Follow my trip around New Zealand either by reading the whole story, by pressing the ? on the map to the left or just enjoy the pictures in my album. These pictures are chosen out from a gallery of over 1000 pictures but I hope it will give you an idea of the beautiful and unspoiled nature "down under". Mid February 1999 I finished a job assignment and had a period of unemployment. I had for a long time wanted to travel around New Zealand. Now the time was perfect and I started my 3 months tour around both Islands the 8th of March 1999 beginning in Christchurch. I had from home no plans but made all decisions as I travelled. Please take a look around on this Homepage and feel free to contact me if you have questions. I will be pleased to help. New Zealand national bird (the Kiwi)
CHRISTCHURCH
Christchurch is an English inspired town and is the perfect starting point for trips around the South Island. In the middle of the city centre is the beautiful Botanic Garden covered by flowers of all sorts and the River Avon that gently weaving through the city.
Christchurch Botanic Garden	Christchurch has a lot of museums and displays of different sort. I will point out the International Antarctic Centre where I used a day learning about Antarctic conditions, New Zealand research station Scott Base and Antarctic expeditions during the time. Very interesting. If the weather is good take the Christchurch Gondola to the top of Mt. Cavendish where there is a great view over Christchurch, Canterbury and Lyttelton. The first time I was there the weather was a bit cloudy though and I did not have the perfect view.
BANKS PENINSULA
I went on a bus tour from Christchurch to Akaroa a nice little town ship placed on a Banks of an extinct volcano. The French Farm Winery will be past on the way to Akaroa. Here the good local wine can be tasted (I found out later that New Zealand have a lots of very good and fine wine all over the country). From the garden there is a beautiful view over the Banks Peninsula and Akaroa.	French Farm Winery
Akaroa is placed perfect on the Banks of the volcano with a nice little harbour. Akaroa is French inspired because of the first French settlers. From the harbour there is access via the crater to the Pacific Ocean. I went on a half-day cruise around the crater and saw among other things the beautiful but shy Hectors dolphins (sometimes sharks can be seen instead) and a Paua shell factory. I also went on an separate tour swimming with the dolphins. That was an amazing experience.	Akaroa
LAKE TEKAPO
Lake Tekapo	Lake Tekapo is passed driving from Christchurch to Mt. Cook at Highway 8. Lake Tekapo is a big lake surrounded by mountains. The city Lake Tekapo is placed at the bank with a nice view over the lake. The day I arrived in Lake Tekapo the weather was beautiful with blue sky and no wind and the view over the lake was magnificent. At the late hours of the day I hiked to Mt. John following the lake. That is a great tour.
MT. COOK
Mt. Cook is the highest mountain on New Zealand even though 14 million cubic metres fell away from the top in a massive landslide in 1991. In the Mt. Cook National park 22 of New Zealand 27 mountains higher than 3000 metres can be found. I hiked from Mt. Cook to Hooker glacier on a half-day tour. Following the Hooker Lake track is quite amazing although other tracks in the area is even more interesting and famous.	Mt. Cook
NORTH OTAGO
Lake Waitaki	From Mt. Cook I drove to Oamaru at highway 80 and 83 troughs a very scenic area with lots of lakes (like Lake Waitaki). Here a lots of New Zealand's electric power is generated from hydro plants. Oamaru is known for the little blue penguin nests right in the town. At Bushy Beach I saw the yellow-eyed penguin from an undisturbed observation post a couple of hours before sunset. To get a better view of the worlds rarest penguins Department Of Conservation (DOC) have arranged tours down on the beach that allows closer viewings.
From Oamaru and further down the coast towards Dunedin is the impressive Moeraki Boulders formed into their spherical shape in the mudstone and eroded from the cliffs behind. Quite interesting an amazing geological formations.	Moeraki Boulders
DUNEDIN
Sandfly Beach	Dunedin founded by Scottish settlers is known for the university. Just outside Dunedin is the beautiful Otago Peninsula with the Royal Albatross Colony one of the only one close to human habitation. Take a closer look at the nesting site. Unspoiled and huge sand beaches like the Sandfly Beach cover the peninsula.
