AT#962 - Travel to the Northern South Island of New Zealand

Travel with Amateur Traveler Podcast

Chris Christensen

History, Places & Travel, Society & Culture

4.4 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 20 September 2025

⏱️ 63 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Hear about travel to the top half of New Zealand's South Island as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jonty Crane from Jonty Travels about his adopted country. Why should you visit the top half of New Zealand's South Island? Jonty says that this area has "spectacular scenery, natural hot springs, beautiful beaches, world-class vineyards, and whale watching". Jonty suggests a two-week road trip (with additional optional side trips, particularly for multi-day hikes) starting in Christchurch and looping north through North Canterbury, Nelson/Tasman, Marlborough, and Kaikōura before returning to Christchurch. The trip combines cities, hot springs, alpine passes, national parks, short walks and multi-day hikes, vineyards, wildlife, and heritage. Suggested Itinerary Days 1–2: Christchurch Explore the city centre, largely rebuilt post the devastating 2010/11 earthquakes: Hagley Park, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Avon River punting, and the Christchurch Earthquake Memorial. Visit cultural sites: Canterbury Museum, Christ Church Cathedral ruins, Christchurch Transitional Cathedral, aka the cardboard cathedral, Christchurch Art Centre, Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities, Rutherford’s Den, and Christchurch Art Gallery. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/northern-south-island-of-new-zealand/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode of the Amateur Traveler podcast is sponsored by Smart Travel, a new podcast from the smart people at NerdWallet.
0:08.7	From choosing the right travel card to dodging hidden fees, smart travel helps your money go further.
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0:16.7	They cover all things travel finance, including the smartest ways to book flights without
0:22.0	playing the guest the cheapest day game, how to avoid paying for upgrades you won't use,
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0:34.3	points for real savings, not just free bottled water.
0:38.4	So they cover all the stuff we don't.
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0:42.9	I don't know these subjects as well as the smart people at NerdWallet do.
0:47.5	So if you're looking for information about financing your travels, check out SmartTravel.
0:52.6	Travel smarter and spend less with the help from NerdWallet. Follow
0:56.9	Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts. And thanks to Smart Travel and NerdWallet for sponsoring
1:02.6	this episode of Amateur Traveler. You know, when I started this podcast, it felt like I had to
1:08.0	become 10 people overnight. Producer, editor, marketer, designer.
1:12.4	It was a lot.
1:13.7	And I kept thinking, I wish I had someone in my corner to help me figure this out.
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