South Island
24th September
Took the ferry to South Island.
Stayed overnight at Picton Campervan Park.
25th September
Spent the morning wandering around Picton, a lovely town.
Visited the Edwin Fox Maritime Museum. Edwin Fox is the world's second oldest surviving merchant sailing ship and the only surviving ship that transported convicts to Australia and New Zealand. We bought our friend Jeff a pair of "genuine" brass coat hooks from Edwin Fox for him to install in his yacht! (I suspect they're as genuine as the silk tie I bought in Nanjing and the Rolex watch I bought in Shanghai!)
A classic car club were visiting and there was a lovely line-up of magnificent old vehicles.
Stayed overnight At McKee Memorial Reserve, near Richmond.
Spent the morning wandering around Picton, a lovely town.
Visited the Edwin Fox Maritime Museum. Edwin Fox is the world's second oldest surviving merchant sailing ship and the only surviving ship that transported convicts to Australia and New Zealand. We bought our friend Jeff a pair of "genuine" brass coat hooks from Edwin Fox for him to install in his yacht! (I suspect they're as genuine as the silk tie I bought in Nanjing and the Rolex watch I bought in Shanghai!)
A classic car club were visiting and there was a lovely line-up of magnificent old vehicles.
Stayed overnight At McKee Memorial Reserve, near Richmond.
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26th September
Visited the Founders Heritage Museum at Nelson. Stayed overnight at the Tapaware Settlement.
Visited the Founders Heritage Museum at Nelson. Stayed overnight at the Tapaware Settlement.
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27th September
Drove through Buller Gorge, stopping to cross the swing bridge, New Zealand's longest at 110 metres. Visited the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki, a heavily eroded limestone area where the sea bursts through several vertical blowholes during high tide. The 'pancake' layering of the limestone was created by immense pressure on alternating hard and soft layers of marine creatures and plant sediments.
Very heavy rain, Sue bought a new waterproof jacket! Stayed overnight at Punakaiki Beach Camp.
Drove through Buller Gorge, stopping to cross the swing bridge, New Zealand's longest at 110 metres. Visited the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki, a heavily eroded limestone area where the sea bursts through several vertical blowholes during high tide. The 'pancake' layering of the limestone was created by immense pressure on alternating hard and soft layers of marine creatures and plant sediments.
Very heavy rain, Sue bought a new waterproof jacket! Stayed overnight at Punakaiki Beach Camp.
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28th September
Drove over Kumara Bridge, two lanes of traffic plus railway all squeezed into one!
Our route then took us over the Otari Pass. More rain! Despite the weather we were joined at the car park at the top by a variety of birds hoping to share our picnic.
Continued into the Southern Alps driving through the Torlesse Range and Mount Hutt. A popular ski resort, Mount Hutt's access road is prone to closure in poor weather, giving it the nickname "Mount Shut"!
Stayed overnight at Kowhai Pass Reserve, Springfield.
Drove over Kumara Bridge, two lanes of traffic plus railway all squeezed into one!
Our route then took us over the Otari Pass. More rain! Despite the weather we were joined at the car park at the top by a variety of birds hoping to share our picnic.
Continued into the Southern Alps driving through the Torlesse Range and Mount Hutt. A popular ski resort, Mount Hutt's access road is prone to closure in poor weather, giving it the nickname "Mount Shut"!
Stayed overnight at Kowhai Pass Reserve, Springfield.
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29th September
Spent the day visiting Christchurch before heading to Banks Peninsula for our overnight stay at Duvauchelle Holiday Park.
On the banks of the Avon River, Christchurch is the largest city in the Southern Island and third most populous in New Zealand after Auckland and Wellington.
Spent the day visiting Christchurch before heading to Banks Peninsula for our overnight stay at Duvauchelle Holiday Park.
On the banks of the Avon River, Christchurch is the largest city in the Southern Island and third most populous in New Zealand after Auckland and Wellington.
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30th September
Visited Rapaki Bay and Lyttelton.
Located high on a ridge above the port, in a castle-like building, is the Lyttelton Timeball Station, erected in 1876 in order to signal Greenwich Mean Time to ships in the harbour.
Stayed overnight at Methven Camping Ground, sharing the site with some very typical New Zealand Campervans!
Visited Rapaki Bay and Lyttelton.