From Dunedin I took a half-day trip on the Tairei Gorge Railway to Pukerangi and back and discovered one of the world most beautiful railways placed on the banks of the valley. There is an impressive history behind building the railway. Every tunnel and bridge is handmade build by workers 100 years ago. It took almost 50 years to finish and by then there was no need for the rail. For years it has only been a tourist attraction.	Taieri Gorge Railway
CATLIN
Catlins the most southern part of the South Island is a beautiful, desolated and remote area. The roads in this area are mostly gravel and you drive for hours without finding any signs of habitations. I found a sheep farm in Progress Valley where I stayed for a couple of days. People in this area are very friendly and hospitable and the community offers a lot to see and do, too. Listen to the silence and the beautiful sound from the Bellbirds in the morning is fantastic. The vegetations are dense bush and the farmers have to cut down the vegetation regularly to get access to ground for sheep's, deer's and cattle's.
Purakanunui Falls	From Progress Valley there is a short drive to Purakanunui and McLean Falls two very nice and famous water falls in the Catlins. The Cathedral Cave is enormous caves cut out by the sea and can be seen at low tides on Waipati Beach. At Curio Bay the most extensive fossil forest in the world can be seen at low tide. The Petrified Forest is estimated to be 160 million years and is very interesting a quite amazing experience. From the beach at Porpoise Bay Hectors dolphins can be watched surfing in the waves and sometimes you can by lucky swimming with them too. I also went on a boat trip out on the Porpoise Bay and here you really experience the dolphins coming close to the boat and play.
STEWART ISLAND
From the Catlin my trip continued to Invercargill and Bluff where I took the ferry to Oban on Stewart Island. Unfortunately I only spent 2 days on this remote Island because the best way to discover the Island is by spending 8-10 days hike around the north or south part of the Island. I went on a half-day hike around Halfmoon Bay. Invercargill is not of any particular interest but Bluff is quite interesting. There is a Paua Shell museum with shells from all over the world and also some of the really big Paua's from New Zealand. I found a great spot for an unobstructed view of the flat surrounding area of Bluff. Here was also a fantastic view to the huge Comalco Aluminium Smelter.	Stewart Island
FJORDLAND NATIONAL PARK
Te Anau Down	Following the coast on South Highway 99 from Invercargill up north to Te Anau, Fjordland National Park can be enjoyed to the left. Te Anau is a nice small settlement dominated by the mountains across Lake Te Anau. Te Anau is the starting point for the famous Te Anau - Milford track that I decide to hike. The track is 54 kilometre and starts at Te Anau Down which can be reached by bus and boat. The track can be discovered either the hard way as independent trampers or on a guided tour. I went for the challenged tour where everyone carried his or her own pack, food, water and sleeping bags. Huts placed along the track shall be used at nights and because the track is designed for a sudden amount of people it is important that the schedule is kept which means the track has to be past within 4 days.
View from Mt. Balloon	The track itself is quite easy for inexperienced trampers although Fjordland is well known for huge amount of rain in short time. Fortunately during my hike only light rain occurs occasionally. But even in cloudy and rainy weather Fjordland is amazing with waterfalls everywhere, unspoiled nature and curious Wekas. The morning after the 2nd night on the track I saw the first Kea's. A Kea is a parrot and is very delighted to colourful things like boots, packs and cloths and uses every possibility to destroy. The 3rd day the 1073-meter high Mt. Balloon is passed. From the top of Mt. Balloon there is a beautiful view down the valley.
Sutherland Falls	On the way down the vally a detour to Sutherlands Falls is worth the effort. The 580-meter high Sutherland Falls is New Zealands highest waterfall. Due to days with rain it was not possible to get near the falls without getting soaked. Normally the fall can be passed if there have been periods without rain. The last day on the track shall be started quite early while the boat at Sandfly Point does not wait for detained. The last day was done is in sunshine, the first day with sun, and following the Arthur River to Lake Ada passing the magnificent Mackay and Giant Gate Falls was a great ending of a fabulous hike. At Sandfly Point a boat sailed us the last 20 minutes to Milford. I stayed the night in Milford and went out on a fantastic cruise on Milford Sound the next day. Milford Sound is covered by high mountains and due to heavy rain during the night the mountains was almost one big waterfall. That was amazing. From Milford I took a bus back to Te Anau through some of Fjordlands stunning nature.
