South Island Autumn 2023

Off we go again. A new adventure in a brand new campervan. Read more

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Trip start
April 24, 2023
South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 20 Tekapo
June 30, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 0 °C
Day 20
I won't apologize for the bombardment of photos. We really were in the most magical place on earth today and just happened to have pristine weather.
From 1degree this am when Denise Crimp and I braced it with our doggies. Honey looking for bunnies in the frost. Lol
The day warned up and was INCREDIBLE
biked around to town for a bit.
Then after lunch Gary Boulton and I took the opportunity to drive camper up to Mt John Observatory, scary, windy road complete with cafe.
What a beautiful country.
Night night 🌙
Will wander outside later to see the night sky, we are in the MacKenzie Basin, one of best places in the earth to see the night sky. 🌙 🌟Read more
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day one Auckland to Matamata
April 24, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 16 °C
Up early, walk to Orewa Beach to see the non existent sunrise. 🌅 Lol
Off we go in our new Dethleffs Alpa.
Packed up ready to go and first stop Zion Motorhomes to reset the settings of air suspension. Had to wait 3 hours so walked down to Pokeno shops and bought some yummies from Pokeno Bacon shop. 🥓
Look at the cute rubbish bins they have.
All sorted and off to Ngarawhaia to pick up Honeys' new wool handmade coat from Ruffles Petware.
Onto Matamata Saddlery who make OCD (Obsessive Cycling Disorder) who make amazing covers for our bikes.
They closed at 5pm but stayed open til 7pm for us to sort us out. We need a cover with lights on it as it covers our lights and indicators, not an easy exercise.
These guys went above and beyond for us and didn't leave until 7pm. Incredible service.
We found our holiday buddy Denise all tucked up already at Matamata RSA not too far away and we settled in for the night.
We are excited to get up at
5 30am for the Anzac Parade in the morning. Will be getting my clothes out ready as it will be 3 degrees.
🌙 night nightRead more
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 2 living the dream
April 25, 2023 in New Zealand
Day 2
Early start for Dawn Anzac Parade and Service at Matamata. Very moving. So many people. Breakfast at RSA after.
Next stop Tirau coffee stop.
We stretched our legs at Huka Falls very cool and we felt like tourists.
Then we saw from fb Anzac post that Owen Smith was just down the road at Tokeroa so we did a detour to catch up. So glad we did, how lucky was that?
Here we are now at a great spot thanks Lynette Middleton and Bill. We would have driven right past.
Right on Lake Taupo east side, driving south.
Great to catch up, another amazing coincidence. 👏
You guys are living the dream.
Night night 🌙
Hope to sleep better tonight.Read more
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Freedom camp in Fielding
April 26, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Day 3
Left Holiday park just after 10am following quite a jolt 5.9 earthquake, not all of us felt! Cool!
Onto Turangi for some supplies after a coffee and walk in very autumn like park on outskirts of town. 🍂
Next stop Waiouru after a no snow very bleek looking desert road. We all went through the Army Museum, always worth a look especially after Anzac Day. Took lots photos for you Dad hope you can see them OK.
We parked up now in this great Freedom Camping area in Fielding with a river, cycle track, sports fields, toilets etc.
Gary Boulton has cooked us girls yummy gourmet beef burgers so we are fed and watered.
Night night. 🌙Read more
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 4 made it to Wellington
April 27, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 5 °C
This weather is stunning. Chilly chilly mornings, woke to 6 degrees and took photos of Campervans and sunrise.
Across the grass, we are #2 and 3 from the left.
We went our separate days this am, Denise having family to catch up with and some work to do also, but parked her "office " at the Beach. Lol
We had some teething problems to sort out with Fiat but turned out to be just a fuse.
Wandered through Fielding, Foxton and drove down Kapiti Coast to Plimmerton NZMCA Park.
Robin and Pete custodians here and golf friends came to visit and christen new wagon with a huge platter and drinkies. How special was that? They really do have the kindest hearts.
We felt very privileged.
