With hobbits, heli-skiing and everything in between, New Zealand’s south island is where it’s at.

OK, I’m no expert on the north island and I enjoyed my time there, but the south island is at a whole different level. Two companies will ferry you from Wellington to the port town of Picton, Bluebridge and Interislander.

I went with Bluebridge because the schedule worked best for me and I even booked an on-board cabin. THAT was a total waste of money. The room is fine, but who wants to be inside and miss out on these views!?!

Before I go any further, a word of warning. Make sure you’re carrying sunscreen. Don’t put it in a bag, suitcase, or even a purse. Have it in your pocket and ready to apply…and reapply Locals are quick to mention the thin ozone layer as if it’s a point of pride so if the sun is out, you will get burned. In my case, my sunscreen was in my big bag which was checked down below and out of reach for the duration of the three-hour trip. I fried.

And I wasn’t the only one. On the ship’s upper deck I met a fellow strawberry-faced traveler from Ireland who was on his way to visit family. He’s a bit more adventurous than I am and planned to spend a couple of days hiking/camping the 100-miles between Picton and Nelson, a larger city that’s due west. My plan was to go from Picton to Nelson too, only I was going to do it in a rental car….in two hours.

Once the Irish hiker got a look at the landscape, he quickly took me up on my offer to give him a lift to his sister’s house.

The drive wasn’t two hours at all. It was much longer.

Here’s the ting about GPS units in Australia and New Zealand, they don’t take into account the amount of time you’ll spend on the side of the road stopped to enjoy the view.