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Dec 24,2025

A Road Trip Through New Zealand That Feels Almost Unreal

One of the most scenic road trips in the world starts quietly in NewZealand’s SouthIsland.

HTP Members Series continues. Today it takes us to New Zealand.

“Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world. Our journey began here, with a quiet stop in Arrowtown, home to a preserved Chinese miners’ settlement. Long before scenic drives and tourism, Chinese gold miners lived and worked here. It’s a grounding reminder that these landscapes carry history, not just beauty.

From there, the road leads to Wanaka, set beside Lake Wanaka. Calm, reflective, and far less hurried than Queenstown. A perfect place to pause before the terrain changes.

The climb through LindisPass comes next. Golden tussock hills, open skies, and a sense of space that’s hard to explain unless you’ve driven it. Just quiet.

Then suddenly, the colour changes.

LakePukaki appears, fed by glaciers, glowing an unreal blue. On clear days, Aoraki MountCook, New Zealand’s highest peak, rises directly ahead. This is where the drive turns extraordinary.

A short detour takes you into Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, where scale and silence do most of the talking.

Further on is LakeTekapo, not just beautiful, but famous worldwide for its night skies. On clear nights, you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye, making it one of the best places on earth for stargazing. Staying overnight is worth it. Hotels and lodges are available, and the lake transforms at sunrise and under the stars.

The journey ends across the Canterbury Plains, easing you into Christchurch.

Having travelled often in Scotland, the South Island reminded me of it. Mountains, lakes, winding roads. It’s like Scotland viewed through a big magnifying glass. Everything feels wider and more open.And in places, it genuinely felt like driving through a Lord of the Rings set.

” For Muslim travellers, a practical note, halal food was easily available in both Queenstown and Christchurch, making the start and end of the trip very comfortable.

This drive doesn’t rush you.

It teaches you to slow down.

Thinking of New Zealand? This route alone makes the South Island worth it.

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