Night night 🌙 Up early in am for smooth sailing ferry to Mainland.Read more
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 5 across Cook Strait to the Mainland
April 28, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 8 °C
We couldn't have asked for a better day to cross. Simply stunning. Not a breath of wind nor a cloud in the blue sky. 💙
Dog friendly cabin was a def hit. Like being treated to special attention with our own area.
Camped up now at Rarangi DOC site right on the Beach.
Night night. 🌙 will go down to 4 degrees tonight but we are toasty.Read more
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 6
April 29, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Our first relaxing day at Rarangi. Weather was 20 degrees and great. Bad weather coming.
Met our neighbours and walks on stony beach and up to Monkey Bay.
2013 The Hope family designed a seat up here looking out to sea in commemoration of their daughter who's body was never found.
We biked around to the golf course at Rarangi about 4 pm and decided to move there for the night. Good decision, we here all by ourselves and got the dogs on sunset running around to look for elusive bunnies.
Night night 🌙 😴Read more
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 8 Ward Beach
May 1, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
We left Waterlea Racecourse at Blenheim at lunchtime after a lovely walk around the corner to one of my favourite parks in the country, Pollard Park. Saw Teddy's rose 🌹
Did our shopping New World, Warehouse, Animates etc. Then spent the afternoon at Omaka Aviation Centre. World 1 and 2 memorabilia and lots planes.
Settled in for the night bit further down the road at Ward Beach at a park over property which is private farmland with 4kms of coastline. It has been in the family 118 years.
Wild and wonderful with evidence of the earthquake with rocky ledges lifted out of the sea.
Not much reception here.
Night night 🌙
Might see some seals and whales when I wake up to catch the sunrise.Read more
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
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Day 9 Kaikoura
May 2, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Woke to capture great sunrise with the bulldozers taking the cray boats out. We left Ward Beach at lunchtime and had great lunch, seafood chowder, and salmon bagel at The Store right on the beach at Kekerungu. Divine. Stopped at the usual pull over places to see seals and gorgeous coastline.
Drove on to Kaikoura NZMCA Park and treated to brilliant sunset. We not even on the west coast!Read more
That is one eerie sunset, but my! what a picture. The colours are very unusual aren't they? Loving the photos, keep them coming. xxxx [Mom xxx]
5/2/23Reply
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 11 Waiau
May 4, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Best day yet. Still no rain yet loved driving down the Kaikoura coast rd.
Stopped for photo shoot with seals and seal pups. It's the season .
Stunning drive through coast road and then turned off to gorgeous variable scenery from controlled burn offs to farmland and autumn calleys and mountains.
Parked up tonight with a full moon and a great night in local pub at Waiau stunning spot with local hospitality.
We loved it. 😍Read more
how much further South?? from dad. [trevor collins]
5/4/23Reply
TravelerWay, way down yet Dad.
5/5/23Reply
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 12 Hanmer Springs
May 5, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
Autumn all around us and glorious still. Scenery is stunning. Lots of nice river and bush walks with the dogs.
Drove to Hanmer Springs just 40 mins away and parked up in xarpark while we went to hot pools for a soak.
Denise checked into Top 10 and had some pampering at the Spa. We will join her there tomorrow night, but tonight we are at a pretty river freedom camping spot on outskirts of town.
Pizza on the webber, togs and towel drying on the fence we look like homeless people.
Still no rain peeps!Read more
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 13 Hanmer Springs second night
May 6, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Left our freedom camping spot at lunchtime and headed to Top 10 campground at Hanmer.
Got our spot next to Denise and powered up.
Still no rain peeps, I'm sure it's coming. Was 22 degrees today. 😳
We did washing and housework them headed out for a bike ride in the Forrest.
Late afternoon we headed in for another soak in hot pools divine, couldn't stand the 16 year olds in bikinis and full makeup doing Instagram selfies right in front of everyone. They didn't care, that we didn't care.
Bloody hell what is the world coming to? I tell you it was very OTT.
