Chasing Glaciers, Lakes, and Starry Skies Across New Zealand's South Island.
New Zealand has always been my absolute dream destination. In 2023, as the global pandemic eased and travel restrictions were fully lifted, I embarked on an 18-day road trip.
When the plane took off from Hong Kong, soared across the South Pacific, and welcomed the dawn of the Southern Hemisphere, I knew this long-awaited journey had officially begun.
Upon arriving in Auckland, we immediately caught a connecting flight to Christchurch. After sorting out the rental car and stocking up on groceries for the next few days, we officially kicked off our 18-day self-driving adventure around the South Island. Unlike guided tours, driving ourselves allowed us to set our own pace; every stretch of the highway became an integral part of the trip.
Our first stop was Darfield. This tranquil little town served as the perfect rest stop before we headed into the Southern Alps the following day.
The next day, the truly awe-inspiring scenery began to unfold.
Driving through the Castle Hill Conservation Area, the massive limestone boulders scattered across the valley made it feel like we had landed on another planet; next, we arrived at Lake Pearson, whose surface was as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the distant snow-capped mountains. Arthur's Pass National Park fully showcased the majestic, pristine wilderness of New Zealand. Hiking up the Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall track, the water cascaded from high above, creating a misty spray that made us completely forget the fatigue of the climb.
After crossing the Southern Alps, the West Coast welcomed us with an entirely different landscape.
From Hokitika to Fox Glacier, the route was a stunning tapestry of forests, coastlines, and glaciers. The Franz Josef Glacier Walk let us experience just how incredibly close we could get to a glacier, while the quiet little town around Fox Glacier made the night exceptionally cozy.
From there, we continued our journey south along the West Coast.
At the Knights Point Lookout, we gazed out over the Tasman Sea, watching the waves crash against the cliffs; the Swamp Forest Walk at Ship Creek was brimming with a primeval vibe; Thunder Creek Falls and Roaring Billy Falls felt like secret havens hidden deep within the woods. And when we reached the Blue Pools, looking down from the swing bridge at the unbelievably azure stream winding through the valley, it felt as though the entire water surface had been dyed a brilliant jewel tone.
Leaving the West Coast, the road led us into the lakes district.
Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka were undoubtedly among my favorite spots on this trip.
Along the way, the lakes shifted through various shades of blue under the sunlight, with distant snow-capped peaks quietly keeping us company. Arriving at the shores of Lake Wanaka, we saw the world-famous "That Wanaka Tree" standing peacefully alone in the center of the lake. Even though it's just a simple tree, it makes you want to linger for a long time, purely to soak in the serenity.
Puzzling World brought us plenty of laughs, and as we reached Queenstown, the rhythm of our trip turned lively and vibrant once again.
Riding the Skyline Gondola gave us a bird's-eye view of Lake Wakatipu, with the entirety of Queenstown spread out below; we then raced down the hillsides on the Luge for a few thrilling laps. Of course, we couldn't miss the legendary Fergburger—taking a massive bite of a juicy burger paired with a rich hot chocolate from Patagonia was simple yet profoundly satisfying.
Continuing south, we reached Bluff, the southernmost point of New Zealand.
Standing by the famous "End of the World" signpost at Stirling Point, realizing I was thousands of kilometers away from Taiwan filled me with a deep sense of accomplishment for fulfilling my dream. The fresh, plump oysters by the sea truly let us experience the magic of "farm-to-table" dining.
The journey pushed onward to the east.
Passing through Gore and Dunedin, we eventually arrived at the Moeraki Boulders. Those massive spherical rocks scattered across the beach looked like art pieces carefully sculpted by nature. By evening, we reached Oamaru to wait for the world's smallest blue penguins to waddle back to their nests from the sea one by one. In that moment, the entire crowd waited in breathless silence, leaving only the sound of ocean waves and the pitter-patter of penguin feet.
The climax of the trip was arriving at Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park.
Walking along the Tasman Glacier track toward the glacial lake, we watched the icebergs floating on the water, with the majestic Aoraki / Mount Cook towering in the distance. Even though we were just standing there quietly, the overwhelming awe was something photos simply couldn't fully express.
Finally, we reached Lake Tekapo.
The dreamy, milky-blue water of Lake Tekapo is a natural wonder created by the glacial flour carried by the meltwater. We strolled along the lakeshore, hiked up to the Mt John Observatory, and grabbed a coffee at the Astro Café while overlooking the entire lake basin; as evening approached, we headed down to the Church of the Good Shepherd to watch the sun slowly set.
When night fell, the real magic began.
As the sky turned completely dark, a sky full of stars gradually appeared, and the Milky Way stretched across the heavens. With zero city light pollution, looking up was like gazing straight into the cosmos. At that moment, I finally understood why so many people travel thousands of miles to Tekapo just to look up at a truly starry sky for once.
On the final day of our trip, we drove back to Christchurch across the Canterbury Plains, stopping by honey shops and farms along the way. We returned with bags full of souvenirs, as well as the memories accumulated all along the way.
This 18-day, over 2,000-kilometer road trip took us through the most iconic landscapes of New Zealand’s South Island—from snow-capped mountains, glaciers, forests, waterfalls, and lakes, to coastlines, penguins, and starry skies.
Long after the trip ends, the photos may slowly fade, but the memories of driving through sweeping valleys, feeling the biting wind in front of a glacier, zoning out by a pristine lake, and gazing up at the Milky Way will stay in my heart forever.
New Zealand is not just a trip; it is a breathtaking landscape of life worth revisiting time and time again.