New Zealand

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New Zealand Traveler
East Coast
February 17, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 17 °C
Woke up around 7:30 in Robin Hood Bay - one of our favs. We then headed back down the mountain and stopped for breakfast at one of the lookouts. Once down the mountain we continued on Highway 1 for a little and stopped at a beach called Cloudy Bay. The beaches where really pebbled with a lot of drift wood. We walked along the beach for a short while then continued on to Kekerengu where we stopped at a market we saw. This market was a little trash and treasure market. We bought some tomatoes as well as some dvds and cds from a local guy. The cds were pretty rubbish but for a $1 who really cares. After about half an hour of looking we continued on to Kaikoura which was one of the town hit the worst in 2011, the local had told us to go have a look. On the way down the damage was very evident with major road works happening because several cliff sides had fallen away. Roads that were higher up the mountain were no longer accesable. Just outside of Kaikoura we stopped at a local hunting shop. Chris wad having a field day!! He bought a knife to open the oysters with as well a as souvenir hat. Once we reached Kaikoura we parked the car and walked around the local shops. We then found a really good food place called Groper Garage. The food here was amazing!! So fresh and such a good feed. Chris had fish, chips and salad and Amanda had nanchos. We both left feeling pregnant haha. We then decided to take the Kaikoua Peninsula link which took us to Seal Bay and a Seal Colonel. The first stop was a look out and we didnt really see any seals. We continued on down the road where we got out and walk along the rocks on the bay. Here we saw what we thought was a nice little seal. With a few selfies and hangs we then had a near death experience. The bloody seal started roaring at us!! Think he was angry we where standing near him. We were so scared we ran off haha and then headed back to the car.Read more
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Nearlly at Christchurch
February 17, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Next stop along Highway 1 was Cheviot. Here we did a tourist loop on Cathedral Road down to Port Robinson. We stopped at the bay at the end of the loop and had a walk along the beach. We then headed back up the mountain about 2kms where we stopped at a look out. Amanda wanted to do this loop for this lookout. There was an open cliff side with really amazing carvings which looked like large pilars. If they werent purposely carved into the cliff they certainly looked like they had been. After completely the loop we continued back onto the road where we found a hot shower spot on Greta Valley road. The owner wasnt home so we walked around for a while. We then decided to shower, once we finished we went outside and found the care taker there he just said not to worry about paying him which was a bonus. We then back tracked a km or 2 and headed down Motunau Road where we stayed in a camp site right on the Motunau River. The camp site wasnt to bad here. We played some cards, made some cheese toasties and then watched half of Suicide Squad.Read more
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Christchurch
February 18, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Woke up around 8:00ish and started headed to Christchurch. We missed the freeway turn off several times so we ended up driving all around the area. When we got into Christchurch we drove around a little and endes up at the Botanical Gardens. We got out and walked around for about an hour. The gardens were pretty good, they had lots of big trees so Chris didnt mind the walk. When we got back we walked around a boat house on the river and noticed they were hiring out bikes so we decided to hire some for 2 hours. We rode the bikes around the botanical gardens, through the park and also to the earth quake memorial which was really sad. After our exhausting bike ride lol we deaded to countdown to do some food shopping. Mind you we ended up buying the shop because we where so hungry lol. We both got their famous chicken sandwiches from the deli. I thought the one Chris got last time was a little yummier however they were still good. After packing all of our food in the fridge we decided to head down to Akaroa where an active volcano is positioned in the middle of the Bay.Read more
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Akaroa Bay
February 18, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
