New Zealand was the exclusive home of the Maori for untold generations. Te Wei Pounamu, the place of the greenstone, is the name given to South Island and refers to precious jade deposits that the Maori coveted. Today, there is more to covet than jade. South Island is an outdoor lovers paradise and offers visitors many activities.
Discover the Middle Earth of the Lord of the Rings. A great portion of the trilogy was filmed on South Island. If you are a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, a great way to experience the island is by visiting the locations where scenes throughout the movies were filmed.
Climb through the Misty Mountains. Portions of the Southern Alps became the Misty Mountains and in the story are the place where Gollum hides for 500 years after finding the ring before the trilogy begins. You will find all sorts of opportunities for hiking and camping along this rugged country.
Fiordland was used in several scenes, including Te Anau, the Weathertop camp where Frodo is stabbed by a ring wraith and the Shotover River near Arrowtown where Liv Tyler created the flood that sweeps the wraiths away.
Embrace your inner extreme sport urges by trying a few of the islands more terrifying activities. If you've ever had an urge to be an adrenaline junkie, Queenstown is the place. Start in Queenstown, 360 feet above the Shotover River, with the world's highest swing. Once you've jumped, board the jet boat ride that races the brave through river canyons at break-neck speed.
Rock climbing courses are another route to try. If you're still breathing, attach a giant rubber band to your back and bungee jump in one of many locations. Once you have passed all these tests, you are then ready to graduate to skydiving. Jump out of a perfectly good airplane and live to tell the tale.
Get the best of both worlds with regular exercise and wine tasting. If you like wine and can ride a bicycle, you're in luck. New Zealand is home to excellent roads and many vineyards. The northern portions of the island near the region of Marlborough are a great place to start pedaling.
Allow the company to haul your luggage for you so you can concentrate on the road. A few operators will assist you with self-guided tours lasting up to five days, which includes lodging in four- and five-star boutique hotels, breakfasts, route maps, gear and bicycles. As far as wine is concerned, this region is most known for its fruity, crisp sauvignon blanc and secondly, by pinot noir.
