New Zealand is a land of natural beauty with incredible lakes and mountains, forested land and coastlines. Much cared for by its inhabitants, even the manmade attractions seem to complement, rather than detract, from what nature has provided.

Being relatively long and narrow, New Zealand has a wonderful affinity for the water. It is essentially two large islands, called North Island and South Island, surrounded by a multitude of smaller ones. It is a country with one magnificent location after another, whether seen from ground level, the water or the air.

South Island

Queenstown, centrally located on the South Island, is a key jumping-off point for summer and winter activities. It is also the gateway to the town of Te Anau, best known for its own glowworm caves reached by a nice lake boat ride. Further on is Milford Sound, which is actually more of a fjord. Queenstown itself features outdoor clothing and gear shops of all types. A jet boat ride on the Shotover River gorge is thrilling and the gondola ride to the top of the surrounding hillside gives a great overview of the town itself.

Along the west coast of the South Island is the glacier region featuring Fox Glacier, Franz Josef Glacier and Mount Cook. These are great areas for hiking (from easy walks to really serious trekking), and on clear days scenic helicopter flights provide outrageous views.
Getting from the west to the east coast is best accomplished by the road that goes up and over Arthur’s Pass on the way to Christchurch, the largest city on South Island. Christchurch’s British origins are evident everywhere, from dining to architecture to the city-dividing Avon River.

Along the northeast coast of South Island is another famous wine region in the main town of Blenheim. At the northeast end of South Island is the small town of Picton, which is the access point for ferries to and from Wellington. The water, coves, roads and mountainsides are utterly magnificent.

Getting Around

New Zealand is a great country for exploring by car, as one road is more beautiful than the next, whether it be a mountain pass of winding roads or great coastal highways. The best thing is to get off the main roads: side trips along the coastal road from Christchurch south to Arakoa, a one lane gravel road that goes from water’s edge to high up in mountain farming country, or the side road to Portage, a small town in Marlborough Sounds reached by a narrow road really only used by locals, are stunning and worth the extra time.

For more information on visiting New Zealand, please call 972-530-0679, 800-615-5651 or e-mail travel@travelandtour.com.

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