On the way down to Akaroa we didnt really stop at all only for some photos and a short drive down Summit Road in Akaroa where we stopped at an area that over looked the Bay. When we got down to the Bay just before Duvauchelle we stopped at the little part of the Bay that goes out. The middle of this is actually an active volcano so we decided to climb it. The start part was a little steep, after we got some pictures we climbed down and walk along the beach towards the end where we climbed an even bigger hill. The view from up there was amazing!! On the way down we went a diffetent way down which had a sign saying keep out, dangerous etc. It wasnt at all bad just a little eroding here and there. We then stroll on to the car. Headed back up Highway 75 onto Highway 76 briefly then got back onto Highway 1. We headed on Highway 1 to Rakaia then headed up to Methven. We where now on the tourist root in front of Mt Hutt and Mount Taylor. The drive was amazing with all the mountains on the horizon. We found a free camp site inbetween Staveley and Mount Somers. The camp site was pretty good we had a drop toilet and plenty of room, the views werent to shabby either.Read more
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Lake Tekapo
February 19, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 -1 °C
We slept in a little today Chris was really sick with the Flu. After some cereal we where on our way. Amanda had seen the night before a tick on the map so thought we would head there on our way to Lake Tekapo. The tick was an old 1800's cottage - Burnett Quarry Reserve which was situated near Mount Summers off Ashburton George Road. When we got there we drove down a little gravel road to a dried up creek. We walked over the creek and towards the house. There was still an old bridge over the creek and several farming equipment all rusted around the yard. The house was the size of a bedroom and made of solid white stone. Inside the house there where still belongings in an open cupboard, an old fireplace, photos and the top of a bed head. The open roof had a meezemene floor as well. The roof inside was made of straw and barb wire and the outside was tin however we thought that bad been replaced to help keep the cottage reserved. The cottage had such a eerie vibe we didnt stay to long. We then continued down Highway 72 onto 79 and then onto Highway 8. We didnt really stop anywhere here just for a few photos when we got closer to Lake Tekapo. When we got closer to the Lake we turned down Lilybank Road which followed the right side of the lake. We wouldnt have gotten 50 meters before we were stopping to take photos. We stopped about 3 times and got out to take photos. The lake was so beauitful the water was such a bright light bluey/green, we had both never seen a Lake like this before. We decided to follow this road around the Lake which seemed to go on for ever. We got about an hour in and Amanda realised the road was actually a dead end.. oops!! We continued on to the near end as the view was amazing. You could see the large mountains in the background and you could even see some snow on a few. We turned around and by this time the car was covered with dust as most of the past hour was driving on a dirt road. On the way back we saw a guy we had seen on the way down. When we first saw him we where wondering why he was in the middle of know where. He signaled us to pick him up, we both where like should we - yes, no, maybe, arrrh I dont know. Before we know it we had a german guy called Alex in our car. He was actually quite lovely. He was telling us that he was in the middle of know where becuase he was half way through a few day hike however decided to turn around becuase of the cyclone warnings. He had been travelling for a few months now working different jobs, he seemed like he was quite intelligent. We drove about an hour with Alex in the van before we dropped him at his motorbike.Read more
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Lake Pukaki
February 19, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
After dropping Alex we back tracked to the Church on the Lake. This Church was right on the edge of Lake Tekapo. It was a quirky little Church with a great view towards the front of the church. We got a few snaps however it made with hard with a hundred asians running around the place. After a quick look at the Church we walked over to the bridge the view here was also amazing. After that Alex had told us a place called Mt John Observatory and highly recommended it so we headed there next as it was close to the Church. The Observation was a steep drive but before we knew it we where on top of the mountain, it was Amazing. You could see all the surrounding mountains and Lake Tekapo. After some awesome pics we headed back down. We continued on to Lake Pukaki where we drove down Mount Cook for about half an hour. We had planned to drive down this road to see the highest mountain in the Southern Hemestpher however due to the fog we couldn't see anything. This Lake was also Amazing!!! The views where incredible. We had driven past 2 lookout points and still couldnt see the Mountian so we decided to turn around.

