at stunning Opononi – far north of New Zealand’s North Island – on road trip with cousin Sarah

My Proposed Highlights of

My 3-Month Trip to New Zealand’s South Island

Last week I detailed my plans to minimize costs while traveling around New Zealand’s South Island on a budget for 3 months. Read that post here to learn exactly how I’ll cut down expenses considerably on accommodation, transportation and supplies.

I also expressed how thrilled I am to finally explore NZ’s amazing South Island, full of stunning raw mountains, gleaming glaciers, exotic fjords, rugged coastlines, beautiful forests and amazing back country treks. I don’t want to miss any of it!

So without further ado, here are my proposed highlights for 3 months of adventurous NZ explorations:

Highlights (short version):

LashWorldTour at world's biggest Kauri tree - Waipoua Forest

Lash at world’s biggest Kauri tree – Waipoua Forest

* Visit cousin Sarah in Auckland

* Outdoor wilderness travels near Auckland with cousin Sarah

* Visit the world’s largest and oldest Kauri trees

* Visit Wellington for 3 days

* Ride the ferry across Cook Straight & through Marlborough Sounds

* Trekking – several multiple-day treks at top end of South Island

* Visit Glaciers for the 1st time in my life

* Stay at 3 famous lakeside towns – Wanaka , Queenstown & Te Anau – surrounded by NZ’s highest mountains

* Take boat trips through two Fjords: Milford & Doubtful Sound

* Wild bird & animal spotting – seals, several species of penguins, dolphins, albatross & more

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Highlights (detailed version):

* 10-day visit with my cousin Sarah in Auckland

with cousin Sarah

While I was traveling around NZ’s North island earlier this year, my dad suddenly remembered that my cousin Sarah lives in Auckland. I managed to look her up and visit for one brief weekend just before my departure to Fiji. I hadn’t seen Sarah since she was about 5 years old!

We both had a fabulous time meeting, catching up on our lives and getting perspectives on our families & relatives. A mere weekend was hardly enough. So I’ll kick off my return to NZ with a nice 10-day visit, covering two long weekends.

Update: I’m here now! And we’ve already visited several amazing places near Auckland, including NZ’s oldest and most famous Kaori tree forest, several rugged west coast beaches and a few cute country towns. Photos are already up on my FB wall here!

* Wellington

Last time I visited, I simply loved Wellington! Set on magnificent Lambton Harbor, the compact city offers stunning views, great museums and plenty of wonderful free activities.

So I couldn’t pass up a chance to visit again for a few days before finally heading to the South Island.

ferry through Marlborough Sounds – photo by Sid Mosdell on Flickr CC

* Ferry across Cook Strait from Wellington through Marlborough Sounds to Picton

This trip is all about exploring the amazing South Island. And yet I’m kicking off the trip with two full weeks on the North Island. I could have just flown into Christchurch on South Island’s east coast. What gives?

In addition to visiting cousin Sarah and re-visiting Wellington, I am burning to take the ferry across Cook Strait between the two islands. Passing through the expansive Marlborough Sounds is reported to be absolutely stunning. I don’t want to miss that!

So beginning this trip by visiting my cuz also let’s me re-visit charming Wellington and catch the ferry.

Let’s just hope the weather is great the day of my journey. Both Lambton Harbor and Cook Strait are notoriously treacherous in stormy weather. Hundreds of ships have sunk and been swept ashore over the past 200 years. Fingers crossed for sunny skies and calm seas.

Besides, I want to see the scenery!

Havelock marina – photo by Phil Norton on Flickr CC

* Marlborough Sounds region – 1 week

After finally arriving on spectacular South Island at Picton, I’ll explore the immediate area, known as Marlborough Sounds, for a week.

Highlights include:

1. Visiting the two cute seaside towns of Picton and Havelock (green mussel capital of New Zealand)

2. Queen Charlotte Drive between Picton and Havelock (I’ll have to catch a ride with other travelers)

3. a 2-night couch surfing gig with an outdoor enthusiast who lives near the Queen Charlotte Trek

4. hiking & camping on the 2-day/2-night Nydia Trek – my first trek on South Island!

Abel Tasman Trek – photo by Department of Conservation on Flickr CC

* Nelson / Abel Tasman Region – 2-3 weeks

1. Abel Tasman Trek – 4 days/4 nights

I am super thrilled about hiking the famous Abel Tasman Trek! I’ve been dreaming of this trek since I was in my mid 20s, when I first read about it.

Last week I reserved my campsites for each night of the trek. That means I have to be there on the designated days, come rain or shine.

Luckily, that region is New Zealand’s sunniest area and I’ll be hiking at the start of summer in late November. Fingers crossed again for fine weather. I do hate camping in chilly rain!

2. Takaka / Golden Bay 2-2 days

Golden Bay lies just west of Abel Tasman National Park and the end of the trek. So after 4 days of trekking and camping I’ll spend a couple days at Takaka town. Hopefully I’ll be couch surfing with one of two hosts who are tentatively ready to have me visit (pending on their work and other visitors).

Wearable Art - Te Papa Museum Wellington

Wearable Art Exhibition – Te Papa Museum Wellington

3. Nelson

Nelson town is hailed as a haven for artists of all sorts, set in a stunning natural seaside location. Sounds like the perfect place for me!