They even missed the stunning sunset. 😍
Came home with curry takeaways and watched the Coronation. 🤴 👑Read more
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 14 arrived in Kaiapoi
May 7, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Left Hanmer at lunchtime after a walk at the Forest Sculpture Amble. Wasn't sure what an amble was but Denise assured me it was a slow walk. Dogs enjoyed it. 😉
Drove on to Hawarden out of Canterbury still in Hurunui District to luckily catch up with the Lovells.
What a beautiful homestead they now call home. Reminded me of Meryl Streep of Out of Africa.......... I had a farm in Africa! Opening line .

Just made it after dusk to Kaiapoi where Denise is parked up at nzmca Park.
Looks a beauty here, so close to golf, cycle ways, shops and dog park.
Happy days.
And yet still no rain peeps.
It did rain in Hanmer overnight, but we were asleep 😴 💤 don't count that.Read more
what was the Tree called? from Dad. [trevor collins]
5/7/23Reply
TravelerMost of them were douglas fir, some English larch. All sorts really Dad.
5/7/23Reply
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 15 Kaiapoi 2nd night
May 8, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Day 15
Kaiapoi NZMCA
This place is cool. I could stay a week easy.
Bit tired today as I didn't sleep well. 😴
Walk into town lovely coffee and our first cheese rolls this trip. 😋
Great Cafe called Paris in the Weekend. Great cycleways and art all around town.
Had a read, chat ...... loads people here, great dog park next door and wetlands too.
Bella went for a swim. Oh-oh!!Read more
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
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Day 16 Kaiapoi
May 9, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Day 16 today
We ❤️ Kaiapoi
Waited another day to make sure we caught up with Glenda Giddy and Phil who are heading north
We went for a bike ride first along the embankment out the coast. Sounds nicer than it was, cause we went past the 💩 ponds. Lol
Rained here at 1pm for an hour. Now bit blustery but not cold.
Had a great night catching up with Glenda and Phil.
See you at home next month.
Glad you've had a great trip 😀
Night night 🌙Read more
Gotta rock them shorts Gary, Great. Dismiss your tailor immediately!! [Mom]
5/9/23Reply
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 17
May 10, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 11 °C
Day 17
Kaiapoi to Methven.
Bella came said hello to her friend Gary Boulton in the morning. Said goodbye to Phil and Glenda Giddy with coffee at Paris for the Weekend Cafe.
We staying at the iconic Blue Tavern tonight.
Stunning drive, back to cloudless skies. Temperature is starting to drop though. Bring on the snow please. ❄️ 🙏
Stopped for another forest walk!!! in Darfield and oh yes a pie. 🥧
Onto the Rakaia gorge and now parked up in pub carpark right in town. Topp country here.
Night night 🌙Read more
Honey sure does love her special place on the dashboard doesn't she!! xxxx [Mom xxxx]
5/10/23Reply
TravelerShe really does . We went in fir our pie and even we came out she was sitting up there. Must have jumped up herself. Don't know how tho. She knew she was allowed to. Lol
5/10/23Reply
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 18 Geraldine
May 11, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C
Day 18
Geraldine
We had brunch at The Topp Cafe owned by Lynda Topp who just happened to be there and is running for council in Ashburton District.
Great eggs benny.
Onto Geraldine where we went along the river walk and into the Barkers Cafe of course. Bought some goodies and now settled into Peskies POP just outside where the rental campervan crashed and burst into flames about a month ago. So sad. Three international tourists in their 20's apparently.
Snow on the mountains at Mt Hutt and Mt Somers driving through so we fitting closer.
Night night 🌙Read more
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 19 Tekapo
May 12, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
Day 19
Lake Tekapo
Fab day driving through Fairlie to a coffee stop at Burkes Pass then onto Tekap o where even don't the ablutions is not a chore in paradise.
All settled in here now for a couple days.
Doggies are happy here with a great dog park right next door and ...... bunnies!!!!
Night night 🌙
Great days but could be 0 degrees overnight.Read more
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 21
May 14, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Day 21
Lake Pukaki freedom camping spot right on the lake.
