Dunedin Golf

Otago has hosted many of New Zealand's major tournaments. The Balmacewan course is hightly rated and a very good test of golf. Many famous players have graced the fairways of Balmacewan. Over the years, galleries have delighted to the skills of Gene Sarazen, Arnold Palmer, Bob Charles, Gary Player, Peter Thomson (winner of the NZ Open at Balmacewen in 1953 and 1971), Bobby Locke and in more recent years Simon Owen, Greg Turner (member prior to turning professional), Frank Nobilo, John Morse, Peter Fowler, Phillip Tataurangi and Michael Campbell. Today, Balmacewen course is ranked among the finest in the country, and with one of the most difficult slope ratings offers a good test of golf to players of all abilities. The beauty of it's setting, the establishment of it's turf and it's convenience to the city will add to the pleasure of competitors.

See Dunedin golf courses: Balmacewan - St Clair - Chisholm Park
 

The Otago Peninsula

The Otago Peninsula has an abundance of wildlife seldom seen close to a city. From the Peninsula High Road, wild cliffs and secluded beaches of the Pacific coast may be seen on the right, contrasting the peaceful bays and hamlets of Otago Harbor on the left.

Sea birds swoop and shrill the wild eastern coast, fur seals bask on the sunny rocks; the rare and endangered yellow-eyed penguin (hoiho) trundles up steep dunes to its nest. Colonies of cormorants cling tightly to their elevated lofts; and at the end of the peninsula, at Taiaroa Head, the mighty albatross glides effortlessly on the updrafts.

This is the only place in the world where this largest of the world's sea birds lives within easy access. Several nature/wildlife companies include this unique adventure, as well as other special wildlife areas, in their I to 5 hour tours. You will also see most of this wildlife from a different aspect on a relaxing M.V. Monarch cruise whose crew provides informative commentary, lunch, teas and bar service.

How to get there: About hr. by car from Christchurch, 40 min., from Oamaru. Coaches operate daily services from Christchurch, and the South train runs Monday-Friday from Christchurch. Direct flights operate daily from Christchurch, 45 min.; Wellington 1 hr.. 10 min., and Auckland 2 hr. 40 min.

The Waitaki River

Driving down Highway 1, about 40 miles/60 km from Timaru, brings you to the Waitaki River, the boundary between Canterbury and Otago renowned for its salmon fishery. At the junction of highways 83 and 8 is Omarama, one of the best gliding sites in New Zealand and the location of the January 1995 World Championships. Tandem gliding with an expert is also available here. It requires no special skills for those trying this exhilarating experience for the first time. About 9 miles/15 kms south of the Waitaki River is Oamaru, the main town of the Waitaki area, whose grand stone Victorian buildings reflect the wealth of last century's gold rushes in the Queenstown area. On the foreshore, visitors have an opportunity to view two species of penguin: the yellow~eyed and little blue.

The Moeraki Boulders

This unique geological phenomenon may be seen to best advantage at low tide, near the small settlement of Moeraki, about 21 miles/ 34 kms south of Oamaru. Like some giant's playthings, these smooth, perfectly round rock boulders lie strewn on the nearby beach. Weighing up to four tons and about four million years old, they were formed on an ancient seabed through some complicated chemical reaction, and in more recent times have been eroded from the nearby cliffs.

CENTRAL OTAGO

It could be called the golden country for its gold-mining associations, its very hot sunny summers, its fall colors, and its apricot orchards. Central Otago, usually known simply as "Central," is made up of a series of river basins and deep river gorges, with each valley enclosed by a high-country barrier, giving a sense of isolation and vast distance. Located in the center of the South Island, it has many aspects of a continental climate: hot, dry summers, ideal for exploring and sightseeing, and freezing winters, which make this New Zealand's prime winter sports area.

In this semi-arid region, the old trails, which during the rip-roaring gold rush of the 1860s provided access for thousands of miners, can still be seen winding over the hills. There are stone cottages, amazingly engineered water races, mines and machinery, all of which are relatively well preserved and may still be seen along the Goldfields Heritage Highway.

Alexandra, the main town on the mighty Clutha River, is the center for another sort of gold these days - golden apricots and other stone fruit. This town plus Clyde and Cromwell are ideal bases from which to explore the surrounding historic countryside, and they offer a wide choice of accommodation and camping facilities. Some exciting recreational activities are available, such as jetboating, snowmobiling, 4WD safari excursions and gold panning.

WANAKA - its lake - its views

Central's second major tourist resort, Wanaka is in some respects a quieter, more relaxed version of Queenstown, with a range of accommodation from top-class motorlodges to camping. The town also has top-class restaurants and a selection of cafes.

Hemmed in by mountains, Lake Wanaka also appears calmer and gentler than Queenstown's Wakatipu. In the background is magnificent Mt. Aspiring, the main feature of Mt. Aspiring National Park, a favorite with hikers and mountaineers. Wanaka is a center for a variety of outdoor pursuits and a playground for water sports. You can cruise on a launch or take a jetboat trip; try sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, waterskiing or jetskiing; or if this sounds too hectic, you can laze on the beach or swim in the safe lake waters. Anglers are also well catered to, with brown and rainbow trout and salmon fishing available.

Pony trekking and 4WD safaris are great ways of exploring the surrounding high country, and winter visitors are able to experience Nordic skiing on the Pisa range, skiing and snowboarding at Treble Cone and Cardrona skifields, and heli-skiing on nearby mountains.