By this stage it was getting late and we really wanted a hot shower because it was so cold. We had a look and the only one we could see was in a place called Hot Tubs Omarama. After some uming and arrhing we decided to do it for $50. We had an hour and a half in a circle tub with was heated by logs and fire under the tub. After about an hour we hopped out and showered. We then headed back Highway 83 then onto 82. On the way Amanda nearlly hit 2 very big cows that appeared as if they had escaped from their fence. Further down the road we stopped opposite Waihao Forks Hotel in a free carpark for the night. As we were finding an area to sleep Amanda bogged the van briefly which was a tad funny. We had some chicken salad for dinner and went to sleep.Read more
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Dunedin
February 20, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 9 °C
Woke up in the carpark, we had survived the night lol! Today was the day Chris was finally getting to see the chicilate factory. We decided because the weather was still terrible we would just drive straight down to Dunedin. We stopped a few times as Chris was still unwell the last stop before Dunedin was down a street. We couldnt turn around so kept going until we could which was basically the end of the street. There was a restaurant and Moeraki Rocks here. Chris really needed to go so we decided to buy some sweet so we could use the restaurant. After a quick feed we decided to walk down the stairs and see what was all the fuss was about, we knew it had to be alright as there where again 100s of asains here. After a short walk we reached the beach and there where about 50 round boulders scattered over the beach. They where so cool, it would be interesting to find out how they came about they didn't seem to be man made. After some silly photos we continued on to Dundein and straught to the chocolate place.Read more
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Dunedin Chocolate Factory
February 20, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
We purchased our tickets for the tour and in the the mean time we got to walk through the musuem. It was a good insight into how Cadbury came to be. Chris thought this place was a place of hopes and dreams! He was loving it. We then started our tour which was to go for an hour, Chris's day really couldnt get any better. We first where taken into a room for a safety briefing and then told no photos or bags could be taken unfortunatley on the tour. We first where taken into a room in the factory where we got to sample liquid chocolate before tempering had been completed, there where also some yummy toppings. The room had loads of information about how chocloate was made and how every ingredient was purchased from around the world. A lady showed everyone how to temper chocloate on a demonstration in this room as well. We then moved onto a large purple silo, here we got to climb about 100 stairs inside. Inside we got to watch 1 tone of cholate being dropped from the top of the silo. This was insane!! So much chocolate. We then headed into one last room where we watched a video of how the jaffers where made in the factory. The factory here in Dunedin only mass produces Jaffers, pinapple lumps and banana bars. They are unfortunatly closing down in 3 weeks as they are moving to production to Melboune as they purchase 70% of the produce at the moment. After the tour we purchased a few blocks of cholate and headed to the cafe where Amanda had an ice-cholate and Chris has an Earl tea as he was still a little unwell.Read more
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Exploring Dunedin
February 20, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
We had a quick look at some of the things to do on the map and then headed to the Dunedin Railway Station which was a heritage building. This building was beauitful and really well preserved. We walked around here for a little and then headed on to Dunedin Chinese Garden. We got to walk around the garden and listen to audio. It was a very oriental experience in a scottish influenced town. The gardens where just beauitful. In one of the rooms we were able to play dress ups and try on the tradition clothing worn by the Chinese. We then headed to the world's largest street called Baldwin Street. We parked the car and walk over as it seemed almost impossible to drive up it. We walked to the top even though it was a struggle. The street from the top looked even steeper then the bottom. Once we got back down we where freezing as it was still raining. We looked for a good half an hour for a good place to stay but literally everything was booked so we found Mosgiel Motor Park which was $30 for the night and included hot showers. The showers where amazing!! They also had laundry facilities so we washed all our dirty/wet clothes. We watched half of Miami Vice then fell asleep.Read more
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Southern Scenic Road
February 21, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 11 °C
We slept in a little today and got up around 9am. As we had paid for the showers we decided to take advantage and shower again this morning. We both quickly showered and cooked some hot cross buns in the oven. We left about 10:30 and headed straight down to Dunedin and through. We drove a while all the way down Highway 1 until we reached Balclutha where we turned down Owaka on the scenic route. Our first stop was at a Historic Railway Tunnel. This was an old railway from the 1880s. We walked down and about half way into the tunnel then turned around bcause it was really dark and eerie plus our torch wasnt that thay great. We then continued onto Purakaunui Bay where we did completed the loop to have a look at Purakaunui Water Falls. We walk about 20 minutes to these falls. They where the widest falls we had seen so far, they also had about 4 layers. These falls where well worth the walk. The forest walk was also really pretty. We then continued onto Matai Falls. Chris was still unwell so be decided to stay in the car for these Falls. There where 2 falls on this walk, both where pretty good being about 5 meters high.Read more
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Exploring the Southern Coast
February 21, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
