Our trip

Everyday when we were away I hurriedly scribbled a few notes on what we did, today I put them together and if you want to have a read - here it is..... along with the photo below of that ride!



I'm the nervous looking one in the third row back - 2nd from right and at this time was thinking - what have I done?? The ride was just beginning...

Must admit that sometimes I am wrong – this holiday I wanted the tropics, Peter thought the South Island, I didn’t think that 8-9 days would be long enough…. Our original plan was to hire a camper but we decided as time was short we would see more by using a car and staying in tourist flats or motels. One day we will go back with a camper and see what we missed this time around! This was a real whistle stop tour but we managed to fit in more than we expected.


Monday 9th – we headed out on a flight to Christchurch; the weather was both windy and freezing. We joked that we were meant to be on our way to Fiji or somewhere warm! I was meant to have packed a swim suit not winter woolies! Arrived at Christchurch and picked up our rental car. Was meant to be a little 1500cc but we ended up with a 2 litre for the same price. We wanted to get as far as we could on the first few days as we knew there was lots to see and do once we reached Fiord land. Off we went stopping at Ashburton for lunch, onto to Timaru where we thought we would spend the first night. Had a drive around and went to Caroline Bay. Lovely spot. We had plenty of time on our side today so thought we would head to Oamaru instead for the night. Oamaru was beautiful, lovely old buildings that fascinated me, steep streets with views out to sea. An interesting city with a lot of character.

Tuesday 10th – Woke to a sunny day which changed as we drove southwards. We heard that there was snow falling in the area. Off to Dunedin, on the outskirts of the city snow was falling but not landing, only the second time I’ve seen snow actually falling. First stop in Dunedin I was off to purchase a merino top and scarf! We walked around the town (wearing several layers of clothing). It’s a beautiful city, and while wandering around I got the feeling that I was almost back in Scotland. Today we had sun, snow, sleet, icy winds and hail! People had told us not to visit Invercargill but we both wanted to see it, how can you go that far and not go! Also Peter wanted to sample Bluff oysters at Bluff (he knew they would have to be frozen ones). We reached Invercargill and found a motel for the night. A quick venture outside for a walk in the icy wind, raced back to the motel as the clouds blackened and we felt rain in the air. We had a drive out to Bluff but it was getting dark and we gave up on the search for a restaurant there (found out that if we had gone round the next bend it was there!)

Wednesday 11th – How many people go to Bluff twice on one holiday? Back we went this time up to the look out for views out to Stewart Island. The wind was so strong you could barely stand. Then to the Stirling Point signpost. Any ideas of a trip to Stewart Island were squashed when we saw the sea. Peter was interested in the Maritime Museum so that was the next visit. We then took the scenic route around the coast through Riverton; we drove out to Colac Bay which was a rugged but picturesque beach, looked like a lovely place to stay, then inland through Tuatapere and onto Lake Manapouri. The weather became sunnier and warmer. We stopped at Lake Manapouri and took in the scenic unspoiled beauty of it all. As time was limited we knew we couldn’t do trips to both Doubtful Sounds and Milford Sounds so a decision had to be made. We then drove onto Te Anau. What a beautiful lake and amazing views. Decided to have two nights here and found a motel which looked onto the Lake, perfect. We made enquiries about a trip to Milford Sounds. We needed snow chains for the vehicle and then the owner of the motel told us that the mail man takes out a van every day with 10 seats and connecting with the boat trip to the Sounds. This sounded perfect so we booked for the next day.

Thursday 12th – Picked up by the mail main at 8.15am, four other couples on the trip, two from Oz and two from England – we were the only New Zealanders! Felt like a visitor in our own country! The trip to the Sounds was an event on its own; the scenery on the way was rugged but beautiful. The driver could tell us so much history about the road and the people that built it. We stopped on the way and he boiled up a Billy of tea (best cup of tea I’ve had) While it was boiling we walked through the bush out to Mirror Lake, surrounded which ever way we looked by such beautiful sights. On through the Homer tunnel, I wasn’t too sure about this as sort of thinking what if there is an earthquake while we are going through here! This tunnel took 20 years to build! The weather had been a bit moist and the clouds and mist were lowering as we headed onto the Sounds. A bit disappointing in same ways but maybe due to the showers the boat was almost empty! We were on the Nature cruise which was out for around two and half hours. This was breathtaking, along the way we stopped at water falls which thanks to the rain were going well. At one stage the boat was right under one and people had to move quickly to avoid wet camera gear. The trip took us out along one side of the Fiord and just touched into the Tasman Sea before returning. Just spectacular. We also saw fur seals along the way. The clouds started to lift and the sun peeped though. Our mail man met us when we arrived back and we headed back to Te Anau. On the way he stopped at the Chasm. He told us he found it hard to describe and wouldn’t try but for us to take a walk and see. The walk took us over bridges and as we got closer the noise of the water got louder and then we were there! I could see why he found it hard to describe – the waterfalls go over rocks and have sculpted them over time. Nature at it's best - just so rugged and beautiful. We stood on the bridge and took it all in.

