Shadowing Practice: The New Zealand Road Trip Everyone Should Do Once 🇳🇿 - Learn English Speaking with Video
Choose a practice mode
Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.
178 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Hi everyone and welcome back to another adventure in New Zealand South Island.
2
Now here's a question for you.
3
Could you drive over 300km, spend 10 hours on the road, travel halfway across New Zealand just to chase the perfect sunset?
4
Because that is exactly what we are about to do.
5
Now, if you joined us in the previous episode, you saw us ride the legendary Transalpine across the South Island and arrive on New Zealand's wild west coast.
6
Today, we are pushing even further.
7
We are setting off on one of the most scenic road trips in the world, all the way to Queenstown.
8
This single drive promises to pack in every jaw-dropping landscape one could ever imagine.
9
We will also venture to seek out one of New Zealand's most photographed trees
10
and hopefully cross paths with the country's cheekiest resident.
11
By the end of today, it would feel like we've travelled through several different countries in a single day.
12
But before we hit the road, let's go and land on an icy glacier.
13
If you're coming all the way to Franz Josef, this is the experience that puts this tiny west coast town on the map.
14
So Franz Josef itself is quite tiny.
15
At any given time, fewer than 100 people live here permanently.
16
But despite being small, this township punches far above its weight.
17
Every year thousands of visitors come here for one reason.
18
The Glacier.
19
Franz Josef is one of the few places on earth where a glacier descends from the southern alps almost to rainforest level.
20
This glacier is one of the steepest and fastest moving glaciers in the world.
21
The Maori name for the glacier means the Tears of Hine Hukatere.
22
Pardon my pronunciation but legend says it froze from the tears of a grieving woman who lost her lover in these mountains.
23
Unfortunately climate change means the glacier has retreated quite dramatically over the last century
24
and access from the valley floor is no longer possible.
25
Just a few decades ago you could step straight onto the ice right from the car park.
26
This exact spot would have been completely entombed in ice.
27
Which means if you actually want to walk on the ice today, flying in by helicopter is pretty much your only option.
28
Now the West Coast weather was completely going to ground our flight.
29
But we got lucky just in the nick of time to
30
be able to do this as the last flight for that day.
31
The entire heli hike experience usually lasts about 3 hours, which includes the gear up time, safety briefing and the time spent walking on the ice.
32
We flew over the west coast and rainforest towards the glacier before landing on the icefall at around 1300 meters. Is it expensive?
33
Absolutely.
34
But is it worth it?
35
We'd say yes.
36
There is something genuinely surreal about standing on ice that has been forming for hundreds, sometimes thousands of years.
37
It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
38
However, if a chopper ride is not for you, or the west coast weather completely grounds your flight, you can still view this icy giant from the ground for free.
39
There are easy to moderate valley walks which you can do
40
that will take you to the viewpoints where you can get sweeping views of the glacial valley.
41
There are also full day forest hikes that reward you with incredible elevated panoramic views of the ice from above.
42
Oh It is 5.30am.
43
We were trying to have a calm, peaceful, although chilly start of the day. But this local resident?
44
Absolutely zero chill.
45
While we are running on caffeine, this screechy neighbour was clearly high on adrenaline, having decided to perform a 5am stadium concert.
46
This won't be our last encounter with this screechy little devil.
47
More on that later.
48
But first, let's head out of here.
49
Today we are leaving France Joseph and making our way all the way to Queenstown.
50
Now normally we love self-driving and New Zealand is one of the world's greatest road trip destinations.
51
But this particular stretch between France Joseph and Queenstown is long.
52
Depending on how many scenic stops you make, you're looking at anywhere between 6 and 8 hours on the road.
53
stretch is also famous for waterfalls, beaches, easy hikes, lakes and viewpoints literally every few kilometers.
54
So we booked a full day sightseeing transfer as it gave us the chance to actually sit back
55
and enjoy the drive this time.
56
A handy tip that you can definitely use, remember to pack those layers.
57
We've got raincoats on standby because on the west coast the weather changes can be quite unexpected and dramatic.
58
Our first stop of the day was Lake Matheson.
59
And this lake is famous for one very specific reason.
