By Pamela Nandi | Sep 10, 2019

Sharing my gastronomical journeys during my dream vacation at New Zealand (SOUTH ISLAND) – Cardrona Valley, Wanaka, Arrowtown, Queenstown, Fiordland National Park, Mt. Cook Village, Christchurch, Picton.

To explore the land of mountains, lakes and glaciers, my another dream destination was the South Island of New Zealand – home of the Southern Alps and an icon of New Zealand’s unique food culture for the food enthusiasts to discover. With more than 15,000km of coastline and Kiwi cuisine being a blend of multiple cultures explore remarkable flavours and textures from a simple meal of fried battered fish and chips to seafood fritters and roasts in the coastal towns of New Zealand.

DESTINATION 1: CARDRONA VALLEY (SOUTH ISLAND)

My journey began in the South Island with a drive from Queenstown to Cardrona Valley. A great place to stop for a chilled beer before an afternoon meal on the mountain. Cardrona Hotel, NZ, – New Zealand’s oldest pub and most iconic hotels, that boasts unique historic landscape with modern comforts located on the spectacular Crown Range Road between Wanaka and the picturesque alpine region – Queenstown.

DESTINATION 2: WANAKA (SOUTH ISLAND)

Wanaka, a popular ski and summer picturesque lively resort town on crystal-clear waters of Otago region of the South Island and gateway to the Southern Alps ringed with snowcapped mountains, beech forests and magnificent alpine lakes. A one-stop holiday destination for adventure lovers and relaxation-minded travellers.

On reaching Wanaka, our tour guide advised to try out some sumptuous platter at Big Fig Wanaka – the slow food, served fast was packed with flavours, located on the downtown Wanaka lakefront

New Zealand slow-cooked roasted lamb – A traditional Kiwi favourite. Heavenly lamb. Tender and juicy. Meat is simply falling off the bone. Perfectly seasoned keeping its glorious colour and crunchy bite of the skin intact.

MeatBalls – A delight with its incredible sauce.

Oven-roasted potatoes – Amazing oven-roasted potatoes oozing with the flavour of olive oil, garlic and rosemary.

Baked cheesy sweet potato – Known as “kumara” in New Zealand. Rich sweet flavour baked generously with freshly shaved Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

Shredded red cabbage salad – Crunchy red cabbage and onion tossed in the dressing of delightful oil and vinaigrette. A wonderful combination of flavours.

Herbed Rice – Yellow white rice pilafs tossed in parsley.

DESTINATION 3: ARROWTOWN (SOUTH ISLAND)

If you have cravings for sweet-tooth, don’t miss to visit the best dessert parlour chain of South Island – Patagonia Chocolates to go for handcrafted chocolates, mouth-watering ice creams and decadent desserts. Visited this renowned dessert parlour on my way back to Queenstown to enjoy their award-wining Ice Cream at a charming and quirky village –Arrowtown (7.5 km) drive from Queenstown.

Argentinian Caramel Ice Cream – Silky, deep, rustic nutty flavour was a heavenly treat to my buds.

DESTINATION 4: QUEENSTOWN (SOUTH ISLAND)

Queenstown – the town that is famed for adventure sports like bungee jumping and skiing on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu set against the dramatic Southern Alps. Also well known for its historic gold mining.

There is a saying – ‘Morning shows the day’. Breaking my fast with this country-style meaty affair was just incredible. Welcome to Frank’s Pantry, a family-owned cafe and deli located at Wyndham Hotel Gardens that offers a great selection of breakfast and lunch favourites.

The wowed meat platter stuffed with protein was a perfect way to keep my day running – Roasted Pork Belly, Lamb Sausages in Rosemary, Bacon, Baked Potatoes, Beans, double poached eggs

The breakfast ended by indulging into Hearty Affogato – If you are a coffee fanatic, then this dessert is a must-try. The word “affogato” means “drowned” in Italian. An incredible classic Italian coffee-based dessert. A scoop of vanilla cream topped or “drowned” with a shot of hot espresso. Soul warming dessert with a dash of warm expresso on a chilled scoop of ice cream.

DESTINATION 5: FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK (SOUTH ISLAND)

Its another fine morning at Queenstown. Planned my day to visit Milford Sound. A short halt at Te Anau -a town on the South Island of New Zealand and the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound to grab some Kiwi Lunch on the go from the fantastic retail shopping centre cum café – Kiwi Country.

