Our reservations team could tell you everything you need to know about the must-see places to travel in New Zealand — Queenstown, Hobbiton, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley — we could go on. But we can also give you suggestions about surprising places your clients might like to see that aren’t in the Top-10. Follow along for some of our of-off-the-beaten path picks for the South Island.
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Abel Tasman National Park
Many visitors to the South Island arrive in Christchurch and immediately head south. Which is a shame, because it means they miss out on the breathtaking natural beauty of the Abel Tasman National Park. The Abel Tasman Coastal Track follows a pristine coastline of turquoise bays and abundant bird and sea life. Wilsons Abel Tasman operates guided walk and/or kayak trips that range from 3 to 5 days.
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Doubtful Sound
Three times longer and ten times larger than Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound is the place to go to witness true wilderness scenery and wildlife. Less commercialised than Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound is a little more peaceful and there is a good chance you won’t see any other tourists apart from the ones on your boat the whole trip. It is a little more effort to get to but we guarantee travellers will be rewarded. We highly recommend the Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise.
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Wanaka
Queenstown is a must, but because it is a must-see for the South Island it can be busy. If travellers want something a little more laidback then how about changing their stay to Wanaka? An hour out of Queenstown, Wanaka is just as beautiful and also centred around a lake with plenty of quality local restaurants to choose from. Translated from Maori, Wanaka means ‘rejuvenation of the soul’. A very apt name for this laidback alpine town. We also love Arrowtown — 25 minutes out from Queenstown, where you can still access everything in Queenstown if your traveller has a car. A word of Wanaka warning though — accommodation can be limited during peak season, so book in advance to secure a place.
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Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers
Situated on a narrow coastal strip of the South Island, the West Coast is described by Lonely Planet as one of the “Top 10 Coastal Drives in the World”. Once there, both Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are easily accessible. We recommend the Glacier Helicopter ride over both Fox and Franz Josef, which takes travellers up close to their unusual ice formation and includes a landing on the snowfields.
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The Catlins
The Catlins is a genuine hidden gem of the South Island. Suggest that travellers take the scenic route between Dunedin and Invercargill and discover the Catlins. Here they can see dolphins, penguins, and sea lions abundant along the beach. With a little careful planning, travellers can also experience the Cathedral Caves via a beautiful walk through bush and unspoiled beach.
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To incorporate one or more of these suggestions on your next New Zealand itinerary, contact us today.
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