Christchurch

After a long journey we finally arrived in a hot New Zealand with temperatures above 30 degrees at 8pm! A quick visit through 'something to declare' so they could check our tent and walking shoes,Read more
Lewis Pass

Woke to a complete weather change - rain, wind and temperatures of about 11 degrees! Had a slow, leisurely drive stopping off at various viewpoints on the way (there are so many) not covering manyRead more
Nelson

Woke to great weather so continued on our way. Drove through the most dramatic landscape constantly taking it in turns to drive. On the way saw a sheep auction so stopped off to take a look before aRead more
Marlborough Sound

Had a look around the town (had to buy a new sleeping mat as Lou's had developed a rather inconvenient lump right in the middle and a car charger). The town had a lovely feel about it with plenty ofRead more
Queen Charlotte Sound, Malborough

Decided to stay here a second night so we could drive to Anakiwa on the other side of the sound to do a day walk. Fishing is hugely popular here and while having breakfast the man camping nearbyRead more
Kenepuru Head, Malborough

The weather is on the change for a few days so tge wind is back. However, that didn't change our plans as we continued further into the Marlborough Sounds National Park driving along the edge ofRead more
Nelson Again

The expected rain and wind arrived over night with force - literally! (The same forecast that made us cancel our plans of a 5 days sea kayak trip and hire the car earlier than planned). We pitched ourRead more
Kaiteriteri

Weather back to being really hot in the sun with the wind backing off at night... All this meant it was perfect weather to go on the giant trampoline and have a game of crazy golf - it would be rudeRead more
Abel Tasman National Park - FOUND PENGUI

A quick drive North up the coast from our campsite in Kaiteriteri to Marahau and the start of the Abel Tasman coastal tramp (NZ for walk). The tramp is normally a 5 day trip with basic camping areasRead more
Kaiteriteri Locality

Another stunning weather day, spent the day in the surroundings of the campsite doing necessary chores like laundry, planning, eating and feeding the friendly ducks. The campsite covers 100's of acresRead more
Collingwood, Golden Bay

Up early to get the tent down so we could beat the rain. A very cloudy but dry morning at least for a spectacular drive up and over Makaka Hill into the area called Golden Bay on the very North of theRead more
Fairwell Spit

A dry start but with heavy rain clouds in the distance we set off with waterproofs packed to walk along the southern side of this huge, long and wide spit before crossing over to the northern side.Read more
Heading to the West Coast

Long drive from Collingwood high on the Abel Tasman peninsula towards Greymouth on the West Coast. Interesting and varied road, but so many corners and bends to contend with. Broke up a journey byRead more
Lake Ianthe Matahi

Had a look at the beach where our campsite was located this morning but there was no way that we were going for a swim as the waves and rip tides were very strong. Speaking to the locals the sea isRead more
Franz Joseph Glacier

Rain stopped enough to get the tent packed away, cook some breakfast then take a 'bath' in the surprisingly warm lake (just after seeing 2 large eels swim past - backpacker life! You just have toRead more
Fox Glacier and the mid west coast

Left Franz Joseph this morning and headed 30 minutes down the road to the Fox Glacier, the less popular sibling of Franz. Despite not being able to see as much of the glacier, the setting was farRead more
Alex's Knob (1300m)

We woke to clear skies so decided to go on a long walk to a viewpoint for good views of Franz Joseph glacier. The board said 22km but what we hadn't realised was that it was to go up a mountain to theRead more
Jackson's Bay - Neil's Beach

We visited this beach 12 years ago purely because its name is the same as Louisa's dad. It was very special then because on that day we sat in the sunshine watching Hector dolphins surfing the waves.Read more
LakeWanaka

Left the campsite we had been staying at for a couple of nights. Yesterday wewe met Lorraine, 84 and Linda,70 who had slept in the rooms at the site. They were both originally from California butRead more
Athol

We had a long driving day and with beautiful weather we were able to make the most of the spectacular scenery. We drove from the top of Lake Wanaka through Wanaka and stopping at the town beach for aRead more
The South (West) coast - Orepuki

Another long driving day through varied countryside. Went from low level rolling hills to huge rocky outcrops to forest and rugged coastline. Skimmed past the Fjordland area, calling in at Lumsden andRead more
Bluff

We continued on our journey along the Southern Scenic Route stopping of to explore coves and 'towns' as we went. Cosy Cove was actually quite wild although once had a Maori community of about 40 huts.Read more
Invercargill and the amazing Ashers camp

Spent the morning wandering the Heritage Trail of Invercargill, looking at buildings from the late 1800's to 1930's. A mix of churches and commercial properties. Invercargill is a mixed bag of a cityRead more
Catlins Coastal Heritage Trail

Got away early while it was still calm and sunny to explore this wild, beautiful coastline and learn a bit about the history of this place. Coincidentally our first stop was at a village calledRead more
Nugget Point

Time to leave our sheltered campsite this morning although it's continued to be very windy all day. We went to Mclean Falls which were spectacular with a single fall of 22 meters. We tried to go toRead more
Lynda RalphMust feel like luxury, having your own car, but James, it had to be a bike on your mug ! Enjoy New Zealand, fantastic scenery wherever you go. My nephew, Ben, lives just outside Nelson if you wanted to meet up. Have fun, lots of love Lynda & Tom xxx
Lyndsay McDonnellNot quite the Balmoral we know!! Dreadful to see the damage to the buildings but great to see you happy and relaxed - and four wheels not two!! Enjoy it all. Lots of love xxxx
Tom RalphHappy lands you two are in now, ?? Photos of the card board cathedral please from Christchurch, Happydays Tom