Located high on a ridge above the port, in a castle-like building, is the Lyttelton Timeball Station, erected in 1876 in order to signal Greenwich Mean Time to ships in the harbour.
Stayed overnight at Methven Camping Ground, sharing the site with some very typical New Zealand Campervans!
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1st October
Continued our drive through the southern alps across Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. Visited the Church of the Good Shephard and Collie monument. Views of Mount Cook across Lake Pukaki were amazing.
Stayed overnight at Glentanner Park.
Continued our drive through the southern alps across Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. Visited the Church of the Good Shephard and Collie monument. Views of Mount Cook across Lake Pukaki were amazing.
Stayed overnight at Glentanner Park.
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2nd & 3rd October
Got up early to see Mt Cook at dawn. Drove in our pyjamas to a suitable vantage point for photos, put kettle on and got dressed!
En route to White Horse Mill DOC Site we came across a traffic jam, New Zealand style. Spent next couple of days taking some magnificent walks around Mt Cook.
Kea Point Track - From visitors centre walk winds through subalpine grasslands and scrub to Mueller Glacier moraine wall. Viewing deck with stunning views of Mount Sefton, the Footstool, Hooker valley, Mueller Glacier Lake and Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Hooker Valley Track - From the campsite we walked to the Alpine Memorial - lovely views - then crossed two swing bridges (very scary) to Stocking Stream Shelter and Hooker Glacier.
Tasman Valley Road - A 8km dirt track took us to the car park and a walk to the blue lakes.
Got up early to see Mt Cook at dawn. Drove in our pyjamas to a suitable vantage point for photos, put kettle on and got dressed!
En route to White Horse Mill DOC Site we came across a traffic jam, New Zealand style. Spent next couple of days taking some magnificent walks around Mt Cook.
Kea Point Track - From visitors centre walk winds through subalpine grasslands and scrub to Mueller Glacier moraine wall. Viewing deck with stunning views of Mount Sefton, the Footstool, Hooker valley, Mueller Glacier Lake and Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Hooker Valley Track - From the campsite we walked to the Alpine Memorial - lovely views - then crossed two swing bridges (very scary) to Stocking Stream Shelter and Hooker Glacier.
Tasman Valley Road - A 8km dirt track took us to the car park and a walk to the blue lakes.
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Wandered round Mt Cook Village and the Hermitage, visiting the Alpine Memorial and Visitors Centre.
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4th & 5th October
Visited the man-made Lake Aviemore, built as part of the Waitaki hydroelectric scheme, before heading to Koekohe Beach to view the Moeraki Boulders. These unusually large, grey-coloured spherical boulders are septarian concretians which have been exhumed from the mudstone enclosing them.
From Moeraki Village, we walked 4km to the southern point of Moeraki Peninsula in order to view the Katiki Point Lighthouse, fur seals and yellow-eyed penguins. A local man showed us the best places to view the penguins and then drove us back to the campsite.
Stayed two night's at Moeraki Motor Camp.
Visited the man-made Lake Aviemore, built as part of the Waitaki hydroelectric scheme, before heading to Koekohe Beach to view the Moeraki Boulders. These unusually large, grey-coloured spherical boulders are septarian concretians which have been exhumed from the mudstone enclosing them.
From Moeraki Village, we walked 4km to the southern point of Moeraki Peninsula in order to view the Katiki Point Lighthouse, fur seals and yellow-eyed penguins. A local man showed us the best places to view the penguins and then drove us back to the campsite.
Stayed two night's at Moeraki Motor Camp.
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6th October
Drove to Dunedin to visit Baldwin Street which, according to the Guinness World Records is the world's steepest residential street.
Stayed overnight at Portobello Village Tourist Park.
Drove to Dunedin to visit Baldwin Street which, according to the Guinness World Records is the world's steepest residential street.
Stayed overnight at Portobello Village Tourist Park.
7th October
Drove to Otago Peninsula to view Fort Taiaro and the Royal Albatross Centre. Visited the lighthouse, red beak gulls, shag nesting sites and Nugget Point.
Overnight at Kaka Point Camping Ground.
Drove to Otago Peninsula to view Fort Taiaro and the Royal Albatross Centre. Visited the lighthouse, red beak gulls, shag nesting sites and Nugget Point.
Overnight at Kaka Point Camping Ground.
