South Island - New Zealand - Friday 8th April, 2016

Our last day was spent packing up the camper van and strolling around Christchurch doing some shopping. We visited the Quake Centre which told stories and had a very informative display about the earthquakes which rocked the city in 2010 and 2011. The town itself is still decimated by the earthquake and they are slowly trying to rebuild it. Then we had to return the Jucy Camper to its home and head off to the airport for our return flight.

So on reflection the holiday was fantastic, New Zealands South Island has so many great sights and things to do. Akaroa and the torquoise waters of its beaches, Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, Mt Cook, the Victorian atmosphere of Dunedin, the Taieri Gorge Raliway, Lanarchs Castle, the natural blissful beauty of Te Anau and Milford Sound, Queenstown the adventure playground, the Shotover Jet Boat Ride, Arrowtown, mountain biking at Lake Wanaka, the Glaciers, the Thermal Springs, the Mountains, the Torqouise Rivers and Lakes and its awe inspiring beauty. We will be back but without the kids.

South Island - Thursday 7th April, 2016

This morning we took our time and strolled around the township of Hanmer Springs. The bakery was sensational and very well priced. Then we went swimming at Hanmer Springs for the afternoon which is a great facility of thermal pools including water slides and lap pool. The kids had some fun running around while we enjoyed some quite time in the adults pools.

From there we drove down to Christchurch and checked in to the caravan park for our last night here in New Zealand. The van park is pretty big with heaps of facilities and things to do for the kids.

South Island - New Zealand - Wednesday 6th April, 2016

Last night we were attacked by sand flies in a scene reminiscent of the great Ubirr mosquito swarm of 2014. We cooked and stayed inside afraid to enter the great outdoors. This morning we have awoken to a beautiful morning on the edge of the lake.

After we got going we drove out to Hokitika Gorge which is a beautiful gorge encompassing clear torquoise waters. We did a short walk across a suspension bridge and down onto the edge of the river. We took some photos and again got swamped by sand flies.

We continued on to Greymouth and stopped at the old coal mining village of Brunner which was well worth a look. The stories on the information boards told of great hardship during an explosion in the mine and the history of the site.

Lunch was in the old gold mining town of Reefton before we continued on through to Hanmer Springs for the night where we checked in to the caravan park.

South Island - New Zealand - Tuesday 5th April, 2016

We awoke to a beautiful clear sunny day and utilised the van parks camp kitchen to have a pancake breakfast. A hint for young players, don't leave your frypan in the camp kitchen when you leave, it will cost you.

After breakfast we drove down to Lake Matheson and walked around the lake to the jetty which offers great views back across the lake to Mt Cook. The reflections off the lake on this still morning were very picturesque. It was a short walk through rainforest around to the jetty along a well constructed gravel path. Then we had a coffee at the cafe whilst enjoying the magnificent views back across to the mountains.

Fox Glacier was our next stop. We parked in the lower car park and crossed a suspension bridge over the river before walking along a dirt path and across a creek or two to views through a window on the tree canopy back to the glacier. 

Back in the car and off to the main car park where we walked up to the glacier look out which is 450 metres from the the glacier terminal. It was a very barren walk through river bed and up rock paths.

We moved away from the Fox and up to Frans Josef where we stopped in town for lunch watching the helicopters set off up the mountain. The walk after lunch at Frans was a lot more interesting than that of the Fox. You start off walking through rainforest before coming down onto the river bed and then continues on along the edge of the river until you reach the terminal face. Along the way you pass numerous waterfalls coming off the edge of the rock escarpments.

On the way back down we noticed a large iceberg that had obviously bee sitting in situ for some time. There were some people heading over for a look but we chose to stay behind the ropes.

Then we drove along the coast before heading to Lake Kaniere to camp in a DOC campsite for the night. The campsites were large open spaces and have well maintained flush toilets, fresh water and bins right next to the boat club for $18 for the night.

