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If there is a place where the New Zealand reveals itself in all its authenticity, and in all its wild soul, that is theSouth Island.
An extraordinary place, the perfect location for a road trip. Even better if on board a camper. Famous for its lakes, mountains and glaciers, the South Island offers extraordinary views and an immersive experience in nature: here there are national parks, strong winds that create incredible panoramas such as the tangled forest of Slope Point. And then there are the spots where you can practice adrenaline-filled activities, such as bungee jumping or skiing.
The South Island is a bit for everyone: for those traveling with children, who can truly feel free here, for solo travellers, for backpackers. To start your on the road, you land at the international airport of Christchurch – a city which, although hit in its historic center by the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 – maintains its charm intact, with the Avon river crossed by flat-bottomed boats and bordered by splendid cycle paths.
After a couple of days in the city, you can begin to explore the wild heart of the South Island. Whether you are in a camper or by car, head down the Banks Peninsula it is an unmissable experience. A peninsula of volcanic origin, full of bays and inlets, sighted for the first time in 1700 by James Cook and his men.
Once back, with your eyes full of incredible views, you drive up to Dunedin. Located in the Otago region, overlooking the gulf of the same name, it is home to the steepest residential street in the world (Baldwin Street) and the oldest university in New Zealand. The perfect place to stop (at least) for one night. It is the ideal base for admiring the very rare royal albatross, yellow-eyed penguins and sea lions.
From Dunedin we continue towards Fiordland, New Zealand's largest national park. Inserted together with three other parks in the Te Wahipounamu collective - a UNESCO World Heritage Site -, it hosts spectacular fjords, the most famous of which is Milford Sound; then there are small islands that have detached themselves from the main island, such as Secretary Island and Resolution Island.
Here you can admire fjords that start from the valleys and descend to the sea, lakes, some of the highest waterfalls in the world (the Sutherland Falls and the Browne Falls). And then, a rainforest of extraordinary beauty.
The ideal city to stop in is Queenstown, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. A famous location for extreme sports, from jet ski trips on the Shotover and Dart rivers to bungee jumping from the suspension bridge over the Kawarau Gorge, to skiing on the slopes of the Remarkables and Coronet Peak.
It's the adventure capital, Queenstown. And it's all to be discovered. If the Lake Wakatipu it has a freezing temperature suitable only for daredevil dives, nearby you can swim in the waters of Lake Hayes. And then you can visit Lake Wanaka with its forests, explore the nature oasis of the Kiwi Birdlife Park. Or push maybe I'm a Arrowtown, charming town founded during the time rush and with a vintage look.
On the way back to Christchurch, you cross Arthur's Pass with its alpine scenery. And you can extend it up to if you want Kaikoura, coastal town where people usually arrive to spot whales. The Whale Watch, run by the Maori, allows you to go in search of the famous cetaceans with cruises and excursions. One last memory, to take with you. The last stage of one of the most beautiful on the road trips in the world.
