A journey through a wild south island

Without a doubt, one of the main gateways to New Zealand is Christchurch, and it is the best place to start and end a trip to the South Island, which is a must. Not negotiable. History suggests that Christchurch was settled 1000 years ago by the Maori people, but it is best known today for the earthquakes that destroyed much of the city in 2010 and 2011. Many people who come to New Zealand picture it as landscape rather than cities, but my advice is not to miss Christchurch. It is a city that is being rebuilt by love, pride and dedication and is already emerging as New Zealand's vibrant and creative capital.

A morning stroll through the Botanical Gardens is a personal favorite along with the river, and then grabbing breakfast at the legendary C1 espresso cafe. There's an incredible food and street art scene taking over the city, so don't miss it.

Make sure you give yourself time to explore and wander around and check out the Re:START mall, a temporary shopping center made from shipping containers (a great place to visit for your local NZ souvenirs btw); Christchurch is incredibly walkable, and although it feels like everything is under construction, there are always interesting spots and hangouts popping up around the city waiting to be discovered. Take the sunset gondola up to Port Hills for the best views around and an epic way to see the city.

If you have time, I also recommend taking the road to Banks Peninsula out of town and making your way to Akaroa. Banks Peninsula is an extinct volcanic crater, an almost perfect circle and crater jutting out into the sea and radiating cute little bays and towns all around.

The perfect day from the city (about an hour and 20 minutes), you definitely need a car to get to all the best spots. On your way, stop in the picturesque harbor town of Lyttelton, and if you can make the most of it, enjoy dinner at Roots, New Zealand's best restaurant. Take the scenic Summit Road route that traces the rim of the ancient volcano, but it's not for the faint of heart (think narrow gravel roads with no guardrails), but you'll be rewarded with absolutely epic views all the way to Akaroa, the heart of the banking peninsula.

If you have a mild obsession with alpacas like me or generally happen to be on a farm, be sure to visit Shamarra Alpacas, which has great views of the peninsula and is one of my favorite places. Eventually, make your way to Akaroa, New Zealand's first French settlement, and a beautiful seaside town to visit. Check out the quirky Giant's House and go for a swim with the Hector's dolphins, the smallest and most endangered dolphins in the world. My favorite place to stay on the Banks Peninsula is at the very unique PurePod in Little River, and entirely glass cabin in the middle of nowhere.

Crossing the Alps
There are only three roads that traverse the mighty Southern Alps, the mountains that form the backbone of the South Island, and Arthur's Pass is one of them. An incredibly scenic drive through the mountains, I definitely recommend going this way on a South Island road trip. An easy hour and 20 minute drive from Christchurch towards Arthur's Pass will take you through an interesting park area called Castle Hill (Kura Tāwhiti). Blink, and you'll miss it. Kura Tāwhiti was once a meeting place for early Māori and has strong cultural significance here. As the plains open up to the mountain foothills, you'll begin to feel like you're actually in Middle Earth as you experience that epic South Island setting for the first time, although the reality is that it was used as a filming location. for the Chronicles of Narnia.

Be sure to stop and explore the limestone boulders, and even try climbing if you have experience. If you're feeling adventurous, pack some warm clothes and a head torch and explore a natural cave in the Cave Stream Scenic Reserve.

Continue for another forty minutes along the road towards the mountains and you will reach the small village of Arthur's Pass. On your way you will pass the classic Craigieburn racetrack, not for the faint of heart or those afraid of old school nutcracker puzzles that drag you up the mountain.

The heart of the Southern Alps, Arthur Pass, is one of my favorite places to visit, rain or shine. There are hikes for all fitness levels and plenty of multi-day hikes for experts. I always make the trip to Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall because it is truly epic and only an hour return. Avalanche Peak is the most popular hike in the area, rising over 1000 meters and offering great mountain views, despite being quite difficult. There is another club called Temple Basin in Arthur's Pass if you find yourself there in the winter.