Glaciers, sheer rock faces, rugged mountains, a stunning coastline… New Zealand’s South Island has all you need for some serious action

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY SABINE ALBERS

Mt Olivier, at 1,917m-high, is famous as Sir Edmund Hillary’s first summit.

Hiking

There’s a dizzying array of wonderful one- to fiveday walking trails on the South Island, but the most famous are the Routeburn Track, the Kepler Track and the Abel Tasman Coastal Track. Aoraki Mt Cook National Park is another trekker’s paradise four hours’ drive from Christchurch, covering 700 sq km and 22 mountain peaks, including Mt Olivier, famous as Sir Edmund Hillary’s first summit, and Mt Cook – at 3,754m the highest mountain in New Zealand.

Mt Olivier is a good option for a two-day hike: the trail starts at the grassy green foot of the 1,917m-high mountain then makes way for a gravelly path that winds steadily upwards. Your overnight accommodation is a bunkbed in the trekker’s hut where, tired but triumphant, you can enjoy the views and get some rest for the journey back down into the rugged green valley the next day.

There are good maps and many hiking routes in the South Island’s national parks are clearly signposted, so often you won’t need a guide. Just keep our Golden Rules (in the box to the right) in mind. New Zealand’s weather can change rapidly, and every year over-ambitious and badly equipped travellers fall victim to bad weather, strong winds and a treacherously intense sun – sometimes with fatal consequences!

Climbing

With mountains galore, the South Island is a climber’s paradise. It’s also the only place in the world where you’ll find glaciers at this latitude. Westland National Park, five hours’ drive from Christchurch, boasts two: the Franz Josef Glacier and the Fox Glacier – giant rivers of ice that flow right into the ocean.

At Fox Glacier, like everywhere on the South Island, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of this winter wonderland on a helicopter trip, or get out onto the actual glacier for a hike. An experienced guide and a stack of equipment are required for all ventures onto the ice. After a detailed introduction, you’ll be weighed down with the tools of the trade: an ice pick, a harness, crampons, a helmet and gloves.

“Make sure you watch where you’re going at all times so you don’t fall into one of the cracks… it will take a while to get you out, if we can get you out at all,” your guide will warn, completely at ease in this icy, alien world. The blue depths of those glacial crevasses suddenly seem a little less beautiful!

Standing amid such a great volume of ice, the quiet power of the glacier is overwhelming. It moves towards the sea at a rate of 1.5m a day and gains about 40cm of ice a day, even while many glaciers around the world are shrinking.

Cycling

If you prefer maximum adrenaline with minimum effort, heli-biking is for you. It’s simple: you and your mountain bike are flown to the top of a mountain. Not only do you get an unforgettable helicopter ride with mountain views, you’re saved the ride uphill and can immediately experience the thrill of downhilling to the bottom! Just be careful getting in and out of the helicopter – your cycling helmet won’t protect you from the machine’s screaming blades, which even at their slowest speed are still deadlier than the average guillotine.

From one peak, 1,000m above Twizel (three and a half hours’ drive from Christchurch), you can see the bright blue Lake Benmore with the 1,800m Benmore Range behind it.

Mountain bikes have full suspension, which absorbs most of the jolts from the rocky ground, but there’s still enough to keep the ride exciting. You can hire bikes almost everywhere in New Zealand. The bikes are generally in very good condition and all of the necessary accessories are included.

Whether you’re looking for a helicopter trip add-on or an unadulterated mountain bike experience, check Down Under Dirt, Fat Tyre Adventures and Mountain Bike online for ideas and tours.

Camping

Exhausted from all that hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and climbing, you might want to spend a few days camping beside the opal-blue Lake Tekapo, located three hours’ drive from Christchurch. You can pitch your tent anywhere, as long as you make sure you’re at least 500m from anyone’s home. In New Zealand, that isn’t very difficult. The bugs, though, might present a few problems. To get the most out of your trip, don’t forget your insect repellent or swarms of sandflies might spoil the solitude!

Kayaking

The South Island’s great blue lakes, glistening rivers and pristine beaches are ideal for all sorts of water sports, whether you’re into rafting, canoeing, sailing or windsurfing. If you like water sports at all, don’t pass up a kayak trip through Milford Sound, one of New Zealand’s most spectacular regions, located three hours’ drive from Christchurch. This 22km fjord’s immense rocky cliffs, reflected in the icy water and scattered with innumerable waterfalls, will take your breath away. Paddling under the sheer rock faces, you’ll also spot seals, penguins and sometimes even dolphins, which will happily play around kayaks.

Other great places for short or long seakayaking trips include the Abel Tasman Park and the Bay of Islands, where you can either join a group or organise your own trip and kayak rental. (If you go for the independent option, again, remember the Golden Rules.) The kayaks available are always good-quality and come complete with life jackets and dry-bags.

Travel Tips:
Renting a car is the cheapest and easiest way to get around New Zealand, but you must be at least 21 years of age. Campers and minibuses are another popular option, as they mean you always have a place to sleep; depending on when you’re travelling, you can rent a small camper for NZ$90 per day. For more information, check Jetstar’s website to make your Maui, Avis or Budget rental booking.

Golden Rules for the Wilderness:
• Make sure you check the latest weather reports before leaving.
• Report to the Department of Conservation (DOC) office at the local visitor’s centre upon departure and arrival.
• Make sure your maps are up to date. The DOC office will supply you with the most recent versions.
• Wear good hiking shoes and always bring windproof and waterproof clothing.
• Always bring enough food: better too much than too little!
• Finally, listen to the experts! Don’t be stubborn and ignore the advice given at the DOC office.

For all your travel choices, go to jetstar.com