Dunedin - Christchurch

The plains of South Canterbury are a colourful patchwork of fields flanked by the dramatic peaks of the Southern Alps. To say this road trip is magnificent would be an understatement for sure. With views that seem to have no end-point, and a bevy of quaint towns to call into.

There's no better way to appreciate Christchurch and Canterbury's divine scenery than by taking to the skies in a hot air balloon. Voted number 28 of the 101 Must-Do's For Kiwis, hot air ballooning brilliantly showcases the region's enviable and diverse sights.

As you gently take off – so softly you hardly realise you have left the ground – a feast for your eyes soon beckons; Canterbury Plains' rich tapestry of multi-coloured crops, the jagged snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps and the endless blue of the Pacific Ocean, among more.

The feeling of absolute freedom, combined with air so fresh and clear, will probably leave you wishing you could float forever. But the journey does have to end, and a graceful landing in a beautiful countryside setting – complete with a celebratory glass of champagne or juice – does make coming back to earth a much easier task.

Oamaru's impressive Victorian harbour is home to not only an old wooden wharf and an assortment of traditional craftspeople, but to hundreds of blue penguins that waddle ashore every night just after dark. If you'd like to see penguins in their natural habitat, you've found the right place to do it!

The Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, a natural nesting area for the world's smallest penguin species, is now an international drawcard. Harbour-side grandstand seating enables visitors to get a close look at these engaging birds as they return ashore after a day's fishing every night of the year. Day tours are also available to see nesting penguins, depending on the season.

A 30-minute walk away is another penguin colony at Bushy Beach. This is the northernmost place where the rare yellow-eyed penguin is known to nest.

Abundant sun-ripened apricots, nectarines, cherries, apples and peaches have earned Cromwell its reputation as the 'fruit bowl of the south'.

And you can get a piece of the action by taking a tour of an apricot, nectarine, peach, cherry or apple orchard – and even pick your own fruit in season. While here, check out the giant fruity sculpture at the northern end of the town.

The ideal occasion to admire all this fresh produce in one location is at the Central Otago Farmers' Market, which is held in Cromwell every Sunday from November to March.

As well as being held in high regard for its produce, Cromwell is also home to half of Central Otago's pinot noir vineyards. This provides the perfect excuse to hop on board for a wine-tasting tour to sample the region's famed grape variety. As well as impressive wineries around Cromwell, there are also others nearby at Bannockburn and Lowburn.

Dunedin's spectacular Otago Peninsula is a definite highlight of the region – you don't want to miss this, especially if you're a wildlife and nature lover. It's one of the few places in the world to boast such a diverse range of wildlife all within easy reach of the city.

And for an unrivalled viewing of these fascinating creatures, you can cruise the Otago Harbour, one of the most picturesque in the country. A tour will take you to the wildlife ‘hotspots' and provide informative commentary, ensuring you get the most from a visit here.

Among the birdlife and wildlife you may encounter are northern royal albatross – with their up-to-three-metres wingspan – yellow-eyed penguins, New Zealand fur seals, sea lions, dolphins and plenty of ocean birds, including some that are rarely sighted.

Oamaru's Victorian and Edwardian heritage is proudly on show through its architecture – many of the town's buildings ooze grandeur and style. This was due to architects of the mid-19th century making the most of the creamy limestone found in the area (now known worldwide as Oamaru Stone).

Impressive buildings are everywhere, from the Harbour-Tyne Street area, which is lined with a grand collection of buildings dating as far back as the 1860s, to homesteads, hotels, schools and banks.

Totara Estate is worth a visit: with interactive displays about the beginning of New Zealand's meat export industry, which started here, as well as a collection of restored buildings. The Oamaru Harbour is an important part of the town's history, being one of the few intact Victorian harbours.

These days, you may think you have been transported back in time if you see someone riding a penny-farthing down the street. In fact, you can hire these high two-wheeled bikes from the i-SITE – what better way to explore Oamaru's living history?

At the foothills of the Southern Alps, Mt Somers Conservation Area stands as a popular walking ground for adventurous travellers. There are two options when considering the Mt Somers Track – mild or advanced.

The mild option involves traversing the walkway from the Woolshed Creek car park to the Sharplin Falls car park with an overnight stay at Pinnacles Hut. This track passes remnants of coal mining, rocky outcrops, and through the Woolshed Creek Gorge.

The advanced option continues up Woolshed Creek onto the Winterslow Range before dropping down to Pinnacles Hut for the night and trekking out via the Mt Somers summit. These tracks can also be tramped in the opposite direction.

If you take your hiking boots off and leave them outside overnight, be sure to check them before you put them on again in the morning. The Mt Somers giant weta has been known to frequent the area – with twelve-centimetre-long antennae and bright orange-banded legs, they're hard to miss.