Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Kia Ora (Part 3 of 3)

                             

Missed to read the previous part of this blog? Then Click here before you proceed.

Day 14                        

Wanaka is one of the best adventure towns in the world with access to the stunning Southern Alps. Are you looking for an adrenaline rush???? Then why delay, choose from the options like skydiving, canyoning, horse riding, mountaineering, climbing the world’s highest waterfall via Ferrata, or skiing.

Dileep always wanted to go skydiving whenever we went to New Zealand. So, this was the right time. I fear heights & could not fight against my fear. I was scared for him as well, but did not stop him from doing something which he wanted to. He has attempted Parasailing when we had been for a trip in Thailand. Adventure sports are not my cup of tea. 

After a scenic 15-minute flight to the altitude you have chosen, you will nudge towards the edge of the plane with your tandem instructor secured tightly to your back. A moment later, you will be free falling through the sky! Before this you will be given a briefing on safety video & instructions. He jumped from a height of 12000 feet. 

  

You can view the full video of the skydiving if you are interested, the links for which has been shared towards the end of this blog. Do you also want to experience the absolute thrill of freefall??? Click here. 

                                    Wanaka -> Arrowtown                                    55.4 Kms, 53 min

After this we headed to Queenstown. We had stopped for a coffee at Arrowtown on our way. Arrowtown is a historic gold mining town with a rustic charm in the Otago region. The main street is lined with heritage buildings left from the gold rush era and now have been transformed into clothing shops, cafes, souvenir shops, wine stores and restaurants. Even though it is crowded, the place has been maintained well & clean.

                                    Arrowtown -> Queenstown                              19.4 Kms, 19min

Queenstown is a hub of adventure, bursting with adrenaline and fun. There are a wide range of activities to choose from. This includes seasonal activities like skiing (winter through spring), to activities that are available all year around like bungee jumping, skydiving, canyon swinging, jet boating, horse trekking and river rafting. The adventure capital of the world is also known for vineyards & historic mining towns.

Lake Wakatipu is surrounded by mountains and its crystal-clear water reflects the surrounding landscapes like a mirror. We were staying on the opposite side of the lake which was quiet & away from the bustle but at the same time providing an access to lovely beaches of Lake Wakatipu. We spent 3 nights in Queenstown. Queenstown Ferries is a scheduled ferry service operating daily between Queenstown Bay and Frankton with a stop at Bayview & Frankton Marina. This ferry service through this lake was fun which took only a few minutes for us to reach the city centre.

Day 15                         Queenstown -> Glenorchy                               60.1 Kms, 1hr

Glenorchy is nestled on the northern shores of Lake Wakatipu & is the gateway to hiking trails and Middle-earth magic. This is another drive which I loved. Even though it was just an hour’s drive, it took more than 2 hrs for us to reach Glenorchy. We were travelling alongside Lake Wakatipu. We did not know where to look. It was just WOW around us. A biking trip to Glenorchy would have been a better option than driving. It was a scenic drive along braided rivers, through farmland and forest.

It was on this drive I found clouds suspended over the lake. I was clicking a photo of Dileep, mountain & the lake as a beautiful backdrop when suddenly I noticed the cloud. It felt like the lake was feeling cold and the clouds formed a blanket to protect the lake from freezing.

Wilson Bay - This being a lake beach, sand is substituted by stones. The water is so clear that you can see deep down which has stones, stones & only stones.

Bennetts Bluff Viewpoint - The walk which is around 600 meters loop, winds up on a steady easy gradient. Starting through natural shrublands the track leads to a high rock knoll. At the top of the track, enjoy the stunning lake and mountain views.

These are the only stops for which I could find out the names. 

The return journey is even more scenic because it is then you get to see the winding roads along with lots of ups & downs. This place would be like Heaven in my imaginations.

Day 16

The day started with our visit to the Gondola ride. It takes you 480m up over Lake Wakatipu to the top of Bob’s Peak. Enjoy panoramic views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Walter and Cecil Peak, and Queenstown as you traverse up. There is an option for thrilling rides on Luge. Click here to book your Gondola ride or Luge Ride.

On our way to the Gondola ride, we saw Anita Gelato and promised to hop in on our way back. Anita's world-famous gelato has its roots in a modest kitchen nearly 20 years ago. Mama Anita, with the help of her youngest son Nir, crafted delicious frozen treats for their friends and neighbours. Nir focused on the base, while Anita made her special jams that gave her ice cream its signature flavour. Click here to know the locations nearby you.

Queenstown Gardens Loop takes you to a beautiful botanical garden on Lake Wakatipu's shores with Rose Garden, manicured lawns, and ponds & mature trees. It is a nice shared path with benches all along the way. The trail is popular for walking, running, and cycling.

We had booked our tables at Botswana Butchery for lunch. It offers a diverse menu full of flavour with locally sourced ingredients and fine cuts from the Butcher’s Block. 


We spent the rest of the day shopping as we were close to the end of our trip.

