake Wakatipu with the Remarkable Mountain Range in the background is breathtaking. We had a great lake-side apartment with a balcony where we sat and watched the sun go down. The perfect place for a romantic evening.

4. Go River Surfing

Ever been white water rafting? Well, imagine that but with a boogie board instead of a raft. You'll race down class 4 rapids trying to surf as many of the waves as possible. You can also try river boarding where you have a sledge instead of a boogie board. Check out the links below.

5. Eat At The Bunker
The Bunker is a real gem of a restaurant that you'll only find out about from a local or someone who's been sent there by a local. Even though we had the address we still couldn't find the entrance because it's so well hidden down an alley. And I can see why the locals try to keep it a secret. The food is incredible and the wine list is amazing. You can sit downstairs in the cosy atmosphere in front of an open fireplace or upstairs with the chic cocktail bar. Check out the link below.

6. Visit Deer Park Heights

Deer Park Heights is an incredible park where you pay $20NZ to drive a car through the (unmanned) gate and into a huge area of rugged, mountainous park land full of deer, llama, bison, pigs, donkeys and lots more. You can buy a tin of food which, when you shake it, will attract many of the 13 exotic animal species in the park for you to feed by hand. While we were there, in the height of the summer, we only saw two other cars in the whole park! It is also the site of many Lord of the Rings locations. I highly recommend a visit.

There are a number of incredible glaciers on the west coast of the south island, two of which are popular for hiking and climbing - the Franz Joseph and the Fox. Both have villages close to the base and offer a variety of helicopter flights and guided hikes.

So which should you hike and which town should you stay in? It's really a matter of personal taste. We stayed in Franz Joseph but hiked the Fox Glacier (they're not far apart). Here are a few pointers to help you decide.

FRANZ JOSEPH

1. Franz Joseph is the larger of the two towns with a wider range of places to stay.

2. We stayed at the Punga Grove motel in a rainforest studio which backed onto the bush. The pièce de résistance was the spa bath - perfect to soak in with a glass of red wine after an 8 hour hike on ice in the rain!

3. Franz Joseph township has a better choice of places to eat than Fox but prices are quite high so you might want to stay in self-catering accommodation.

4. Access to the Franz Josef glacier is along the river valley floor and then up the terminal face (front) of the glacier.

5. The Franz Joseph Glacier has more guided hikes each day so you are likely to come across more hikers than on the Fox Glacier.

6. The Franz Joseph Guides sometimes use temporary bridges to cross deep blue crevasses so it might not be the best choice for vertigo sufferers.

7. You can take a guided glacier walk with the Franz Joseph Guides. They'll provide you with Gortex rain jackets, waterproof overtrousers, woolen hats gloves and socks and glacier boots.

8. You can choose from the following trips:

(a) Full day adventure
(b) 3/4 Day Explorer
(c) 1/2 Day Experience
(d) Ice-Climbing
(e) Heli-Hike
(f) Glacier Valley Walk

FOX

1. The Fox village is smaller and the range of places to stay is more limited than in Franz Joseph.

2. At 13kms, Fox glacier is the longest of the New Zealand West Coast glaciers.

3. Access to the Fox glacier is along the river valley floor and then along a track through a rainforest up the side of the glacier.

4. Because the gradient on Fox Glacier is less steep, the hiking is less physically demanding.

5. There are fewer guided tours of the Fox glacier so you are likely to bump into fewer hikers while you're up there.

6. The Fox valley leading up to the glacier is less sheer than the Franz Joseph valley but has more impressive rock falls.

7. You can take a guided hike on Fox glacier with Fox Glacier Guiding who will provide you with boots, crampons, socks, a waterproof raincoat and over-trousers. All Day walkers are also given woolen mittens and hats.

8. You can choose from the following trips:

(a) Half day glacier walk
(b) Helihike
(c) Terminal face walk
(d) All day glacier walk
(e) Ice climbing adventure
(f) Heli-ice climbing
(g) Chancellor dome heli-trek
(h) Chancellor overnight heli-trek
(i) Mountaineering adventures

The southern alps mountain range runs down the western side of the south island forming a natural dividing line along the entire length of the island. They are the longest and highest mountains in New Zealand.

There are three spectacular journeys you can take which run along mountain passes through the southern alps - the Haast Pass, Arthur's Pass and the Lewis Pass. And you don't have to drive straight through. You can stop to take scenic flights, ski, canoe, fish, soak in hot springs, camp and hike some of the most breathtaking trails in the world.

Here are some great things to see and do along each of the three passes.