Friday 13th Woke to a fine but windy day, lake very choppy. Off to Queenstown! It doesn’t matter which way we looked there were amazing views everywhere; we were surrounded by snow topped mountains. We were lucky as when we hit Fairlight there was the Kingston Flyer. The grandsons would have loved to have seen this sight! All their dreams come true!! It is a famous vintage steam train that does trips between Kingston and Fairlight. We got to Queenstown and what a change in the weather – I had to nip into a public toilet and shed off a few layers of clothing! We once again found accommodation, with a view - this time of Lake Whakatipu. The room wasn’t the flashest but not too pricey and what a view! We wandered around Queenstown, can see why the tourists are attracted to it. It hums. Late afternoon we took a scenic cruise out on the Lake on the Earnslaw a vintage steam ship.

Saturday 14th – this was a full on day! We drove out to Arrowtown which is a living historic town. I loved it! So pretty and scenic. We browsed around the shops, looked at the scenery, the quaint old buildings. Loads of cafes about. We found one and sat out in the sun enjoying our coffees. On the way to Arrowtown we saw the Shotover jet. Peter said that we should give it a go! I think he was teasing me! But we went back down and looked at it take off and heard the yells and squeals of the passengers and I thought why not!! I shocked myself. So on the way back from Arrowtown we stopped again, it was 1.50 and the next trip was 2.00pm. I thought to myself if we don’t go on the 2.00pm one I didn’t think I could hang about another half an hour waiting and thinking about it. Our luck was in and before we knew it we were bundled up in a jacket and life jacket and on the jet.

A bit below from their web site…..
You can't beat the thrill . . .
. . . of a Shotover Jet experience. It's an adrenaline rush you'll never forget! It's called Thrill Therapy and it's actually good for you too!
From the moment the accelerator hits the floor, your adrenaline hits the roof as you power through the Shotover River and deep into the Shotover River canyons!
It's an amazing ride, as the Shotover Canyon walls tower over you, and your driver skillfully whips the boat past rocky outcrops, and skims around crags and boulders.
Rock faces blur in your peripheral vision, the opaque water sprays into myriads of white crystals with every turn, and you grip the safety rail for comfort and reassurance and then let out a whoop of excitement as the driver spins the boat around in its own boat length — wow, you've just experienced the 'trademark' Shotover Jet 360 degree spin! You'll stop briefly while your driver points out interesting landmarks or points of interest.

And it lived up to its promises!! I especially loved the 360 spins though found myself closing my eyes when we once again headed towards another rock face!!

From here we then drove to the Gondola – a cable car which is meant to be the steepest lift in the Southern Hemisphere. And I’m scared of heights!! Not too bad when I looked up towards where we were heading rather than back and down! Amazing views of Queenstown here but I didn’t get too close to any of the edges of viewing areas. Peter thought he was funny on the way back when he rocked the Gondola, I freaked out.

We then headed by car to Glenorchy (some filming for Lord of the Rings was done here). Another place with breathtaking scenery. Only 40k’s out of Queenstown but it started to rain and the road was quite windy so seemed to take quite a while. We stopped at the pub there for a drink before heading back into Queenstown. Dinner at Queenstown – what a choice!!! We were within just a short walk of the pier and after having a drink at an Irish pub we ended up at a seafood restaurant back at the pier. Very nice too and finally Peter got a taste of oysters – not Bluff ones however. There was also a casino above so went there and spent the grand total of $8 before giving up.

Forgot to say we also drove up to Coronet Peak today!

Sunday 15th – Left Queenstown behind and headed towards Mt Cook. (Our son used to work there and we were really interested in seeing it). We drove through Wanaka and Twizel (and sorry Felicity I didn’t have your cell phone number on me) onto Mt Cook past Lake Pukaki. The colours of the lakes are unreal. The weather had turned for the worse and once reaching the mountain a lot of the scenery was blocked out my clouds. Still felt dwarfed by the surrounding landscape. We had to make the decision whether to stay or move on before dark. There were hardly any visitors around and the weather didn’t look too hopeful in coming right so we moved on. We headed to Lake Tekapo and once again found a place with another lot of lake views!

Monday 16th - this holiday seems to have been a blur of mountains, lakes, beautiful scenery break (also beautiful cafes and restaurants – resulting in lots of cappuccinos, flat whites and drinks and meals out!) This was our last whole day. We woke to a sunny but cold morning and wrapped up and took a walk to a beautiful little stone church (The Church of the Good Shepherd) we had spotted. It snowed on the way back! In fact it snowed several times during the day. Not enough to fall but lust lovely little snow drops. I don’t feel the cold usually but today had four layers of clothing on, Peter went and bought some gloves. Cold - but we loved this place, it is beautiful, when the sun suns on the lake it is an amazing turquoise colour. We decided rather than head back to Timaru as planned to spend another night here. Took a little trip out to a Salmon farm as well.

We have had a lot of eating out but tonight were the best meal we have had on this trip. We found a Japanese restaurant – both of us had entrees which were a variety of different interesting tastes, Peter had a tempura dish which I just had to have a little sample, for the main I chose Salmon Teriyaki, Peter hade a pork dish, both were so fresh and tasty - full of flavour. The Salmon melted in my mouth – just delicious!

While in Lake Tekapo we also drove up to the Mt John Observatory, thought Devin would have loved this as he is right into planets. Great views from this spot as well.

Tuesday 17th – home today. We took the scenic route inland towards Christchurch leaving behind the mountains,lakes, and the scenery. We will go back one day with a lot more time on our hands.

Yep Peter you were right! This holiday was perfect – but next year maybe we can look at somewhere just a little warmer?

Take a bow South Island - the service we had was excellent, the people friendly and helpful, the sights and scenery amazing - lastly the food - delicious!!