Day 17                         Queenstown -> Te Anau                                  171 Kms, 2hr 5min

Instead of driving directly to Milford Sound, we decided to stay at Te Anau – a gateway to Fiordland National Park. One can stay at Queenstown & opt for coach options to Milford Sound instead of staying at Te Anau. We neither wanted to spend a whole day sitting on a coach nor drive to & fro Milford Sound. The coach from Queenstown to Milford Sound also passes through Te Anau. Te Anau is a beautiful, quiet, quaint town with limited restaurants & super markets. 


We reached Te Anau after passing through deer, cattle and sheep farming landscape and decided to take an easy walking track along Te Anau Lake edge to the start of the Kepler Track, which was 3.5 Kms one way after our check in. This walk starts from the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre on the edge of Te Anau Lake passing through the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary. The Kepler Track carpark is at the lower end of the lake which marks the start of the Kepler Track, a 3–4-day Great Walk. Just past the carpark are the control gates, where there is a view of the lake water flowing into the Waiau River. The control gates regulate water flows between Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri for the West Arm hydroelectric power station. After spending some time over the dam, we decided to walk back.

Day 18                                                 Milford Sound

We opted for a coach + cruise option from Te Anau. We wanted to enjoy the views without getting distracted by it. It takes half an hour to reach Fiordland National Park from where the spectacular journey begins. The driver cum guide was an amazing storyteller who shared the secrets of the beautiful country & about Fjordland. The coach stopped at Elginton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat and Monkey Creek providing an opportunity for photography, stretching legs & toilet visit. After a dramatic journey of 3 hours through mountains, gorges, and the incredible Homer Tunnel – a 1.2 km long tunnel through solid rock, we reached Milford Sound. 

Milford Sound is the wettest inhabited place in New Zealand, and one of the wettest places in the world! The mean annual rainfall in Milford Sound is 6,813mm, and it rains there on average 182 days a year. Over the course of 24 hours, 250mm of rain can fall in the area. If visiting Milford Sound, it is wise to be prepared with rain-proof clothes & accessories. 


The two-hour cruise through the fjord's towering mountain peaks, sheer cliff, hanging valleys, then feeling the cold-water spray from the waterfalls which flows through the ancient rainforest was altogether a magical experience. The sharp edges of these tall mountains looked scary & beautiful together, whenever the boat went up very close. At the pinnacle of Milford Sound is iconic Mitre Peak – standing a proud 1,692 metres above sea level, it is certainly an impressive sight to behold. Passing the seal colonies & dolphins swimming close to the boats occasionally, we reached an end or rather an opening out to the Tasman Sea. This ecologically significant area, with a wide range of geographical features and an unspoiled ecosystem allows unique and rare wildlife to flourish. On our way back, the captain steered the boat very close to the Stirling Falls to feel the water and to get wet. There were several other waterfalls but Stirling Falls & Lady Bowen Falls are said to be all around the year. We heard that it is a different experience to visit the sound during rains, as the number of waterfalls will be more. 

The return journey was one hour less as we had no stops on our way back. Even then it was 6.00 PM when we reached Te Anau.

Day 19                                     Te Anau -> Dunedin                            287 Kms, 3hr 21min

Dunedin is a city along Otago Peninsula with rich Māori, Scottish & Chinese heritage. The peninsula contains several fine beaches, and is home to a considerable number of rare species including Yellow-eyed and little penguins, seals, and shags. Taiaroa Head on the peninsula's northeastern point is a site of global ecological significance, as it is home to the world's only mainland breeding colony of royal albatross.

Baldwin Street is the steepest street in the world. Baldwin Street has steps, which makes it easier to get to the top. We made it to the top even though it is strenuous. But it was climbing down which made it even harder. If you sway and miss your balance, then you will reach the bottom rolling. 


The little Blue Penguin tour began with a gathering for an educational talk about the penguins. We were also given instructions to remain silent & no flash photography and to be careful when walking. After which we moved to the viewing platform which is set up so close to the penguin, but without causing any trouble or obstacle to their movement. We waited for quite a long time and it was almost dark, when few of us noticed two stones dashing to the shore along with the waves. Then we realised they were the little creatures we were waiting for. Again, it took quite a long time for a group to arrive. It's only then the two penguins which came first started to move in our direction where their burrows were, flapping their wings. Then in another 5 minutes, another group arrived. Meanwhile, the first group had reached very close to the platform we were standing on. We kept swapping the positions so that the entire group of people could see & enjoy. It was very cute to see them navigating over each boulder to reach their home. The penguins were delightful, and completely unbothered by our presence, as long as we stayed quiet and respectful on the platform.

Day 20                         Dunedin -> Katiki Point Lighthouse                80.4 Kms, 1hr 8min

Our host at Dunedin was an elderly couple. Seeing our interest in penguins, they suggested we stop at Katiki Point which is home to Fur Seals & Yellow eyed penguins along with other many coastal species. The reserve is open from 7:30am to 5:30pm. We had seen penguins in South Africa, that too during bright sunlight. But the penguins in New Zealand are seen after sunset. That is when they return home. So, this place will not help you to see the yellow eyed penguins. But we saw numerous seals lying on the rocks and enjoying the view of the Pacific Ocean. Regardless of place, if you want to see the penguins, you need to visit their habitat in the dusk. Morning they would be out in the sea for fishing. 

