Tales from the south

Posted 22 November, 2018 Clair Morton

A canoe stowaway by the name of Maui, a fishhook carved from an enchanted jawbone and a giant fish – according to Maori legend, these are the elements by which New Zealand came to be.

 

Today, Te Waka a Maui – the canoe of Maui – is better known as the South Island, a winter wonderland with world-class ski slopes. But even when the ski fields have closed for the season and the snow has yielded to the sun’s warmth, the tourist hotspots in New Zealand’s south still have plenty to offer.

 

Queenstown | The all-rounder

Known as the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown is the South Island’s top tourist town for a reason. You can skydive over the city, bungy jump from the 134m-high Nevis platform, go jet-boating on Lake Wakatipu, or hike to the top of Queenstown Hill.

  If you’re looking to slow the pace and take in the scenery, you can ride the Skyline for one of the best views in the city. But on a warm, sunny day, the place to be is the Queenstown Gardens, home to the city’s famous 18-hole Frisbee golf course.

 

All you need is a disc or two for a fun afternoon in the sun.

 

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, there’s only one word for it – Fergburger. No trip to Queenstown would be complete without visiting this iconic eatery. Starting as a hole-in-the-wall business (they actually operated out of a garage) in 2001, the gourmet burger joint has since gained cult status and has now expanded to include the FergBaker next door. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed.

 

 

Christchurch | The trendy city

If there was ever a place that encapsulated the term “when life gives you lemons…” Christchurch is it. The resilience shown by residents in the aftermath of the deadly 2011 earthquakes was awe-inspiring. In fact, it’s become part of the city’s identity.