DESTINATION 6: MT. COOK VILLAGE (SOUTH ISLAND)

To continue my passion for travel further, my next destination was Christchurch – a day-long tour by coach from Queenstown to Christchurch.

Our first halt was at Omarama – historic town centre to grab some delicious home-style breakfast for ON THE GO from the café cum souvenir shop, Merino Country Café.

Our next stop was to visit the alpine Mount Cook Village located within New Zealand’s Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park flanked by the breathtaking view of sky-scraping peaks, phenomenal glaciers and alpine lakes.

A mouthwatering culinary dining adventure – Delicious Teriyaki fish and chips with tartare sauce and fresh leafy salad at The Hermitage Hotel, Mount Cook Village, a heaven for adventurous travellers with glacial lake cruises, icebergs.

Say cheers to the Ginger Beer 🍻. The kick of Ginger followed by the mellow sweetness was very refreshing.

The tiring long day trip ended by indulging into some ice creams at Mundell’s Cafe Kiwi Country – a Souvenir Shop cum café with all-day breakfast available at Geraldine, a small town in the Canterbury Region about 140 km south of Christchurch.

Loved this Mango Ripple Ice Cream – The rich and creamy mango puree – swirls laced in between the layers of ice cream. Very vibrant taste.

DESTINATION 7: CHRISTCHURCH (SOUTH ISLAND)

Another world-class foodie destination is Christchurch, known for its English heritage, the largest city on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island and the seat of the Canterbury Region. In 2010 and 2011, earthquakes destroyed many of the historic centre’s stone-built buildings.

Though the food influences came from Māori culture, the food habits are inspired by New American cuisine, Southeast Asian, East Asian, and South Asian culinary traditions. To enjoy some Asian flavours for my dinner, I grabbed a window-side seat in the downtown at Sampan House Restaurant which has gained a reputation for quality Asian cuisine.

Pork prawn wonton noodles soup – A meal by itself or a wonderful starter with wontons are filled with a juicy pork and prawn fillings floating on a bed of thin egg noodles.

Cambodian style pork fried noodles – The unique flavours of Cambodian-style or Khmer cuisine that brings a tangy-sweet flavour to meats and stir-fried vegetables coming from the oyster sauce, soy sauce.

Malaysian Lamb curry – A heavenly combination of a New Zealand lamb and cooked slowly in Malaysian style of coconut gravy and other spices. Mildly spicy and flavorful.

As located in an island and seafood, is one of the icon of New Zealand food culture, the country takes much of its culinary influence from the ocean too. To try out one of the best seafood platters, I visited Red Rock Cafe, located at the top of Christchurch Gondola station in Heathcote Valley that whisks you with snow-capped mountains, Alpine scenery, sparkling cityscape over the Canterbury Plains.

Just skipped my breakfast to try this sinful platter that serves for 2 recommended by most New Zealand food bloggers.

Deliciously crunchy light-air-battered Tempura Prawns

Calamari – Crispy deep-fried Squid Rings

Crumbled Mussels – Plump, juicy Mussels with garlic-butter crumbs with that natural ocean flavour.

Prawn Twisters – Herb and garlic marinated prawn infused in a crisp wonton style or spring roll pastry. Amazing taste.

Loved the tantalising taste of the sparkling apple organic juice from the brand ‘most‘ that offers natural flavours without any preservatives.

DESTINATION 8: PICTON (SOUTH ISLAND)

My journey to South Island ended at the heart of the Marlborough Sounds – Picton, a picturesque port town located on the north coast of the South Island surrounded by coastal forest, skyline ridges and bays, a base for the ferry service that links the main islands of New Zealand.

Boarded the Interislander Ferry to take 3-hour cruise ride from Picton to the North Island – Wellington via Cook Strait to enjoy the dramatic beauty of the forest-clad hills, jaw-dropping view of Kaikoura Ranges.

Grabbed quick lunch at the café inside the ferry, though the food is very average.

Cherry Wrap – looks very tempting, grated coconut mixed with cherry flavour.

Finally, not to miss sparkling brewed Organic Kombucha from Amplify to quench the thirst of Aussies and Kiwi country – the organic Raspberry Lime health drink just tastes incredible,

Please click on the link below –

Details of my gastronomical journey in North Island

Happy Journey !!!