peaks of southern serenity

Nestled in picture postcard fashion on the shores of the Lake Wakatipu, and with a reputation as the adrenalin capital of the Southern Hemisphere, Queenstown is a sophisticated resort destination like no other.

The gateway to the Fiordland National Park, the town is surrounded by mountains, glaciers, fiords, backcountry fly fishing rivers, Lord of the Rings film scenes, deserted gold mining settlements and a host of exciting tour options. 

Idyllically located on Lake Wakatipu, the mountain village of Glenorchy is a place of blissful tranquility, swoon-worthy natural landscapes, and middle earth magic! Glenorchy is the perfect laid-back counterpoint to nearby busy and bustling Queenstown.

Despite a fair amount of visitors, Glenorchy has managed to preserve its quaint, small village atmosphere while providing a petrol station, a grocery store, a post office and a few quirky pubs and cafes to travellers seeking some of New Zealand’s finest tramping, horse trekking, kayaking and jet boating in the astonishingly picturesque surrounding area. If you are seeking a quiet retreat off the beaten track, this rustic town might be just the destination for you.

Set in South Island, near the southern end of the Mackenzie Basin in the Waitaki District, Omarama is a charming small-town meaning ‘Place of Light’. The village is internationally renowned for its aerial gliding opportunities over the landscape’s untamed high-country, snowy mountain peaks and bright blue waters. 

Meander between the skyscraping ridges of the Clay Cliffs in the north, followed by a soak in the Omarama Hot Tubs which provide exquisite views both at night-time and during the day. The area is a fisher’s paradise, with an abundance of rainbow and brown trout in the lakes, rivers and streams and a range of guided trips on offer.

Twizel is set in the highlands of the Mackenzie district, amidst a magnificent setting of turquoise glacial lakes, sienna plains and rugged snow-capped mountains. Thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts will be in their element here, with the region’s natural assets lending themselves to a wide array of adventure activities including trekking, mountain biking, and helicopter rides, to horse riding, canoeing, fly fishing, and SUPping. The town offers a fantastic ongoing market and enticing shops, cafes, and restaurants. Twizel is also the gateway to excursions through the popular Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, known for its spectacular scenery and multitude of hiking trails, and the wider UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, renowned for the beauty of its star-studded skies. Make sure to play a game of mini-golf at the Twizel-themed miniature golf course, which features holes named after local farms.

Idyllically situated on the southern shore of New Zealand just 75 kilometres from the city of Christchurch, Akaroa is a historic French and British settlement resting in the heart of an ancient volcano. The town is known for its picturesque harbour, colonial architecture, and French cuisine. Visitors can take a lovely harbour cruise to spot rare Hector’s dolphins, penguins and fur seals, or explore the waters by kayaking or going stand up paddleboarding.

The French and English heritage have remained strong in Akaroa which is highly evident in the wealth of well-maintained French and English buildings, and the abundance of French-focused restaurants and cafes. The award-winning Barry’s Bay Cheese has even continued with original methods of cheese-making for more than a century, which can be witnessed through their gallery window during milking season.