I’ll be joining a lovely older couple for HelpX for one week at their home in Nelson. That way I’ll have plenty of time to immerse myself in Nelson’s art & music scene, including their famous Wearable Art Museum.

4. Nelson Lakes NP – 1 week with 3 day trek

After spending a 1-week HelpX assignment in Nelson town I’ll head slightly south to Nelson Lakes National Park where I plan to make a 3-day trek around Lake Rotoiti.

Pancake Rocks – photo by Greg Hewgill on Flickr CC

* West Coast 2-3 days between Nelson and Franz Josef Glacier

South Island’s West Coast is supposed to be absolutely stunning and rugged, something like California’s fabled coastline – full of jagged cliffs, wild beaches and interesting geological formations.

I’ll spend 2-3 days to traveling down the coast from Nelson Lakes to Franz Joseph Glacier. I’ll be hitch-hiking, so my adventures will depend a lot on who gives me a lift, where they’re headed, what they want to see and where they’re going to stop.

Highlighting include:

1. Buller’s Gorge (which all traffic passes through en route to the west coast)

2. Tauranga Bay Seal Colony

3. Punakaike Rocks (Pancake Rocks)

4. Haast Pass (main route thru high mountains from the west coast to glaciers)

hiking up Franz Joseph Glacier – photo by Nathan Hughes Hamilton on Flickr CC

* Glaciers!

I have walked up an extremely steep, long snow field in the Japan North Alps, but I have yet to see a glacier. So I’m super excited to finally get the chance. In fact, I’ll be visiting at least two:

1. Franz Joseph Glacier – 2-3 days

Franz Joseph is the first glacier I’ll reach heading down the west coast. I’ll only make a short 2-3 day visit, enough time to hike to the glacier and gaze at its massiveness, perhaps on a guided tour.

2. Fox Glacier – 1 week HelpX

I’ve been lucky enough to secure a 1-week HelpX assignment at a lovely motel located right at Fox Glacier! I’ll put in a few hours’ work in the mornings then have afternoons to visit Fox Glacier, hike on nearby trails, enjoy Lake Matheson and gaze at panoramic views of Mt Cook & Mt Tasman.

* Wanaka / Mt Aspiring / Queenstown region – 10 days

Wanaka and Queenstown sit smack in the middle of New Zealand’s highest mountain peaks. Each town is nestled on the shores of a large lake, completely surrounded by soaring peaks. Queenstown is the most famous spot, known for its many adrenaline adventures. But it sounds way too touristy for me, so I’ll just make a brief 2-day stop.

1. Wanaka 1 week

Instead, I’ll spend a week at its quieter sister town of Wanaka. In fact, I’ll be there the week of Christmas! So I’ll have to figure out some fun, unusual activities for my stay.

2. Queenstown 2-3 days

Continuing southward, I’ll spend a couple days in Queenstown, just to see what it’s all about and soak up more gorgeous lake & mountain views.

approach to Doubtful Sound – photo by Abi Skipp on Flickr CC

* Te Anau – Milford Sound – Doubtful Sound area – 10 days

Even further south, in the even more remote wilderness known as Fjordland, is the lakeside town of Te Anau. Trips to New Zealand’s most famous fjords usually start from here. I plan to stay 10 days to absorb the gorgeous views, hike and make trips through two fjords. Highlights include:

1. Scenic road from Te Anau to Milford

2. Trip through Milford Sound

3. Trip through Doubtful Sound

* Invercagill – 3 days

Invercagill lies at the southern end of South Island. Otherwise, it’s not an especially noteworthy town, apparently. I’m not dead-set on visiting, but I have booked a lovely $1 bus trip from Te Anau to Invercagill, the cheapest ride in the region. If I can’t catch a ride with other travelers elsewhere, I’ll be heading there for three days.

Dunedin – photo by edwin.11 on Flickr CC

* Dunedin / Otago Peninsula – 2 weeks

Dunedin lies on the southeastern corner of South Island. It’s reported to have many historical buildings, a budding art scene and more beautiful nature. I’ve lined up a 1-week House Sitting gig there, tending rose gardens.

After that I’ll head out to nearby Otago Peninsula, hoping to spot penguins and seals.

If time allows, I’ll also visit Oamaru town, situated a couple hours north of Dunedin. It’s another art-oriented town full of history and… blue penguins.

Christchurch from viewpoint – photo by Jon Sullivan on Flickr CC

* Christchurch 5 days

At long last, my 3-month tour of South Island will come to a conclusion in Christchurch city. I’ll spend nearly a week visiting museums, historic buildings and nearby Banks Peninsula, all the while hoping that an earthquake doesn’t strike while I’m there (two nasty quakes hit Christchurch in recent years).

Fly to Sydney on January, 30

Summary:

So that’s my big fat 3-month plan for touring New Zealand! Come follow along on the adventures. Throughout I’ll be sharing photos of astounding nature, travel adventure stories and useful travel tips. Here we go!

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You might also enjoy:

Photos of New Zealand’s North Island

My Plans for Budget Travel Around South Island

50+ Money Saving Tips for Traveling in New Zealand

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