We then continued on and saw a sign for Caves so we decided to take a look. About 10kms down a windy dirt road we reached the carpark and then another half an hour way along a beach track we reached the caves. There were several caves on the beach which where quite large. We walked through most of the caves some got so small we didnt want to risk it going through and other caves ended in a large darkness with ponds. Our torch wasnt the greatest so we didnt go in. After exploring for about an hour we had to head back up as the tide was coming in. The walk back was long, we were cold and so wet. We then continued on past Chaslands and down to Waikawa where we stopped at Slope Point. This was the most Southernest point on the South Island and the cloest point to Antarctica. We walked through a paddock with hundreds of sheeps to get to the point. It was so cold here absolutely freezing!! The temperature was about 0° literally. We both had 2-3 jackets on and where still cold. It was getting late by now so we started looking for free camp sites. We continued onto Invercargill where we stopped briefly at the Warehouse. We bought another planket because the one we had was not enough as the South Island was so much colder. We then continued on to Highway 99 where we stopped at Thornbury. We got here about 9pm and we both where starving. We decided to cook potatoes and chicken which ended up taking about an hour lol but so worth it.Read more
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Doubtful sound
February 22, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Woke up about 8am this morning quickly packed up and rurried on our way. We both needed to go to the toilet and there were so many vans around we couldnt really just go in the bush. We found a toilet not to far away from the free site thankfully. We then continued on along the Highway 99 and had a quick stop at Monkey Bay for breakfast. There was a small hill out on the shore with some stairs, it was far to cold to walk out there so we ate breakfast and where on our way. We then stopped at Clifden where there was an old suspension bridge. We got for a quick look and some photos it really wasnt anything special. We continued on saw a sign for glow worms just down Ohai-Clifden Hwy. There were some free caves we could climb into where several glow worms lived. This caves were quite small and we had to crawl into them. At first we couldnt see the glow worms however after a nice couple showed us they were easy to find. Chris was so fascinated with them haha.Read more
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Journey to Milford Sound
February 22, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
We then continued on to Lake Monowai. We took a dirt road down to the lake and then walk about half an hour on a native walk to one of the most amazing lakes. We both loved this lake, you could see into the crystal clear water with the mountains in the far background. We stayed here for a little admiring the view!! We then made our way to Milford sound. Ee decided that we would stay near Milford Sound and try our luck with a cruise tomorrow. The drive along Highway 94 took us several hours as we stopped quite a few times to take some photos. This drive was amazing!!! So many huge mountains and some even had snow still on them. We ended up stopping just before Lake Gunn in a camp site. The view was amazing here as well, we were in a vale with a river running through it. We cooked some potatoes again and ate the remaining chicken. We then watched the end of Miami Vice and then started watching the wedding crushers and went to sleep.Read more
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Milford Sound
February 23, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Woke up really early this morning about 7am so we could make it to Milford Sound by 9 on the off chance they would have available spots on the boats. The drive there was cold and very foggy. It was so pretty seeing the fog around the mountains, it just kept getting prettier as we drove along the route. We made it in pretty good timing. We went straight the the kiosk and they had still spots on the 9:00am or several on a smaller more in depth cruise at 9:40 so we decided to do that cruise. We had a quick tea and hot chocloate and were on our way to the dock. After a short wait we boarded our small explorer boat. It was a double story boat with most of up stairs being outside, we where lucky enough to grab a spot outside at the end of the boat. The cruise was absolutely amazing!!! The view was spectacular so many mountains exceeding 100 meters with fog along the top of them. We drove up the left side all the way until the Tasman Sea and then journeyed back on the other side. We explored close to several waterfalls where the water drenched the front of the boat, we also saw several seals and penguins along the journey. There was also some very yummy soup we both had on the cruise, this help warm us as it was freezing on the boat. We both enjoyed the cruise!Read more
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Journey to queenstown
February 23, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ -4 °C
Afterwards we made our way to Queenstown. We didnt stop along the way as there wasnt to much to see. We arrived in queenstown fairly late with just enough time for a quick swim at the local Alphine Health and Fitness Center. Afterwards we bought some local Chinese and headed to a free camp site with was a little dirt area just off the Highway next to Lake Wakatipu. Our Chinese was so yummy!! We then started watching 13 hours and feel asleep half way through.Read more
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Queenstown
February 24, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ -7 °C
Slept in today to about 9ish then Chris decided to watch some more of the movie while Amanda napped. About 10:30 we ventured back into town where we went and saw a lady in the infomation center. We both purchased rafting for tomorrow and Amanda decided she wanted to bungy jump. There were available spots for the bungy today at 2:00pm so we booked in for time slot. While we waited we wslked around the town and looked in several stores, we got a sneeky McDonalds as well as venturing through a market where Chris bought a whale bone necklace. We then headed back to the car so Amanda could get changed. We then walked to the Skydiving place in town. We checked in and waited for a while then about 2:40 we jumped on the bus. The nerves were definitly pumping at this point and I think Amanda had been to the toilet 100 times. The ride in the bus there and back was interesting, we headed along the Highway and then got to a dirt road, we then reached the steepest dirt road on the edge of a cliff ever. I still cant believe we drive up it in a manual.

