The Perfect Blend of Food, Wine and Fun

This place must always have been waiting to be discovered. Thousands of years ago the Southern Lakes District was just as beautiful as it is today. And as we gained the ability to seek out places of beauty at which to marvel, it was only a matter of time before the wonders of the region were discovered.

While old gold miners' trails can still be seen winding over the gnarled hills, orchards and vineyards soften a high and pristine landscape. Giant hydroelectric dams along the Clutha River add a discreet mechanical edge to the terrain in parts, and introduced the man-made lakes Roxburgh and Dunstan.

It's very easy to have fun here - from jet boating along the Shotover River and horse trekking in Arrowtown to heli-skiing in the Harris Mountains and hiking in Mount Aspiring National Park - the protection of which should ensure it remains as beautiful for the next millennium, and beyond.

Adventure Capital

Queenstown captivates travellers on two levels: firstly, with its extraordinary location in the Southern Alps; secondly, with the incredible array of adventure activities on offer. From jet boating along the Shotover River to skiing at Coronet Peak, it's easy to have fun here.

Fantastic Fiords

Over millions of years, the south western corner of the South Island was intricately carved by glaciers into fourteen fiords. The majority of the fiords are accessible only by water, but you can drive to Milford Sound along a fantastically dramatic road, which includes a tunnel that took 17 years to complete.