The first time I ever wished I were a backpacker was when I went to Queenstown, New Zealand. I realized something then that I had never realized before: that when you carry your stuff on your back, you’re able to see things that other people just don’t get to see.
Still, without the backpack (and trekking poles and sleeping on a rock), the southern tip of South Island was nothing short of glorious.
Waterfalls that laced the rocks on their way down to seawater. Rugged peaks that became the famous backdrop for all of Gandalf’s rides. A strangely lapis lagoon that shimmered despite the rainstorm.
Let me back up for a moment.
After our magnificent, sunny stay in Marlborough Sounds— where we boated with dolphins and spotted the New Zealand Giant Pigeon, among other things– we boarded a flight to Queenstown.
It was forecasted to rain– hard– for the duration of our stay, and despite the fact that locals tried to convince us that rainy New Zealand was beautiful, we were miffed.
Yet as it turned out, the rain was the best thing. Something about the gloomy weather shed a pleasantly moody light on the entire place.
They say that Milford Sound is best in the rain. Rocky surfaces were moist and shiny. The sky was indiscreet and mysterious. The water was an aggressive green. The trickling waterfalls gained strength as mist turned to solid drops. And as we explored the chasm of mountains that rose out of the sea, we knew: there’s nothing else quite like this on Earth. It was one of its kind.
Queenstown itself is known for adventure sports, but due to the weather even our horseback ride was canceled. So instead, we boarded a 4-wheel-drive tour with a local guide. And as it turned out, he took us to some of the most lovely mountain views I’ve ever seen, in Glenorchy. The chilly weather was a blessing in disguise; no one else seemed to be venturing out that day, so we had the mountains, horses and woods all to ourselves.
Getting There
There are multiple flights to Queenstown from within New Zealand. A note to the easily-airsick: take your pills, drink that vodka, do whatever it takes. The landing is one of the roughest I’ve experienced.
Once in Queenstown, it’s pretty easy to navigate on your own. There are too many tour and adventure companies just waiting to wow you with New Zealand’s natural beauty, and lots of hotels too.
Staying There
I’m pretty sure that Queenstown is one of the safest, friendliest places to visit. And unlike Marlborough sounds, there is a wide range of available accommodations. The hotel we stayed at was neither wonderful nor terrible– basically not worth mentioning. And really, this is Queenstown; the last thing you should be doing is hanging out at the hotel!
Milford Sound
Milford Sound is one of the major reasons people end up in Queenstown, so it’s not to be missed. An all-day journey will have you boarded on a bus in the early morning and onto a cruise of the Sound within several hours. The cruise itself is 2 hours of bliss; despite the difficulty of photographing anything from a ship, you’ll be tempted to do so anyway.
We selected the tour with Real Journeys and it was definitely a good choice. The buses had huge, clear windows so we could enjoy the scenery all along the way from Queenstown the Milford Sound.
Glenorchy
If you get a chance to stay another day in Queenstown, Glenorchy is a great place to explore. From the dazzling blue of the Lake Wakatipu to the adorable horses that love to say hello, we were blown away by the natural beauty of this old, rural town.
A note to LOTR fanatics: Glenorchy is the film site for a lot of the forest scenes in the three films, so there’s another reason to visit. While LOTR has managed to grow on me through the years, I myself don’t think this region needed a blockbuster to highlight its already stunning features.
Should You Go?
I think Queenstown and Milford Sound are one of New Zealand’s major attractions, so absolutely yes! It’s much more popular than Marlborough Sounds as well, so you’ll be running into tourists from all over the world!
There’s also a culture to Queenstown that can feel a bit tacky if you’re used to high culture and good food while you travel. But fear not; eat at the Botswana Butchery and you won’t ever look back.
And now, two years later, I still haven’t purchased a backpack, I haven’t gone trekking, and I’m still a bit scared to sleep on a rock. Backpacking may not ever be in my future, but it says a lot that New Zealand made me seriously consider it. I hope you consider New Zealand!
I believe that, Shane! It was so stunning!
Hahah that’s a great comparison! Those jigsaw puzzles are beautiful!
It’s really amazing– I hope you make it there one day, friend!
Ah thanks Kiki (sorry this is a little late). LOTR captures some amazing scenery for sure!
Ahh I hope you make it there sometime Amy!
I agree, the most beautiful country I have been to to date!
