South Island Friday 17.4.15 Chch to Sydney

A NZ fantail

A Wanaka view

Our hostess, Jenny, made us a very substantial breakfast, then we cleaned up all our bits and pieces in the car and re packed our suitcases ready for the flight home. Last night's BnB was an excellent way to spend our last night in N Z. Beautiful home and garden and friendly welcoming hostess. On our way into Christchurch by 10am. A short easy drive to park near the Museum and Botanic Gardens. Made our way into the museum in order to enquire whether they were interested in a letter that Bill has describing in graphic detail the first ascent of Mt. Whitcombe, made by his Dad when he was at the University of Canterbury in 1931.

South Island Photos Arthur's Pass

Bill in the historic Jackson hotel

Waterfall piped above the road  and protection from falling rocks

Add caption

A Kea

The Otira Viaduct, Arthur,s Pass

South Island Thursday 16.4.15 Hokitika to Kirwee

Another blue sky day and , happily , a little warmer this morning. Breakfast back at Stumpers then another walk on the beach. Hokitika is a most attractive town with exceptionally wide streets, the sea on one boundary and ringed by snow capped mountains. Lots lovely shops selling greenstone and high quality arts and crafts, art glassware etc. in 1867 Hokitika was NZs premier port with sailing ships lined up 3 and 4 deep at the wharf.
Continued on our way and first stop for morning tea at the historic hotel in Jackson. There is nothing else in Jackson except the hotel. Interesting place with stuffed animals and birds and many old artefacts around the room and a lovely open fire with real wood in a stone fireplace. Very friendly lady running the establishment. Now we entered Arthur's Pass and the Otira Gorge. Quite an engineering feat especially the Otira Viaduct. Another picnic lunch at Arthur's Pass village then a rest beside Lake Pearson, a wildlife refuge.
Our BnB tonight is a lovely home with an extensive garden in a rural setting. Welcoming and informative a good way to spend our last night in the country. Dinner at the local pub.

Lake Pearson

Always mountain views

South Island Wednesday, 15.4.15 Franz Joseph to Hokitika

Woke up to a very cold morning and a car well iced up. Decided not to bother with walk up to Franz Joseph Glacier because the walk is now 1 1/2 hours for a distant view and we saw it twice in previous visits  before it receded so far. First stop Lake Mapourika for the reflections. Watched the mists rise off the water and a group of novice kayakers having a lesson.

Next stop, Okarito Lagoon, the home of the Kotuku (the NZ white heron, a sacred bird). Two Kotuku in the distance on the lagoon. Unfortunately tours run from September to March (breeding season) so most of them have dispersed. We did the wetland and trig walk uphill, of course, but lovely, before continuing. Stopped at Whataroa River for photos of river then at the tiny hamlet of HRi Hari for lunch. Two young ladies have set up a kiosk on the side of the road selling hot drinks, pies etc. Bought  a cup of tea and a slice of apple shortcake had our cheese and bikkies, Apple etc. in the park behind the van. Very peaceful and a lovely day. 

The little town of Ross turned out to have an interesting history and we spent some time in the little well done museum and across the street speaking to a fellow who makes greenstone jewellery by hand laboriously. A most interesting person. Showed us some amazing pieces he had created.  Ross has a long gold mining history and apparently the town is sitting on huge reserves of alluvial gold. 

Once we arrived in Hokitika we called in at the I Site to get directions to our accommodation. The most helpful volunteer lady also organised accommodation for our next night on the way into Christchurch at a BnB in a little place called Kirwee.  Our tonight's accommodation at the Shining Star is top notch. A log cabin right on the beach, spa bath, loft bedroom, kitchenette etc. Had a very relaxing stroll on the beach. Beaches here on the west coast are fine black sand with heaps of driftwood which has come down the rivers and out to sea in floods, then washed back onto the beaches. The beach here is also interesting for fossicking as it is possible to find lumps of greenstone and other minerals as well as  Quartz and smooth glaciated stones.  

The sunset here is renowned as the sun goes down over the sea. It didn't fail us. Went into town and had very good dinner of salmon and venison at Stumpers Bar and Cafe

Reflections Lake Mapourika

Sunset over Hokitika Beach

Bill on the beach

South Island Photos West Coast

Thunder Falls, Haast Pass

A view from Knight's Point, West Coast

Typical Westland river, blue water and shingle beds, mountains in background

South Island Tuesday 14.4.15 Wanaka to Franz Joseph

Another very cold but fine morning. 2 degrees. The sun was highlighting the Aspiring Range and Wanaka was looking its best. Away before 9 am this morning for the long drive ahead. Perfect weather for it. Lake Hawea was looking magnificent with high well bushed steep sides diving into the blue water. Autumn leaves abounded.
Surely a highlight of our trip so far was the journey across Haast Pass. A truly beautiful drive. Wonderful beech forests, waterfalls, rushing cataracts, water so clear it was almost invisible  and stones in the stream beds of such interesting colours and smooth shapes . It was very cold (3deg) and in the higher areas snow still graced the branches of the trees. Very pretty. Did several short walks into the the forests and down to fantail falls etc. also visited Thunder Falls. Had a picnic lunch of cheese and biscuits, a banana and a ginger nut and a takeaway cup of tea in tiny Haast township.
The great scenery continued as we travelled up the coast, stopping at Knights Lookout and Lake Paringa, ocean views and especially the Unmodified bush.
Drove up to Fox Glacier but the glacier has now retreated so far it is a considerable walk to the view point and you still can't see much so gave it a miss as getting late. On to Franz Joseph and found our "cottage" for the night. Modest but Ok. A rest after a long day's drive then dinner at Aluce May's Restaurant.

A walk in the beech forest with snow on the branches

Fantail Falls Haast Oass

Water so clear you can barely see it

South Island Monday13.4.15 Queenstown to Wanaka

When we left our apartment to go and find breakfast we were greeted with the sight of snow covered mountains around Lake Wakatipu. The day was looking good until after a good breakfast at the "Boatshed" we emerged and the weather was deteriorating fast. Drove into town and discovered the snow was well down the Gondola and it was snowing hard up at the top. Jumped onto the Gondola and went up into the snow. Lots of it and a wind blowing snow flurries around. Quick peeks outside to take pics but mostly we stayed in the building and looked out was it extremely cold out there. Had a hot chocolate and a coffee before descending. Left Queenstown about 11am and left in a snowstorm. By this time white was everywhere. Quite a sight. Eventually we left the worst of it behind and by the time we reached Cromwell the day was dry. Passed through the Gibbston wine area, looking attractive with the vines in autumn foliage. Also travelled through the Kawerau Gorge, spectacular above the mighty Kawerau river. Cromwell is a delightful little town in the centre of a soft fruit growing district. Bought some apricots. Cromwell looks as if it was fairly recently built with a really nice shopping precinct and prosperous looking housing areas. Had a Google lunch of tomato and roasted garlic soup.
Arrived in Wanaka early afternoon and the town is ringed by mountains with a good snow cover. Looking  beautiful and exceedingly prosperous. Took a drive up the lake towards Mt. Aspiring and admired the views, autumn leaves and attractive homes and their lovely gardens.

Looking up Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown 

Looking across Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, early morning 

Looking across Lake Wanaka