OH! Magazine - Australian Version February 2016

( Where, Oh Where? ) The next driving stage of the journey was absolutely eyegasmic! Tekapo through to Wanaka is another few hours drive but is one leg you’ll want to take your time with. We dedicated an entire day and the journey did not disappoint, delivering incredible scenery at every bend. Aside from carving up two of New Zealand’s best ski fields you could go mountain biking in The Sticky Forest or Deans Bank, river surf at Hawea, have a round of frisbee golf, kayak on the lake or mountain run any of the 100s of available trails nearby. Highlights for us were the turqoise shores of Lake Pukaki with Mt Cook bathed in golden light across the water, and the Lindis Pass just before the final stretch into Wanaka. After snowboarding, mountain running and playing frisbee golf, we were running close to the cut-off time to make our mission to Milford Sound, so we hit the road again. At the Lindis pass carpark, throw a snack in a bag and take a quick hike to check the landscape from a bit higher up. You’ll be rewarded for expending the energy, with some surreal angles of the road twisting through the unique landscape. The drive to Milford itself is jaw-dropping, and the closer you get to the Milford Sound the more dramatic it gets. New Zealand has this way of making you squeeze everything out of the daylight hours, even when on the road. With all the stops to take photos and side roads to explore we arrived to our next destination again at night, so rolled down to the lake, parked the van and recharged for the next day. Wanaka and it’s amazing lake are pretty special in the morning and it seemed like a good place to start the day with a yoga session. Wanaka is action packed. You just need to take your pick of what activities to do. Out of the large camper windscreen huge ranges dominate, then hiding when passing through the tunnels made out of tree canopies. Further on, the trees completely disappear to reveal a humbling mountain environment where the road squeezes between giant concrete walls that announce the beginning of the truly unique and belittling landscape that is known as ‘Milford Sound’. It’s essential to experience Milford Sound from the water and it’s impossible to miss the ferry tour operators lined up ready to take you; however, sea kayaking tours are also available if you’re up for a bit more of an active experience. Milford Sound also has access to an array of hiking options, including the Milford Track regarded by some as among the finest hiking trails in the world. After the day touring on the water and walking, we sat down at the water’s edge to view the reflections of the sun retreating. It was an incredible kalaidescope of changing colours. It was quiet now. The package tours had all departed and the feeling coming from the Milford landscape itself was beyond words. It really is one of those places that can make you stop and think about the bigger picture. Just being there seems to provide clarity and inspiration. We spent that night listening then falling asleep to the drumming of an intense downpour on the campervan roof. Our return drive to meet flights began the next day, but we still managed to squeeze in half a day snowboarding at Ohau ski fields and another dunk in those awesome hot pools! On our final night in NZ we took full advantage of our motohome by sleeping so close to the airport that customs workers may well have heard our alarms going off! About Apollo Motorhome Holidays During the past 30 years Apollo Motorhome Holidays has grown to become the world’s largest privately owned recreational vehicle company, encompassing rental brands across Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. To book your own Apollo Self-Drive Holiday visit: • www.apollocamper.com (in Australia) • www.apollocamper.co.nz (in NZ). 30 FEBRUARY 2016 ( OH! MAGAZINE )

OH! Magazine - Australian Version February 2016 | Page 30