NZ Is such a beautiful country, every scene looks like one of those hugely impossible jigsaw puzzles.
The beauty of New Zealand almost doesn’t seem real. I can’t imagine how much more breathtaking it was in person because your photographs are beautiful!
That scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Now I definitely want to go! Thanks also for the practical tips. Very handy. Better start saving for the flights….!
Oh my gosh. So SO beautiful!! Definitely need to visit some day!
You are so lucky! And mighty handy with that camera, but you totally already know that. (; I love that you included a bit of LOTR in this post. Honestly, that’s what I associate NZ with. I’d love to visit some day!
http://www.accordingtokiki.net
NZ is sooo high on my list. It’s just incredible!
Thanks Jamie! The horse was so hilarious, he was really intrigued by us! And Glenorchy wasn’t on our list originally, but once we got there we figured why not– especially since it really was pouring most of the time. We were able to snap these photos during windows of partly-cloudy weather. 🙂 Hope you go back sometime!
It’s really beautiful– and waterfalls into the sea are just beyond amazing. Hope you make it there someday Yvonne! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Ah thanks girl! NZ is so great– you’d love it. And the horse was hilarious!
Thank you Marcella!! Yes NZ is far away from most people but totally worth it! It took us sooo long to get there.
Ah thank you so much Denise! I hope you make it to New Zealand– it’s the perfect destination for an epic trip!
Hah you should, Taylor!! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Ah thanks girl! So, as far as lenses go there’s a mixture here. These were taken on my husband’s Nikon DSLR, some with the HDR function (and some taken *by* my husband- hah!). That said I think a few were iPhone photos too… I sort of didn’t really know what I was doing photography-wise back then. And the photos were edited in Adobe Lightroom! 🙂
Ah thank you so much Ash!! It was really incredible. The photos don’t quite do it justice.
Thank you Julie! 🙂 I hope you make it there some time!
beautiful and I LOVE the photo of the horse nose! we didn’t make it out to Glenorchy but looks like it would be worth a visit if [when] we return to NZ. the weather in your photos actually looks less stormy than most of the days we had!
That waterfall looks gorgeous! I love waterfalls, they are my favorite! And that place just looks gorgeous though! I will have to keep these places in mind when I visit some time hopefully soon!
GORGEOUS! NZ looks amazing! Totally my type of country! LOL at that picture of the horse!
Oh wow, these photos are truly stunning! I would LOVE to go one day and experience all of this beautiful scenery… if only it wasn’t so far from the UK!!
Beautiful pictures! They really fuel my desire to go to New Zealand even more!
I have always wanted to go and have yet to make the trip there! These photos are making it so hard not to book a flight ASAP! I see you had a facelift for your blog and I am loving it! These photos are breathtaking!
Denise | Fashion Love Letters
It’s official. I wanna visit New Zealand.
Once again, these photos!! They are so beautiful! Did you use your normal lens for these shots? I love it that you remember the specific moment when you wished you were a backpacker. I remember mine, too — though I still haven’t given it a try! Someday. 🙂
Gah! I can’t even fathom how beautiful that is in person if your pictures are THAT amazing! So so so so stunning!
Thank you! You should definitely visit– it’s incomparable!
Thanks girl!! And we rode with a tourguide who drove– that’s the way to go. 😉
Yes– it was unbelievable!
Thank you Nabihah! Oh my goodness everything in New Zealand is so amazing– it’s unsurprising they chose it for LOTR.
Ahh thanks!! It’s amazing.
Awesome photos!
I have a good friend that lived in New Zealand for several years (and would love to move back), and a just found out that a girl I know through a friend is planning to move down there at the end of this year or beginning of next year.
It looks beautiful, and I hope I can visit there someday!
Amazing, as always. You never disappoint… the views look spectacular! I keep wanting to do a 4-wheel-drive-tour but I never end up booking one because I’m so afraid Edward will still somehow hurt us.
It looks absolutely beautiful! Definitely looks like a totally different world!
C x | Lux Life
These photos are so stunning! I’ve always wanted to go to New Zealand and with my best friend who’s a massive Lord Of The Rings fan – apparently most of the scenic shots were done in NZ. The rough landing does not sound fun though, I hate landings!
Nabihah | thesundaywardrobe.blogspot.com
Is New Zealand even on planet Earth??? These photos are so stunning I can’t even believe they’re real!
COOCOO FOR COCO