WORDS & PICTURES: Emma Melling
Connect with Emma on Instagram @elmelling
After years of dreaming about travelling the world, Emma (a.k.a. @elmelling) finally quit her job last August and travelled for 7 months across 4 continents (and it was the best thing she ever did!!) You’ll often find her tucking into an Italian dish and drinking wine. She loves photography and editing – something she became even more passionate about whilst travelling!
The Places That Made Me is an interview series exploring the destinations around the world that people have most fallen in love with. Every week, we speak to a keen traveller or writer about the travel experiences that have made them the person they are today. This week, we speak to Emma (@elmelling), who fell in love with the stunning scenery of New Zealand.
Where is the ‘place that made you’?
The ‘place that made me’ is New Zealand.
What is your favourite memory from that place?
I have so many I couldn’t possibly pick, but to name a few: swimming with wild dolphins in Picton, doing a Heli Hike to Tasman Glacier, exploring Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo and seeing the lupin fields in full bloom.
Interviews at Viaggio Magazine
How did it change or impact you?
Waking up to unbelievable scenery every day just made me feel so lucky to be able travel the world. We arrived in New Zealand after 3 months of travelling Asia, so exploring the two islands in a campervan felt like our little home. I’d really missed cooking, and it let us have that home comfort whilst on the move.
“Waking up to unbelievable scenery every day just made me feel so lucky to be able to travel the world.”
If you had only 24 hours there, what would you see/do?
I wouldn’t recommend just going to New Zealand for 24 hours because there is just so much to see and do! However, to answer the question, I would fly into Queenstown. There are amazing places to eat and drink there, loads of hikes (I’d recommend Queenstown Hill if you’re short on time) and hundreds of activities to do.
What is a little-known fact or hidden secret about this place that tourists wouldn’t know?
New Zealanders are nicknamed ‘Kiwis’ after the bird but you’ve got a very slim chance of actually seeing a kiwi bird in the wild on your trip to New Zealand, as they’re nocturnal and very shy!
Browse Emma’s Instagram for all your travel inspiration
Emma’s Top Picks
Favourite restaurant: Ferg Burger
Due to living in our campervan we didn’t eat out much, but if you’re in Queenstown you will no doubt try the infamous Ferg Burger. They were really good BUT their ice creams/sorbets are unreal! I personally preferred them to the burgers!
Favourite bar: Fortune Favours
We didn’t go to many bars but we did do a wine tasting bike tour in Marlborough that was really fun! Wellington also had some great breweries, we really liked ‘Fortune Favours’.
Favourite spot: Lake Pukaki Campsite
There is a campsite that overlooks Lake Pukaki, the views are to die for. I could have stayed there forever.
