New Zealand Retirement Guide

MacKenzie Country to Queenstown. We’ll be taking the scenic route, stopping at Kawarau – The Home of Bungy – before we make our way to Queenstown, where there are all kinds of adventure waiting! Queenstown It’s hard to find a better spot to tick that bucket-list. From hiking on glaciers to kayaking with dolphins, you can enjoy a range of active experiences while you’re surrounded by some of beautiful places in New Zealand’s South Island. You’ve found the perfect South Island itinerary. A South Island tour to New Zealand promises stunning scenery, adrenaline-pumping activities, fascinating cultural experiences, as well as some of the finest food and wine on Earth.

Dating from 1900, this estate has a charming restaurant and an extensive garden of mature trees, lawns and flowerbeds. You can visit the homestead and enjoy a meal before wandering the beautiful grounds. Christchurch is magnificent in autumn because it’s planted with trees that go through the full spectrum of colour changes. The weather is generally very stable with sunny days and cool nights.

Wild Kiwi

It was only two hours drive from Kaikoura, a seaside village. I am sandwiched between snowcapped crags and Pacific surf, when I check into the Hapuku Lodge. Abutting its rustic lobby and sole ground-floor suite, four standalone rooms are hoisted 32 feet into the canopy of the forest, fusing adult luxury with the nostalgic charm of a childhood treehouse. From the comfort of my bubble bath I watch the sky dim, tracing the edges of Tapuae-o-Uenuku’s 9,500-foot peak in ineffable hues of pink and purple. We are based in the UK and are currently planning a fly drive trip next year spending 6 weeks travelling around the North and South Island so this has been very helpful. You can join this 2.5-hour Stewart Island Bay tour that will visit Ulva Island, Paterson Inlet, and Prices Inlet by boat and also allows you to visit a native bird sanctuary as you learn about the area from a local.

Mission Beach is a popular spot to cool off in summer heat. Living in Auckland has one advantage: you can save money by using the public transport system. New Zealand was recently named one of the least corrupt nations on the planet. It also has a low crime rate. However, common sense is always a good idea. High seismic activity is a common feature in New Zealand’s heavily populated areas. Wanaka is what Queenstown twenty years ago , when I first came to NZ without hordes of tourists .

The Ultimate Guide To South Island Travel In New Zealand

There are many great vineyards, stunning coastlines, and amazing golf courses. There are also some incredible cycling routes. It also gets plenty of sunshine throughout the year, and is a bit warmer than Auckland during winter months. This makes it very attractive to UK visitors. It’s been our mission to explore every corner of our beautiful country and share our experiences with you. A 17-day north-to-south adventure that takes in Rotorua will show you the best of New Zealand. Spend 21 days discovering the very best of New Zealand, from the north to the south island.

Although it might not have the same spectacular view as the one I posted above, it will be right in central town and close to all amenities. The view flying into QueenstownI highly, highly recommend this if you ever fly in and out of Queenstown. The last hour of the flight before descending to Queenstown was just pure scenic – totally worth the measly $5 I paid to sit window seat.

Omarama is a small town that tourists drive by on their way to Mount Cook from Queenstown or Wanaka. It is a shame that Omarama and the few cool activities there are not available. When I was thinking of making the move to New Zealand permanently I was stuck between Wanaka and Queenstown. They are both my favorite, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I love them both, especially as a holiday destination. Queenstown ultimately won but Wanaka still remains one of my favorite towns on the South Island. Only a short 45-minute drive from Queenstown is the tiny town of Glenorchy.