Bailey: Hiking Adventures

A road trip through New Zealand's South Island is the ultimate way to explore its stunning landscapes, especially when hiking is your main goal. With our own wheels, we were able to fully immerse ourselves in nature, taking the time to appreciate every trail along the way. Our route was planned around the hikes we wanted to do, which led us to the most beautiful places.

I traveled with my husband and father-in-law in a 2 berth Polaris 2 motorhome. The great thing about the Polaris 2 is that it has three seats, so all three of us could easily travel together and there was plenty of storage for all of us! My father-in-law camped in a tent since the motorhome has one double bed.

Hiking is one of the things my husband and I have always done with my father-in-law. Our passion for hiking has taken the three of us to Patagonia and Nepal over the years. Now we can add New Zealand to the list! We focused mainly on the central mountainous regions of the South Island, including Mount Cook, Queenstown, Fiordland, and Mount Aspiring. The memories we've made in these special places will last a lifetime.

I loved the Milford Sound, and our night spent on the overnight cruise! Milford Sound is absolutely stunning. Sleeping on a boat in the sound is the best way to spend the most time there. We swam in the freezing water, went kayaking, enjoyed the sunset with a glass of wine, and even saw dolphins in the morning before departure.

The trip was so refreshing! Camping each night and being so close to the mountains is like a reset for the mind and body. We hiked nearly every single day over the three-week trip and then relaxed at our campsites in the evenings, usually with a book and glass of wine. That's my idea of therapy!

Follow in Bailey's footsteps

To follow in Bailey's footsteps and plan your own unforgettable adventure, check out her road trip itinerary filled with must-see stops and top travel tips.