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New Zealand in one word: idyllic. It's pure poetry. How could it not be with sights like Mount Cook, Rotorua, and Franz Josef Glacier? That's only a taste of what this island-country has to offer, too. There are leagues of rolling hills and towering mountains that hold even more treasures. It's a well-loved land. And if you're fortunate enough to take a locum tenens adventure in New Zealand, here are some week-long trips we highly recommend.
Pacific Coast Highway – 7 days – Auckland to Napier
California isn't the only place that houses a Pacific Coast Highway. New Zealand has one, too – and it's just as magnificent. This seven-day journey is replete with oceanside scenery you've probably never experienced before (look for the brilliantly red Pohutukawa trees).
Some highlights of the trip: See the old gold-mining and timber town of Coromandel then venture not too much farther to Hot Water Beach where you can dig your own geothermal spa.
Southern Scenic Route and Stewart Island – 7 days – Queenstown to Dunedin
The South Island possesses an entirely different kind of beauty. It's more rugged, more untouched and untamed. Fiords and fishing towns make up the bulk of this expedition. You'll also see an adventure-filled city (Queenstown AKA the birthplace of bungee jumping), an island where the rare kiwi bird dwells (Stewart Island), and a mountain range called the Remarkables which are just that, remarkable. Oh, and take your time in Bluff if you're a seafood fan. The town is known to have some of the best oysters in the world.
Christchurch to Wellington via Marlborough – 7 days – Christchurch to Wellington
Train or car? It's your choice for a portion of this South to North Island excursion. By car, you have more freedom to explore where you want, when you want. By Coastal Pacific Train, you're able to experience scenery you can't by road, plus there are panoramic sky-view windows and an accommodating café while you glide from Kaikoura on to the Queen Charlotte Sounds.
No matter which mode of travel you choose, you'll eventually end up on a ferry across Cook Strait. From here, relax and enjoy the awe-inducing views of the Marlborough Sounds while you make your way to the Capital of Cool (Wellington).