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more new zealand holiday ideas
..walking the milford track
Around 100 years ago, in an article that appeared in the London Spectator, the poet Blanche Baughan declared the Milford Track to be ‘the finest walk in the world’. Here is a little of what she said:
"This is truly the "region of the perpendicular" - the mountains are split right straight down from their summits to within a few hundred feet of sea level. The other valley-side, perhaps half-a-mile from its fellow, is equally steep and just as precipitous; and presently, as the track ascends, as the trees lessen both in size and number, and the frowning white-tipped walls begin to draw together above the canyon, you realise that you are walking at the bottom of a gigantic furrow of the earth."
Milford Track is arguably New Zealand’s most famous walk. The 53 kilometre journey begins at the head of Lake Te Anau, and leads you across suspension bridges, board walks and a mountain pass. The Milford Track will show you pristine lakes, sky-scraping mountain peaks and enormous valley views; and it will take you to feel the misty breath of Sutherland Falls, the tallest waterfall in New Zealand.
On a sunny day it is postcard perfect but some walkers say that only when it rains, and torrents of water cascade down the steep mountainsides, have you truly experienced the magic of the Milford Track.
Guided walkers take five days and four nights to complete the 53 kilometre track; independent walkers usually take a day and night less. The track is always walked from south to north, to minimise impact on the environment. There are three public accommodation huts and three private lodges on the track; camping is not permitted.
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From the moment you disembark from the inter-island ferry in Picton after cruising
through breathtaking Queen Charlotte Sound, there’s no doubt in any visitor’s mind
that the South Island is very special. SH1 takes us south to Blenheim, NZ’s premier
wine growing region, then follows a rocky, kelp-strewn shoreline to Kaikoura, where
snowy mountains plunge dramatically into the sea. Amid this stunning coastal alpine
scenery, a wealth of ecotourism oriented activities are on offer, from whale watching
to seal snorkelling and much more! We take three days to travel from Picton to Christchurch.
We sample the award-winning wines of the region, dine with our jolly kiwi-Italian
hosts, join an awe-inspiring whale watch tour, relish the flavour of succulent Kaikoura
crayfish, visit a lavender distillery and swim with dolphins that are so playful
and friendly, Bob can’t believe that they’re wild!
day one: picton to blenheim
Key
- Destinations
- Apex Locations
The drive from the Ferry Terminal in Picton to the vineyards of Blenheim takes around
twenty minutes – especially when a keen wine connoisseur, like Bob, is behind the
wheel. “Stay on the LEFT!” I warn (as I always do) whenever we approach a new town.
But to give credit where it’s due, Bob’s taken to right-hand drive like a duck to
water!
In Blenheim we find there’s more than vineyard-hopping to keep us amused. We begin
our exploration at the Millennium Public Art Gallery, then walk through The Forum,
where a lively market atmosphere permeates, and relax in the sun over a reviving
latté before taking a stroll through the immaculately groomed gardens of Seymour
Square.
A short drive leads to the Marlborough Provincial Museum and Beavertown, a replica
village of old Blenheim, and here we soak up local history. It’s part of the Brayshaw
Museum Park complex, which is also home to a vintage farm machinery museum displaying
rows of faithfully restored tractors.
En route to Montana, we visit Prenzel Distillery and Tasting Room where we meet
Chris Steadman, who presses a taster of butterscotch schnapps with a ‘lair’ of butterscotch
cream into our eager hands. It’s delicious and there’s also a variety of brandies,
schnapps, infused olive oils and chocolate liqueurs on offer.
Bob picks up a bottle of butterscotch schnapps while I depart with a bottle of Marlborough
Sauvignon Blanc Vinegar, wood-aged in oak in the traditional Orleans method. “Perfect
with blue cod,” I say to Bob as we drive through the striking entrance of Montana’s
Brancott Winery. Many of Montana’s leading labels are produced at Brancott Estate
including Deutz Marlborough Cuvee, the winery’s specialty, produced in partnership
with the French House of Deutz...
please click the link to download the full
Picton to Christchurch scenic drive, courtesy of apex car rentals new
zealand... the kiwi way
to read more extracts from our driving holiday's guidebook please click on any of
the following links:
north island scenic drives
south island scenic drives
purchase new zealand driving holidays online
If you would like to purchase a copy of this stunning nz pictorial guidebook online
please click here (RRP $24.95 plus postage)
view today's best deals for picton to christchruch rental cars
With apex rental cars the longer you hire the lower the daily rate. Please click
the link to view today's best picton to christchruch rental car
deal.
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