When we got there we both got given harnesses and headed out to a landing. A guy ran through everything and we where chosen to go in the first group. We then headed into a cage and into the middle of the moutian. Here Amanda sat on the ledge at the back of the room and waited as one by one everyone jumped. Finally it was Amanda's turn, the guy strapped her leg pieces on and she made her way up to the chair where they attached the bungy.

By this time I was so nervous my kegs where shaking so much!! Once he strapped my legs he told me to stand up and then he checked over everything. I then stood on the edge and he counted down 3 2 1. I was like no I cant do it but then jumped. It was the craziest feeling jumping into nothing 132 meters in the air. Once I had jumped I hit the bottom and bounched back up. After my second bounce up it felt as if I was just floating in the air, the best feeling. After my 3rd bounce I pulled the leg piece and got pulled back up, I couldnt get the smile off my face. Literally the best feeling!! I will definitly be doing it again.

After the bungy we headed back to the bus which took about 45 minutes. We then headed back to the local pool for another swim and shower. Wd then headed in the direction of our free campsite from last night. Just past Closeburn but before our frer campsite last night was a DOC campsite which was paid to stay in. It wasnt a bad campsite we had a pretty good view. We watched the end of 14 Hours and then watched Texas Chainsaw - Evil Wears Many Faces.Read more
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Queenstown Day 2
February 25, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 10 °C
Today we woke up about 7:00 as we had to be in town for our rafting at 8:00. We got changed and headed into town. We meet at the information center and checked in. Whilst we were waiting for our bus we over heard another girl was doing the jet boat after the rafting in a combo. We enquired about this and added it onto our vouchure. We had a quick 15 minute bus ride to the river where we got into our wet suits, jackets and took a helmet and safety jacket. We then jumped onto another bus with a few other people. This bus ride was about 45 minutes and literally the scariest ride of Amanda's life. It was one of the most scenic routes traveling through the mountains alone the cliff edges. The road was so steep in places and we were literally driving on the edge of a 100 + meter drop. There would have been centimeters between the outter tyres and the edge of a cliff. So scary!!! Once we got there we had a safety briefing which made the whole experience of rafting sound really terrifying. The river we were rafting today was a level 4-5 difficulty. We had about 6 rapids that started off as a 3 then ended in several 4's and a large 5 rapid after a long 100 meter tunnel. Our boat did pretty well we didnt capsize and only a guy at the back of the boat briefly feel out. We completed the 16kms in roughly 2 hours. After the raft we quickly showered and headed to the speed jetboat. Now this was epid. We where doing speeds of 70kmph and doing 360 fast spins. The boat had 2 large V8 motors and glided along the water. Our driver was really good spinning the jet and driving into the rocks but not hitting them. We had a few asains behind us that were scared shitless. After we were finished we caught the bus back into town and started heading North. Once we left it started bucketing down again so we only briefly stopped at a few water falls not far from the road. We stopped not far past Makarora on Highway 6 at Pleasant Flat Campsite which was a small campground with toilet. We cooked some spaghetti sandwiches in the pouring rain and watched Godzilla.Read more
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Franz Josef Glaciers
February 26, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 23 °C
We woke up fairly early today. It was still a little cold but the rain had stopped thankfully. We needed to be back up at Picton in 2 days so we needed to get a move on. We had a quick breakfast stop over looking the coast then drove until we reached Fox Glacier. On we reached Fox Glacier we drove down Glacier View Road where we took a short 20 minute walk and ended up at the end of the path were you could see an opening of several Glaciers with ice all over them. Several tracks where closed unfortunatley so we were unable to get down to the bottom. After we got back to the car we drove to Lake Mueller where there was another spectacular view of the Glaciers. We parked the car and walked along the scenic track to a look out which was over looking the Lake and Glaciers.Read more
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Hokitika
February 26, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
We then continued up North and ended up at Hokitika. We took Arthurstown Road for about 30kms to a large suspension bridge. The bridge was about 40 meters long over a small canon. We then continued onto the other side where we could climb some rocks over the river. Once we got back to the carpark we got some lunch as we where starving by now. There was this small foof truck which had the best food!! Amanda got a chicken burger and Chris got a hotdog, it was so yummy!! We chatted to the 2 locals for about half an hour snd then made our way to the main town where we did our washing. While our washing was being wahsed we walked around the town and looked at some Jade Stores. Once the washing was finalised we headed to the local showers which where pretty shabby. We then back tracked a little to Lake Tarleton where we found a DOC campsite. We were still full from lunch so we had a sandwich and watched the rest of Godzilla.Read more
