New Zealand / South Island 

Nice restaurant  in downtown Christchurch with selection of fresh New Zealand selections

On the wharf in Queenstown. The outdoor area is great

Good craft beer selection right on the wharf in Queenstown

There are several dining options at the Hermitage. This was a good meal with a spectacular view

Great, sort of funky place for breakfast or another meal. A better deal than breakfast at the hermitage.

Delightful park with hot springs and pools to enjoy

There are a lot of great wineries in New Zealand, and this was our favorite. Gorgeous grounds and great wine.

Glowworms are a species of fungus gnat endemic to New Zealand. Both the larval stage and the imago are luminescent. The species is known to dwell in wet caves, grottoes and sheltered, humid places in forests. Its Māori name is titiwai, meaning “projected over water”. They form glowing mosaics on the roofs of caves.

In its heyday New Zealand’s largest and grandest wooden building housed the country’s entire public service.  Government Buildings is an outstanding example of New Zealand’s architectural heritage and one of the great wooden buildings of the world.

Most people day trip into Milford sound. We suggest doing yourself a favor and sleep on the boat. You arrive at 16:30 and have a cruise around the sound, anchor, go for a kayak, have a great dinner and the next morning see the rest of the sound.

10 km return – 3 hours –  mostly flat through amazing Alpine scenery, across there large suspension bridges above glacial rivers to the a lake with icebergs at the base of Mount Cook. One of the best day hikes in the world.

New Zealand is the adrenaline capital of the world – be sure and  take a jet boat ride on the Shotover river  – you’ll go roaring inches away from sheer walls of the canyon. The boat drivers clearly enjoy their job and it really is quite a blast.

This is one amazing adventure. You walk through beech forest then above the tree line with spectacular views all around. Then arrive at a three star hotel (they call it a “lodge”), where you are greeted with a drink and shown to your room with en suite shower.

Take a water taxi to a beach and walk along the golden beaches of the coast – get picked up part way or walk back.  Multiple options for as much as you like along they very popular track.

New Zealand is the adventure capital of the world and just one visit to the AJ Hackett website will convince you that these people are crazy. This is where modern bungy jumping was invented – from the Kawarau bridge near Queenstown.

This is one of the nicest places we have ever stayed.. The grounds are gorgeous. You can stay in a room in the main in or better still grab one of the cottages. The setting is a large lawn on a bluff over the Shotover River, with flowers all around.

What a great spot just a short walk from downtown Nelson. The friendliest folks running it you’d ever want to meet and a level room and great breakfast. Highly recommended.

This is the only lodging in Mt Cook National park and it sure is in a spectacular location. Rooms are comfortable and view is to die for. As might be expected from a big hotel catering to tourists there are a variety of dining options.

Highly rated small boutique hotel in a perfect location in downtown Christchurch. Parking on request

Business class hotel in a good location in central Christchurch with  free parking

Very well located B and B in central Christchurch