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8th October
Took a walk in Catlins Forest Park to visit the Purakaunui and Matai waterfalls. Then continued on to Curio Bay and the 180 million year old Fossil Forest.
Stayed overnight at Curio Bay Camping.
Took a walk in Catlins Forest Park to visit the Purakaunui and Matai waterfalls. Then continued on to Curio Bay and the 180 million year old Fossil Forest.
Stayed overnight at Curio Bay Camping.
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9th October
Drove to Stirling Point, the southern end of State Highway 1, with its iconic signpost. View from Stirling Point across Foveaux Strait towards Stewart Island was shrouded in mist. Because of the weather conditions, ferries to Stewart Island were cancelled.
Stayed overnight at Longwood Holiday Park, Riverton.
Drove to Stirling Point, the southern end of State Highway 1, with its iconic signpost. View from Stirling Point across Foveaux Strait towards Stewart Island was shrouded in mist. Because of the weather conditions, ferries to Stewart Island were cancelled.
Stayed overnight at Longwood Holiday Park, Riverton.
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10th & 11th October
Heading towards Milford Sound, we passed Mirror Lakes and Hollyford Valley. Scenery was spectacular.
Heading towards Milford Sound, we passed Mirror Lakes and Hollyford Valley. Scenery was spectacular.
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Based ourselves at Cascade Creek DOC site, Te Anau, for two nights so that we could take a day trip to Milford Sound. We had been advised to set off early so as to avoid the coaches charging through the Homer Tunnel. Took a cruise boat on Milford Sound. As well as the incredible scenery we enjoyed a glass of mineral water direct from a waterfall and saw seals and dolphins.
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12th October
Left Te Anau and headed towards Queenstown.
Overnight at Kingston Motel and Holiday Park.
13th October
Spent the day visiting Queenstown. Built around an inlet in Lake Wakatipu and overlooked by The Remarkables, Queenstown is in an idyllic location. Viewed some very fine statues, Fern Statue, Kiwi Statue and William Gilbert Ross Statue. Saw some very fine yachts, including the America Cup Yacht, and TSS Earnslaw. Took a walk round Queenstown Gardens and watched people playing Frisbee golf!
Stayed overnight at Twelve Mile Delta DOC campsite.
Left Te Anau and headed towards Queenstown.
Overnight at Kingston Motel and Holiday Park.
13th October
Spent the day visiting Queenstown. Built around an inlet in Lake Wakatipu and overlooked by The Remarkables, Queenstown is in an idyllic location. Viewed some very fine statues, Fern Statue, Kiwi Statue and William Gilbert Ross Statue. Saw some very fine yachts, including the America Cup Yacht, and TSS Earnslaw. Took a walk round Queenstown Gardens and watched people playing Frisbee golf!
Stayed overnight at Twelve Mile Delta DOC campsite.
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14th October
Drove to the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown. En route stopped at Shotover canyon to watch the jet boats. I would have liked to take a ride but Sue wasn't keen.
Overnight at Arrowtown Holiday Park.
Drove to the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown. En route stopped at Shotover canyon to watch the jet boats. I would have liked to take a ride but Sue wasn't keen.
Overnight at Arrowtown Holiday Park.
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15th October
First stop of the day, Kawarau Gorge and suspension bridge. Designed by Harry Paisley Higginson and completed in 1880 in order to provide access to the Central Otago goldfields, it is now used for bungy jumping. In fact, it was the world's first commercial bungy jumping site. The girl on reception asked me if I wanted a go, I declined on account of my age and bad back. Her response, "yesterday a man aged 86 jumped"! We preferred to watch.
Then onto Cromwell Old Town and the Puzzling World of Wanaka.
Our overnight stop was a large grassy area overlooking the lake at Albert Town Reserve DOC site.
First stop of the day, Kawarau Gorge and suspension bridge. Designed by Harry Paisley Higginson and completed in 1880 in order to provide access to the Central Otago goldfields, it is now used for bungy jumping. In fact, it was the world's first commercial bungy jumping site. The girl on reception asked me if I wanted a go, I declined on account of my age and bad back. Her response, "yesterday a man aged 86 jumped"! We preferred to watch.
Then onto Cromwell Old Town and the Puzzling World of Wanaka.
Our overnight stop was a large grassy area overlooking the lake at Albert Town Reserve DOC site.