60
On a clear still morning, Lake Matheson produces near-perfect reflections of Mt. Coke and Mt. Tasman.
61
So perfect, in fact, that it's often called New Zealand's Mirror Lake.
62
However, this was a view. But I didn't mind.
63
The whole place felt wonderfully atmospheric.
64
It was mysterious, quiet, maybe slightly melancholic.
65
Walking around Lake Matheson that morning felt a little like stepping into a Virginia Wolfe novel.
66
Everything was soft and muted.
67
The landscape revealing itself only in fragments.
68
And then just as we were heading back to the van, something magical happened.
69
The clouds began to lift.
70
Suddenly the mountains appeared.
71
The entire landscape was transformed.
72
There was nobody else around.
73
It was just us and the ancient rainforest and these impossibly pristine alpine views.
74
It really felt less like real life and more like we'd somehow wandered into the pages of a fantasy novel.
75
I'd never seen anything like this before.
76
Now remember those screechy companions from earlier in the morning?
77
That noise belonged to them.
78
Meet New Zealand's famous bird, the kia.
79
The world's only alpine parrot and native to this part of New Zealand.
80
They have quite the reputation as being noisy troublemakers.
81
Now, kias are incredibly intelligent.
82
So intelligent in fact that they routinely dismantle windscreen wipers,
83
steal unattended belongings and are curious enough to investigate absolutely anything and everything.
84
Hmm, we might just have some furry versions of these birds back home.
85
What do you think?
86
Leaving Lake Matheson behind, we continued south along State Highway 6.
87
Now this stretch of road is exactly why
88
so many people consider the west coast one of the most beautiful drives in New Zealand.
89
You get the best of all views as you pass through dense rainforests and then the Tasman Sea.
90
Welcome to Bruce Bay.
91
The beaches here are rugged, windswept and quite dramatic.
92
There is something very prehistoric about this coastline.
93
There's the rainforest behind you and towering mountains inland.
94
And endless ocean stretching towards Antarctica.
95
Not a bad roadside stop if you ask us.
96
This stretch of west coast is actually the backdrop for ancient legends, a gold rush and an angry mob riot.
97
According to Maori tradition, Bruce Bay is the precise location where the demigod explorer Maori first landed his Wakao canoe in New Zealand.
98
Legend says he had to battle and kill two massive sea monsters guarding the bay before he could step ashore.
99
Bruce Bay was the location of a frenzied gold rush back in the 1860s.
100
The bay got its English name from P.S.
101
Bruce, a nimble paddle steamer that dropped off eager prospectors in search of valuable mineral sources along the coast.
102
In 1866, a prospector named Albert Hunt claimed he had found a massive gold reserve nearby.
103
What happens next is a frenzied crowd of over 1500 gold miners swarmed the beach, setting up a lawless tent city called Welltown.
104
Well, it was a total bust, known historically as a Duffer Rush.
105
The furious empty-handed miners rioted, looted the local stores and Hunt had to flee into the rainforest twice to save his life.
106
Today Welltown is entirely gone, reclaimed by the rainforest.
107
But beneath the sand lies the memory of the monsters, the cold fever and a wild frontier.
108
Just north Ship Creek is like walking on a giant sand castle.
109
forest around this prime Kia territory.
110
Next up was Thunder Creek Falls and the Blue Pools.
111
And if you're driving this route, this is one stop you absolutely shouldn't skip.
112
The walk itself is easy, about 20-30 minutes each way through the beautiful native forest.
113
But the real reward comes at the end.
114
These pools are unbelievably clear and turquoise.
115
It was just pure glacial meltwater flowing down from the mountains.
116
Not to mention very icy cold.
117
The water here was incredibly clear.
118
As we continued inland and after hours of driving through rainforest and mountain passes, we arrived in one of New Zealand's most beloved towns, Wanaka.
119
If you're planning a South Island trip, Wanaka absolutely deserves at least a couple of nights.
120
People often compare it to Queenstown.
121
But those two couldn't feel more different.
122
Now Queenstown is energetic and adventure packed.
123
Wanaka on the other hand feels slower, calmer and more relaxed.
124
The kind of place where you come for a weekend
125
and won't mind staying a month or two or just move to if you could.
126
We completely understand the appeal.
