Student Bloggers
I Left My Heart on the South Island
Date
May 17, 2016
After being in New Zealand for almost three months, I finally visited the South Island at the beginning of April. My friend and I flew into Christchurch and got a relocation car from Christchurch to Queenstown (way cheaper than renting a car!). I wasn't really looking forward to the five hour drive, but the scenery was so amazing the whole way. It was like the mountains never ended. And I can honestly say I've never seen more sheep in my life. We stayed in downtown Queenstown in hostels for all three nights. The hostel Nomads was by far the best hostel I've ever stayed in for the price and I would definitely go back.
On our first day, we went to a nearby town called Wanaka. The town has a huge lake surrounded by mountains with little restaurants and cafes lined up right beside it. After a short hike in Wanaka we went back to Queenstown to eat at the infamous Fergburger restaurant. The menu had loads of unique burger options and the staff was so so nice!
The next day we visited Milford Sound, a place I've been dying to visit ever since I decided to study in New Zealand. We took a bus that drove us the five hours there and back and the driver stopped at sites along the way where we were able to get out and explore.
The boat ride through Milford Sound exceeded my expectations. The views from the top of the boat unlike anything I have ever seen before. Mountains completely surround the water from all sides and there are waterfalls everywhere. It was as if the land had never been touched, it was that pristine.
I wish we could have stayed longer because there are so many more things I still want to do and see in Queenstown. I think I could stay there for a month and still find things to do, there are so many options. Hopefully I will get a chance to go back one day and do the one activity everyone says you HAVE to do while in the adventure capital of the world: Bungee jumping!
Until next time, Queenstown!