QUEENSTOWN
From Te Anau I drove to Queenstown via Highway 6 following the shores of Lake Wakatipu. I decided not to stay in Queenstown but found a nice and quiet settlement north of Queenstown called Arrowtown. Arrowtown is an old gold mining settlement with lots of history. Queenstown is a tourist town known for action activities like Bungy Jump. I Bungy Jumped the 102 meter high Pipeline from a suspension bridge crossing the Skippers Canyon. It was a thrill seeking experience. Following the road out north of Queenstown takes you to a look-out point where there is great and stunning view over The Remarkables. Queenstown have a very interesting display showing live Kiwi birds. As Kiwi's normally live in the darkness a special showroom is constructed.
I went on a guided tour in a 4WD to Macetown that is an old and extinct gold city. There is not much to see in Macetown but the trip itself is word the effort. By luck you can still find gold dust in the river. From Queenstown I followed Kawarau River to Highway 6 going north to Wanaka. In Wanaka there is a Puzzle World that is quite exiting and funny. Just outside Wanaka is Rocky Hill. A hike to the top and back takes half a day. From the top of Rocky Hill experience the magnificent view over Mount Aspring National park and Lake Wanaka. Unfortunately it rained heavily the day I hiked so I was soaked in seconds but the trip down was done in perfect weather conditions.	Kawarau River
SOUTHERN ALPS
Franz Josef Glacier	Following Highway 6 through Haast Pass to Haast Village is a nice scenic road. From Haast Village down to Jacksons Bay the road is desolated and Jacksons Bay is a quite remote fishing town. Haast Range is worth a detour. Fox and Franz Josef Glacier are the only Glaciers in the world that have advanced so close to the sea (at this latitude). I went on a half-day guided tour up on Fox Glacier. It was an amazing and stunning experience and very interesting. On the parking area Kea's try to destroy your car if you do not take any precautions. Next day I went for Franz Josef Glacier. This Glacier is like Fox but from Peters Pool there is a fabulous view to the Glacier if you have the right condition of weather and sun.
GREYMOUTH
The road from Franz Josef to Greymouth is quite scenic and north of Greymouth the road to Punakaiki is phenomenal. In Punakaiki the fabulous Pancake Rocks can be watched and also the amazing Blowholes if the tides are right. Greymouth is known for the beer Monteiths and a guided tour in the brewery is interesting. After the tour the Monteiths beer can be tasted for free.	Pancake Rock
ARTHUR'S PASS NATIONAL PARK
Arthurs Pass	From Greymouth I went back to Christchurch for visiting friends I have met during me trip. The day I pass Arthurs Pass the rain was just pouring down which was a pity while the pass is quite beautiful. Sections of the road is one lane only and dangerous steep and because of the heavy rain the trip was a bit scary. Back in Christchurch the weather was better than first time I was there so I went on a hike to Mt. Cavendish and took the cable car back.
KAIKOURA
On the way north one should stop in Kaikoura. The town is known for easy access to whale and dolphin watching if the weather is good. The day I arrived the weather was not that good, so instead of a boat trip I went for a flight to watch Sperm whales. And fortunately we say a couple of these big creatures. Encluded in the tour was also a trip over Kaikoura. Near Kaikoura is a cave called Mauri Leap Cave. Compared to other caves around New Zealand this one is very small. From Kaikoura I drove down to Hamner Spring Resort, which is a thermal paradise with lots of hot pools, relaxing activities such as sauna, steam room and "self heating mud" massage. One day in Hanmer Spring Resort and your is like a new person.	Kaikoura
WESTPORT
From Hanmer Spring I continued to Westport on the west coast. The idea driving back to the west coast was actually some cave climbing in Te Tahi tomo. Unfortunately the New Zealand military was during some exercise in that cave which I did not know before arriving. Instead I did a black water rafting in Metro Cave. Not quite so thrilling but interesting. The start of Metro Cave is a regular cave trip but in the lower part we had to sail out in inflatable tubes during an underground river. When all light was turned off and our eyes got use to the darkness we could now see the roof was covered by Glowworms like a Milky Way. Well out of the cave we continued down the river in the inflatable tubes back to our starting point. It was fun though.