127
Now of course there was one stop we couldn't leave Wanaka without seeing.
128
The famous Vanaka tree.
129
Or as it is officially known, that Vanaka tree.
130
Yes, that is genuinely its name.
131
This tree is so popular it even has its own social media filter.
132
Somehow this lonely little willow tree growing out of Lake Vanaka became one of the most famous photograph trees in the world.
133
I don't completely understand why.
134
And that is a lot of pressure for a simple solitary tree to take.
135
to look perfect at all times just standing there.
136
Well, we admired it from afar because it was getting enough attention from everyone.
137
Now Wanaka can also be a good pit stop for a meal break on your drive.
138
The lakeside is dotted by many cafes and eating joints
139
and it makes for a nice stopover for a spot of coffee and a bite with these views.
140
This highway can be quite twisty but absolutely breathtaking as it snakes through the mountains.
141
For centuries, the Maori used these mountain passes to travel between the west coast and the eastern regions of the South Island,
142
searching for the New Zealand Jade or the Po-Namu as it's called.
143
Today, thankfully, the journey is slightly easier, but it's no less spectacular.
144
Every few kilometres seems to reveal something new.
145
Leaving the famous Wanaka tree behind
146
and climbing the dramatic winding Crown Range road towards Queenstown brought us to yet another quick stop, New Zealand's most bizarre yet heartwarming landmark,
147
the famous Cardrona Bra Fence, officially rebranded as Bra Drona.
148
It all started during the final week of 1999.
149
Drivers navigating this valley suddenly woke up to find four women's bras pinned anonymously to a wire fence.
150
There was a local rumour during the rounds
151
that a group of women had a few too many drinks at the nearby historic hotel
152
and decided to leave a permanent New Year's resolution behind.
153
Within weeks, four bras turned into 60 and then hundreds.
154
But not everyone was amused.
155
Conservative locals and traffic cops called it a trashy eyesore and a major driving hazard.
156
Night-time vigilantes would secretly come by with shears, cutting down and burning the bras.
157
But every single time the fence was cleared, tourists would return and hang twice as many back up.
158
By 2006, the local government officially banned the fence and stripped it clean.
159
But a local farmer offered up his private land to save it.
160
And in 2015, the prank got a purpose.
161
It officially partnered with the Breast Cancer Foundation, rebranding as Bra Drona.
162
Today it's a global monument.
163
Many of these bras carry handwritten tributes and it has raised over $100,000 for cancer research.
164
So if you ever find yourself driving down the Crown Range Road, make sure to bring some spare change for the pink donation box.
165
And if you're feeling bold, leave a souvenir behind.
166
Now hit that subscribe button and let's head to Queenstown.
167
For many travellers, this is the ultimate South Island destination, the adventure capital of New Zealand.
168
After nearly 10 hours on the road, countless scenic stops and more incredible landscapes that we could possibly count, we had finally made it.
169
Welcome to Queenstown!
170
And just like that, another memorable South Island day came to an end.
171
Thanks for tagging along on today's epic trip.
172
But our adventure in Queenstown is only just the beginning.
173
In the next episode, we will be exploring this incredible town to find out why
174
so many people fall in love with it, before we set off on something truly iconic and breathtaking, the Milford town.
175
Believe me, you won't want to miss what's coming next.
176
So if you've enjoyed today's adventure, make sure you're subscribed.
177
And we'll see you in Milford town.
178
Thank you.
Download App
Everything you need to speak fluently
AI PronunciationScore every sentence
IPA PracticeMaster every sound
VocabularyBuild your word bank
Vocab GameLearn while playing
FOR YOU
Recommend Video
B24
114 sentences
How to Spend 14 Days in New Zealand 🇳🇿 - Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary 🚙
Travel EnglishWorking Adults
B21
169 sentences
Can I survive the LONGEST Regional Train in the UK?
