New Zealand South

I’ve travelled the world a lot over the years, but recently I realised I haven’t properly explored my own backyard. So I’ve got my hands on a Kea Camper and I’m heading on a journey around the South Island of New Zealand. And it all begins in Christchurch.

Now the first thing I noticed in Christchurch was the European influence. It’s apparent in everything, there’s even punting on the Avon River, which by the way is a pretty relaxed way to see the city. Another good option for getting around Christchurch is on the tram, and for an aerial view head up to the gondola.

The following morning I picked up my home on wheels, a Kea campervan. A motorhome is arguably the best way to get around New Zealand. You can see the sites at your own pace and then either stay in caravan parks or Department of Conservation campgrounds along the way. It gives you more freedom and can also save you a heap of money. The money I saved I used to indulge in a couple of nights in comfy hotels.

The first day saw me travelling through the Canterbury Plains and into the mountains as I headed south. First stop was the magnificent lake Tekapo, followed by an evening arrival into Mt Cook. Now I’m about to use a cliché here, but I mean it entirely – Words don’t do this place justice!

The views from The Hermitage at Mt Cook Village, across the valley to the distant mountains are nothing short of jaw dropping. The snow-capped peaks glisten as they tower over the green and gold plains below. Waterfalls tumble down the cliff faces and crystal clear streams flow through the fields. There’s plenty to see and do here, including the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre and 4wd tours. But the activity that most appealed to me was glacier sea kayaking, so the next morning it was an early rise to meet up with local mountaineering legend Charlie Hobbs.

The Kayak trip took me from the still, icy waters of a lake, to being up close and personal with a glacier. The pristine water and mountainous backdrop was the perfect setting as Charlie gave me an education about the local plant life, geology and history of the area. I even got to touch an iceberg!

After a bite to eat at the Old Mountaineers Café, I hit the road to Queenstown. It’s a scenic drive of around four hours, passing massive rivers, deep gorges and several lakes. Filming during the drive meant I didn’t roll into town until after dark….But hey, the occasional long day is a small price to pay when you get paid to travel the world!

The following morning I headed out on a 4wd trip with Nomad Safaris. The tour I was on took me through a place called Skippers Canyon. It’s a half-day of adventure where you’re taken to see locations where Lord of the Rings was filmed and into a spectacular landscape that was the realm of gold miners a century ago. The single lane track is carved into the rock face and winds along the mountainside, providing a dramatic and rugged backdrop.

Leaving Queenstown at first light I travelled through the heart of the South Island and up the west coast to Franz Josef glacier. The journey took me through pristine rainforest and along a wild, windswept seashore. The drive could easily be spread over a couple of days with a night in a riverside campground, but I was on a mission.

When I arrived in Franz Josef the weather had closed in and my plan of doing a helicopter hike had been cancelled. Instead I opted to do the more active alternative and walk to the base of the glacier and then hike up the face. Taking me on this adventure was Jason from Franz Josef Glacier Guides. His knowledge and passion for the environment and the magnificent glacier made it a fantastic and educational afternoon. The glacier was a truly remarkable formation and is one of only a few glaciers that can be found in a temperate rainforest.

The next morning the weather was clearing, which was a good thing because I had a seven-hour drive ahead of me to the wine-growing region of Marlborough. In the end I rolled into town after dark, because once again, the drive was too scenic to not make a few stops along the way! One must visit place on the west coast is pancake rocks, and if you have time, there are plenty of other beautiful places to relax during the trip.

Meeting me at my hotel in Blenheim was Karen from Explore Marlborough. They run small, personal bicycle tours around the area where you get to try some of the local wines, taste the regions produce and learn all about the way the regions wines are made. It was an active way to visit a few cellar doors, including a really unique winery called Seresin, where they use biodynamic techniques to create a variety of fantastic drops.

After lunch and a short break to make sure I was fine to drive, I hit the road south, travelling from Blenheim to the pretty coastal town of Kaikoura. The drive is typical of all the journeys I had encountered in New Zealand – scenic! Along the way I stopped at a few of the viewing platforms to take in the spectacular coast and also a seal colony. But the highlight of the trip was a stop at Nins Bin. This is a local attraction, consisting of a small caravan that has been converted into a miniature kitchen, from which tasty, fresh crayfish are sold. Nothing beats garlic-buttered cray by the seaside!

The day ended with my final activity of the trip, an afternoon with Maurice from Maori Tours Kaikoura. I had been looking forward to this for the past week. It’s not often you get a personal introduction into another culture, and this special tour is regarded as one of the best ways to learn about the Maori people and their practices. It proved to be a fitting way to end my adventure around the south island.