by Charlotte Bellamy

Created on: August 19, 2008   Last Updated: September 26, 2008

Have you ever wanted to gallop a horse along a deserted black beach strewn with driftwood, experience dropping off a tall bridge only to bounce back again, or just wished to experience peace like nowhere else on earth? The South Island of New Zealand will enable all these once in a lifetime experiences and more.

Whilst the North island of New Zealand offers some of the country's most recognisable features; the capital City of Wellington and its larger sister city Auckland, Mt Ruapehu and its volcano, Rotorua and the Bay of Islands, a trip to New Zealand would not be complete without seeing the South Island. However with so much to see there, it pays to be informed about your options

Over the length and breadth of the South Island there are some of the most breath taking places to see anywhere in the world. Get out of the car or bus and off the beaten track and you will be rewarded with stunning views, solitude and fresh clean air to breathe. If you are looking for solitude and scenery that will blow you away check out some of these destinations;

*Milford Sound
This destination can only be experienced by those willing to take the time and the effort. Requiring a couple of hours by car or bus to reach the water, you can then explore all that the sound offers by boat. Milford Sound is recognised the world over for Mitre Peak, a magnificent jagged rock towering a vertical mile above the water shadowing much of the water around it. Short hourly cruises on the water, and trips to the underwater observatory are a treat for day trippers. However, take an overnight cruise and you are in for memories to last a life time. As the day visitors depart, silence descends and the sun sets as you paddle your canoe through the dark waters watching the last glimmering rays settle behind the mountains. Real Journeys offer two fantastic over night cruises and numerous day cruises. www.realjourneys.co.nz

*Fox Glacier and Franz Joseph Glacier
Both located on the west coast of the South Island, these glaciers offer a unique experience to all visitors. If you only have time for a quick stop, walk to the base of at least one of these glaciers and touch the ice! It is an awesome feeling to be stood next to one of nature's wonders and consider how long that block of ice has been in existence. If however you have more time, take a guided glacier hike. You will need to dedicate a few hours to this, but the returns will be more than worth it. As you walk across the ice looking down the crevasse

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next Page >>