VACATION DETAILS

Twizel is located in the Mackenzie Basin and is surrounded by breathtaking lakes and towering mountains. Twizel is a stop for tourists in the region eager to explore the high country. There is no shortage of activities in Twizel. One can cruise around Lake Tekapo on a guided tour or take a flight over the Southern Alps, Mount Cook and even the Tasman Glacier. If more physical activities suit your taste, there is skiing, hiking, mountain climbing, kayaking and canoeing.

Few places in the world can boast of such natural wonders as those offered by land and sea in Kaikoura .... stunning coastal alpine scenery, year-round whale watching, dolphin and seal swimming, pelagic bird watching, fishing, diving, and a host of eco-tourism oriented activities!

Queenstown hosts an outstanding collection of adrenaline inducing activities and spectacular scenery. From jumping from tall bridges or quiet fishing, this is New Zealand's number one adventure destination. Lake and river join towering mountain ranges to make Queenstown as popular in the winter as it is in the summer. At the heart of the action are cafes, the entire spectrum of accommodation, boutique shopping, restaurants and the visitor services expected in a small town with a big reputation.

Wanaka, in a dramatic glacier-carved basin on the shores of the lake, and is the gateway to Mt Aspiring National Park World Heritage Area and welcomes all: adrenaline addicts, foot-sore travellers, lovers of luxury. Glide through the soft sky beneath a parachute; spin through the air in an aerobatic stunt plane. Enjoy a game of golf, test your mind at the puzzle center or ride horse-back up the golden hills where prospectors searched for gold and Maori searched for greenstone. Walking and cycling tracks around lakes ascend nearby hills to give spectacular views of Mt Aspiring/Tititea in the distance. Tiny planes offer a bird's-eye view of this magnificent wilderness area. Discover Central Otago's fascinating history from wild river rafting, visiting Wanaka's world renowned Fighter Pilot's Museum and fascinating Transport Museum, or by sharing an ale with locals. The arts are present in Wanaka through galleries, exhibitions, live theatre, concerts and the colorful local movie theatre 'Cinema Paradiso'. Lake Wanaka has a continental climate with four distinct seasons.

The South Island's most renowned explorer and geologist, Julius von Haast, named Franz Josef Glacier after the Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Franz Josef Glacier is a remnant of a much older, larger glacier which flowed from the alpine snowfields right to the sea. The glacier is over 7.5 miles long extending into the rainforest just 3 miles from the Franz Josef township, making it easy to visit. Walk to viewpoints and the terminal face or, for a close-up view of the spectacular ice formations, take a guided glacier walk, helihike or scenic flight.

Abel Tasman is renowned for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, and its world-famous coastal track. It also has a mild climate and is a good place to visit at any time of the year. The most noticeable features of this park are the golden sandy beaches, the fascinating rocky outcrops, and the rich, unmodified estuaries. The landscape has been modified, perhaps more than in the other national parks. The top few things to do include walking the tracks through the park or sea kayaking and sailing.

Christchurch was founded in 1850 by members of the Church of England, who wanted a little bit of heaven on earth. They succeeded, and today the city takes great pride in its spacious layout and distinctive English-style buildings in elegant grey stone. The River Avon winds through Christchurch, along parks and gardens that cover one-third of the city.