New Zealand - South Island
by Lori Tenny
 In
a land of magnificent alps, glaciers, fjords, mountain lakes,
rivers and remarkable coastline, it’s no wonder outdoor
enthusiasts and nature lovers swoon over New Zealand’s
South Island.
If you’re a thrill-seeker, by all means, make a beeline
for Queenstown and its adrenalin-pumping pursuits, and if
you have some boots to break in, head for the world-renowned
tracks. But don’t miss the rest of South Island’s
countless gems.
Many international visitors fly into Christchurch, but if
you’re coming from North Island, take the three-hour
Interisland Ferry ride from Wellington across Cook Strait,
and watch it nose through the rocky entrance of the peaceful
Marlborough Sounds, landing in the harbor town of Picton.
 From
here, venture off to interesting points on the northern tip
of South Island, relatively undiscovered by the masses.
Explore the mystical Marlborough Sounds via boat or kayak
and look out for dolphins, penguins, seals and water birds;
tramp along the scenic Queen Charlotte Track; overnight at
a romantic, rustic lodge in an idyllic cove; sip a prime chardonnay
or sauvignon blanc at a stylish winery in Marlborough, the
country’s largest grape-growing region, or head to Havelock,
a provincial fishing village that claims to be the green shell
mussel capital of the world. Follow the aroma to Mussel Boys
restaurant and tuck into heaps of the delicacy simmered in
everything from white wine and garlic to Guinness and bacon.
The waterfront resort town of Nelson, an hour from Havelock,
boasts an eclectic arts and crafts scene and three surrounding
national parks. Artists produce pottery, blown glass, woodwork,
paintings and textiles in studios overlooking estuaries, mountains,
farmland and beaches. A short excursion brings you to the
stunning coastal wilderness region of Abel Tasman National
Park where you can take bush and beach walks, kayak through
the turquoise waters or stick your toes into the warm golden
sand of an isolated beach. On South Island’s eastern
shore, Kaikoura beckons marine lovers with options for whale
watching and swimming with dolphins.
 Farther
down the east coast, the Garden City of Christchurch is about
as English as you can get. The city features beautiful parks
and gardens, Gothic architecture, and the River Avon, suitable
for punting, as well as innovative theatre, art galleries,
fine shopping and attractions such as Willowbank Wildlife
Reserve and the International Antarctic Centre. Take a day
trip to Ashburton for its crafts village, deer station and
jet boating tours.
The Tranz Alpine train journey to Greymouth is a breathtaking
means of reaching the west coast and its collection of awesome
natural riches. Numerous glaciers salt the landscape of South
Island, but Fox and Franz Joseph are the star draws. The magnitude
of these glaciers, curiously carved into a valley near the
sea, can be experienced on foot or via the seat of a plane
or helicopter.
Nearby, Mount Cook National Park encompasses 700 square
kilometers of soaring peaks and glaciers, including the majestic
3750-metre-high Mount Cook (New Zealand’s highest point).
Several majestic tracks cut through the area.
 Queenstown,
an ideal base for exploring much of the southern part of the
island, is a charming year-round resort town set on the shores
of a beautiful lake below the looming peaks of the Remarkable
Range.
Soak up the dazzling landscape, take the Skyline Gondola
to the summit of Bob’s Peak, wander into the many boutique
shops or test your mettle — Queenstown is New Zealand’s
adventure and adrenalin capital, and the hairy activities
include bungy jumping, heli-bungy jumping (yes, from a helicopter)
and tandem parachuting. Tone it down a wee notch with activities
such as river rafting, jet boating, fly-by-wire and four wheeling.
In the winter months, add superb skiing to the lineup.
Fiordland National Park, located on the southwestern edge
of South Island, is a vast, rugged wilderness encompassing
magnificent fjords, glacial lakes, snowcapped peaks, a glacier-carved
coastline and a bevy of interesting flora and fauna. Coastal
Fiordland has several sounds, but Milford Sound tops the list.
 There’s
nothing quite like taking in the enormity of the region from
a boat or kayak here, or getting a bird’s eye view from
a flight-seeing plane.
Fiordland and the adjacent Mount Aspiring National Park also
are strewn with some of New Zealand’s spectacular walks,
including Routeburn, Hollyford and the famous Milford, touted
as the 'finest walk in the world'. Milford Track takes four
days to traverse, but it’s well worth the effort for
the unforgettable views, rainforest, alpine meadows and waterfalls.
Round out your trip to South Island with a sojourn to Dunedin,
a graceful west coast city of Scottish character, Victorian
architecture and lovely gardens, and step just out of town
to the flora-rich Otago Peninsula to spot royal albatross
seabirds, fur seals, and little blue penguins.
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