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Self Drive Holiday in New Zealand

A lifetime ago I did a fly-drive holiday of New Zealand.  I still recall most of the trip, although it is time to experience it all again!  I have included a number of original photos (i.e. 35mm film!) from the trip. My apologies for the quality of the scans.

Here is a map of the itinerary and some of my recollections of the trip:

Day 1:

Travelled from Melbourne to Auckland. A late arrival into Auckland involved an overnight stay at a motel close to the airport.  Not much sleep was had!

Ferry Terminal Auckland © Holidays Beckon

Ferry Terminal Auckland © Holidays Beckon

Day 2:

Collected the "Maui" campervan and spent some time looking around Auckland. Had time to enjoy a leisurely ferry ride across to the peaceful small village of Devonport before heading to one of the local supermarket chains (Pak'n'Save) for supplies. After trying to understand what a "judderbar" was, it was then off to Rotorua, a drive of some 3 hours.

Arrived late in the afternoon & checked into a caravan park for an overnight stay.

Church of Good Faith Rotorua © Holidays Beckon

Church of St Faiths Rotorua © Holidays Beckon

Church of St Faiths Rotorua © Holidays Beckon

Church of St Faiths Rotorua © Holidays Beckon

Day 3:

Had a good look around Rotorua today, including sites such as the Govt Bath House, the Church of St Faiths, the mud pools of Te Whakarerewarewa (with the wafts of sulfuric smells coming from the clouds of gas hovering over the boiling mud), and the Redwood Groves.

Te Whakarewarewa Rotorua © Holidays Beckon

Te Whakarewarewa Rotorua © Holidays Beckon

Te Whakarewarewa Rotorua © Holidays Beckon

Te Whakarewarewa Rotorua © Holidays Beckon

Redwood Groves Rotorua © Holidays Beckon

Redwood Groves Rotorua © Holidays Beckon

Day 4:

Heading to Napier today via Taupo, a drive of some 3 hours.

Napier experienced a powerful earthquake in the 30's, with many of the city buildings destroyed. As a result, the town now has a very art-deco feel to it due to the era in which the rebuilding occurred. For a different type of experience, do a guided city walk to see the best of the art-deco architecture.

Napier © Holidays Beckon

Napier © Holidays Beckon

Day 5:

After overnighting in a caravan park in Napier it was off to Wellington through some amazing countryside! Sadly I have no photos of the journey! The drive takes about 4 hours.

Day 6:

Wellington - the windy city!  The weather changed to overcast, cold, drizzling & slightly dreary.  Still, it was a lovely city to look around.  The botannical gardens overlook the city and are a good way to both see the city and to spend a leisurely afternoon.

Wellington © Holidays Beckon

Wellington © Holidays Beckon

Day 7:

Involved catching the ferry to the South Island (with the campervan onboard). The trip takes about 3.5hrs.  Once off the ferry, it was on to Blenheim for supplies before heading for Reefton on the west coast (about a 4 hour drive). It was raining, cold & misty.

The InterIslander © Holidays Beckon

The InterIslander © Holidays Beckon

Day 8:

Woke early for the trip to Franz-Joseph Glacier, about a 3.5hr drive. Stopped at Lake Ianthe on the way for a photo opportunity.

Lake Ianthe © Holidays Beckon

Lake Ianthe © Holidays Beckon

The small township near Franz Joseph is nestled between tall mountains shrowded in clouds and the Waiho River - a rocky riverbed. It's very pretty to walk around & if you're lucky enough the clouds will part & you will see the mountains covered in snow!

Franz Joseph Glacier © Holidays Beckon

Franz Joseph Glacier © Holidays Beckon

Franz Joseph Glacier © Holidays Beckon

Franz Joseph Glacier © Holidays Beckon

This was my first sighting of a glacier.  The photos don't do it justice.  Yes, it really was that dirty! But still, it is amazing to think that it is actually moving towards you!  This great lump of ice!  It was cold at the terminal (face) of the Franz Joseph, beautiful & somehow eery!

Franz Joseph Glacier © Holidays Beckon

Franz Joseph Glacier © Holidays Beckon

Franz Joseph Glacier © Holidays Beckon

Franz Joseph Glacier © Holidays Beckon

Day 9:

Franz-Joseph to Queenstown - 5.5hr drive.

Today was spent on a long boring drive!  The Maui campers generally lack any form of power, and as the countryside is incredibly hilly it does tend to slow you down a bit.  But then, you're on holidays!  Relax & enjoy the scenery!

Queenstown is beautiful, with plenty to see & some good eating venues on Lake Wakatipu. It was nice to just sit & unwind while watching the world go by.

Queenstown © Holidays Beckon

Queenstown © Holidays Beckon

Day 10:

Queenstown & Arrowtown

Headed out to Arrowtown for lunch today. It was definitely worth the trip & has the same sort of "gold mining town" feel as places like Bendigo in Australia.

Later in the day it was a Gondola ride up the mountain to see sunset! Some amazing photo opportunities were had, as well as a glass of champagne to celebrate!

Queenstown © Holidays Beckon

Queenstown © Holidays Beckon

Queenstown © Holidays Beckon

Queenstown © Holidays Beckon

Day 11:

Queenstown to Lake Tekapo - 5 hours

Today involved a very "windy" drive. Strong head-winds slowed the camper to a snails pace and a keen eye kept on the fuel guage as it quickly dropped! The overnight stay at Lake Tekapo involved much buffeting of the van & moving in the wind!

Lake Tekapo © Holidays Beckon

Lake Tekapo © Holidays Beckon

Day 12:

Lake Tekapo to Christchurch 3.5hrs

The next morning was lovely & still. After a leisurely breakfast it was off to Christchurch for the last leg of the journey.

Lake Tekapo © Holidays Beckon

Lake Tekapo © Holidays Beckon

Day 13:

Spent the day looking around Christchurch today before dropping the campervan back to "Maui" late in the afternoon due to an early flight tomorrow & they won't be open in time. Overnighting at a motel close to the airport.

Sign of the Tekahe Christchurch © Holidays Beckon

Sign of the Tekahe Christchurch © Holidays Beckon

Day 14:

... and then it was time to head home!  The final view of New Zealand from the plane was breath-taking.

Departing Scenes New Zealand © Holidays Beckon

Departing Scenes New Zealand © Holidays Beckon

A wonderful holiday was had! It must be time to plan the next one!!

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