Franz Joseph to Christchurch.
 30 de novembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
 30 de novembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
						
								Today we head back to Christchurch via the Trans Alpine Train. 
 From Franz Joseph we head up the coast to Hokitika and then inland to Arthur's Pass where we catch the Trans Alpine intoLeia mais
Trans Alpine train.
 30 de novembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
 30 de novembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
						
								We boarded the Trans Alpine train at Arthur's Pass to head back to Christchurch.
 First part of trip was very picturesque, with spectacular gorges and views. The second part across the plains wasLeia mais
To the North of the South Island.
 1 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
 1 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
						
								Left at 9.00am and headed north for our last couple of days on the south island.
 We had a wee stop at Cheviot. On parking, the coach driver, Tim, informed us that the mural on the toilet block hadLeia mais
Picton.
 2 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
 2 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
						
								Trish and Paul walked down to the marina and videoed a stingray lazing in the shallows - talk about being in the right place at the right time.
We are booked on cruise on Queen Charlotte Sound atLeia mais
Straight Across Cook Strait.
 3 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
 3 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
						On the bus at 9.45 to join the queue for the inter-islander. Boarding started at ten for an 11.00am departure. We all had to stay on the bus until it was on the ferry and we were instructed toLeia mais
Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand
 3 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ 🌧 16 °C
 3 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ 🌧 16 °C
						The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand's national museum and is located in Wellington. Usually known as Te Papa (Māori for 'the treasure box'), it opened in 1998 after the mergingLeia mais
Onward to Napier.
 4 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ 🌧 16 °C
 4 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ 🌧 16 °C
						
								Today the weather is really bleak so it was a case a driving to Napier for lunch with a couple of wee breaks on the way.
 Quick lunch of pizza - we had to muster at 2.30 for a walking tour of theLeia mais
Lunch in Taupo.
 5 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
 5 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
						
								The day has finally arrived when we are to meet up with Chris and Paddy Carl. We will be able to 'bring home' a pocket watch we've had for decades.
 Chris is the grandson of Jack Carl, one timeLeia mais
Napier to Rotorua via Taupo.
 5 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia
 5 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia
						
								Taupo is located on the banks of Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake.
 Lake Taupō was formed by a series of eruptions, the most recent of which - around eighteen hundred years ago - blasted outLeia mais
Aratiatia rapids.
 5 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia
 5 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia
						
								A little further downstream is the Aratiatia dam which is used for hydro electricity generation. 
 A few times each day, spill gates from the dam are opened at the top of the Aratiatia rapids and theLeia mais
Te Pa Tu Maori Village.
 5 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
 5 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
						
								This evening we were taken to a Maori Village where we were given a traditional welcome.
 A series of 'workshops' followed aimed at demonstrating how warriors hone their skills and agility. This wasLeia mais
Rotorua.
 6 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
 6 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
						Unfortunately John had to visit a doctor to get some treatment for an ear infection this morning. Paul opted for a “Hobbit” experience and so Trish and I headed off on the Thermal Tour of theLeia mais
Hobbiton
 6 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
 6 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
						The Hobbiton Movie Set is a significant location used for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy and The Hobbit film trilogy, serving as a stand-in for the town of Hobbiton in the Shire in both trilogies.Leia mais
Auckland.
 7 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
 7 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
						Travelled from Rotorua to Auckland arriving about midday. Checked into the Crowne Plaza, had a quick snack in the foodcourt and got back on the bus to go down to the quay. We had elected to have aLeia mais
Weta Workshop Experience
 7 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
 7 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
						
								The Weta workshop is a fantastic example of the moviemakers creativity. It guides you through examples of horror films, “Fauna", sci-fi “Origin” and fantasy “Age of the Ever Clan”. 
 WeLeia mais
North from Auckland.
 8 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
 8 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
						
								First on the agenda, a bus tour around Auckland. There is a memorial to New Zealand's first Labour Prime Minister, Michael Joseph Savage, at Bastion Point, overlooking Waitemata Harbour.
 Savage wasLeia mais
Hole in the Rock cruise.
 9 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
 9 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
						
								The morning today was taken up with a Cruise on the Bay of Islands to the Hole in the Rock.
 There are 144 islands in the bay. To qualify as an island it has to be above the waterline and have someLeia mais
Russell
 9 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
 9 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
						After our cruise around the Bay of Islands we could elect to go back to the hotel or take a stopover at Russell on another island and make our own way back by ferry later in the day. I decided to takeLeia mais
Final tour day
 10 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
 10 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
						
								It's all over bar the shouting as 'they' say. Today we needed to drive from Paihia, Bay of Islands to Auckland to arrive at the Crowne Plaza about midday.
 A short detour at the start took us toLeia mais
One extra day.
 11 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
 11 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
						
								One full day remaining in Auckland on our own. Decided to buy a day ticket for the hop on - hop off bus.
 We decided our first stop should be the zoo. As we approached the zoo bus stop, theLeia mais
Kia Ora - see you next time eh?
 12 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ 🌬 19 °C
 12 de dezembro de 2023, Nova Zelândia ⋅ 🌬 19 °C
						






















































































































































