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Journey to Picton
February 27, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
We slept in today until roughly 9:00am then we were on our way. We where starving about 20 mimutes in to the trip so decided to stop at McDonalds which was a bad mistake haha. Chris decided to order 2 hunger busters not knowing they came with a hot choloate and 2 hashbrowns he also order 2 extra has browns. After I had ordered my meal we ended up with $42 of McDonalds some how haha 5 burgers and over 6 hasbrowns and 3 hot chocloates. We looked like fatties to say the least lol so funny!! We parked and tried to eat all our McDonalds, it was definitly a struggle. We then headed up to Punakaiki where we stopped at the Pancake Rocks and Blow Hole walk. This was amazing!! The waves were rushing into the large cracks and open areas where they were several blow holes. We stood there and watched it for a while. The sound was so loud where the waves came crashing in. After a while walking around we then continued on our way and headed to Cape Faulwind where there was a large Seal Colony. We walked to the Colony and saw about 20-30 Seals in pools and on rocks, it was pretty amazing!! We then headed into Buller where we found the local hospital, Amandas eye had had something in it since last night and was very red and stinging. They couldnt help so we went to the local clicnic which also couldnt help so we bought some eye drops at the local chemist which didnt really help at all either, it just made it all gooey. After running around the town for a good half an hour we decided to make our way to Picton. We headed along Highway 6 to Highway 63 and onto Blemheim as they had a countdown and Warehouse. We bought some more food and snacks and then bought some more gas and pepsi for the Warehouse. We then headed to Picton and continued on past Momorangi Bay where we found a cheap DOC place. It was a windy road to get there and when we got there it was a steep drive down to a very small area. There was only one spot left so we decided to back track a little to a camp site right on the water in Momorangi Bay. We started watching The Great Wall but of course Chris fell asleep again haha.Read more
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Back to the North Island we go
February 28, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Woke up about 6:30 today as we need to be at the dock by 8:00am. We quickly showered and headed into Picton. We got there about 7:45 and checked in. We then had to wait for the boat to be ready before we all drove on. Once we were on the boat we left our cars down stairs headed up to find a spot to site. We found really good recliners at the front of the boat where we sat the duration. During the 3 hour ride we ate some yummy jam and cream scones although the wait was over half an hour. Once we docked we headed to the zoo.as Chris still had not seen a kiwi bird. We walked around the zoo for about 2 hours and looked at all the enclosures. The zoo wasnt anything special it was quite run down. We spent a lot of time looking at the apes and then on our way out we watched a quick kiwi show in their enclosure which was interesting. The lady told us how Weta has made one of the kiwis an ascetic leg as he had lost his in an attack. This kiwi was the first in the world to have an ascetic anything although he preferred not to use them.
After the zoo we headed straight up Highway 1 and then onto 3 where we reached Whanganui. It was around dinner time by now, we went to go get some pizza however it was like a 45 minute wait and the area had some rough looking people in the carpark so we decided to leave. We found a caravan park right next to the pub and river. It was only $10 which included hot showers and toilets. The guy who ran it was so nice and accomodating to everyone. We cooked some burgers again and ate then in the sunshine. We then watched The Great Wall again as Chris had fallen and sleep last night. We actually got through it all for once haha then went to sleep.Read more
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Tongariro National Park and Waiouru
March 1, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C
We slept in to about 9am this morning then had a quick shower and cooked some hot cross buns and toast in the kitchen, was nice to have toast for once. We then headed up Highway 4 and onto Highway 47 which was surrounding Tongariro National Park. We then headed to the information center on Bruce Road. We looked around for a little then seeked help for our Alphine Crossing walk. After we headed to the caravan park to see if the shuttle was running for tomorrow. They still didnt know so we decided to go back to the National War Musuem as Chris wasnt happy with the quick look we had on the way down to the South Island the first time. It took about an hour to get to Waiouru as there were road works. When we finally got there Amanda stayed in the car to nap and Chris went inside. Chris seeked some help from a lady who helped him find his fathers name in 2 books. Chris thought this musuem was pretty good.