Charming Creek	Westport is a coal town and there is a lots of history from the old days and a very interesting display showing the technique and methods used then and today. A few kilometres north of Westport in a small community called Granity there is a nice half-day walk on Charming Creek track. Charming Creek is an old coal line following the picturesque Ngakawau River Gorge to Mangatini Falls.
NELSON
From Westport my trip continued to Nelson following the Buller Gorge and Highway 6. Nelson the biggest city in the north region of the South Island is a pleasant and nice town surrounded by stunning National Parks and beautiful beaches. The north region has more sun than other parts of the country which makes is ideal for holiday.	Nelson
A very famous hike in the Nelson region is the 51-kilometre Abel Tasman Coast Track in Abel Tasman National Park. The track can be passed in different ways and in sections. The track does not have to be passed in a sudden time while there is no booking in the huts (maybe DOC have changed the rules). That means you can arrive to a hut with no bunks available and you have to sleep on the floor. The track was not crowded the time a year I was hiking (end April).
Observation Beach	I hiked the section from Marahau to Totaranui, which is 38-kilometre and was done in 3 days including transport from Nelson to Marahau and Totaranui to Nelson. The bus from Nelson takes you along the coast north to the nice town Kaiteriteri before you end up in Marahau. The section I hiked has to be planned ahead while some of the beaches have to be crossed at low tide. Stunning and sandy beaches like the Observation Beach is passed during the hike.
Goat Bay	The weather in Abel Tasman National Park is almost always sunny making the hike much easier. The 2nd day of my hike I made a short detour to Cleopatras Pool a nice natural stone formation that looks like a woman lying in the water. Well arrived in Totaranui the last day on the hike time was in for a swim in Goat Bay before a water taxi transported me back to Marahau.
PICTON and WELLINGTON
Around Picton is some very nice wineries and in Blenheim the Prenzel Distilling Company makes an interesting local liqueur. Just outside Picton there is a short walk to the Snout following the Queen Charlotte Sound where the ferry to Wellington passes. Wellington is to my point of view just a big city and a starting point for the journey on the North Island. The National Museum is worth a visit and a whole day can easily be spent. The time I was visiting the museum there was a special Goldie exhibition with very nice Maori paintings.
If the weather is nice a trip around Wellington Peninsula is a great half-day trip. From Wellington the journey continued along the west coast to Palmerston North and down again to Masterton hitting Highway 2 north to Hastings and Napier. The south part of the North Island is not particular interesting but driving out to the east coast there is some scenic roads around Castle Point.	Ferry to Wellington
WEST COAST - NORTH ISLAND
Napier	Outside Hasting there is a famous and very nice lookout point called Te Mati with a spectacular view over Ruahine Range. Napier is lying on sweeping Hawkes Bay and is an architecturally fascinating city. The Art Deco stile found on the building holding the Tourist Information is common for the city after a disastrous earthquake in 1931. When the community build up the city after the earthquake modern artists (for the time) designed must of the buildings. Around Napier great vineries can be visit and many of them have really superb vines.
From Napier the coastline was followed to Gisborne with a beautiful detour to Lake Whakamarino. The coastline was followed from Gisborne all the way to Opotiki at Bay of Plenty. The picturesque costal road is worth the detour. Waihau Bay and special the view to White Island, which is an active volcano, is spectacularly. Just outside Opotiki is the fascinating Hukutaia Domain, which contain one puriri tree estimated to be 2000 years old.	Lake Whakamarino
EAST COAST - NORTH ISLAND
Hot spring in Rotoroa	Rotoroa with the nickname "Sulphur City" is known for the thermal activities within the city and the surrounding areas. Rotoroa also have a large Maori population and there are different Maori cultural activities around the city. Because of the thermal activities in the area hot springs can be found all over the town. Polynesian Spa offers a luxury bath in natural hot water. I went to a Maori concert one night. It was a fantastic experience and very interesting. After the concert a traditional Hangis was served cocked the old traditional way in an earth oven. The concert and Hangi gave a very good expression of the old Maori culture.
