Our route is taking us inexorably south but to get to Fiordland in the south we have to head southeast for a while as there is a range of mountains in the way. Our next stop is therefore Wanaka –
The way to Wanaka
From ice to water
We left Ross first thing carrying on our trek south. Our route takes us along the coast past the New Zealand Southern Alps. These run in a northeast to southwesterly direction for most of the length of South Island –
Golden Ross
Our stop for tonight was Ross – an old mining town. The current population of Ross is apparently around 300 people and a signifcant proportion of them seemed to be in the Empire Hotel this evening – the only pub
Pancakes all round …
We headed today from Nelson to our next stop – Greymouth. Rather than following the main road, we decided to take the coast road towards Westport and then south from there to Greymouth. The main idea was to be able
Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman was a Dutch seafarer and merchant from near Groningen who is best known as the first European explorer to reach the islands of Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) and New Zealand. He also was the first to sight
Nelson and around (2)
We started this morning with a walk to the centre of New Zealand. It is slightly debateable whether it really is the centrepoint of New Zealand and recent earthquakes may have moved it slightly, but, from the perspective of a
Nelson and around (1)
This morning we wandered around Nelson. Nelson is the oldest city in the South Island and the second-oldest settled city in New Zealand – it was established in 1841 and was proclaimed a city by royal charter in 1858. The
Whaling and wining
We made an early start this morning. Rashly, we had booked a whale watching trip. This meant a 7.15am start and from the front at Kaikoura they ferried us by bus to South Bay marina. The boats they use are
Crayfish town ….
Since we arrived late, we stayed last night in Christchurch and then set off first thing this morning to head to Kaikoura. Kaikoura is about two and a half hours drive north of Christchurch and the route takes you through
A truncated birthday
Today started as my birthday. A delightful day spent in a tin tube at 40,000 feet travelling more or less due south at just over 500mph. The day finished just 15 hours later, leaving me with a truncated birthday. The