Marlborough Sounds - Marlborough is the gateway to the South Island and picturesque Picton is the entry port for the inter-island ferry service from Wellington.  The region is most famous for the Marlborough Sounds – a breathtaking natural paradise of secluded, crystal clear waterways consisting of forest clad inlets, bays, beaches and islands.  The Sounds are a perfect place to go fishing, boating, sea kayaking, mountain biking on forest trails, hiking, nature watching for dolphins, penguins, seals or native birds or just relaxing. 

Queen Charlotte Track - Queen Charlotte drive takes you from Picton to Havelock, towards Nelson, around 40km of bush fringed, winding, waterside road.  It partly follows the Queen Charlotte Sound, and if you’re family’s energetic with a few days to spare, there’s little you could do in New Zealand more memorable than tackling the 71km Queen Charlotte track!  Here’s the beauty of this 3 to 4 day walking track – you can choose to stay in anything from camping or budget to farmstay or luxury accommodation along the way and best of all, the water taxi service will transport your bags from one place to the next!  No organising huts, carrying heavy packs or cooking noodles, plus you get to walk one of the most sensational walks in the country!   For more information on walking,  biking or cruising the track, plus some great Family and winter deals, visit the website on www.queencharlottetrack.co.nz

Nelson - Did you know this region is the nation's sunniest spot?  It boasts hot summers and clear, sunny winter days, and is also renowned for its great natural beauty.   A fantastic family holiday destination that kiwis love coming back to, South Island’s north coast offers year round sunshine, impossibly golden beaches, emerald seas, national parks, adventure fun, arts and crafts, yummy food and world class wines!  With a population of approx 42,000, located on the coast by the beautiful Tahunanui beach, Nelson is home to a vibrant arts and crafts community (there are more than 500 working artists in galleries and studios in the area).  Families can enjoy the relaxed lifestyle, safe swimming at the beach as well as a fun park adjacent to the beach which has waterslides and bumpa boats plus a nature park.

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  West Coast - While the length of NZ’s South Island is over 1000 km, the South West corner and coastline are home to NZ’s fiords, inaccessible by road.  The West Coast road, taking you from Haast in the south west to Westport in the north, is approximately 430km (265miles).  It’s home to lush rainforest and wild coastline but the jewels in the West Coast crown have to be the world-famous phenomena of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers.  They’re not just a distant glimpse either, and many visitors are amazed by how close you can get to these wonders of nature.  Glaciers and views aside, there’s plenty to keep the kids occupied on the trip up or down the coast, and lots of family-friendly accommodation to break your journey.

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