Queenstown, with its idyllic lakeside setting and sensational views of the Remarkables Range, offers just about every gravity-defying experience imaginable: bungy jumping, hang gliding, luging, parapenting and ballooning, as well as rafting the rapids of the Shotover River or racing its canyons in a jet boat. Historic steamboat cruises, a ride on the scenic Skyline Gondola and some great shopping and dining complete a stay in one of New Zealand's most relaxing and pleasant towns.
With all the charm but less of the hype, Wanaka rivals Queenstown for scenery and adventure, with activities such as mountain biking, canyoning, rock climbing, jeep safaris and horse riding. Mirrored in the lake's placid waters is the incredibly scenic backdrop of Mt. Aspiring and the Southern Alps, while the town itself has an unusual cluster of museums and a world-renowned maze.
Quieter, but equally beautiful, Te Anau is famed for its glow worm caves and is the gateway to the serene landscapes of Fiordland National Park. Nowhere else in the country is there such a concentration of mouth-watering scenery.
The fiords of Milford and Doubtful sounds cut deep into the majestic heart of the national park, providing a rich haven for dolphins, seals and countless birds and an awe-inspiring venue for kayaking and cruising. The steep ice-carved mountains are drenched by countless waterfalls that stream down their slopes and are surrounded by lush forests.
|
Enter the Guardian's Travel 
Northland