11 minute read
Adventures in Fiordland, Stewart Island and The Catlins
All signs point to the south
By Megan Dunn
In honour of three of the most beautiful places in the South Island, let’s take a look at what all of these special places have to offer: Fiordland, Stewart Island, and the Caitlins… and the offerings are absolutely magnificent.
Your Catlins Adventure begins here!
The Catlins is a natural wonder of New Zealand, featuring many rare species of wildlife and earthly formations, including colossal sea caves, magnificent waterfalls, mirror lakes and a prehistoric petrified forest. Take a moment to disconnect from the hectic city life for a well- earned getaway and a welcomed change of scenery. Take a deep breath.
Base yourself in the heart of it all, in a central location for all your exploring and refuelling needs. The Whistling Frog offers the widest range of accommodation, it’s even dog friendly! Access a range of holiday park amenities and wake up to the songs of the native birds while nestled amongst the rainforest. Free wifi makes it easy to share your daily moments on social media. Explore the seaside settlement of Papatowai, featuring the local “Country Store”, galleries and beach walks. Located just behind the country store, “Blonde Betty”, a 1983 Bedford Ambulance, has been given a full transformation into “Peake’s Kitchen”. Owned and operated by Tom and Nicole Peake, it is definitely an experience to add to your bucket list. This gourmet food truck has gained growing popularity for its flavoursome menu and Kiwiana flair, complete with nostalgic games while you relax. The Catlins is not a place to rush through, but a great area to stay a while, with plenty to occupy your time. Most attractions are FREE. Some require low tide access or wildlife best viewed as the sun rises or sets. The rainforest comes to life rain or shine, the ocean changes colour to a vibrant turquoise when the light hits it just right and the sandy beaches stretch for miles. The Catlins is great all year round, and best enjoyed October - May. Start planning your adventure today!
Let’s just begin this by saying wow. Wow, because the South Island holds some of the most magical treasure troves in all of Aotearoa, brimming with the unique and spectacularly jaw dropping scenery New Zealand is renowned for. One of the hiccups of Covid is it preventing Kiwis from jumping on a plane and travelling overseas (very sorry for the reminder) and whilst this was a restrictive sore spot for many, it also gave us as Kiwis the unique experience to explore what is right under our very feet, our beautiful Aotearoa. Once we were told it was not an option to leave, it promoted the rare opportunity for Kiwis to head out and visit every corner of our nation, and it left many shocked that they had never thought to do so sooner, as they realized just how much they had overlooked. The grandeur of the rugged South, a certain breed of impressive yet some degree intimidating, is highlighted as one of the best spots Kiwis have visited during their recent domestic travels. According to research from Tourism NZ, more than 60 percent of Kiwis have visited somewhere new in the past year, which is absolutely fantastic, considering some Kiwis hadn’t even visited the South Island prior to this. Fiordland, located in the South-West corner of the South Island is a spot not to be missed, home to Fiordland National Park, a recognized World Heritage Site, that is without a doubt one of the most breathtaking areas in all of New Zealand. If you’re a keen hiker, tramper, explorer or simply have an appreciation for spectacular scenery and nature Fiordland National Park is an absolute must see destination. It has been carved out by glaciers that are thousands of years old creating a magical landscape in which waterfalls flow over metres of intrepid landscapes which include glimmering lakes and peaks that have been totally untouched — they look exactly as they did when they were first formed thousands of years ago.
Why not plan a hike on one of New Zealand’s most infamous walks, the Milford, Route burn or Kepler tracks, all located within the national park? Or, if you prefer a more relaxed way to see the national park, booking in on the iconic lake cruise could be the way to go, or even viewing the sights from up top, on a chartered helicopter of fixed wing plane-how spectacular! Now onto Stewart Island, its raw mystery apart of its wild appeal, its powerful ecosystem and untouched wilderness making it simply unlike any other part of New Zealand. >
Aden Motel, Te Anau; Your Fiordland Gateway to both Milford and Doubtful Sounds.
Your hosts, Irene Benfell & David Herron, welcome you to Aden Motel, situated in the beautiful Te Anau township.
Aden Motel is a 12-unit, ground-floor complex consisting of 7 studio units, 3 x 1-bedroom units and 2 x 2-bedroom units. All units are spacious, smokefree and offer cooking facilities. Plus we now offer a 3 Bedroom Cottage (sleeps up to 8 People) next to the Motel called Heron’s Cottage. Our rooms have a Kiwiana theme.
Most units have full cooking facilities. Ample parking, guest laundry, playground, car and luggage storage and a BBQ for those lovely summer nights is available. Free wireless internet in rooms. Pets by arrangement, please ask.
Let us help you to organise day trips to Milford/Doubtful Sounds, glowworm caves, horse trekking, jet-boating and many more activities Te Anau offers.
