Carnet de Voyage — New Zealand

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ZEALAND

C H R IST C H UR C H A K A R O A PENI NSU LA LAK E T E K APO LAK E H A WEA LAK E W A NAKA TH E B L U E POOLS QUEE N S T O WN G LENO R C H Y & TH E D A R T R I VER

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Lake Hawea Christchurch

Lake Wanaka Dart River Lake Tekapo

Queenstown

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N E W Z E A L A N D ROAD TRIPPIN’ ON THE SOUTH ISLAND

Six sheep to one inhabitant. This ratio suffices to understand the feeling one gets when in New Zealand. Outside of Auckland and the few towns scattered across the two islands, the country is a gradation of green and blue, a marvel for the eyes, where it is more likely to cross sheep than it is to interact with humans. While the North Island is rich in Maori culture, geothermal wonders and history, I decided to concentrate my time on the South Island. Starting in Christchurch, I drove my small car along the country’s spine to the South, down to the lakes and on to Queenstown. Let’s hit the road.

Felicita Head of Travel and Marketing, Weisse Voyages

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Six years after the 2011 earthquake that extensively damaged the Canterbury region, Christchurch is still an huge building site. The Cathedral was still half distroyed in September 2017.

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43°31′48″S 172°37′13″E C H R I STC H U R C H [ M Ā O R I : ŌTA U TA H I ]

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43°48′15″S 172°58′05″E A K A R O A P E N I N S U L A [ M Ā O R I : K Ā I TA H U ]

Akaroa is an old French settlement, at the end of the road, 75km east of Christchurch. The sleepy township is the starting point of several hiking trails leading to spectacular viewpoints.

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Kayaks and stand-up paddles are the best way to approach the colonies of dolphins and small penguins that live in the harbour.

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43°53′S 170°31′E LAKE TEKAPO [ MĀORI: TEKAPO ]

With approximately 300 inhabitants, the small town of Lake Tekapo mainly consists of a 1-km line of restaurants and clothing shops facing the lake. The area is a nice one-night stop if you drive from Christchurch to the South as it has incredible hiking trails, while still being less touristic than its neighbouring Mount Cook. At night, head to the Mt John Observatory to get a better look at the starry sky.

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44°30′S 169°17′E L A K E H ĀW E A [ M Ā O R I : H ĀW E A ]

I instantly fell in love with it. The silence and peace dominated the landscape like a cape, way more relaxing than a yoga class. Just a few miles from Wanaka, Lake Hāwea shows extreme contrasts between the deep blue of its water and the snowy mountains that fall abruptly into it.

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44°09′45“S 169°16′36“E BLUE POOLS TRACK

Looking for an easy track to hike, with highly rewarding sceneries, I was suggested the Blue Pools Track. The path crosses a magical green forest that could easily be the set for a Disney fairytale, before it opens to a swing bridge crossing the crystal clear water of the Makarora River.

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There is so much of New Zealand that reminds me of Iceland. Both show such heart-stirring dÊcors that you get this particular habit of stopping the car as soon as there is a sort of flat-ish area on the side of the road and get out with your camera ready to shoot, leaving the engine running and the door open. You try to imprint every single detail of what’s in front of you, the hundreds of hues of green and blue, the shape of each mountain and hill, the way nature can teach you modesty in a second.

45°01′52“S 168°39′45“E Q U E E N S TOW N [ M Ā O R I : TĀ H U N A ]

Queenstown is the entry point to the South Island when arriving by plane. It is rapidly growing and has become the adventure capital of New Zealand. From here, you can head to the mountains for skiing or to the upper side of the lake and on to the Dart River for some jet boat rafting.

While traveling with the luxury team of the New Zealand Tourism Board, we stopped for lunch at Matakauri Lodge. While being just a few minutes away from downtown Queenstown, this Relais & Châteaux feels like being completely cut from civilization. It’s only you, and nature. And excellent gastronomy.

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Quick stop on top of the (Down Under) world.

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Minaret Station is a 4-chalets alpine lodge only accessible by helicopter, set in a working station (ie. a huge farm). Everything here can be done by heli : heli -fishing, -biking, -picnicking, -skiing, -hunting, -hiking... You name it!

The Cardrona Distillery is a family-owned distillery near Wanaka. The 11 AM tasting of the house Gin and Single Malt Vodka was particularly appreciated in the cold weather.

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44°41′38“S 169°08′10“E WA N A K A [ M Ā O R I : WĀ N A K A ]

Last stop at Mahu Whenua, amid its 55,000 hectares of lush green valleys and majestic views to the lakes and surrounding mountains.

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