HAAST PASS

The Haast Pass road follows an ancient trail used by Maori traveling to the West Coast in search of greenstone. It is the lowest road crossing of the southern alps. It leads from Wanaka in Central Otago (55km northeast of Queenstown) to Haast on the west coast. The Maori used to travel on foot but you may want a motorized vehicle as the road winds for 150 kilometers past spectacular lakes, waterfalls and dense forests that will take your breath away.

There's lots to do along the way. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Relax by Lake Wanaka before you start your journey. It is New Zealand's fourth largest lake and is a playground for sailors, water-skiers, kayakers and wind surfers. Or you can follow the walking tracks and bridle trails around the lake.

2. Stop at the stunning waterfalls en route. Thunder Creek Falls are just 5 minutes from the roadside and Fantail Falls are 30 minutes return. They are well signposted on the road.

3. Swim in the icy Blue Pools, just 30 minutes return from the road. But be warned, if you're not a fan of rope bridges you might want to give this a miss!

4. Visit the Cameron Flat. From there the Cameron Creek Walk leads to a viewing platform which gives views of the Makarora Valley and surrounding mountains. There's apicnic area with toilets and a BBQ and for a small fee you can camp overnight.

5. Cross the Haast River Mouth Bridge. Well, if you want to get to the west coast you have to do that. But it is quite amazing. It is 732.4 meters long and stands some 3 meters above the highest known flood level.

ARTHUR'S PASS

Arthur's Pass is said to be the most dramatic of the three southern alp crossings, and is certainly the most popular. It runs from the west coast, near Greymouth, to the east, near Christchurch, and you can cross it either by scenic rail line or by car. State Highway 73 runs through Arthur's Pass and is the highest of the three roads crossing the Southern Alps.

Here are some great things to see and do in Arthur's Pass:

1. Walk to Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall. Although the 131 meter waterfall can be seen from the main road, a walk to the base of the waterfall is well worth doing. It is just a one hour return, all-weather trek across two footbridges and up some steps through mountain beech forest to a viewing area just below the spectacular falls.

2. Go fishing in Lake Pearson located approximately 30 km east of Arthur's Pass Village. It is the largest of three mountain fishing lakes in the area (the other two are Lake Sarah and Lake Grassmere). Fishing Licenses are sold at the Arthur's Pass Visitor Center and open season is from 1st October to 3oth April.

3. Go mountaineering. The mountains of Arthur's Pass are great for climbing, although many routes are only climbed in winter (in summer most of the park is free of snow). The most accessible mountain is Mount Rolleston (2275 meters) which can be climbed in a day from Arthur's Pass Village. You must be knowledgeable in mountaineering techniques and avalanche assessment to tackle mountaineering though.

4. Visit in winter and ski at one of the five accessible skifields around Arthur's Pass - Porter Heights, Mount Cheeseman, Broken River, Craigieburn Valley and Temple Basin. Although there isn't a great variety of runs, they are unusual and have spectacular views. You'll also find them far less crowded than some other skifields.

5. See the whole thing from the TranzAlpine, one of the world's great train journeys. The TranzAlpine travels from Christchurch on the east coast to Greymouth on the west. You'll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River before climbing into the Southern Alps and then descending through lush beech rain forest to the West Coast. It is a 224 kilometer journey which takes about four and a half hours.

LEWIS PASS

The Lewis Pass is the most northerly of the cross-mountain roads and provides a track from west to east coasts. It is higher than the Haast Pass but slightly lower than Arthur's Pass. The surrounding forest is mainly red and silver beech and the kowhai trees looks particularly spectacular in spring.

The drive through the Lewis Pass will take you through dense beech forest, past snowcapped mountains, lakes, alpine tarns and mountain rivers. Here are a few things to do along the way:

1. Trek the St James Walkway, which combines diverse scenery, wildlife and vegetation. About 66 kilometers long, it is designed to take five days, allowing walkers to enjoy the scenery at a leisurely pace.There are five huts that you can stay in on the walkway. Each contains bunks for 14 people, wood stoves, firewood, drying racks, intentions book and walkway map. Overnight use is $10 per adult per night. You should buy hut tickets from the Department of Conservation office before starting the track.

2. Hike to the lookout at the summit of the Lewis Pass. At the highest point on the highway, a half hour loop track from the carpark climbs through beech forest to a clearing. You'll walk through rich, mossy beech forest to get to a seat at the top from which you'll have a fantastic view of the Cannibal Gorge.

