DRIVING THROUGH NEW ZEALAND

Audley client Talek Nantes recounts her journey driving down New Zealand's Route 6

By Audley Travel

November 28^th, 2017

As many have said and all who’ve been there know, New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Crystalline lakes reflect the sky like a polished mirror, lush green rainforests shimmer with dew, fur seals cavort on pristine shores and soaring, snow-caped mountains pierce the sky. All these sights can be experienced within short distances of each other on scenic route 6 on New Zealand’s South Island.

We wanted to plan an epic road trip in New Zealand and that’s exactly what we got with Audley Travel. The country specialist, Matt, listened to our ideas and must have activities. He then organized a self-drive road trip that delivered above and beyond what we expected.

the glacial towns

We started at Greymouth on the island’s west side and headed south on route 6 for about two hours. There we came to the small towns of Franz Joseph and Fox Glacier, New Zealand’s equivalents of the wild-wild west. The surrounding area forms part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage park hosting glaciers descending from New Zealand’s Southern Alps.

During the day, most travelers hike the many well-marked trails or go on helicopter rides to get a birds-eye view of the glaciers. I took one of these exhilarating rides over the mountain peaks landing and hiking on a glacier and saw some of the most spectacular views I’ve ever experienced. I felt my heart pound like never before when the helicopter soared off a cliff over a bottom-less precipice.

The other must-do experience in either of these towns is a temperate rain forest hike, geographically the opposite of walking on a glacier. The humidity here is almost 100%. Surrounding vegetation is thick with exotic insects. Giant ferns and other bizarre plant-life loom overhead. Everything is carpeted with a moist moss in every variation of green. It’s like walking in a film set of Jurassic Park.

wanaka

We continued south to the town of Wanaka on the shore of a lake created by a receding glacier. The main street fronts the lake and has funky little cafes and restaurants with pretty lake views where you can idle with a glass of one of New Zealand’s crisp white wines. It was here we opted for a jet boat ride on the Matukituki River in Mount Aspiring National Park piloted by a witty Maori guide. The tour included a wilderness walk to see waterfalls, forests and wildlife.

The wine tour selected by Audley Travel was a great option for a lazy afternoon in Wanaka. The tour showcased the region’s finest wineries nestled amidst stunning scenery. Scott West of Wanaka Wine Tours, our friendly and knowledgeable guide, took us to about 6 different wineries, one of which included a tasty wine-paired lunch. The tastings, from light whites to sweet dark ports, were delightful.

QUEENSTOWN

Further south along route 6 is Queenstown, the city that bills itself the Adrenaline Capital of the World. If bungee-jumping, paragliding and skydiving are your thing, you came to the right place. If chilling with a glass of sauvignon blanc while admiring the crystalline waters of Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu, is more your thing, you’re also in the right place.

Whatever the preference, the one must-do activity in the Queenstown area is cruising to Milford Sound to see penguins, fur seals and seabirds against a backdrop of majestic waterfalls and soaring, snow-capped mountains. This was one of our favorite activities, and we wouldn’t even have thought of it if not for Audley’s suggestion!

This was our first visit to New Zealand. It’s a small country with a large variety of impressive sights and exciting activities to offer. There really is something for everyone. New Zealand’s Route 6 will take you to many of these places and is an especially efficient way to maximize a visit to this fascinating country.