Unsere 5 Top Destinationen im Winter 2011
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It is impossible to rank our Top 5 Destinations – They are all stunning in their own way.
You will find that all are located on the South Island - This part of the country sure is very impressive during the winter months. With the alps covered in snow, crisp air and hardly any traffic on the roads – The winter period is a great time to explore the South Island.
Milford Sound
WOW! Milford Sound will be one of the most amazing places you have ever seen!
The fjord is spectacular with huge mountains rising straight up from the water, sheer rock faces, waterfalls, lush native bush and you might even see dolphins, seals or penguins when you are out on a tour boat.
This place is best viewed on a blue sky winters day or a wild rainy day – anytime is good really.
Best viewing certainly is after a period of heavy rain, which sets off hundreds of waterfalls all around the fjord. Very impressive!
We recommend staying in Te Anau before or after driving to Milford Sound. The road to Milford is a highlight of its own! Driving through big mountain valleys, thick rainforest, along vertical rock faces and most amazing – through Homer Tunnel – breathtaking!
Along the way there is plenty to see and we recommend stopping at marked attractions and view points so you can take in the full Milford Sound experience!
Just thinking about it makes me wanna go there!!!
Arthur's Pass
Magnificent! This Pass connecting West Coast and East Coast is full of natural beauty. Enhanced with pure winter air and snow capped mountains – this drive is simply magnificent.
Make sure to check weather and road conditions before travelling across the Pass as there could be ice and snow on the road. Picking a beautiful blue sky day for the trip is ideal but not essential to enjoy this natural wonderland.
The drive leads past 4 small ski fields: Cheeseman, Broken River, Craigieburn and Temple Basin. These privately owned operations are unique to New Zealand and will take you back to the early days of kiwi skiing. Big mountain, rope tows, no grooming and the hut might even have an open air hot pool – a paradise on a powder day! A highlight for snow enthusiasts! Note that there is limited equipment hire available at these ski fields.
We recommend visiting Broken River ski field which can be accessed by a 20min walk. Please note that some access roads are steep, windy, sometimes rough gravel roads only – bad news for motorhomes and campervans. Try and catch a ride or shuttle service where provided.
Besides the skiing, Arthur's Pass will stun you with its mountain views, amazing rock formations, lakes and rivers and its cheeky native inhabitant – the Kea Mountain Parrot.
The sealed pass road is narrow and windy in some areas and also very steep – so take it easy and enjoy!
Westcoast of the South Island
Well, where to start…
I tried to mark one top destination on the Westcoast – but I failed. The Westcoast of the South Island is a must – doesn’t matter if winter or summer.
Thick native rainforest… Spectacular coast line… Breathtaking views… Glaciers at sea level… Mystical rainforest lakes…– HAVE YOUR CAMERA READY!
A good raincoat is essential – this part of the country can be very damp! It helps to check the weather report before heading west. Ask locals or give us a call if you are unsure about the weather forecast.
The road is windy but very well developed. Make sure you stop at marked attractions & locations – they are all worth it!
Wanaka
Surrounded by mountains, at the shore of massive Lake Wanaka, this town is a true highlight.
Great skiing to be had at the local ski fields – Treble Cone, Cardrona, Snowpark, Snowfarm (cross-country skiing!), The Remarkables and Coronet Peak. And if you rather stay on your bike you will be spoilt with awesome mountainbike riding along the lake and in the hills.
Wanaka has great restaurants, nightlife and shops. A true highlight in town is "Cinema Paradiso". With great movies and an outstanding food & beverage menu. You can make yourself at home on sofas, recliners or even in a yellow Chevrolet parked right in the theatre. A unique experience all together!
We highly recommend taking the Crown Range scenic drive towards Queenstown. Some great scenery to be had and you don't want to miss the Cardrona Hotel/Pub. Built by early settlers in 1863 it still has a lot of its original looks and it's a great place to chill out after a big day skiing on the mountain or just for a coffee on the way through.
The Crown Range drive will guide you to Queenstown. After descending down a long zig zag road you might feel a little dizzy but you should try and take the detour to Arrowtown. Arrowtown is a former gold-mining town with a special touch. The buildings are adorable and different. Nowadays there are a lot of small shops and beautiful cafes and restaurants. A very special little town you shouldn’t miss.
Queenstown is located 20 minutes from Arrowtown. Queenstown surely is one of the most developed places on the South Island and can get quite busy. It is very picturesque, surrounded by majestic mountain ranges and at the shore of Lake Wakatipu – the third largest lake in New Zealand (after Lake Taupo and Lake Te Anau).
Great facilities, attractions and a heap of activities. This area will get your adrenaline pumping!
Jet boating - Wakeboarding - Waterskiing - Bungy Jumping - Skiing - Snowboarding - 4WD tours - Mountainbiking Everything is possible in and around WANAKA!
Lake Ohau
You will see plenty of lakes in New Zealand. Lake Ohau sure is one of the most spectacular and off the beaten track.
State Highway 8 can’t be missed! Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki are a story of their own. Just beautiful! At Pukaki you can turn off to Mt Cook and have a closer look at the highest mountain in New Zealand – well worth it!
The turn off to Ohau is well sign posted. A nice easy drive takes you to the small Ohau village. Shopping is not a priority here but the wilderness is majestic!
Lake Ohau is a glacial lake and covers 60km2. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains which feature a small but popular ski field.
This is a great spot to camp for the night.
Ka rawe! - Awesome!
These 5 places are our top choice for this winter.
After all - any place in NZ can be spectacular if you are there at the right time, with the right people and the right weather!
Please feel free to add your favourite winter destination or any comments to this blog – we love to hear from you!
Haere pai atu, hoki pai mai - Take care & Have a wonderful trip!
Kommentar von Gigi - 25. März, 2011 um 12.28 Uhr, Posted in Neuseeland Camper Verleih | Wohnmobil Miete Neuseeland
Kommentare zu "Unsere 5 Top Destinationen im Winter 2011"
Amazing!!!
29. März, 2012 um 15.52 Uhr von kenneth
I love all these places! My partner and I travelled the South Island of New Zealand by motor home for three weeks in2009 and absolutely loved it! We have seen all areas mentioned in your blog. I think that Milford Sound has probably impressed us the most. But all these places are fabulous! I think that Kaikoura is another amazing place to visit during the winter months. Its stunning coastline featured by the snow capped mountains is an unbelievable sight. We had the best time there. We are planning to return to NZ for another motor home holiday next year and will definitely travel during the winter again. Although it can be a little cool it seems like a great time to travel the county. Hardly any traffic and the motor home rental prices are by far cheaper during winter. That\'s why we can afford a premium campervan from Kea. Can\'t wait to come back for more!
27. Juni, 2011 um 16.46 Uhr von Dan Smith