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16th & 17th October
From Wanaka we crossed the Southern Alps to the West Coast. The Haast Pass takes its name from Julias von Haast, a 19th century explorer and is one of three passes crossing the Southern Alps. Walked across the swing bridge over the Makarora River to the Blue pools and visited Lake Paringa. Strolled along the sandy beaches of the West Coast.
Parked two nights beside Lake Paringa.
From Wanaka we crossed the Southern Alps to the West Coast. The Haast Pass takes its name from Julias von Haast, a 19th century explorer and is one of three passes crossing the Southern Alps. Walked across the swing bridge over the Makarora River to the Blue pools and visited Lake Paringa. Strolled along the sandy beaches of the West Coast.
Parked two nights beside Lake Paringa.
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18th & 19th October
Drove to Fox Glacier Holiday Park and spent two nights there.
First day absolutely poured with rain and we stayed put. Campsite owner was singing a little song.
"Oh what a beautiful morning.
Oh what a beautiful day.
I've got a strange sort of feeling,
I think today it might .... rain"
I remarked to him, that of all the places we had visited, this seemed to be the wettest. His response - "Well, we are in the middle of a rain forest!"
Next day, we walked to the snout of Fox Glacier. Also visited Franz Josef Glacier.
Drove to Fox Glacier Holiday Park and spent two nights there.
First day absolutely poured with rain and we stayed put. Campsite owner was singing a little song.
"Oh what a beautiful morning.
Oh what a beautiful day.
I've got a strange sort of feeling,
I think today it might .... rain"
I remarked to him, that of all the places we had visited, this seemed to be the wettest. His response - "Well, we are in the middle of a rain forest!"
Next day, we walked to the snout of Fox Glacier. Also visited Franz Josef Glacier.
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20th October
Continued our journey up the West Coast towards Ross. Stayed overnight at Otto DOC site.
21st October
Established in the 1860s, Ross became an important goldmining centre. In 1909 a large 3.1 kilogram nugget, named the "Honourable Roddy Nugget", was discovered. Spent the day wandering round the old town.
Overnight at Beachwalk Holiday Park.
Continued our journey up the West Coast towards Ross. Stayed overnight at Otto DOC site.
21st October
Established in the 1860s, Ross became an important goldmining centre. In 1909 a large 3.1 kilogram nugget, named the "Honourable Roddy Nugget", was discovered. Spent the day wandering round the old town.
Overnight at Beachwalk Holiday Park.
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22nd October
South of Hokitika we came across the Taramakau combined road/rail bridge.
South of Hokitika we came across the Taramakau combined road/rail bridge.
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Spent the day visiting Greymouth Shantytown.
Stayed overnight at Slab Hut Creek, Reefton.
Stayed overnight at Slab Hut Creek, Reefton.
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23rd & 24th October
In 1888 Reefton became the first town in New Zealand to receive electricity. Rich veins of gold found in a quartz reef near the town led to its name. Spent a few hours wandering the town, heading on to Hurunui next day..
Stayed two nights at Alpine Holiday Park, Hammer Springs.
In 1888 Reefton became the first town in New Zealand to receive electricity. Rich veins of gold found in a quartz reef near the town led to its name. Spent a few hours wandering the town, heading on to Hurunui next day..
Stayed two nights at Alpine Holiday Park, Hammer Springs.
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25th & 26th October
Visited Cathedral Rocks at Gore Bay, Kaikora and South Bay, Powhenua. At Point Kean on Kaikoura Peninsula we watched basking fur seals and relaxed by the tidal platform at Whalers Bay.
Parked two nights by Omihu Beach, near Kaikoura.
Visited Cathedral Rocks at Gore Bay, Kaikora and South Bay, Powhenua. At Point Kean on Kaikoura Peninsula we watched basking fur seals and relaxed by the tidal platform at Whalers Bay.
Parked two nights by Omihu Beach, near Kaikoura.
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Spent the next five days heading back to Auckland.
27th & 28th October Picton Campervan Park.
29th October Waikawa Forest Park DOC site.
30th October Cambridge Motor Park.
31st October South Auckland Caravan Park.
1st November Flight back to UK
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27th & 28th October Picton Campervan Park.
29th October Waikawa Forest Park DOC site.
30th October Cambridge Motor Park.
31st October South Auckland Caravan Park.
1st November Flight back to UK
[click] to return to Home page