I travelled to the South Island of New Zealand in August with my parents. We flew into Christchurch from Sydney, hired a car and travelled to Wanaka, Franz Yosef Glazier, Arrowtown, and ended our trip in Queenstown. My ankle broke in two places with less than a week remaining but that didn’t stop me from continuing my holiday.
See & do
We flew into Christchurch. It was beautiful seeing snow capped mountains as we descended. The beauty of New Zealand is being outdoors with stunning landscapes. The drive is picturesk. New Zealand is so chill with kind people. We picked peaks (highlights) and pits (low points) at the end of each day.
Christchurch is relatively flat and easy to push around and explore. It was sad to see the city hasn’t been completely rebuilt following earthquakes evident with buildings needing repair. We enjoyed wondering around exploring the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Art Gallery, New Regent Street Precinct and shops. A peak was the Christchurch Gondola with 360 degree views.
Franz Josef is beautiful with most of the time spent outdoors. The pit (low point) was not being able to take a scenic flight due to poor weather conditions. The peak was seeing Franz Josef Glazier by other means. The path can be bumpy and uphill/downhill in parts but it’s worth it to see the glazier. Climate change has sadly reduced the size of the glazier. Another path lead us to the beautiful Peters Pool.
Wanaka is more of a challenge to get around with more hills and a car is a must. Wanaka Lavender Farm is worth a visit for lavender products, honey tasking and to see some farm animals. We fed an alpaca who quite strongly ate quickly. We wondered by the lake and were amazed by the mountains. A peak was the National Transport and Toy Museum with lots to see indoors and outdoors.
Arrowtown is sweet to stroll around and explore the shops. It’s a short drive to Queenstown.
Queenstown is where we spent most of our time. It is hilly and takes care to push around safely. Skyline Queenstown is a gondola ride to stunning views. I could stare at the mountains in Queenstown all day. It is steep to access. It was going back down from the gondola that I fell out of my wheelchair and my ankle broke. This was definetly the pit of Queenstown. I find going downhill more scary than the challenge of going uphill.
The peak was skiing at The Remarkables. Ski Buddies means you don’t ski alone but have your instructor and trained skiers/boarders. At minimum there were 3 of us skiing together, taking photos and having fun. It is not ski in/ski out and a 4WD is needed to get up and down the mountain each day after a short drive from Queenstown. The runs are wide. We rode on carpets and chair lifts. It is stunning. There is so much terrain that isn’t skied on and avalanches are possible too.
Medical Care
I was well looked after when medical care was saught for my swollen and bruised ankle. Queenstown Medical Centre was down the hill from where I originally fell forward from my wheelchair after hitting a bump from street to foorpath. I waited a few minutes before I was taken to a room and spoke to a nurse. Within 3.5 hours I had seen a doctor, had x-rays to determine it was badly broken on both sides, a back-slab was on my ankle, more x-rays to check alignment and I was discharged. We covered the cast with a plastic bag when out in the rain and snow so that it didn’t get wet. It was heavy and awkward but we made do to continue to experience New Zealand. Not all of my clothes fit over the top of the cast and I ended up flying home wearing my pjyama pants.
I had travel insurance and kept the reports and receipts. Insurance takes a lot of time and energy. I wasn’t given an original checklist of what was needed and received many responses for more information including receipts, medical report, form with my details, bank statements, flight tickets. It was a relief for it to be approved even if it took longer than my ankle did to heal.
I enjoyed New Zealand. It is so chill and beautiful. I would like to return.
Kate Swain 