New Zealand
As a proud Australian it pains me to say this but....
"New Zealand is my favourite country"
Now May is Aus is still kinda warmish. Its not freezing. So without thinking my choice of footwear were of course my trusty thongs..
"Welcome to Auckland, did cold for Jandals matey"
The Kiwi airportstaff were extrememly critical but observant and for good reason.
My toes were freezing.
Anways we picked up our home on wheels for the next two weeks. Our trusty camper. We picked up a few essentails, bread, eggs and wine. Switched the gopro, put our home into gear and away we went.
first stop.. Hamiltion.
GLOW WORM CAVES.. ooohhhhhh..
They were actually magical.
You climb through a cave into the dark murky waters below. In the complete darkness the silence is only broken by the drips that plonk onto the cave floor. Like something out of a fantasy movie a little kiwi man in a little wooden boat paddles in to pick you up. You cruise again in silence as you slowly enter the glow worm world. Colours of blues and whites light up the roof of the cave like your floating deep into outerspace or the milkyway.
That night we camped in cambridge, whipped up some pasta on our camper stove and slept like a baby.
Day two... Hobbiton
Hobbit holes and Bilbo Baggins.
The morning drive brought fog and disappointment. The fog wasn't lifting and our morning exploring hobbit homes was looking pretty dismal. However our fears faded as we approached the hills and the misty fog started fading and the sunshine started sneaking its way through the trees.
"Luke where are you going?"
"aaaaaaahhhh" My eyes pop from their sockets.. "We're going on a fucking adventure"
I was soo excited, I skipped around the green hills like a little Biblo Baggins....
I love the Lord of the Rings movies and this was a little dream come true from me. Bilbo's place ontop the hill over looking the hobbit village, The lake, the veggie gardens, the hobbits homes and a proper Green Dragon pub where you can enjoy a cider.
The afternoon we drove to Rotorua.
Its an extremely enjoyable drive through stunning countryside of rolling green hills and quaint little country towns.
Rotorua has a busy little city centre situated next to lake Rotorua. The Sulfur from the nearby geyers is a bit on the nose..
"Mate did you fart?"
Smelling of rotten egg your nose will soon adjust. We avoided the over priced geysers and headed on a short drive passed the red wood forest, past the Blue & Green lakes to Lake Tarawera.
It was a wise decision. It was Simply stunning.
Located at the foot of a dormant volcano, small mountains hug its waterline as do a community of houses and jetties. A retiree's paradise, its away from any tourists and the perfect place to stroll and wet your feet. You could easily spend a week here swimming, fishing, kayaking, trekking and exploring. SO DO IT...
Day three... Mount Tongariro National Park..
We were to spend the day crossing the Mighty Tongariro Alpine Crossing. A 7 hours trek in total, you can add an extra 4 hours by climbing the summit of Mt Ngauruhoe.
We of course did this.
Mt Ngauruhoe was used as Mount Doom in Modor LOTR and people come from all over the world to flick a ring into its summit. However its not an easy climb, its unmarked and at times your on all fours as you shimmy on the loose volcanic rock. So be warned all you die hard Geeks..
Once at the top the view is out of this world, high above the clouds you can see for miles and the summit is so large it feels like it'll suck you straight in.
The rest of the hike takes you past volcanic lakes glowing in fluro blue and green, crazy rock formations, old volcanic craters, old lava fields, natural springs, endless views and more puffing mountains. If you can handle 10 hours of walking please tick this trek off your bucket list, your wobbly jelly legs will thank you later..
Day four.. Wellington and the South Island
STOP!! ferry time...
Its an easy drive to reach Wellington which turned our to bequite to cool city.
Its the capital... bet you didnt know..
Enjoy a kiwi hipster coffee and lunch in its bustling little city centre.
The ferry wasn't cheap but our camper didn't float so we had no choice.
A few hours on board we slowly floated into Picton on the south island. The sunset aboard the ferry was made magical as we glided through stunning fjords that were postcard worthy. We were told the south island was going to be remarkable and this was the perfect introduction.
