New Zealand – South Island

Monday (13 November) we left our friends in Northern Auckland and drove back to the airport for a short flight down to Christchurch on the South Island. Got the bus transfer to collect a car hire, which turned out to be the wrong hire company, Rog had cancelled that company’s hire car and got a much cheaper deal (saving about £100), so after some confusion and apologies, Rog was just working out how to deal with it when the chap offered/insisted on giving us a lift to correct car hire company. A very kind gesture!

After collecting the correct car hire, we drove to the local supermarket for supplies for the week. We then set off on a 3 1/2 hr drive to the west coast, via Arthur’s pass, to a place called Hokitika, into a yellow weather warning for Heavy rain. Most of the drive was dry, with only the last half hour in the rain. We stayed at the 252 Beachside motel. Another place that the only real description is cheap and clean!

And it did rain heavily overnight.

Tuesday, more rain, we drove south along the coastal highway, via Franz Joseph glacier to Fox Glacier, the rain continued most of the day, so we didn’t stop very often for the views, just kept driving. Tonight we had booked a bunk house room (the cheapest option), at Top 10 holiday park in Fox Glacier. When we checked in we were informed that the bunk house was not open, so we got a free upgrade to a cabin!

We booked the hot tub for 30mins, which was lovely with a view of the cloud obscured mountains.

Wednesday, a much better day for the weather, we continued our drive south, managing a 5km walk to see the Fox Glacier, and stopped on the road side to see Bruce Bay, Knight’s Bay, Haast village to refuel, Thunder Creek falls, then Fantail falls. Our accommodation for the next two nights was at Wonderland Makarora lodge.

Thursday, we walked towards the Blue Pools, but unfortunately the bridges of the river were closed, the sign said that they had “come to the end of it’s operational life”, so not sure we’d have wanted to walk over it anyway! A nice walk as far as the bridge.

We also walked the first part of the Mount Shrimpton track, the whole track is 3hrs, so we did about 1hr, another enjoyable forest walk, the path was more natural than some of the more touristy routes.

Friday, we drove, in the rain, to Wanaka. Had a wonderful brunch at the Federal Diner. Rog had kedgeree and Nic had amazing Eggs Benedict.

Did some shopping, whilst driving out of the car park, a guy stopped us to tell us that our back tire was looking a bit flat! Bugger! So we stopped at the garage put some more air in it and hoped! (Update – Sunday – car tire is still OK).

We continue our long drive in the rain to Otago, which is back in the east coast of the south island, to visit friends on their farm. We have not seen them in person for 24 years.

Saturday, friends had a stall on a local market in Kakanui, when we say local…. it’s New Zealand, so that is a 35 mins drive away. So went to see the market, then drove on to Oamaru, which was having a Victorian festival. Lots of people dressed in Victorian costumes, a nice place to wander around and soak up the atmosphere.

On the drive back to the farm, we stopped for fish & chips in Moeraki village, at the Fish Wife, really good fresh fish and chips, we shared a butter fish and sole, and obviously chips!

We visited the Moeraki Boulders, on the beach, strange balls of rock.

In the evening, we headed out for dinner and drinks at the Arc Brewery, nice beer but unfortunately the food truck had stopped serving food, so we only managed one beer and headed home for dinner. Lots of homegrown produce, so delicious and no complaints from us.

Sunday, we helped out with some gardening, then went with our friend to visit the gold mine where he works, he gave us a fascinating tour, but essentially it’s a big hole in the ground with lots of big toys!