Traveler Magazine Andrew Harper Fall 2019 | Page 16

16
ZEALAND
WEST COAST
& MILFORD
SOUND
TRAVEL OFFICE TIP
“
I love to arrange a helicopter trip to truly experience the
grandeur of the Fiordlands and the Alpine Mountain surrounds.
You will land in four pristine areas, different locations each
trip, where you can walk along the wild West Coast beaches,
have a wonderful picnic, and, weather permitting, land on
a glacier. When you experience Milford Sound by private
helicopter, away from the commercial boats with upwards of
200 passengers, you experience absolute pristine wilderness.
Then fly back to Queenstown to relax at your accommodation
– Eichardts Private Hotel, or Blanket Bay, or Matakauri Lodge,
or Azur Lodge – all recommended by Andrew Harper Travel.”
JUDITH KITZES
New Zealand is known for a great many
things—hobbits, rugby and a phenomenal
landscape of the breathtaking sort. From the
depths of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves
to the enchantingly blue Bay of Islands, it
is significantly difficult to find a section of
New Zealand that doesn’t provide the setting
for soon-to-be-treasured memories. But, for
the setting of an epic road trip, look to the
South Island’s West Coast.
Stretching nearly 700 miles, the West
Coast is what all drives aspire to be: dramatic
in commanding your attention, a steady
slew of ever-changing views and scenery.
Stop in Westport for seal spotting, eel
feeding in Hokitika, glacier hiking in Franz
Josef—the adventures are as varied as a fruit
salad, though the apex of your journey will
certainly be Milford Sound. Milford Sound
is the geographic echo of a long-ago colossal
glacier—cliffs and fjords combine with
mountains and waterfalls for a retreat with
serene highs and lows. A half-day canoe trip
is the perfect opportunity to soak up all of
the surroundings. Out there on the water,
the journey is refracted in a lens of greater
meaning, elevating what was already a stellar
drive to the point of pilgrimage.
PHOTOS
ANDREW HARPER TRAVEL ADVISOR
FUR SEAL, NEW ZEALAND
W AT E R FA L L AT M I L F O R D S O U N D ,
NEW ZEALAND
FALL | 2019
C O N TACT YO U R T R AV E L A DV I S O R TO DAY