3. Soak in natural hot springs. The Maruia Springs Thermal Resort, on the banks of the Maruia River in a sheltered valley in the Lewis Pass, is a unique mountain hideaway with a touch of Japan. You can sit outside in the natural thermal rock pools, said to help detoxify and soften the skin due to the water's high mineral content. Or you can relax inside the Japanese bath house (single sex) and gaze out of the huge window at the amazing river and mountain views. There is also accommodation in case you decide to stay longer.

4. Walk to the Sluice Box, a deep, narrow slot carved in the marble by the Maruia River. The 10 minute track starts at the Marble Hill picnic area 4 km from Springs Junction. Beyond the Sluice Box the track continues on to Lake Daniell which makes a great overnight or day trip.

*USEFUL TIPS*

Here are some great tips for driving through the passes.

1. Make sure you have a full tank of gas before you start your journey. There are very few places to fill up once you're on your way through the passes.

2. Use plenty of insect repellent. Sandflies breed in fast-running streams in most forested areas of New Zealand. Their bites are incredibly itchy!

3. If you are going hiking, be well equipped. The weather in the passes can change suddenly. Carry warm clothing, a waterproof coat and over-trousers as well as a small first aid kit. And if you're planning on staying overnight be prepared in case the huts are full.

4. If you're staying in a DOC hut always fill in your plans in the intentions book in each hut.

5. In winter, when there may be sudden falls of snow, the Arthur's Pass Road may be negotiable only by vehicles with chains, or sometimes not at all. Because of the sharp bends and steep gradients in the Otira Gorge vehicles with trailers, caravans and vehicles over 13m in length are not allowed.

The seaside town of Kaikoura, situated on the rugged east coast of the south island, is sandwiched between the beautiful Seaward Kaikoura Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean.

Just 1km from the shoreline the sea-bed drops away sharply to create a canyon larger than the Grand Canyon. This phenomenon brings large and varied sea mammals close to the shores of the town including whales, orca, dolphins, and fur seals. Experts believe that a giant squid also lives in the Canyon, but the only evidence of this elusive creature is in the form of remains washed up on the beach and electronic images.

Kaikoura is a great place for wildlife encounters of all kinds and offers a wide range of eco-tourism activities. Here's my pick of the best.

1. Whale Watching Tour

Kaikoura's number 1 activity, and rightly so. Run by Whale Watch Kaikoura, you'll go out on one of their modern catamarans for a 3 hour whale watching experience. If you don't spot a whale, they'll give you 80% of your money back! But you'll probably see more than just whales - dolphins, albatross and sharks are often sighted as well. Three tips though:

1. Make sure you book in advance.

2. Go early in the day when the seas are calmer.

3. Take sea sickness medication just in case. It's often rough out there.

If you really don't have the stomach for sailing you can get an aerial view of the whales with Wings Over Whales who'll take you on a 30 minute aeroplane flight or Kaikoura Helicopters.

2. Swim With Dolphins

This really is the way to get up close and personal with nature - swimming with dolphins in the open ocean.
Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura offers the incredible opportunity to swim with dusky dolphins in their natural habitat. Dusky dolphins are very social creatures living together in pods which, in Kaikoura region, can include anywhere from 100 to 800 dolphins. In autumn and winter, pods can sometimes include thousands of dolphins. The dusky dolphins are reputed to be amongst the most acrobatic of the dolphin species performing spectacular leaps, jumps, side slaps, back flips and somersaults.

There are a few things to know about swimming with dolphins in Kaikoura.

1. Trips book up weeks in advance so make sure you book in plenty of time.

2. The dolphins are not enticed to the boats by artificial means. All tours are on the dolphin's terms.

3. Children under 8 are not allowed to swim with the dolphins.

4. Even if you don't want to swim, you can go on the same boat trip and watch the dolphins.

5. All boats have on-deck hot showers and toilets.

6. All snorkeling gear and wetsuits are provided.

7. The tours are subject to the elements of swell and wind. Cancellations of tours can occur with very little warning.

8. The seas around Kaikoura are often rough so you may need sea-sickness tablets.

3. Birdwatching Tour

Kaikoura has a wealth of bird life including shags, albatross, mollymawks, gannets, petrels, shearwaters, terns and gulls. Upwellings of cold nutrient rich water from the Kaikoura Canyon over the shallower coastal waters sustains a vibrant food chain supporting this large variety of seabirds.

Albatross Encounter Kaikoura offers the rare opportunity to get incredibly close to these amazing species, some of them endangered. They'll take you out a kilometer or two from the shore and lay bait to attract a great number of seabirds. This is a must for bird enthusiasts.

