Wanaka and Queenstown are within an hour of each other, and between them they offer enough adventures, enough action and enough unforgettable experiences to whiten the knuckles of even the most jaded thrill-seekers. Together, they present every facet of the great New Zealand backcountry lifestyle. So you can expect to go white water rafting in canyons, or jet boating on Matukituki River, or skimming across a crystal lake in a sailing boat, or tandem hang gliding, or bungee jumping, or horse riding, or…well, you can see the picture.

If you prefer a slightly quieter life on your luxury, tailor-made holiday to New Zealand, the region also features excellent wine tours, lunchtime cruises on a majestic steamboat and excursions to the scenic River Dart – entrance to the beautiful Mount Aspiring National Park – and Lord of the Rings tours. Then there’s the charming and vivacious town of Te Anau. It’s the gateway to Fiorland National Park, which features the mighty Doubtful Sound (despite the name, a definite must-visit). But perhaps the most impressive experience of all would be a helicopter safari to Milford, soaring over the great divide of the Southern Alps to make a landing on a glistening blue-white glacier.