Tasman Sea & Ship Creek Beach

Today was a day of shifting plans and spontaneous choices as the journey took us back to New Zealand’s rugged West Coast. Passing the serene waters of Lake Wanaka, there was an initial idea to hike Sentinel Peak - a trek highly recommended by a friendly Spanish hitchhiker we picked up along the way. Determination was high, but in the end, laziness (and perhaps the lure of the road) won, and the decision was made to drive further north, toward the glacier country of Te Wahipounamu.

The route was stunning, winding through ancient, dense rainforests that felt like stepping into another era. Along the way, we passed some of the iconic beaches New Zealand is known for - vast, untouched, and so empty that the silence becomes part of their beauty. One of these stops was Ship Creek, where the raw power of the Tasman Sea 🌊 left a strong impression. The waves are no joke here - just standing in the surf could knock you over.

Nearby, there’s a mysterious little lake with golden-yellow water and a bottom that seems to vanish into darkness. It’s the perfect spot to imagine a lurking monster, though that didn’t stop Maciek from taking a quick swim.

We ended the day at a campsite in Franz Josef, with plans to explore the glaciers tomorrow. It’s hard to believe how much variety this place offers—mountains, forests, beaches, and now glaciers, all within a few hours' drive.Weiterlesen