South Island Odyssey

April - May 2024

An open-ended adventure by OverTheHillsAndOnOurWay Read more

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- Apr 8, 2024, 3:19pm
- ☀️ 19 °C
- Altitude: 10 m
- New Zealand Bay of Plenty Western Bay of Plenty District Papamoa -37.718937, 176.34636437°43’8” S 176°20’47” E
Day 1
We're on our way!
April 8 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
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- Apr 8, 2024, 7:20pm
- ☁️ 11 °C
- Altitude: 810 m
- New Zealand Manawatu-Wanganui Ruapehu District Waiouru Ngamatea Swamp -39.479724, 175.66990139°28’47” S 175°40’12” E
Day 1–2
Waiouru Army Museum
April 8 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
Freedom camp in the carpark of this amazing museum dedicated to the history of our Army.
Traveler Beautiful photos!
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Traveler I want to get lots of autumn leaves as we travel further south. Watch out for more!
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- Apr 9, 2024, 3:15pm
- 🌬 19 °C
- Altitude: 7 m
- New Zealand Wellington Porirua City Karehana Bay South Beach -41.078922, 174.86950541°4’44” S 174°52’10” E
1
Day 2–3
Plimmerton NZMCA
April 9 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 19 °C
After breakfasting in the Army Museum Cafe where we chatted with Pete and Vi, fellow caravanners, who are on their way home to Taupo after 6 weeks away. Lovely people!
We were soon on the road, enjoying the beautiful NZ countryside and the autumn leaves.
Lunch time found us taking a small side road to Himutangi Beach. The beach is classified as a road so we could drive right onto the sand and set ourselves up for a picnic lunch.
On our way again we drove straight to the NZMCA park at Plimmerton arriving mid afternoon. Lazy time and then a 5 o'clock party before dinner.
Life's good!Read more
That looks like a great spot for lunch [Paul]
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- Apr 10, 2024, 6:15pm
- ☁️ 18 °C
- Altitude: 57 m
- New Zealand Marlborough Marlborough District Renwick Omaka River -41.51374, 173.81737941°30’49” S 173°49’3” E
Day 3–4
Renwick, Blenheim
April 10 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
After a calm crossing on the Bluebridge ferry this afternoon we arrived in the South Island and are staying the night with Sheryl (Paul's cousin) and Kevin in Renwick just out of Blenheim.
Traveler Beautiful crossing pics 😍
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Traveler Lovely to catch up with you both, had a great evening ❤️ safe travels. Fun times ahead 😊
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Traveler Thanks, Sheryl. It was really great to see you and Kevin. Paul would love your casserole recipe please!! Thanks for a wonderful meal and evening!
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Traveler I will photograph it tonight
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Traveler ❤
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- Apr 11, 2024, 12:14pm
- ☁️ 20 °C
- Altitude: 7 m
- New Zealand Canterbury Kaikoura District Kaikoura Suburban Lyell Creek -42.374288, 173.68057842°22’27” S 173°40’50” E
Day 4–5
Kaikoura NZMCA
April 11 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Change of plans for today. We were going to travel from Blenheim to Murchison and across to Hanmer but that area is having some terrible weather so we decided to head down SH1 to Kaikoura for the night, or maybe 2 depending on the weather. We'll still get very strong wind so we're hunkered down inside while it's blowing outside!
We had a good drive down one of favourite stretches of road in NZ - the Kaikoura coast. Just spectacular!!
Oh, and more amazing autumn leaves!Read more
Traveler If you're looking to bring us home a gift, I'd happily accept a sea puppy 😍
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Traveler 🤣
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Traveler The rocks those seals are on look like comfy pillows! Beautiful leaves 🥰
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Traveler 🤣 they sure do! I love how they're draped over the rocks!
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- Apr 12, 2024, 1:00pm
- ☁️ 9 °C
- Altitude: 290 m
- New Zealand Hanmer River -42.576583, 172.78879142°34’36” S 172°47’20” E
Day 5–7
Hanmer Springs NZMCA
April 12 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
Today has been all about tunnels, autumn leaves, spectacular country views and will end with hot pools!
After quite a blustery night and rain, the weather seemed a bit more settled this morning, so we decided to move on to Hanmer springs. We drove down the Kaikoura coast and then headed inland through the sort of countryside that earns NZ it's reputation for unsurpassed beauty!
We're parked up alongside the Waiau River just south of Hanmer and will visit the hot pools early this evening!
So far, this trip is proving all we hoped it would be. We're seeing magnificent places, meeting new people and are loving caravan life. Definitely living the dream!!Read more
Traveler Absolutely blowing a gale with heavy rain here- Autumn has arrived in Tauranga- enjoy 👍
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Traveler ❤
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Traveler Stunning!!
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- Apr 13, 2024, 4:10pm
- ☁️ 10 °C
- Altitude: 284 m
- New Zealand Hanmer River -42.576113, 172.7850442°34’34” S 172°47’6” E