South Island - New Zealand - Monday 4th April, 2016

Last night was our coldest night so far in New Zealand, there was some frost on the hills when we woke up, indicating zero degrees. We had breakfast in the chilly conditions and then headed back into Wanaka where we hired some mountain bikes for the morning.

Then we rode around the eastern edge of Lake Wanaka and along the Clutha River. The views were great as the Autumn leave changes have started to kick in, the mountains as a back drop and the water is a crystal clear torquoise colour. The riding was nice and easy with some fun little ups and downs on the dirt tracks. We covered 26 kilometres in the 4 hours that we had the bikes.

From there we drove to Fox Glacier, passing between the beautiful Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka and then through Hast Pass, getting out to visit some waterfalls before hitting the west coast. Tonight we have stopped at a van park in the town of Fox Glacier.

South Island - New Zealand - Sunday 3rd April, 2016

Last night we had to set the clocks back an hour as daylight savings came to an end. This morning we awoke to clear skies but not long after leaving the caravan park it started raining. We stopped to have a look at Lake Hayes which looked very nice but due to the rain we couldn't get out. There were a number of people camping here even though it doesn't appear in the Freedom Camps and it looked like a good spot.  

By the time we arrived in Arrowtown it was pouring. We got out to try and check out the Chinese Village but it was raining to heavily to walk around, our feet and pants were become more saturated with every step. So we went to the bakery and had a coffee before tramping around this beautiful old town. It's old buildings and slate lined footpaths were fantastic to look at. When we left town it had stopped raining and all that remained were the puddles.

From there we drove out to the Kawarau Bridge, the home of A J Hackett Bungy. We stopped in and watched a dozen or so people taking the 43 metre leap of faith off the bridge towards the river below. It looked like great fun but at $195 per person not something a few of us could have afforded on this trip so no one did it. Next time when we are back here without kids, maybe.

We continued on to Roaring Meg which was some Rapids on the river and stopped to take some pictures and have a bite to eat for lunch in the parking area.

Then we made our way to Wanaka, checked out the i-site for information about walks and bike rides and did some shopping. Back in the car and west to the Diamond Lake car park near the base of Mt Aspiring. We walked up the mountains to the Diamond Lake viewing area and then onwards to the Lake Wanaka viewing area. The views were once again sensational.

Tonight we have set up camp in the car park, which is the only free camp in the area, providing you are self sufficient; eg: have a toilet. There are probably another 12 or so carmper vans/mobile homes outside.

South Island - New Zealand - Saturday 2nd April

So this morning we awoke to clear skies, packed up and drove in to Queenstown. We walked around the town for a few hours soaking up the vibe and atmosphere of this busy little place. Everywhere you look the views are dead set amazing and I reckon they would only be better in winter with the mountains covered in snow. There was a weekend market on and buskers along the foreshore, people everywhere and activities going on everywhere. What they say about this pace being the adventure capital of the world has to be true. There were paragliders constantly falling for the sky, a gondola heading up the mountain, jet boats leaving port, para sailing in the bay, mountain bikers everywhere and adventure shops line the streets trying to sell bungy jumps, giant swings and white water rafting adventures.

We chose to have a crack on the Shotover Jet boat along the Shotover River. Those of us that have been around a while will remember the NZ adverts of it screaming along the river with that catchy instrumental playing in the background.

Clare was a bit nervous about it but once the ride got underway she loved every second of it. The boats get so bloody close to the rock faces doing anywhere between 70 and 115 kmh that you swear they are going to hit them. You can't take photos on board but you are allowed to wear your GoPro on your head, which of course is what I did. We watched it back last night and the footage is sensational.

After that we booked in to the caravan park in town and set about washing all our dirty laundry and trying to get it dry.

Then we treated ourselves to a night out in Queenstown. We were going to try a famous Fergburger but the line was as they say, out the door and 20 metres up the street, so we settled on Thai. This place is really alive and would be a great spot to spend a week or so as a young person doing every adventure activity you could think of or as an older person, me, just exploring and soaking up the atmosphere.