Drove through a huge squall watched it come over and hit.
Then in about an hour it cleared. We are parked up with Denise Crimp and tonight new friends Gail Towler and Murray.
The men even got to cook dinner on the BBQ for all us women for Mother's Day. Thanks guys, we appreciated it. 🙏 ❤️
Not so cold tonight and I even got to feed a feral stray cat some leftover steak poor little thing. Quite tiny and very hungry.
Night night. 🌙Read more
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 22
May 15, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
Day 22
We decided to stay at this magical spot at Lake Pukaki shores where we had fantastic views to Aoraki Mt Cook for our last night with the divine Denise Crimp . 😀
Couldn't think of a better stop to enjoy our last night together, along with crazy new friends Gail Towler and Murray and little Millie. (They really are a tad crazy cos they went SWIMMING!!)
All 3 dogs have enjoyed bunny chasing together and lots of tidbits.Read more
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 23
May 16, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 1 °C
Day 23
There might be 2 monsters in here if the name is anything to go by. 👻
Very pretty, deserted freedom camping stop at Lake Ruataniwha.
A brief stop at Salmon farm at Pukaki so we have salmon for dinner. 😋
The fog lifted in Twizel as we stopped by for supplies and a cheese roll on our way.
Just ahead of us, is one of eight hydro dams in this area.
We will be lonely tonight after saying goodbye to Denise Crimp and new crazy friends Gail Towler and Murray.
Night night 🌙 😴
Will get outside again tonight to see the brilliant milky way.Read more
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
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Day 24
May 17, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
Day 24
Met up with the Towler's Gail and Murray for a fun morning. Side trip to the amazing Clay Cliffs. Def worth a visit, then lunch at The Wrinkly Rams.
Said our goodbyes then onward to Cromwell and parked up for a few days with the lovely Wendy Rear who cooked us a delicious home cooked roast chicken 🍗 with all the trimmings. 😋 🙏
Raining now, but it couldn't last forever.Read more
Very interesting. I wonder how those rock formations came about? xxxx [Mom]
5/17/23Reply
TravelerIt all used to be a lake we're told.
5/17/23Reply
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 25 and 26
May 18, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C
Day 25 and 26
Have had 2 great days in Cromwell staying with the amazing Wendy Rear who just so happens to be in between visitors! How lucky are we?
Parked up on her front lawn 200 meters from the cycle trail and walk around the lake too.
Dinner out last night with Kaye Kennedy who is also down here at her other pad!!
We crashed her dinner at The Bannockburn Hotel with her girlfriends. 😋 lovely catch up.
Ride out this am with Wendy to Carrick Winery 22kms in all. We're just learning, but loving it. Slowly getting confidence. Such stunning scenery even this late in autumn 🍂 😍
Fine this am for our ride, bit drizzly pm for a bit.Read more
Oh Bannockburn, here I come! What beautiful scenery. [Mom xxxx]
5/19/23Reply
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 27
May 20, 2023 in New Zealand
Day 27
Dragged ourselves away from Wendy Rear great holiday home, if anyone wants to stay. Such a great position, close to everything. Sleeps 7 under Bachcare called Alpha's Nest.
Had a brilliant dinner last night at Stoker Room with Wendy and Jared and Trudy.
Delish 😋
Off for our second 20k bike ride in 2 days today, this time past Lowburn to Pisa Moorings.
Now parked up at the Clyde Dam freedom camping spot for the night 🌙
Gary happy chappy, watching Cronulla.Read more
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South Island Autumn 2023 Traveler
Day 28
May 21, 2023 in New Zealand
Day 28
Waipiata Tavern on the rail trail.
Our happy place.
Drive through rural NZ to get here. Beautiful country.
We are parked up at the Domain behind the pub.
One day we will come back to do the Otago Rail Trail.
Gary Boulton not looking happy in photo, just been told they have sold out of the 12 hour slow cooked beef cheeks. 😉
A great night with the locals
Couldn't even finish my pie, doggy bag. They are half a kilo.Read more
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