New Zealand - Idyllic South Island of beauty
After a fantastic time in Australia, we thought, how can we top that adventure! I knew instantly this was going to be a trip of a lifetime from the moment we came into land through the mountains...
Queenstown
Breath-taking were my first thoughts…. A shuttle bus dropped us off, straight outside The Copthorne Lakefront Hotel and Resort which was home for 3 nights. We were starving when we arrived, so we took a stroll to the small town and had a delicious meal, taking a seat by a lakefront restaurant, with its breathe taking views of the mountains in front of us, stunning! Great way to start our travels in New Zealand.
Our first adventure was an early start on a road trip to Milford Sounds. We stopped off at “Mirror Lakes” magnificent view, I could of stayed here all day, so peaceful. We then boarded the Milford Sound Nature Cruise, it was out of this world. We got up so close to a waterfall, twice the size of Niagara Falls. There were seals on the rocks and the clouds was low in the mountains, it really was something…
On our last day in Queenstown, my husband had an organised Bungy Jump on the Kawara Bridge. This was amazing to watch, if only I was brave enough to have a go myself, there’s always next time…. As our adventure in Queenstown came to an end, we continued our road trip in a hire car to…
Mount Cook
Driving to Mount Cook was the awe-inspiring of natural beauty! It was picturesque. Lake Wanaka and Lake Pukaki was literally the most aqua blue colour I’ve ever seen! We arrived at The Hermitage Hotel, staying in a “motel” apartment. The only hotel in Mount Cook, the next nearest amenities are an hour away. The day after we arrived, we took a very, very long walk to Hooker Valley, a must if travelling here to see The Hooker Valley Glacier Lake. After a 4 hour walk, we made it! It was by far the best walk I’ve done, it was spectacular and to get a great view of Mount Cook, was worth that walk.
On the second day we did a boat tour of the Glaciers and got right up close. You don’t realise how ice blue they are! We were so close we could touch it. After our trip in Mount Cook it was time for another road trip to…
Christchurch
On our way, we stopped of a little place called Tepako. Again, aqua blue lakes and stunning views. We arrived at The Towers On The Park Hotel to enjoy a 4 nights stay.
It was in Akaroa that one of my dreams had come true. I boarded a boat with a company called “Black Cats” to swim with wild dolphins!!! Hector dolphins, which are the smallest dolphins in the world, they are also very rare. It was amazing just swimming around them in their natural surroundings. They got so close, but you can’t touch them. It was truly an amazing experience, a very well treasured memory.
As most of us are aware, Christchurch unfortunately, had a massive earthquake in February 2011 and it completely destroyed their city. It was very sad walking around and still seeing damaged buildings, however, It was so lovely to see that they are rebuilding their city shopping mall. They are doing this by colourful building containers. Would be worth a visit back to see how this finished as this was only temporary.
We spent a day in Kaikoura, we walked around the small town and did a whale watching tour. We came across sperm whales, a blue shark and pilot whales. A brilliant tour! Our adventure here ending and then made our way up to…
Picton
We stayed at the Beachcomber Inn for a night to take one of the world’s most beautiful scenic ferry crossing over to wellington, it took 3 hours across the narrow channel of the Cook Strait.
Wellington
We stayed at the Comfort Hotel. When we arrived, it was a very wet rainy day. We walk round the town got a bite to eat. Not a lot to do on a wet day. I would like to see more of Wellington one day.
Sadly, Wellington was the last part of our Journey in New Zealand. New Zealand, by far has got to be the best place I’ve been to. I had made so many amazing memories and dreams come true.
I hope I have inspired you to make your dreams come true in this most beautiful part of the world.
Back to Australia for the final part of our travels…..