Chasing Seasons...

You might feel like you’ve got a rubber neck flying into Queenstown Airport. The flight takes you straight across New Zealand’s wild mountain ranges and through the valleys, and it’s hard to know which side of the plane to look out. Before long, the whole cabin seems to be moving in unison, heads swinging from side to side as everyone tries to soak up the spectacular views, it’s quite surreal . The best way to truly explore the scenery of New Zealand’s south coast is strapping into what might look like a bus, but is a jam packed motorhome filled with snow gear, a multi-use bathroom and a mini fridge filled with your drinks of choice.

A heavy car taking on the snowy winter roads can be seen as ambitious to most, but it felt like an adventure out of Lord of the Rings, with more small curly creatures than humans living in one area in the world. Starting a morning walk up the mountain you never know when a sheep is going to jump out and into your path. Especially venturing up Rob Roys peak in Wanaka, beginning the hike hours before the sun rose, we had no idea how many sheep surrounded us or the sheer lengths of its incline until the light began to peer out at the top.

No recommendation could prepare for the beauty of its peak, waking up the valleys in a blanket of pink. The euphoria of its views quickly turns to reality when your hands begin to go numb and teeth chatter. So a recommendation I have to you is fill your bag with many warm clothes.

If you’re travelling to New Zealand within the winter season, it is a must that you stop in to the Cardrona pub https://www.cardronahotel.co.nz/ and get a mulled wine accompanied by some loaded potato wedges. It’s one of the oldest pubs in New Zealand with an atmosphere that teleports you to another time. An old rule known to the locals in the day was only giving a second drink to the skiers that had made it down the black runs in one piece. So if you’re feeling courageous make sure to tell the workers once you make it down the bottom, to help ease the adrenaline. 

The Kiwi’s do love their adventure and make it look easy. It was often that we were humbled by a local running past up in the mountains in shorts, or a woman reeling in a big fish. It was a surprise to see how many women dominated traditionally male roles, along with having a tough authority in their presence. Sometimes a little intimidating, but more than anything empowering to witness as a female traveller. It stretches back to 1893 when New Zealand became the first country to allow women to vote. It is a clear notice when immersing yourself in the environment how celebrated culture is to New Zealand’s identity. Observing the long reigning respect and unity of Maori culture is something Australia could definitely learn from. From elder, to local, to traveller and reader, we must continue to acknowledge and pay our respects to the environments that let us walk upon it. 

Words and Images: Millie Black