Nestled beside one of New Zealand’s largest lakes and surrounded by magnificent scenery, Te Anau is the one true gateway to the Fiordland National Park. Whether you have come to enjoy the spectacular Milford or Doubtful Sounds or to hike the Milford, Kepler, Routeburn or Hollyford tracks, we know you will leave with fond memories. Aden Motel is the ideal place to stay while you’re experiencing this magical part of New Zealand. Experience Te Anau With
Aden Motel
FREE WIFI FREE BBQ PETS BY ARRANGEMENT BREAKFAST AVAILABLE LAUNDRY FACILITIES PLAYGROUND COOKING FACILITIES TV IN UNITS STUDIO, 1, 2 & 3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS OFF STREET BOAT PARKING
Phone 0800 11 66 44 www.adenmotel.co.nz
Come and experience our RealNZ special package $279.00 per Adult: Doubtful Sound day trip, Milford Sound Nature Cruise, Glow Worm Caves tour. Book 3 nights with us to take advantage of this special offer.
Located just 30 kilometres south of the South Island, across the Foveaux Strait, lays a true Kiwi oasis supplying everything and anything a Kiwi adventurer’s heart desires. Bird watching, amazing hikes and walks, arguably the best fishing in New Zealand and picturesque scenery, especially when you look up deep into the special sky. Known in Maori as Rakiura, ‘the land of the glowing skies’, if you’re lucky you’ll catch a glimpse of the Aurora Australis which frequents the southern skies. Since the islands human population is so scarce (around 400 people) this gives room for the life of so many wonderful species that simply cannot survive in more densely populated areas. Approximately 85 percent of the island is protected by national park, meaning these species are continuously monitored and protected for optimum survival rates, such species include, Stewart Island brown kiwi/ tokoeka, Stewart Island weka, mohua, yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho, Southern New Zealand dotterel, short- and long-tailed bats, South Island saddleback/tieke and giant kokopu/taiwharu. If you’re pondering how you get over to the island, it’s just a short one-hour ferry ride from the southern town of Bluff, home of oysters, or an even shorter flight (15-20) minutes from Invercargill airport. A much-recommended way to do the journey is making a trip out of it, starting further up the South Island, stopping in Queenstown, have a look at the stunning crystal-clear lakes in Te Anau, or Dunedin, wherever you fancy until you make your way down into Bluff. Last but not least, it’s a must to explore the gorgeous and rugged coast in the south eastern corner of the South Island — better known as the Catlins. This hidden gem encompasses all the very best elements of a New Zealand holiday. Rich in history, plentiful in activities and walks, a strip of the most stunning coastline in New Zealand, a wonderful climate and increasing numbers of accommodation options, means the Catlins is not to be missed. The Catlins area covers around 1,900 sq km and forms a rough triangular shape, extending up to 40 km inland and along a stretch of coast 100 km. Nugget point is a renowned spot located by Kaka Point. Once you park in the carpark it is approximately a twenty-minute walk up to the lighthouse. Once up top you get sensational 360-degree views of the coast and cliffs all around you. If you head there in the right season (DecemberFebruary) you may be able to spot elephant seals which make Nugget Point they’re home. Snuggly Airbnb’s are popping up all down the coast so it’s easier than ever to situate yourself in the perfect area for you and make the most of what the coast has to offer. From the yummy restaurants and eateries to the cycle trips, galleries, Curio Bay or the breathtaking Purakaunui Falls you absolutely must check it all out. Before the borders open up early next year, and even once they do, lets collectively remember that although global destinations are beautiful and exotic, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Southland is one of greatest destinations period, so if you and your family need a much-needed refresh, take a look a little closer to home, you just can’t beat it. CT
Tower Lodge Motel
Book direct with us and quote this advert to get a 10%
DISCOUNT
Invercargill accommodation for the discerning business or holiday traveller.
Available
Four star accommodation
Tower Lodge is opposite Invercargill’s famous landmark, the Water Tower, from which we get our name. Invercargill is a city which is situated on level terrain, this makes walking about the town very easy. As we are centrally located, we are within walking distance of the:
• Invercargill City Centre • Southern Cross Hospital • Queens Park Gardens & Golf Course • Splash Palace Swimming Complex • Southland Rugby • Invercargill Working Mens Club • Stadium Southland and Velodrome • Transport World • Motorcycle Mecca • E Hayes & Sons, the home of The
World’s Fastest Indian motorcycle and memorabilia Anchorstone accommodation borders Rakiura National Park and provides the perfect place to recharge your batteries. We are surrounded by natural woodland including giant miro and rimu trees and have wonderful views across Horseshoe Bay. The native birdlife of Stewart Island is abundant.
You may even be lucky enough to encounter the small wild deer and kiwi which visit the grounds.
E. stay@anchorstone.co.nz A. Stewart Island, New Zealand
www.anchorstone.co.nz
CRS exists to support people from refugee and migrant backgrounds living in Otautahi/Christchurch to settle successfully in Aotearoa/New Zealand by providing a range of professional services that build on strengths to promote wellbeing and resilience.
BILINGUAL COMMUNITY WORK
Providing cultural, linguistic and communitybased support to clients from refugee backgrounds and staff across all areas of service delivery.
CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE (CALD) COUNSELLING
Providing counselling for people from CALD backgrounds, either in their mother tongue, or through an interpreter.
HEALTH PROMOTION
Improving social inclusion, wellbeing and positive health practices for people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
SOCIAL WORK
A social work response for resettlement and acculturation issues, mental health and family violence.
BILINGUAL TUTOR AND CHILDCARE SUPPORT AT LIVING WELL IN CHRISTCHURCH
In partnership with English Language Partners, CRS provides a bilingual tutor and childcare support for the pre-school children of the learners attending the programme.
