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The 11 Best Things To Do In Christchurch
Christchurch is one of the biggest cities between popular Queenstown and the northern tip of the South Island, making it an ideal place to stop for a day or two with the long drives involved. Especially if you’re covering both the North and South Islands on your trip. But what exactly is there to do here? This post uncovers the best things to do in Christchurch from seeing the hundreds of vibrant street art murals designed to revitalize the city, exploring its lively, multicultural cafe scene, visiting the peaceful Botanical Gardens, hiking and biking in beautiful landscapes, doing some wine tasting, and possibly even a day trip to go whale…
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Wine Tasting In Marlborough | A Complete Guide
Wine tasting in Marlborough, New Zealand’s premier wine region, is a must-do experience. Nestled in the northeastern part of the South Island, Marlborough’s reputation as a world-class wine destination comes from its exceptional Sauvignon Blanc, which has put this picturesque region on the global wine map. The cool climate and diverse terroir here provides excellent conditions for Sauvignon Blanc grapes. But there’s more here beyond this world-famous white. There’s also Pinot Noir, its second most popular varietal, as well as Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Riesling. There are now also some outstanding craft brews, providing a tasting opportunity here for just about everyone. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or someone who…
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Top 12 Things To Do In Wanaka | A Scenic Wonderland
The resort town of Wanaka, with its beautiful blue lakes rimmed with majestic, snow-capped mountains offers many things to do for nature lovers and adventure seekers. This hidden gem, about an hour northeast of Queenstown, is a must-visit on the South Island. It’s less touristy than Queenstown, yet similarly stunning. Set near the mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park, an UNESCO World Heritage area, it has a picturesque and charming town center, a laid-back vibe with friendly locals, and no shortage of opportunities for relaxation and adventure. This post covers the top things to do in Wanaka, from a hike to one of the most instagrammed views in New Zealand,…
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Skydiving In Wanaka | Soaring Through Paradise
Thinking about trying skydiving? New Zealand is an excellent place to do it. Even better, go skydiving in Wanaka on the South Island. You’ll see the rugged Southern Alps and several scenic lakes as you do your freefall, all strapped safely and securely to a professional skydiver. All you need to do is be brave enough to show up and have an adventurous spirit. You don’t need any gear or experience, the scenery is absolutely stunning, and you’ll have a natural high for at least a week! At least I did. This post covers Skydiving in Wanaka, why it’s one of the best places in New Zealand to skydive, how…
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Roy’s Peak Track | A Hidden Gem With Breathtaking Views
Want to hike one of New Zealand’s most instagram worthy trails? Hike Roy’s Peak Track in Wānaka on the South Island. This trail zigzags up Mount Roy from Wānaka Lake with mesmerizing views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. It’s very challenging, as it’s a 2-3 hour ascent up the side of the mountain, but well-worth it for the views. Especially at its saddle as you can get a photo that looks like you’re standing on a cliff with nothing but mountains and lakes surrounding you. This post covers Roy’s Peak Track, how to get here and what to expect. Roy’s Peak Track Roy’s Peak is one of the…
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What To Do In Queenstown | Outdoor Enthusiasts, Thrill-Seekers & Wine Lovers
Planning to visit stunning Queenstown and want know what the best things to do are? This extraordinary city is considered the adventure capital of the world, with exhilarating options like bungy jumping, skydiving, jet boating, white water rafting, hiking, and much more. Yet it’s more than just an adrenaline-junky paradise, it’s also perfect for those that want to experience the beauty of this unpretentious town surrounded by its majestic mountains and incredibly blue Lake Wakatipu. Plus it’s the gateway to several other epic locations on the South Island, including Milford Sound, 3 of New Zealand’s 10 “Great Walks”, Wānaka, Franz Josef Glacier, Tasman Glacier, and more. It’s no wonder Queenstown…
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Queenstown Hill Walking Track | Details & Photos
Want to see a beautiful view of Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables, and the Cecil and Walter Peaks in Queenstown? Walk the Queenstown Hill Walking Track. This short but steep track is 2-3 hours with return up Queenstown Hill, known as Te Tapu-nui by the Maori, or “mountain of intense sacredness”. It’s within walking distance of the center of town and manageable for those with a good level of fitness, making it a perfect way to spend an afternoon. This post covers the Queenstown Hill Walkway, how to get there, and what to expect. Queenstown Hill Walking Track Queenstown Hill Walking Track is a 3 mile (4.8 km) out and back…
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Hiking Ben Lomond Track Queenstown
Ben Lomond Track is one of the most popular hiking trails near Queenstown offering stunning views of Queenstown, The Remarkables, and Lake Wakatipu from various points along the trail. On a clear day, you may even be able to see Mount Earnslaw and Mount Aspiring in the distance. You can choose the challenging hike up to the saddle of Ben Lomond or the very challenging trek all the way to its peak. The higher you go, the more impressive the views become. This post covers the details of hiking Ben Lomond Track, how to make it easier to get to the peak, and what to expect. Ben Lomond Track The…
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19 Best Things To Do In Te Anau | Milford Sound & More
Te Anau is the gateway to majestic Fiordland National Park, known for its dramatic fiords, towering peaks, pristine lakes, lush, fern-filled rainforest, and cascading waterfalls. It sits on Te Anau Lake, the largest lake in the South Island, about a 2 hour drive from Queenstown and a 2 hour drive from Milford Sound. And while most people visit, or pass through, only to see Milford Sound, this area is definitely worth a stay with many other incredible things to see and do. This post covers the best things to do in Te Anau. Te Anau Te Anau is a small town, with a population less than 3,000. It’s full of…
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Kepler Track Day Hike | Brod Bay To Luxmore Hut
Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s 10 “Great Walks”, is a 3-4 day rainforest and sub-alpine loop track in the Southern Alps of Te Anau. This spectacular hike treks from the beach of Te Anau Lake, up through fern-filled forest to some impressive limestone bluffs before reaching a golden, grassy summit overlooking the lakes and the mountains. After this, it continues along a razor-like ridge with more stunning views, before heading down and around back to Te Anau. If you don’t have time for the full hike on the Kepler Track, you can still appreciate this trek with a day hike from Brod Bay to Luxmore Hut, which is considered…