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I’m not a snow bunny. I’ve been to the snow once, about two decades ago, and I was a deer in the headlights. I crashed down a big slope after someone knocked into me, and the ski lifts still terrify me. I’m not an extreme adventurer by any means, and it would probably take a lot of convincing for me to succumb to the campervan lifestyle. Still, I am someone who likes to lean into the YOLO attitude on holidays.
New Zealand’s South Island is worth a trip alone to marvel at the scenery. And apart from its natural beauty, it’s packed with activities beyond Queenstown’s Remarkables Ski Area that you won’t regret attempting. Here are some of my favourites:
Saddle up
From Wānaka to Glenorchy, there are a number of different treks on offer for various levels of experience. I chose The River Wild by Lighthorse Adventures through the Dart Valley, near Glenorchy, less than an hour from Queenstown. For someone who’s never ridden a horse before and whose knowledge of it stems entirely from the children’s TV series The Saddle Club, it was an incredibly fun two-and-a-half hours. We learnt how to mount, steer and bond with our horses, before riding alongside mountain ranges and through river crossings.
My horse Dunkin loved to overtake the others while we were riding single file. What he loved more was to frolic in the water and I’ve never gripped so hard – I felt like I was on one of those mechanical bulls you see in American films, but there was no off button.
Horse trekking is one of the pricier experiences, but well worth the expense. It’s a fantastic way to navigate the terrains of Mordor (if you’re a big Lord of the Rings fan). New Zealand’s South Island landscapes aren’t just popular for fantasy franchises – they’ve also been featured in a Mission Impossible film and even a Taylor Swift music video.
Walk this way
If you’re on social media, chances are you’ve seen footage of sunrise at Roys Peak. The popular hiking track is steep and physically demanding, but the reward at the end of the rainbow is an incredible panoramic view of Lake Wānaka.
Unfortunately, or fortunately for me, I broke my toe before the trip so the walk was out of the question. What I can recommend, though, is to drive to Mount Aspiring National Park where there are a number of alternate, shorter trails, as well as picturesque waterfalls at Thunder Creek Falls and Fantail Falls. You can park right by the entrance of the falls, and it’s an easy, accessible three-minute walk.
Afterwards, drive to the famous Blue Pools and, if you’re brave enough, have a dip in the frosty waters. I was eaten alive by sandflies here and, months on, I’m still showing residual signs of the bites around my ankles. Pack some repellent.
Take a shot
In a glass cabinet at Shotover Jet’s Queenstown branch is the lifejacket worn during Will and Kate’s royal visit in 2014. The “Big Reds” zoom up to 90 km/hr through the canyons, with a couple of 360-degree spins along the way. Expect speed, screams and splashes. The jet boat ride itself lasts only about 25 minutes, but there are breaks along the way for you to catch your breath and admire the view.
Sound advice
Often called the eighth wonder of the world, these dramatic fjords in the South Island’s south-west are a must-see. My recommendation for seeing Milford Sound: stay in Te Anau, “the gateway to Fiordland”, the night before – it’s a much shorter drive from there than from Queenstown. My friend and I stayed at a Norman Bates-esque motel which was fine, given how expensive accommodation can get.
If you’re not saving dimes like I was, Milford Sound can also be experienced via kayak, chopper and trek. There are a few helicopter tours available that would allow for a quick day trip from Queenstown if you’re short on time.
If you do opt for the cruise option, as I did, make sure you pack layers and maybe do a little rain dance in advance (the rain makes for more dramatic waterfalls). If you’re lucky, you might spot a seal or two lounging in the fjords.
Train those quads
Quad biking was my personal favourite activity – and probably the most “extreme” of the lot.
Upon arrival at Nomad Safaris in Queenstown you’re given the safety spiel and provided with protective and wet weather gear. Once decked out, you’re given a bunch of training exercises to prove that you are a competent driver. This was more daunting than the actual tour itself. Drills around witches hats, side-driving up hills – I, like Derek Zoolander, really struggled with my left turns.
Again, I’ve never clung so hard onto dear life. But once you’re in the rhythm, it’s an exhilarating experience and an incredible way to take in the scenery. You get to rev up and down the mountainside, drive through puddles, and make friends with sheep along the way.
Blessed relief
As a reward for all these adrenaline-laden activities, nothing tops the Secret Sauna on the shore of Lake Hāwea, Wānaka. It’s hot and cold therapy at its best – but also its extreme.
I’ve done a few sauna sessions in my time, but this was definitely up there on the heat scale. At times I had to put my head between my knees or leave before the allotted 15-minute bursts. I also suggest you don’t wear any jewellery, unless you want to experience the weird sensation of burning lobes. The plunge into the crisp Lake Hāwea waters is sweet, sweet relief.
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