5 Amazing Destinations in NZ’s South Island

I had to resist the urge to snort loudly when I was asked how long the ferry ride from Australia to New Zealand was. It was my first time realising how little people actually knew about New Zealand aside from Pavlova and Rugby.

But, as I grew up I realised these misconceptions about NZ were actually quite common. Many think that NZ is simply a mole of an island attached to Australia with most thinking that two days in NZ as part of an Aussie holiday is more than enough. And, I had smoke coming out of my ears when I heard another tourist boast that they’d ‘done’ South Island after their 3-day stay in Queenstown.

Last year I spent 15 days on the road exploring the east and west coasts of South Island and trust me, they couldn’t have been more wrong. From adventure sports to walking trails to natural wonders, the island has a lot to offer and you’d need atleast a month to explore it fully. Ofcourse, not all of us are blessed with lengthy time-offs so I thought a round-up of some awesome places in South Island was called for.

Abel Tasman National Park

Ever wanted to know what it would feel like to be on a deserted island? Then go experience Abel Tasman’s 4-hour Swing Bridge, Bush & Beach Walk. If walking is your mode of exploration, you can even walk through the entire 51km long trail and take anywhere from 3 – 5 days exploring all the lovely beaches and native ecosystem that the park has to offer. I am not that much of a nature lover so I really enjoyed the short version.

For me, the best part was the thrill I got from being dropped off on a deserted island (which still amazingly has a functioning toilet!) in a speedboat with clear instructions to finish the trail on time to ensure that I didn’t get left back in the park overnight!

Kookier

I watched Free Willy a bit too many times as a kid and pretty much wanted to adopt a whale when I was ten. While there are a lot of places where you can spot dolphins in NZ, Kaikoura is the place to go to if you want to spot whales as it is home to the Sperm, Blue, Humpback and Fin Whales. The story of the area began with the arrival of Maori in the area around 1000 years ago and since then this historic peninsula has been the scene of Maori settlement, early European encounters and several whaling missions. Once you’ve had enough of the whales you can also head to the Mt. Fyffe track, which winds up Mt. Fyffe, and gives a panoramic view of the Kaikoura peninsula from the summit.

Wanaka

For most kiwi’s, Queenstown has now become tourist central and the locals prefer heading to Wanaka. The town’s Cardrona and Treble Cone ski fields are popular across the globe.

But for me, the real attraction was the serene waters of Lake Wanaka itself – especially after a happy afternoon running around Stuart Lanesborough’s Puzzling World filled with wonky castles and illusion rooms. We visited Wanaka in autumn and the town had an almost magical air to it with happy travellers spilling out of bars and oldies walking hand in hand along the lake.

Blue Ocean Pools

Less of a destination and more a natural wonder to see along the way, the Blue Pools are probably my most favourite of all South Island attractions (aside from Ferg Burger of course). The pools get their name from the unique blue colour of the water which comes about as a result of  light refraction on the clear and icy cold glacial water.

You will pass the Blue Pools as you drive along Highway no 6 between Wanaka and Haast Pass and they are only a short 15 minute walk from the main road. From the stunningly clear under-water rock formations to the mysterious piles of smooth river stones to the crisp breeze on your face as you gaze out from the swing bridge, I loved it all and #BawaGroom had a tough time making me get back in that car!

 Punakaiki

If you’re driving up the South Island, you’ll come across the small town of Punakaiki just before you hit Greymouth. Home to the blow-holes and Pancake Rocks, this small coastal town is the perfect base to explore the rougher-tougher West Coast. What do pancakes have to do with stones? You’re correct, not much.

Basically, the Pancake Rocks are a heavily eroded limestone area which began forming almost 30 million years ago! Over thousands of years, alternating layers of small marine creatures and sand became buried and compressed on the ocean floor and mixed with the limestone rocks to form cliffs and ravines with hundreds of horizontal slices along their vertical faces, like huge stacks of pancakes.

And if you’re a foodie like me then don’t miss having the stack of actual pancakes at the Pancake Cafe just across from the trail.

So sure, Queenstown, Auckland & Rotorua are what may have gotten you interested in Aotearoa in the first place. But, there’s more to New Zealand than it’s cliches and I hope that you will add at least a few of these amazing destinations within the South Island to your New Zealand Bucket List.