Day 6–7
Lake Tennyson/Hanmer NZMCA
April 13 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
We decided to dip our toes into the world of back country driving today with a trip up the Rainbow Rd, into Molesworth Station, ending up at Lake Tennyson.
The road was gravel and fairly corrugated but we decided we would be prepared to take the caravan in on another visit. Lots of bug spray required. I will put up a pic of one of the critters! They're not shy or retiring!! Lots of sand flies as well.
Spoke to an interesting chap there. He and his wife live sometimes in Kerikeri and sometimes in Germany. She's in Germany atm so he's traveling around parts of NZ he hasn't been to.
Before turning back to our camp and in true Broadbent fashion, we drove a little bit further up the Rainbow Rd and over the Island saddle. Amazing big country views all day and we even went through one ford.
We're looking forward to doing more of this in Central Otago.
Tomorrow we hit Christchurch for a few days. Catching up with friends is high on the agenda!Read more
Traveler Faaaaaabulous!! Looks like a good time 😍
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Traveler It sure was!!!
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Traveler Loving your daily adventures 😊
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- Apr 14, 2024, 3:00pm
- ⛅ 16 °C
- Altitude: 45 m
- New Zealand Canterbury Christchurch City Hei Hei -43.5135, 172.507643°30’49” S 172°30’27” E
Day 7–8
Campasouth POP, Christchurch
April 14 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
We're camped close to the airport tonight. In fact we're right under the flight path so there's plenty of activity above us! We chose this place because tomorrow we're taking the caravan to Jayco for a couple of jobs to be done. We arranged this before we left home. Will be good to get them done.
Today's drive was uneventful and straight forward. We stopped in Amberley to do laundry, empty grey water, fill up with fresh water and then diesel. All mundane but necessary jobs.
I haven't even got many photos today and the one autumn leaves one I got didn't do the scene justice! The vineyard stretched up the hill and it was a sea of orange, so much more beautiful than my pic.
Tomorrow we'll be catching up with friends and doing some shopping. May or may not be post worthy.Read more
Traveler Looks like a top tier 5 o'clock party! Loving these updates xx
2wReply
Traveler 5 o'clock parties are always a good idea!!
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- Apr 14, 2024, 4:15pm
- ☀️ 15 °C
- Altitude: 35 m
- New Zealand Canterbury Waimakariri District Rangiora -43.294674, 172.5711743°17’41” S 172°34’16” E
Day 7–10
Christchurch and Akaroa
April 14 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Our first night we stayed at Campasouth pop near Christchurch Airport so we would handy to Jayco where we dropped the caravan off to get a couple of jobs done. We spent Monday visiting mustang friends, lunching with Trish, my flatmate from way too many years ago and generally shopping for bits and pieces we needed. Obviously bunnings had to be involved!
We stayed with our bro in law in Rangiora for the next 2 nights.
Tuesday saw us tiki touring out to Akaroa via Lyttleton. Akaroa was originally settled by the French and retains it's French flavour. Very pretty indeed.Read more
Traveler Also enjoying time with Helen and David who are also staying with Allan tonight. Good family times.
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- Apr 17, 2024, 4:45pm
- ☀️ 14 °C
- Altitude: 505 m
- New Zealand Canterbury Lake Poaka -44.207344, 170.10021444°12’26” S 170°6’1” E
Day 10–11
Rangiora to Lake Poaka
April 17 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
After a very convivial dinner at 5 stags in Rangiora last night, this morning we farewelled Helen and David as they left for Cromwell and home. Then it was time to say goodbye to Allan who hosted us for 2 nights, ably assisted by Molly the cat.
We picked up the caravan from Jayco and got under way ourselves, heading towards Lake Poaka via the inland scenic route. It was scenic, although after a very poor night's sleep, I seem to have slept for a fair amount of the drive!!
We stopped for lunch in Geraldine and a visit to the Barkers shop and cafe. I purchased a couple of meal bases after they've been highly recommended. This town has a personal connection for my family as my grandfather was once the postmaster there. Family legend tells of when my 2 year old uncle Pat climbed out onto the clock and my grandmother had to rescue him. Looking at the clock I can only admire the courage of my grandmother!
We carried on with our journey duly admiring the southern alps as they came into view and then Lake Tekapo, the church of the Good Shepherd and MacKenzies dog.
Lake Pukaki was stunning as usual with Aoraki Mt Cook sitting at it's head.
Just a small drive on and we arrived at Lake Poaka where we're set up and now waiting for dark so we can enjoy our night sky in this dark sky region.
Cromwell tomorrow!Read more
Traveler Yummy rhubarb! What a great day. The clock story brings my two to mind - your Grandmother didn't need to pass that gene down 😂😂
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Traveler 🤣
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Traveler Loving the travel updates 😍 and that you are both really enjoying yourselves
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