A Photo Tour of my Favourite Country, New Zealand
As I mentioned in Friday’s post about travel community, I’m enjoying some great interactions on Twitter. So when Tourism New Zealand said hello, I declared my Twitterverse complete! New Zealand, as most of you know (or if you don’t, now you do) that NZ is my absolute favourite country in the whole world. If there would be only one place in the world to go and get inspired, this would be it. I thought instead of droning on with more lists and words about how amazing it is, I thought a small photo tour might be more fun instead. They say pictures speak a thousand words, and these are certainly no exceptions. We’ll be essential taking a circle tour of the South Island of New Zealand, as illustrated in this Google Map:
So, let’s go, shall we?
Stop A & H: Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city on the south island and is the main airport with service to Australia and the north island. It is a very English city with a number of really nice restaurants and is also a good place for souvenir shopping (especially rugby-related gear!). The flower gardens in front of the houses were divine, as you can see.
Stop B: Abel Tasman National Park
Out of all the walks you can do in New Zealand, the Abel Tasman is one of the best. The coastal trail – a 4 day walk that I spent in near solitary isolation, just nature and me – brought such clarity of mine and purity of soul that everyone thought I’d been on a Buddist retreat. Well, I had – just Kiwi-style.
Stop C: Greymouth
I stopped in Greymouth mainly to ease the long journeys. But the city appealed to me in a couple of other ways; it’s somewhat derelict, the downtown area full of remnants of industries that have long faded. It’s home to Monteith’s, one of the best beers in the world. And they have some great caving tours, where you get to explore and splash around underground.
Stop D: Fox Village
Fox Village is one of two glacier towns on the west coast (the other, busier one being Franz Joseph). The village is a sleep town, with just one shop and a couple of restaurants. It is a great place to stop and relax; while the primary attraction is the incredible Fox Glacier, I found the views at Mirror Lake to be just as mesmerising.
Stop E: Doubtful Sound
Many folk opt for Milford Sound – which is indeed incredible – but the unusual journey required to reach the solitary confines of Doubtful Sound are a real treat. Only one company does the overnight tour, so you’ll wake up in the middle of nothing but nature’s artwork.
Stop F: Queenstown
Queenstown is the social hub of the south island. It’s hopping every night of the week with funky pubs and packed restaurants. It also the focus of the country’s adventure sports industry, nevermind some fantastic walks.
Stop G: Lake Tekapo
I’ve highlighted Lake Tekapo before as one of the best places to see the stars. You have to see the water here – such a blinding turquoise colour that cameras just cannot illustrate properly. Some great walking trails here.
Have you been to New Zealand? What did you think?
Andy Hayes is the managing editor of Sharing Travel Experiences. Featured in Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal, National Geographic Traveler, and other major publications, he travels for up to seven weeks at a time and spends the other seven right here with you. Follow him on Twitter, @andrewghayes.
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March 30th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
We’re planning on going to NZ for a month around Jan/Feb next year. I’ll definitely have to make sure some of those places are on the list
Rachel Cotterill’s last blog post..The Twitter Experiment
March 30th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
I went to New Zealand a few years ago – 2 weeks in the north, 2 weeks in the south, and I loved every minute of it. I’d go again like a shot… if I had the time and the money. Would love to spend 6 weeks in the south island… your photos have reminded me how wondrous it is. Thanks!
Joanna Young’s last blog post..Heroes, Ripple Effects and Community
March 30th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
@ Rachel – Let me know if I can help with accommodation recommendations, tours, etc. You’re gonna love it!
@ Joanna – Glad I reminded you of such a wonderful place. I do miss it.
March 31st, 2009 at 7:17 am
{sigh}
On my someday-travel list…
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome’s last blog post..Fear of an office job: Allison Day interview
March 31st, 2009 at 8:30 am
And just when I thought you had your somedays under control, Alex…
April 5th, 2009 at 10:13 am
[...] As if you’ve not had enough ideas for your next hiking trip, then go to NZTamping’s post about getting the courage to travel. While their focus is on New Zealand tramping (their word for hiking!), the advice applies the same, whether in Africa or Patagonia. A great blog, by the way – although its no surprise, as most of you know my favourite country in the world is New Zealand. [...]
April 5th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Hear hear! I didn’t get to spend as much time as Joanna did, but I shared similar feelings. I spent 2 weeks on both South and North (about 9 days in the south and the rest up north), and was astonished.. simply astonished.. And I still had a good few places I wasn’t able to visit too!
Nik’s last blog post..Redang Island in Photos
April 5th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Right. I think we should all just go.. and stay until we’ve seen it all. However long it takes!! Who’s in?
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:29 pm
[...] travel suggestions as they are experiences I have also had. Craig and Linda are from New Zealand – my favourite country – so what’s not to like? Anyway, on to the scoop… Thanks for joining us, Craig and [...]
April 26th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
I spent 3 weeks traveling New Zealand and came back with over 500 photo’s (and I have none from Christchurch as I was jaded by then!). I have managed to put together a condensed version of 40 photo’s from my trip – I’m amazed that you have narrowed it down to just 7!
April 26th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Heheh – it wasn’t easy. There’s several more over on the portfolio page – and indeed loads of CDs full of them in the cupboard.
June 12th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Thanks for the great blog. My husband and I want to go to New Zealand and need to know which season is best? Spring, Fall or Summer (that is in New Zealand)
Our grandfather and his parents and brother lived there about 1880 to 1890 and I want to go for genealogy to Balclutha. I have read good things about the area. I have communicated with the Balclutha Library so I look forward to the South Island as well as flying in to Christchurch to see cousins we never knew we had until I got to researching.
Would like to fly out of Auckland and that way get a tour of the north island too.
I am open to all comments.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
@Janelle – Thanks for stopping in. I think any of those seasons are best – if you want the best weather with the least crowds, I’d suggest Jan/Feb for that.
Have dropped you an email – happy to help with any other specific recommendations for your trip.
June 14th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
[...] more images from the photo galleries, so I thought I’d try to do more photo essays like the photo tour of New Zealand. This week I wanted to highlight some photos of water and its reflections; these photos actually [...]
October 14th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
[...] suggestions as they are experiences I have also had. Craig and Linda are from New Zealand – my favourite country – so what’s not to like? Anyway, on to the scoop… Thanks for joining us, Craig [...]
November 8th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
[...] more images from the photo galleries, so I thought I’d try to do more photo essays like the photo tour of New Zealand. This week I wanted to highlight some photos of water and its reflections; these photos actually [...]
November 8th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
[...] Andy’s Note: New Zealand is fab. No matter what adventure sport you do, you’ll love it. Be sure to check out my favourite spots on the south island. [...]
January 4th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
[...] Traveling New Zealand shared this tip with us about things to see near Kaitaia. Kaitaia is on the North Island, but don’t miss our tips of things to do on the South Island of New Zealand. [...]