GTV男同基地

Over the mid-semester break at the University of Melbourne, my friends and I had the amazing opportunity to travel to New Zealand and explore the south island. After doing lots of research, we decided to pack our bags, rent a car, and drive around the south island to all of the best spots over the course of 8 days. 

Queenstown

We flew into Queenstown airport and we spent the night in this beautiful city. Queenstown became our “home base” for the entire trip and I have endless good things to say about the city. It was easy to navigate and the people were absolutely lovely! Downtown Queenstown had so many amazing things to do, from shopping, to diverse restaurant options, skydiving, and scenic views of the surrounding mountains. Some of our favorite dining options in Queenstown we recommend include Fat Badgers, Sunfire, and SODA! I would highly recommend visiting Queenstown for its friendly atmosphere and easy access to other parts of the south island. 

Te Anau - The “Gateway to Milford Sound” 

Our first adventure started when we drove from Queenstown to Te Anau. Also known as the “gateway to Milford Sound” we spent a full day doing one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the world from Te Anau to Milford Sound, which is a part of Fiordland National Park. Personally, my favorite lookout spots along the way were the mirror lakes and the tunnel that brought us directly into Milford Sound. My friends and I went on a Milford Sound boat cruise which ended up being the best money I have ever spent! While this cruise is known for being rainy and wet, we got lucky and ended up having the perfect day to see the true beauty within the fjord. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone that is interested in visiting Te Anau and also recommend booking a cruise with less people for a less “touristy” experience. 

Wanaka - My Personal Favorite

Just a two hour drive north of Queenstown, we headed to Wanaka - my personal favorite of the entire week! Wanaka was the most beautiful down and we hit all the major spots, including the famous Wanaka “floating” tree and Roy’s Peak. As someone with no hiking experience, I will say doing Roy’s Peak was definitely a challenge. However, this experience ended up being my favorite part of the entire trip, as I learned the power of mind over matter. It was also so rewarding reaching the top of the peak and feeling proud of myself that I achieved something by putting my mind to it! I was so thankful I was able to experience this hike with my friends and it became a core memory of my trip to New Zealand. For anyone interested in hikes in the south island, I can personally say that Roy’s Peak in Wanaka is one of the best. 

Mt. Cook - A Remote Escape

For anyone looking for a scenic and remote area of the island, Mt. Cook is the place to be. This mountain is the highest mountain on the island and the surrounding area is quiet. Also known as “the stairway to heaven” my friends and I did the Sealy Tarns track, consisting of 2,200 steps that ascend towards the peak. Once again, this was a challenge I am so grateful I had the opportunity to experience and it was one of the most rewarding experiences during the trip. Nighttime was also perfect for stargazing, as there was no light pollution surrounding our remote accommodation. I would definitely recommend this area of the south island to anyone interested in a more scenic adventure that wants to connect with nature!

Final Thoughts 

For anyone contemplating going to New Zealand - I can say this trip was the most rewarding experience of my entire life. Growing up, I came from a household where family vacations were far from adventurous and consisted of relaxation and sunshine. My trip to New Zealand was not my typical idea of a vacation which is why I am so grateful for this amazing experience. This adventure with my friends opened my mind to new possibilities and really made me appreciate the beautiful world we live in. This journey left me with memories that will last a lifetime and I can’t wait to share my experiences with friends and family once I return from my study abroad exchange program.