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.
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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
4) Local Visitor Information Centre