South to North: Queenstown to Nelson

The drive from Queenstown to Haast is incredibly scenic — wind along vast blue lakes before reaching the vast, untouched wilderness of a UNESCO World Heritage Area. Stay a night in Haast, enjoy walks, jet boating on local rivers with Waiatoto River Safari or Haast River Safari or a wildlife tour to spot seals, Hector's dolphins and rare Fiordland crested penguins.

South of Haast lies Jackson Bay, well worth the drive for its empty shingle beaches, dunes, lakes and wetlands, all with the soaring backdrop of the Southern Alps. At the end of the road, enjoy a whitebait fritter from the Craypot seaside food truck.

Ōkārito and Whataroa are a must-explore for nature and wildlife lovers. At New Zealand’s largest unmodified wetland, get out your binoculars, hire a kayak or jump on a boat tour to spot rare birds in their natural habitat. The surrounding Southern Alps make the perfect backdrop as you cruise through the lagoon.

Down the road at Ross, you can try your hand at gold panning — you may not unearth a 3 kg nugget, as was the case here in 1909, but at Ross Goldfields Information Centre you’re guaranteed a flake or two.

Continue on to West Coast Treetop Walk & Zipline, an exhilarating tree top adventure among temperate rainforest giants.

The cool little town of Hokitika was once the goldfields capital and port. These days the gold lies in the many artists’ studios (working on precious stones, pounamu and glass), tasty food joints and the long sandy beach perfect for West Coast sunset watching.

The Great Coast Road is the most spectacular way to see the untamed, natural, wilderness of the West Coast. Head to Punakaiki, world famous for its surreal coastal pancake rocks and blowholes.

Next up stop at the tiny settlement of Charleston, where you can explore vast cave systems, float through glow-worm grottoes and tumble down river rapids with Underworld Adventures. Continue to Westport, known for its rich coal mining history alongside its abundant unique natural attractions. Drive north for gigantic limestone arches in the Ōpārara Basin, see the seal colony at Cape Foulwind, or build a bonfire on Carters Beach.

Try and stay on a surfboard with a friendly teacher at Bazil’s Surf School or take a walk or mountain bike on the Heaphy Track.