4. Kayak With Seals

Sea Kayak Kaikoura will take you out on a fantastic guided kayak trip to see the curious fur seals. You'll see the seals sunbathing on the rocks alongside you and diving around and under your kayak. You'll be out in a 2-man sea kayak for 3 hours with an experienced guide. It's an amazing way to get close to nature and see the majestic mountains from the ocean.

If you prefer to go it alone, you can hire kayaks and paddle out without a guide to explore the coast of Kaikoura at your own pace.

Other Kaikoura Activities

Here's a list of some other great Kaikoura activities:

1. Swim with seals
2. Go horse riding
3. Pilot a plane
4. Go on a Maori cultural tour
5. Eat at The Pier
6. Hike Mount Fyffe
7. Surf the right hand reef break
8. Go deep-sea fishing

Bach - holiday home (pronounced batch).
Chilly bin - a cooler.
Choice bro' - excellent, great, cool, fantastic etc.
Dairy - corner shop.
G'day - yes they really do say this (it means hello for anyone who doesn't know).
Good as gold - everything's ok.
Good on ya mate - well done.
Greasies - fish and chips.
Hokey Pokey - the greatest ice cream flavor ever!
Jandals - flip flops.
Judder bar - speed bump.
Noah's ark - shark!
Sarnie - sandwich.
She'll be right - not a problem, it'll be ok.
Sweet - cool or awesome.
Sweet as - same as sweet.
Ta - thanks.
Tea - evening meal.
Togs - swimwear.

Abel Tasman National Park, just 60 kilometers north of the town of Nelson, is a spectacularly beautiful area characterized by lush green bushland and golden sandy beaches with crystal clear waters.

The terrain ranges from sea level to 1000 meters resulting in a rich and varied plant life. Overhead you'll see or hear native pigeons, tui, bellbirds and fantails and by the coast you'll see oystercatchers and shags. In the ocean there are fur seals, blue penguins and plenty of fish.

These are some of the top things to do in Abel Tasman and Nelson.

1. Go Sea Kayaking

Abel Tasman is New Zealand's most popular sea kayaking destination. There's more than 50 kilometers of coastline with dozens of golden sand beaches, coves and lagoons to explore. You may also see penguins, seals and dolphins on the way! You can choose from many different guided kayaking tours or you can rent a kayak to take out on your own (but be prepared for a three hour induction if you choose that option!) We went with Kaiteriteri Kayaks who were great.

2. Hike along the Coast Track

The Coast Track is 51 kilometers long and takes 3 to 5 days to complete. It is one of the easiest of New Zealand's Great Walks. All streams are bridged but there are tidal crossings which can only be crossed within a few hours either side of low tide. If you get tired you can always use a water taxi to skip bits!

3. Hike along the Inland Track

The Inland Track is 37.5 kilometers long and takes three to five days to complete. It passes through a range of regenerating and undisturbed forest types between sea level and the roof of the park, Evans Ridge. Camping is not recommended on the Inland Track but there are four DOC huts spaced out along the way (see below).

4. Combine the Coast and Inland Tracks

You can combine the Coast Track with the Inland Track to make a six to seven day loop. This makes a very varied round trip.

5. Camp in the Park

There are many campsites in the Park which are maintained by the Department of Conservation. The sites have tap water (which needs to be treated for Giardia), toilets, toilet paper and tent site platforms. It costs $12 per adult per night and passes must be purchased prior to departure into the park from the DOC.

6. Stay in one of the Park's Huts

There are huts where you can stay in the Park located at Anchorage Bay, Bark Bay, Awaroa and Whariwharangi. They are also maintained by the Department of Conservation and each have gas or wood heating, tap water (needs to be treated for Giardia), toilets, toilet paper, tables and tent site platforms. They don't have cookers or lighting. They cost $30 per adult per night and beds must be booked prior to departure into the park from the DOC.

*USEFUL TIPS*

1. Dogs are not allowed into Abel Tasman National Park.

2. If you are going to use the track system in the park for overnight trips, make sure you are properly equipped and well prepared. You'll need a sleeping bag, cooking utensils, enough high-energy food (with some extra for emergencies), a waterproof jacket, warm clothing and a portable stove. Firm footwear is recommended but boots are not necessary.

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If you liked this lens please check out some of my other lenses:

Eat Your Way to the Perfect Figure
The Isle of Jersey
Surviving Long Haul Flights
I Want To Become A Fearless Flyer!

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