From Rotoroa to Taupo there is a lots of Thermal Parks. One of them Waiotapu Thermal Area offers a good display with many interesting features including the Artist's Palettes and other very beautiful and colourful mineral terraces and other rock formations. In this area Lady Knox Geyser can be seen spout every day. Lady Knox Geyser has a very interesting history, which I will not reveal here. Around Taupo interesting exhibition like Craters of the Moon and a visit to the Thermal Power Plant Waikain is worth the effort. The mighty Huka Falls can be seen just outside Taupo. Lake Taupo New Zealands biggest lake is beautiful and following Highway 1 south to Turangi is a very scenic road following the lake.	Lady Knox Geyser
From Turangi the Tongariro National Park was crossed. Unfortunately the Tongariro Crossing the 'finest one-day walk in New Zealand' was closed due to bad weather when I was in the area. Down to Wanganui either by Highway 4 or the back-road following Whanganui River can be used. Following the Whanganui River on the gravel road is worth the detour but watch the weather. If there have been days with rain a 4WD is preferred. The detour is very picturesque. The road from Wanganui to New Plymouth following the coast around the mighty Mt. Egmont is nice. Unfortunately clouds covered the top of Mt. Egmont all days during my stay and I did not really see the massive cone dominating the flat landscape.
Whanganui River	From New Plymouth Highway 43 was followed through Whanganui National Park to Waitomo. Waitomo is famous for its limestone caves that cover the whole region. Haggas Honking Hole is an amazing and thrill-seeking trip down the earth with lots of abseiling, rock climbing and crawling through tight spots and narrow passageways following a subterranean river with waterfalls. If you suffer from claustrophobic this is NOT a trip for you. But if you like a quick adrenalin kick this is it and most be tried. This trip gives a good idea what caving is about. Waitomo also offer more 'normal' activities like Glow-worms and the small but interesting museum with information about caving.
NORTHLAND
From Waitomo the next stop was Hamilton and Tauranga. Tauranga is probably one of New Zealands best known kiwi fruit area and many big and nice millionaire houses covers Papaomi Beach. From Mt. Maunganui there is a stunning view over the beach and surrounding area.
From Tauranga the west coast was followed to Coromandel. At Hahei the Hot Water Beach is worth a visit. At low tide dig a hole in the sand and make you own hot water pool. The whole beach is covered by thermal activities just below the sand. Quite amazing. At low tide the Cathedral Cove is worth a visit. The Coromandel is very nice and Fletcher Bay on the top of the peninsula is a remote, uninhabited, beautiful and unspoiled nature resort. From the main road there is approximately 50 kilometres on narrow gravel road to Fletcher Bay. There is a full day walk from Fletcher Bay to Stony Bay and back with lots of great costal views to Great Barrier and Little Barrier Islands.	Fletcher Bay
From Coromandel the trip continued to Northland passing Auckland. First stop was Whangarei. Northland has many vineries with free taste. These vines are all very nice but unfortunately many of the vines are only sold on New Zealand. The beautiful Whangarei Falls cascading water over the edge of old basalt lava flow.
Whangarei Falls	From Whangarei to Russell following the old back-road is quite scenic. Due to landslides the gravel road was in many places in a poor condition. From Russell there is a ferry to Paihai before hitting the road further north to Mangonui in Douptless Bay. Following the coast during sunset is amazing. Following Highway 12 down to Kohukohu taking a ferry to Rawere is picturesque. In Opononi huge sand dunes and beautiful beaches can be seen.
Highway 12 down to Dargaville following the coast takes you through Waipoua Kauri Forest where some of New Zealands largest and oldest Kauri trees can be seen. The mighty 'lord of the forest' Tare Mahuta is estimated to be 1200 years old. 50 kilometres south of Dargaville is Matakohe Kauri Museum with a wonderful collection of kauri gum, furniture and other handmade wood objects made out of 'swamp kauri', ancient kauris found in swamps and dated to be several thousand years. In the shop some of the objects can be brought and it is pretty amazing to own a bowl made of wood dated to be 40000-50000 years old!
Just outside Dargaville is the beautiful Bailey Beach. Next stop was Auckland where I was 3 days before leaving New Zealand. Auckland is like any other big city but the imposing Skytower is worth a visit. Take the elevator up to the top and enjoy the stunning view over Auckland and the surrounding areas. Take a last view over this beautiful country.	Sunset over Bailey Beach
T H E    E N D

This Homepage is created by Kim Risager 26th of March 2000.