Travel EnglishWorking Adults
B21
552 sentences
First Time In ANTARCTICA 🇦🇶 | Ocean Endeavour | Ep 1
Travel EnglishWorking Adults
B22
33 sentences
The Most Beautiful Place I've Ever Seen: Ha Long Bay
American AccentTravel EnglishDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B24
131 sentences
Croatian Long Distance Trail | Documentary 2019 English (Italian and German subtitles)
Travel EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B21
650 sentences
I Drove 10,000 Miles Around America Alone | Part 1
Travel EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B1178
29 sentences
Back from Japan: Telling a Friend About My Trip
American AccentBritish AccentTravel EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B24
7 sentences
Đi du lịch một mình - Life of Riza #solotrip #ielts
IELTS PrepTravel EnglishDaily Conversation
B23
80 sentences
Milford Sound in Winter: Everything you need to know
Travel EnglishWorking Adults
B22
222 sentences
Jeremy, Richard and James Race Through New York | Top Gear Classic
British AccentTravel EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B11
259 sentences
ROADTRIP durch die USA Südstaaten Teil 1 - San Antonio, TEXAS
Travel EnglishWorking Adults
B21
181 sentences
I am cycling across Africa 🌍
Travel EnglishDaily ConversationWorking Adults
Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 178 sentences and 2166 words to shadow. The speech runs for 18:33. The speaker talks at a steady 117 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. Only 79% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 less common words from the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
- glacier /ˈɡleɪ.ʃɚ/ (noun) — A large body of ice which flows under its own mass, usually downhill.
- adventure /ədˈvɛn.t͡ʃə/ (noun) — A feeling of desire for new and exciting things.
- stretch /stɹɛt͡ʃ/ (verb) — To lengthen by pulling.
- landscape /ˈlan(d)skeɪp/ (noun) — A portion of land or territory as defined by its landform, its geographical (and architectural) features.
- fence /fɛns/ (noun) — A thin artificial barrier that separates two pieces of land or forms a perimeter enclosing the lands of a house, building, etc.
- bra /bɹɑː/ (noun) — An item of clothing, usually underwear worn to support the breasts.
- rush /ɹʌʃ/ (verb) — To hurry; to perform a task with great haste, often not properly or without thinking carefully.
- legend /ˈlɛd͡ʒ.ənd/ (noun) — The life story of a saint (such stories are often embellished, but any kind is called a legend).
- dramatic /dɹəˈmætɪk/ (adjective) — Of or relating to the drama.
- hike /haɪk/ (noun) — A long walk, usually for pleasure or exercise.
- scenic /ˈsiːnɪk/ (adjective) — having beautiful scenery; picturesque
- sand /sænd/ (noun) — Rock that is ground more finely than gravel, but is not as fine as silt (more formally, see grain sizes chart), forming beaches and deserts and also used in…
- reveal /ɹɪˈviːl/ (verb) — To uncover; to show and display that which was hidden.
- incredibly /ɪŋˈkɹɛdɪbli/ (adverb) — In an incredible manner; not to be believed.
- resident /ˈɹɛzɪdənt/ (noun) — A person, animal or plant living at a certain location or in a certain area.
Phrasal verbs you will hear
- walk on (verb) — To come onstage.
- back up (verb) — To move backwards, especially for a vehicle to do so.
- come at (verb) — To get to, especially with effort or difficulty.
- come for (verb) — To search for someone with the intent to apprehend or cause harm.
- cut down (verb) — To cut downward.
- drive down (verb) — To cause or force a price, quantity, rate, etc. to decrease.
- drive in (verb) — Of a hitter, to hit the ball or reach base in such a way that a run scores.
- drop off (verb) — To fall asleep.
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 21 contractions and reduced forms, such as you're, won't, couldn't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: breathtaking /ˈbɹɛθˌteɪ.kɪŋ/, beneath /bɪˈniːθ/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: glacier /ˈɡleɪ.ʃɚ/, rush /ɹʌʃ/, destination /dɛstɪˈneɪʃən/, reputation /ˌɹɛpjʊˈteɪʃən/, reflection /ɹɪˈflɛkʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: incredibly /ɪŋˈkɹɛdɪbli/, intelligent /ɪnˈtɛlɪd͡ʒənt/, destination /dɛstɪˈneɪʃən/, genuinely /ˈd͡ʒɛn.ju.ɪn.li/, reputation /ˌɹɛpjʊˈteɪʃən/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like glacier, adventure, stretch.
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | was transformed · are rugged · is dotted |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | we've travelled · has retreated · has raised |
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.