After the musuem we headed back to the caravan park which was unfortunatly booked. Thankfully they referred us to another caravan park which was just left of Bruce Road. This caravan park was definitly a dive, we paid $13 a night which was not worth more then $2. The place had really old huts everwhere and the facilities where so old, the receptionist was also a piece of work. After checking in and purchasing our shuttle tickets for the alphine we drive to our spot. We cooked some 2 minute noodles and then showered, we then watched GI Joe and went to sleep as we jad to be up at 5:00am tomorrow.Read more
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Tongariro Aphine Crossing
March 2, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 10 °C
Woke up at roughly 5:00am we quickly got ready, packed our bag and made our way to the bus pick up where the bus picked us at 5:40. It was still so dark and cold on our way to the Alpine Crossing. The bus driver gave us some information on the treck and the weather conditions that we should expect, the bus ride took us about 20 minutes and we got dropped about half way up the mountain. After the talk we were very unsure about what exactly we had signed up for. The first part of the walk was very flat and quite easy which was good. Around 6:45-7:00 the sun slowly started to rise and the view was misty and so beautiful. After about 2 hours we really started reaching some height. There were lots of steps and areas that were a challenge. We where only about 5 kilometers and Amanda was dying however we didnt stop we keep on soldering on.Read more
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New Zealand Traveler
The hike that nearlly killed us
March 2, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
We got about 8 kilometers in and the views we were seeing were AMAZING!! You had a red volcano on one side snd a large creator we walked through after another large hill we started reaching the first of the lakes. There where 3 reasonably sized emerald lakes and then further down there was a large blue lake. The views were incredible. You had the morning fog surrounding the volcanoes and surrounding mountains. We walked about 9 kilometers to reach the very top and then the decline started. I dont know which one was worse the thousands of steps of the slow decline. The walk down was long and painful to say the least with the last 2 kilometers really dragging on. The last part of the walk was through a green forrest with a large creek. We got to the bottom about 12:00pm which wasnt to bad as we did it in knly 6 hours when the recommended time is between 6-8 hours. Once we finished we had to wait until 12:30 for the shuttle to come and collect us. The shuttle back to our camp site seemed so long as we were exhausted and tired. Once we finally arrived we both showered which was well needed with all our sweet. Once showered and checked out we started heading to Matamata. We decided we needed a rest tonight so booked and bnb however once we got into Matamata and drove past we decided that the place was not for us. It was so disgusting literally looked like a rap dungeon. We then headed right into town and got some pizza and kfc, we then looked on the map and found a carivan park on the far side of town. The place was a little pricey however had showers, pools and laundry. After we ate our dinner in the van and then watched Sherlock Holmes.Read more
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New Zealand Traveler
Hobition Movie Set
March 3, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Today was the day we had been waiting for. Woke up fairly ealy this morning, our bodies were so sore from yesterday. We decided to take advantage of the hot pools we had at the campsite so went and sat in there for about 45 minutes. After the pool we both showered and washed our clothes. They didnt have reception at the campsite so we had to quickly drive up the road to see what time we needed to be at Hobbition. We got back and waited for our washing to finish, unfortunatly we didnt have enough time to dry the washing so in a bag it went. We then headed to Hobbition!! Driving down the road were Hobbition was located had so many rolling hills. We parked the car and walked to the check in point which took a while. We didnt have much time to look aroune in the gift store before our tour started and we definitly didnt want to miss our bus. We jumped on the bus about 12 and our host ran through everything. There was also a video about the directors and the land. So Hobbition was located on a massive farm owned by a family. They first made the sets for Lord of the Rings and then when making the Hobbit they decided to make the sets again so they could last. When driving to the Hobbit houses the guide showed us where everything was located on the farm like where they would stay whilst filming and where certain scenes were filmed although now adays it is all green grass and cows. We finally got there after a 10 minute ride, it was amazing!!! Looked exactly the same as it did in the movies. As there were hundreds of people we needed to go in little groups and move slowly through the houses which gave us plenty of time taking photos. The guides were really great telling heaps of stories about the filming and Gandelf and Frodo.Read more
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