Notes from New Zealand – the South Island

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Notes from New Zealand – the South Island

May 6, 2023 by Claire (The Captive Reader)

A perfect day in Abel Tasman National Park

Before I went to New Zealand, I heard a lot about the South Island and visited it endlessly in the pages of Essie Summers’ novels. Some travel books seem to think it’s the only part of New Zealand worth visiting and friends from home warned me that much of it looks extraordinarily like British Columbia.

Well, I can attest that lots of it does look exactly like home, with the joyful novelty of never needing to look over your shoulder for bears or mountain lions (this never got old). But there is nothing wrong with that! I spent most of my time hiking and enjoying the well maintained tracks, while still enjoying the cities and towns over the five weeks I was there.

My highlights were:

Spending three days hiking in Abel Tasman National Park
Gazing down on gorgeous inlets while walking the 70km long Queen Charlotte Track
Enjoying beautiful gardens and birdsong on the Banks Peninsula

If I were to go back, I would probably focus my time on the North Island as it offers more novelty with the scenery and more chances to experience Maori culture but I’m so glad I got a chance to explore both islands during my two months there.

Big views on the third day of the Queen Charlotte Track

Vivid portrait of Edmund Hillary in Christchurch, a city full of murals

A misty morning in Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula (before I stupidly spent the next two hours walking through a cloud)

A special morning as the only visitor at Fishermans Bay Garden on the Banks Peninsula

An early start on the Hooker Valley Trail near Mount Cook, one of New Zealand’s easiest and most popular walks

A gorgeous autumnal walk near Lake Wanaka (though basically indistinguishable from my many photos of visits to the BC Interior)

Another day and another beautiful walk near Wanaka

An Easter outing from Queenstown on the SS Earnslaw

The Essie Summers’ plaque in Dunedin, in a place of pride at the foot of the Robbie Burns statue

Sun was rare in Dunedin but the clouds lifted enough for beautiful views out on the neighbouring Otago Peninsula

Posted in Travel and Tourism | 9 Comments

9 Responses

on May 6, 2023 at 21:02 | Reply lauratfrey

I clicked on this because I’m reading Birnam Wood, which is set in New Zealand, and on the South island, but I also grew up in BC and you’re so right about it looking the same!
on May 6, 2023 at 22:48 | Reply Claire 'Word by Word'

Beautiful images, a nostalgia trip for me.
on May 7, 2023 at 07:59 | Reply kaggsysbookishramblings

Oh, it looks glorious – what lovely pictures!!!
on May 8, 2023 at 08:53 | Reply Sharlene

Thanks for sharing with us your lovely photos!
on May 8, 2023 at 17:40 | Reply Andrea

This is just wonderful! So glad you had such an amazing trip!
on May 9, 2023 at 04:48 | Reply conmartin13

Just gorgeous! I feel as if I am in one of Essie’s books just looking at your photos.
- on May 14, 2023 at 11:11 | Reply Claire (The Captive Reader)
  
  At some point I should do a photos and Essie quotes post since, no surprise, I went to a lot of places she writes about (because she wrote about everywhere!). A project for winter, I think…
on May 9, 2023 at 19:26 | Reply Carla

What a wonderful experience, thanks for sharing it with us.
on May 10, 2023 at 07:28 | Reply Susan D

Thanks for sharing. I must get back again. We spent too little time in the South Island in 2008; we simply ran out of days.