13 Best Experiences in New Zealand's South Island
13 Best Experiences in New Zealand's South Island according to Lonely Planet
13. The Catlins
12. Oamaru
11. Stewart Island
10. Skiing & Snowboarding
You're guaranteed to find decent South Island snow right through the winter season. The most famous slopes are around hip Queenstown and laidback Wanaka, with iconic ski runs such as Coronet Peak, the Remarkables and Treble Cone close at hand. There are also dedicated snowboarding and cross-country snow parks here.
9. Milford Sound
Milford Sound is a spectacular glacier-carved fiord in the Fiordland National Park on the west coast of New Zealand and isone of New Zealand's most well known scenic attractions. On display in the fiord is a spectacular combination of mountains, sheer cliffs, waterfalls and marine life. It is the best known of a series of fiords in the park, and the only one which is accessible by road.
8. TranzAlpine
In less then five hours the TranzAlpine crosses from the Pacific Ocean to the Tasman Sea. Leaving Christchurch it speeds across the Canterbury Plains to the foothills of the Southern Alps. After negotiating tunnels and viaducts, the train enters the broad expanse of the Waimakariri Valley. Then it's all downhill: through the Taramakau River Valley, past Lake Brunner, and finally into sleepy Greymouth.
7. Otago Peninsula
The Otago Peninsula is stunning proof there's more to the South Island's outdoor thrills than heart-stopping alpine and lake scenery. Amid a backdrop of coastal vistas combining rugged, hidden beaches with an expansive South Pacific horizon, it's very easy to spot penguins, seals and sea lions. Beyond the rare yellow-eyed penguin, or hoiho, other fascinating avian residents include the royal albatross.
6. Queenstown
What was once a small, remote, South Island town has transitioned, first to a busy ski destination, and now to a year round tourist mecca and centre for adventure tourism. It is a world famous destination attracting around 1.9 million visitors every year, undoubtedly the tourism capital of the South Island if not New Zealand, and a must-see stop for most visitors to New Zealand.
5. Central Otago
Here's your chance to balance virtue and vice, all with a background of some of NZ's most starkly beautiful landscapes. Take to two wheels to negotiate the easygoing Otago Central Rail Trail, cycling into heritage South Island towns such as Clyde and Naseby. Tuck into well-earned beers in laidback country pubs, or linger for a classy lunch in the vineyard restaurants of Bannockburn.
4. Franz Josef Glacier
The 11 km long Franz Josef Glacier is one of New Zealand's most spectacular natural attractions, a remnant from the Ice Age which is one of South Westland's major drawcards for visitors. The recent spectacular ice retreat at the Franz Josef Glacier has surprised even the experts and shocked local businesspeople who thought the formerly impressive ice river would be a reliable cash-cow for years to come.
3. Akaroa & Banks Peninsula
Akaroa is a charming town on Banks Peninsula in Canterbury. It is the only French settlement in New Zealand. Akaroa's harbour is home to an array of wildlife, most notably the rare Hector's dolphin. Cruises and dolphin swimming are popular attractions. A popular drive is to Pohatu Marine Reserve, centered on nearby Flea Bay.
2. Kaikoura
Kaikoura is a small coastal town on the east coast, about 180 km north of Christchurch. It is famed for its marine mammals (whales, dolphins, seals) and other sea-life, all of which you can see, some of which you can swim with, and some you can eat. In Maori, kai means eat and koura is crayfish' (rock lobster). So Kaikoura is a place to eat crayfish!
1. Abel Tasman National Park
Here's New Zealand nature at its most glorious and seductive: lush green hills fringed with golden sandy coves, slipping gently into warm shallows before meeting a crystal-clear sea of cerulean blue. Abel Tasman National Park is the quintessential postcard paradise, where you can put yourself in the picture, assuming an endless number of poses: tramping, kayaking, swimming, sunbathing, or even makin' whoopee in the woods.
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Your Guide to Central Otago - New Zealand
New Zealand's most inland region is a landscape of vast, open terrain and alpine scenery. The ambience of the area is defined by many things: the exciting change in seasons; the tranquillity that comes with having only 11,000 inhabitants; a rich, gold mining heritage; and contemporary, award-winning wines.
To unwind and relax in Central Otago is not hard. You could cycle a section of the Otago Central Rail Trail; tour a vineyard; play a round of golf; or visit an historic, gold mining town and learn about Otago's equally-prosperous past.
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It's Kiwi Safety #AirNZSafetyVideo
#ItsKiwiSafety is here! Our homegrown Safety Video It’s Kiwi Safety is the largest scale safety video we have ever produced, with a 600-strong cast. The video stars well-known Kiwi actor Julian Dennison (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Deadpool2), local musicians Kings, Theia and Randa as well as talent from 30 community groups across the country.
The safety video was filmed at various New Zealand locations in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, Balclutha, Hokitika and Naseby in Central Otago. It also features a number of Air New Zealanders including cabin crew, pilots, engineers, loaders and airline staff from Dunedin Airport. Enjoy!
Original music track: “It’s Tricky” by RUN-DMC
“In the Neighbourhood” by Sisters Underground
Track produced by Josh Fountain of Auckland’s Golden Age Studios.
Ocean View Recreation Reserve Brighton Tour and Review | Best Free Campsites Camping New Zealand
Take a quick video tour of Ocean View Recreational Reserve Brighton campsite and campground.The site is located just SW of Dunedin.
Review
We loved this ocean front site. As we said in the video, it gets packed for non self contained vehicles quickly, even in the off season. If you have a self contained vehicle, you will have loads of room to park. Easily the most crowded motorcamp we've been to.
It was a great place to fill up with great tasting drinking water. It rained while we were there, but the beach is a great chill out spot and if the weather was nicer we could have easily spent another day there just enjoying that.
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Ocean View and beach access
super packed-arrive super early
freedom camping allowed
Absolutely Free!
Rubbish bins and recycling bins
Flushing toilets
Drinking water
Sink to wash dishes
Dump Station
Picnic Tables
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Kai Pizza's - Best Pizza's in South Otago made in Kaitangata
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Otago Central Rail Trail, Central Otago, New Zealand
New Zealand’s original Great Ride, the trail follows an old railway line through beautiful, big-sky country with the bonus of legendary hospitality.
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New Zealand. Heavy snow blankets Southland 18.09.2010
A group of tennis players had a close call when heavy snow caved in the roof of Stadium Southland today
Central Otago NZ - Through Local Eyes - The Bank Cafe, Olivers, & Monteiths Alexandra
Learn about Central Otago's unique flavours through the words of passionate local chefs and business owners.
This episode features the Bank Cafe, Olivers Cafe & Restaurant in Clyde and Monteiths Alexandra.
Accommodation in Rotorua, New Zealand: Regent Hotel of Rotorua, New Zealand
Accommodations in Rotorua, New Zealand.
Looking for a great place to stay in Rotorua, New Zealand? Look no further than the Regent Hotel of Rotorua.
New Zealand Campervan Holiday: Te Anau to Queenstown August 2008
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The drive from Te Anau to Queenstown is a pleasant one, even more so when the mountains are covered in snow.
Queenstown is a busy place at any time, never more so than when the ski-ers are in town. Unlike some places we visited, where we were the only campervans in a large holiday park, here it wasn't easy to find a space. It was also the dearest park we stayed in.
Metal detecting finds are shown at the end of the video.