#starstoryDana: Birthday Present

A road trip always feels like an adventure, but this one was something special. My partner, Jedd’s birthday was the perfect reason for us to pack our bags, hit the road. We had both been to the South Island of New Zealand before and fell in love with its unique and mystical landscapes. To be able to experience it together and see it through a whole new lens was really special. It’s all about the shared experiences and a deeper connection to this place and each other.

We each have very different ways we enjoy and connect to nature, so it was interesting to watch them merge. It brought a whole new perspective and sense of connection to us as individuals, together in partnership and with nature.

The journey began in Queenstown, a town that never fails to impress with its energy and mountain views. The first half of our trip was a loop of the famous Milford and Doubtful sounds. It’s a drive that demands stops, like Eglinton Valley’s mirror lakes, and the endless dramatic peaks. The cruise through Milford Sound was moody and misty, exactly as it should be, and Doubtful Sound had this serene, untouched magic that felt like another world.

We returned to Queenstown before heading north towards Christchurch. Wanaka greeted us with its laid-back charm, and from there, it was a choose-your-own-adventure kind of day. The drive to Lake Pukaki was nothing short of surreal, its turquoise waters standing out like something from a dream. But it was Mt Cook and the Hooker Valley Track that took our breath away.

The storms at the start of our trip had us worried, but then everything cleared, and we found ourselves walking through this incredible landscape with a pink glow stretching across Mt Cook. Have you ever been somewhere or simply still in a moment that is so beautiful you cannot help but cry? Because that was me. It’s hard to describe moments like that. They’re the kind that stay with you, ones you replay over and over in your mind long after the trip is over.

There’s something about road travel that brings everything into focus. No tight schedules, no distractions, just the open road, endless landscapes, and the freedom to experience it all together.

Follow in Dana and Jedd's footsteps

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