For a spectacular drive in a historic gold mining area, take Highway 89 from Wanaka to Cardrona where there is a fantastic old pub. The adventurous may wish to continue on to Queenstown over the Crown Range, which, at 3,675 ft/ 1,120 m above sea level, has the highest road in New Zealand. Care is needed, though, as much of the road is unsealed (shingle), twisty and narrow in places. It should not be tackled in winter when it is likely to be under snow.

Southernmost Vineyards

Commercial grape-growing was only established in the southernmost wine-growing region in the world a little over a decade ago, but already its wines are creating considerable interest. Nowhere else in New Zealand are vineyards found in such diverse and rugged locations - clinging to the sides of steep river gorges, huddled around spectacularly beautiful lake shores or sprouting from jagged, rocky hillsides.

FIORDLAND

It's about a 2 1/4 hour drive from Queenstown to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park, and a good base for exploring its walking tracks and the Te Anau Caves. A fast-growing tourist town, Te Anau has accommodaion ranging from motorlodges and motels to camping grounds. Activities based here include flightseeing, fishing, kayaking, and horseriding; and you can rent cycles here and bike to Milford.

Covering nearly three million acres/1.2 million hectares, Fiordland National Park is one of the largest national parks in the world. Fiordland is nature on a grand scale, where waterfalls tumble thousands of feet into virgin forested valleys, and lonely fjords indent its coastal boundaries. Protected by its remoteness, some of New Zealand's rare birds are found here.

Milford Sound

For all its isolation, the ordinary sightseer can still enjoy a "wilderness" experience. The Milford Road to famous Milford Sound cuts right through the park, with buses leaving daily from both Te Anau. and Queenstown. Considered one of the finest alpine drives in the world, the road to Milford traverses the Eglinton and Hollyford valleys below massive peaks and bluffs and through the 1,312 yd/1,200 m long Homer Tunnel. On arrival at Milford you are confronted with mile-high Mitre Peak, one of the most famous and spectacular views in New Zealand.

Cruise launches ply the sound beneath sheer cliffs and leaping waterfalls, but this is still very much the realm of dolphins, seals and gulls. It is now also possible to overnight on the sound on a replica of an early New Zealand sailing scow. Flightseeing in this region must rate as one of the great sightseeing options in the world. Flights can be arranged from either Queenstown, Te Anau, Wanaka or Milford itself. Many people find it a good idea to take the road one way and fly the other, although you really need to fly both ways from Wanaka, because of the distance.

Milford Sound Coach Tours & Cruises

Absolute trekking

The world-renowned, 33-mile/ 53km Milford Track takes four days for independent hikers. It traverses some of the park's most spectacular scenery, including the 3,520-ft/1,073-m Mackinnon Pass and the Sutherland Falls, one of the highest in the world. Limited numbers are permitted on the track at any time, so you are advised to make a booking well in advance. Another popular walk is up the Hollyford Valley, but reservations are only required for the guided option. Guides are also available on the Milford, Routeburn and Greenstone tracks; all you have to carry is a day pack.

The other fjord easily accessible is Doubtful Sound. Here trips operate across island-studded Lake Manapouri and include a visit to an underground hydroelectric power station and a bus trip over the Wilmot Pass, down into the fjord and out to sea. En route, the bus driver describes local flora, and you are likely to see dolphins and seals basking on rocks. This trip cannot be undertaken by private motorists.

INVERCARGILL - Southland - Stewart Island

From Te Anau, its 100 mile/ 160 kms km south on Highway 6, across the rich, sheep-dotted Southland plain to Invercargill. This city of 52,000 has many elegant buildings, neat gardens and tree-filled parks. It has an excellent art gallery and museum with high-tech audio-visual displays based on the flora and fauna of New Zealand's sub-Antarctic islands, way down in the southern oceans. It also has a unique display of the tuatara, a "prehistoric" lizard-like reptile whose ancestors were the dinosaurs. City hotels, motor inns and motels offer a range of accommodation options.

East of Invercargill, on the Southern Scenic Highway from Dunedin, the Catlins Forest Park offers some great walks and magnificent coastal scenery. Farm hosting is a popular option in this area. Anglers should know the Mataura River near Gore is famed for its brown trout.
 

Invercargill Golf

Southland Golf Club (Oreti Sands) is the southernmost 18 hole links course in the world, situated 10 Kms Southwest of Invercargill, the most southerly city in New Zealand. The course features a links layout with large greens on a sandy base. Enjoy playing on a course that will challenge even the most experienced player.

See Invercargill golf courses: Otatara Links - Oreti Sands Links
 

Stewart Island

Stewart Island, unspoilt in its isolation, may be reached by catamaran or airplane. For anyone seeking peace and tranquillity, this is the ultimate spot.

Bush walks and bird watching

There are superb bush walks and great launch cruises in some of New Zealand's most beautiful coastal scenery. Bird watchers will find the island richly rewarding, and you might even spot a kiwi in its natural environment. Outdoor activities include excellent sea fishing, sea kayaking and hiking on trails provided with huts. One will find comfortable accommodations at Halfmoon Bay.

How to get there: The catamaran ferry service operates from Bluff, 6 days a week in summer and twice weekly in winter. The crossing takes one hour. The airplane flight from Invercargill Airport takes 20 minutes.

Getting Around

Coach and air services operate from Chirstchurch, Queenstown and Te Anau. Self drivers, you can rent a mini-motorhome, 4wd or rental car.

Budget Rental Car - Used and recommended by Vacation Australia.