Knowing we wanted to explore the west coast, once on land, we drove through the famous Marlborough wine region, famous for Oyster bay and other fine drops and spent the night in Westport.
First stop... Pancake rocks.
"For breakfast yeah?"
Along the coastline lay a string of rock formations, that as the name suggests, look like a load of pancakes stacked on top of each other. The formations have created an alien like world that include natural blow holes with thunderess sounds. Cool for a stop off.
The drive down the west coast continues past the towns of Greymouth and Hokitika. Both lovely in there own way but not much to see really. Montieths brewery is in Greymouth it worth a quick stop if you have the time.
But make it past Hokitika and this is when the south island comes alive.
The brutal coast lines of black sandy beaches and jaggered rocks make for an imposing sight. The scenery changes around every bend and my jawline seemed attached to the dashboard as I couldn't control my amazement. Tall, dark forests with trees that rise to the heavens, lush and thick rainforests and you think you're in Pandora. Deep gorges, scattered waterfalls, silent creeks and slippery rivers. The greenest of farms hug the blackest of sandy beaches. The windy roads peek and poke there way in and out of monstrous mountains, you'll drive under cliff tops and cliff edges. Ohhh and endless one lane bridges. Powerful mountains transform quirky streams into ranging rivers which slither their way through the green grass lands.
Its green green green green green, soooo very green.
With not a soul around, its just you, your camper and the mountains.
We drove all the way down to Franz Joseph and Fox Glaciers. Each impressive in there own way.
FJ glacier has retracted quite a lot, however the one hour walk to its face is in itself is an amazing journey for the senses. You walk its river bed which is over shadowed by the mountains on either side, theres waterfalls, snow and loads of ice.
The walk to Fox Glacier is just as stunning. HUGE chunks of ice scatter the river bed, you step in and over little streams and make a wild climb up the side of the mountain. Listen carefully and you can hear the glacier sing and it slides its way along the mountain sides. Or better still listen to chunks of ice crack and crunch there way down the rocks unleashing echoing thunders.
Last stop... QUEENSTOWN
"sorry love you'll have to turn around, roads closed" said a brightly dressed coucil lady with orange hair.
"oh really, how do we get to Queenstown?"
"Oh love this is the only road in or out, you'll have to go back up to Arthurs Pass"
"how long?"
"9 or 10 hours"
FUCK we thought, we were only 2 hours away from queenstown.. but we had to do it. We flew out from queenstown.
Another two more road closures and a total of 16 hours of non-stop driving and we make it Queenstown. Tired, frustrated, hungry and exhausted we sleep off our misery only to wake to sheer beauty.
And yes the rumours are true.
Queenstown is simply one of those places you can't help but LOVE.
Hugged by the Remarkables and kissed by Lake Wakatipu.
The Queenstown centre is filled with resort style architecture and cute little foot malls. Cafes, travel agencies, ski hire and of course FergBurger! Delicious, juicey, Fergburger!!
"Should I order two?'
There is soo much to do in this small mountain town. A MUST DO is the drive south to Glenorchy.
The road hugs lake Wakatipu and has to be one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
You can visit neighbouring towns such as Arrow Town allow and learn past New Zealand colonial life. Whilst Wanaka is great for a handleful of world class wineries and 5 star dining. If you're into adventure you can bungee jump, canyon swing or speed boat around the lake. During winter enjoy some of the world best skii resorts with some of the worlds best snow and slopes. In the summer time enjoy some of the worlds most scenic and breath-taking trekking.
Milford and Doubtful Sound are a short drive and well worth a visit. The drive itself is nuts.
"Are we actually driving through that mountain?"
"yep, straight through its guts, hold on..."
I ended up getting pulled over for speeding and fine $120. But the cop was so darn friendly and we were on such a high from kayaking fjords we didn't care.. New Zealand is the Switzerland of the Pacific. Actually its better. I love it. I've been back numourous time now and its keeps taking my breathaway.
Please I ask you.. Please go to New Zealand..