Katiki Point Lighthouse -> Lake Pukaki                     207 Kms, 2hr 29min

On our way we had 2-3 stop overs to stretch our legs & have a snack break. Lake Aviemore is one such point. You can never get over the water sources of New Zealand irrespective of it being a lake or river or creek or stream. The colour & clarity of those sources pull you towards them. Till Oamaru, the Pacific Ocean was always on the right and once you take a turn, it is all about mountains & lakes. Slowly you will start to see snow-capped ranges of Mount Cook. We passed the Twizel Canals & salmon farms.

The turquoise blue lake with Mount Cook. What more do you need for your eyes??? All the tiredness of driving vanished in a second. Lake Pukaki is perfectly positioned at the foot of the Southern Alps. There are several viewpoints all along the route to Lake Tekapo and you will have an urge to stop at every point. Lake Pukaki gets its spectacular blue colour from fine silt particles, called glacial flour, suspended in the water. The silt is ground up by glaciers slowly sliding along rock beds. 

                                    Lake Pukaki -> Lake Tekapo                          62.9 Kms, 42 min


Lake Tekapo is known for its night sky. Just like Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo is famous for its colour & the reason being the same as that for Lake Pukaki. But unlike Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo is quite busy. We walked around Lake Tekapo for quite a long time & then visited the Church of the Good Shepherd & the sheepdog monument & after sunset we had our dinner & returned to our accommodation. We kept observing the sky and were waiting for the town to become a bit quiet & darker. We stepped out around 10.00 PM & chose a place near the sheepdog monument where it was pitch black. We could see people around us with telescopes. But we enjoyed the night sky with our naked eyes & it was alluring. It was very cold, but the sky was so captivating that we were hesitant to leave. We have never seen so many stars and the sky appeared to be very close. It felt like we could touch the clouds & pluck the stars. There was a bench nearby & we both laid down on it as our neck started to hurt. We even saw shooting stars. We returned to our accommodation with a magical spell.

Day 21                         Lake Tekapo -> Christchurch                          226 Kms, 2hr 47min

We visited Lake Tekapo again in the morning before we started for Christchurch. But it was filled with clouds & even the town was foggy. It turned foggy every now & then on our way too. It felt as though the Sun & clouds were playing hide & seek. But things changed suddenly in 15 minutes. A bright sun came, winning the game as we passed Burkes Pass. Also, scenic roads gave way to normal roads from Geraldine after which that sinking feeling also started to creep in. It's time to go back home. But we were not that sad, because we had the best time in New Zealand.

We returned our car at Christchurch airport after checking in at hotel & unloading all our luggage. Even though it was not round trip, the return process was hassle free. P.S. Till date, we have done only roundtrip. So, pickup & drop-off of car happens at same place.

We chose to rest in our room relishing the moments we spent all these days. We went out only to have food.

Day 22                                                             Transalpine

The TranzAlpine train operates between Christchurch, Arthurs Pass and Greymouth - from the east coast to the west coast of New Zealand's South Island. Travelling west crossing the Canterbury Plains, the train slowly ascends through spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River towards the Southern Alps to the alpine village of Arthurs Pass for a short break before descending through the Otira Tunnel to the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, through lush alpine beech rain forests to Greymouth - a great base for visits to Punakaiki and the always popular glaciers at Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. This is the best option for people who have less time & cannot drive. You get glimpses of the views which we had enjoyed in the last few days. Take it as a trailer of a movie which starts at 8.15 AM from Christchurch & reaches Greymouth the same day at 1.10 PM. 


We chose the return journey also by the same train. There are several stops for the train so that you can break the trip part by part or choose to fly one way. The nearest Airport to Greymouth is Hokitika. Click here to book any of the scenic train journey. 

Day 23                                                 Christchurch to India

The feel of homecoming is different. But this time I truly felt like making New Zealand my home!!!

During our travel, we found an option of smaller campervans, especially on South Island. We found that even a single person driving the campers which are more liked converted versions of Innova or similar. There are Holiday Parks where you can park these campers and sleep in it. But you will be given access to their common kitchen & wash rooms. So, you no need to worry about accommodation. If you want private rooms, such options are also available in some of the Holiday Parks. We were planning to hire one during our next trip to NZ, just for 2-3 days to experience the journey by camper vans. But the reviews were bit disappointing. People who are interested can try their luck & that option too. It is called Jucy. Click here to know more.

Click here for more photos from the trip & Click here for the videos from the trip.  

Acknowledgements & References

1) Department of Conservation, New Zealand

2) Bruised Passport

3) New Zealand Tourism

4) Local Visitor Information Centre

5) Tiaki Promise