NZ South Island: Best for 2024?

[TLCOhio]

From Condé Nast Traveler magazine last month, they had this headline: “24 Best Places to Go in 2024” with these highlights for South Island, New Zealand by writer Jessica Wynne Lockhart: “With its lush rainforests and aquamarine lakes framed by snowcapped peaks, New Zealand’s South Island is steeped in superlatives.  In Queenstown, the nine-mile Wharehuanui Trail—set to open in late 2024—will connect the 19th-century gold-mining town of Arrowtown to the suburb of Arthurs Point. At the end of 2024, Flockhill, the ultra-luxury lodge in Arthur’s Pass, will expand on its offerings with 14 new villas and an on-site restaurant with acclaimed Kiwi chef Taylor Cullen at the helm."

 

Bring back great memories?  Yes, loved our time exploring around Queenstown and the other fascinating locations on the NZ South island.  In 2020 right before the Covid shut-down, we got to explore the NZ North Island for a week before a sail-away for Bora Bora and Tahiti, etc.  Need to go back for more on the South Island.  Lots to see and enjoy there.  Right?

 

Full story at:

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/best-places-to-go-in-2024#intcid=_conde-nast-traveler-verso-hp-trending_80991bd1-1d14-4b9f-965a-7f9ff1e971d6_popular4-1

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 247,027 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/

[Over from NZ]

You actually been there.. or just "sharing the news"? 🤣

[TLCOhio]

40 minutes ago, Over from NZ said:

You actually been there.. or just "sharing the news"? 🤣

 

Yes, glad you asked.  Been there in 2014, including up the scenic sounds and fjords, walking through the South Island rainforests, visiting in and around Queenstown, doing a wine tour, shopping in the gold-mining town of Arrowtown, riding on a train to Arthur's Pass, etc.  

 

Need proof?  Below is some visual evidence that we super enjoyed so much our experiences on the South Island.  While on our cruise ship from Tasmania to Auckland, they offered us an opportunity to get off of the ship and do an overnight stay in Queenstown.  This including riding the coal-fired historic ship used at one time by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip when they toured in this region.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Canada 2022/2023: Scenic visuals, details from Canada Maritimes (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island).  Plus, new from Aug. 2023, exploring historic/charming Quebec City.    Visual/Info Summaries:

www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums

 

Near Queenstown, here is the historic stone bridge where bungee jumping was invented.  Could have done that jump, but didn't.  Was I chicken or smart?:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

 

On the dramatic lake near Queenstown, we took a scenic ride on the historic, coal-fire ship to  lavish buffet dinner and also saw a sheep-shearing demonstration.:

 

 

 

Here are some of our group at this historic train station dating back to the wealthy days of this region's gold-rush days.:

 

A top highlight was doing a Jet Boat adventure through the narrow canyons of the NZ South Island.  As pictured, my wife was super thrilled by this white-knuckle ride.: