Kia Ora (Part 2 of 3)

                             

Have you read the first part of this blog? If not, Click here before you proceed. 

Day 7         Rotorua CBD -> Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland           29.4 Kms, 23 min

The geothermal reserve is not just confined in Rotorua. The spouting geysers, bubbling mud pools, hot sulphur springs, natural mineral spas continue all along the route known as the Thermal Explorer Highway which starts from Auckland & extends till Napier. 

Unlike Hells Gate where everything is grey, Wai-O-Tapu offers a colourful geothermal experience. Sculptured out of volcanic activity which took years & years to what it looks like today. Due to dramatic geothermal conditions beneath the earth, the area has many hot springs noted for their colourful appearance, in addition to the Lady Knox Geyser, Champagne Pool, Artist's Palette, Primrose Terrace. This even reminds me of the water colour box which we used to get during our childhood. Each pool is a colour block in that water colour box which is filled with water when we have dipped a wet brush several times. Plan your day in such a way that you walk at your own pace and enjoy the view of these unique sinter terrace formations, steaming ground, bubbling mud, expansive vistas & huge volcanic craters.  The intensity of the colour depends upon the geothermal activity inside, minerals present & the sunlight. The best time to test your knowledge in chemistry. Just try to remember the presence of which mineral gives you red, green, blue colours etc. The large pools have more than one viewpoint and each reflects shade different from one we saw earlier. These colours are unique because they are a combination of several colours and appear beautiful like a rainbow. The Lady Knox Geyser erupts daily at 10.15am. If the Hells gate reminded me of hell, Wai-O-Tapu reminds me of heaven.   

                  Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland -> Huka Falls              47.7 Kms, 35 min

Huka Falls is a set of waterfalls on the Waikato River, which drains Lake Taupō in New Zealand. It is a pleasure to see icy blue water flowing thunderously and forming white lathers. This pressure is due to the water being forced to narrow to just 15m wide as it passes through a hard volcanic canyon. This increases the flow pressure immensely, causing the water to burst out with great force as the gorge ends. The raw energy, crystal clear blue water, swirling white foam and roar of the torrent make the visit to Huka Falls an unforgettable one.

The water flows down to Aratiatia Dam. Aratiatia is the first of nine hydro-electric power stations on the Waikato River. The powerful water of the river is harnessed by a dam to create hydro-electric energy. Every day the dam gates open at 10 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM & 4PM(extra opening in summer months) flooding the peaceful gully below with water and transforming it into raging rapids. It must be seen to be believed! Huka Falls River Cruise trips depart 30 minutes after the gates open which gives you enough time to enjoy the raging rapids before or after your boat trip. There is an option for Jet ride as well which takes you even closer to the Huka falls if you want to have an adrenaline rush.

Click here for Huka Falls Jet Ride & Click here for Huka Falls River Cruise. 

 

                        Huka Falls -> Taupo CBD                                                       5 Kms, 8 min

Lake Taupō is a large crater lake in New Zealand's North Island, located in the caldera of Taupō Volcano. It is the largest lake by surface area in New Zealand, and the second largest freshwater lake by surface area in geopolitical Oceania. The water level of this lake is controlled by the dams across the Waikato River. Tongariro Alpine crossing is a must for adventure lovers which is only hours’ drive from Taupo. Other options for activities include trout fishing or skiing.

Day 8               Taupō -> Wellington CBD                                           373 Kms, 4hr 35 min

This day via the desert road was a long day for driving. It was a dramatic change because there was desert on one side and there were mountains on the other side of the road. It rained as well even though it was very short which lasted for hardly 2 minutes. The sudden changes in the panorama from a desert landscape to a volcanic mountain which gave way to icy/snowy mountains in no time and along with dark clouds and rain, then dry land to green vegetation which includes vineyards along with sheep scattered here & there. Altogether we did not realise when we reached Wellington. The only thing which bothered us was the lack of a filling station which we thought would be available all along the way. Luckily, we reached Foxton where we stopped for gas.

Wellington is the cultural centre and political capital of New Zealand. We stayed in Wellington for laundry. Some of the car rental companies do not allow you to take your car on the Interislander ferry. If that is the case you will have to drop off your car at Wellington & pick another from Picton. We had checked for the options and that is how we chose Budget Cars. We had the same car throughout our trip which we picked up from Auckland & dropped off at Christchurch from where we had our flights back home. Click here to book your Budget Car.

Day 9               Wellington -> Picton via Interislander                         100 Kms, 4hr 4min

Interislander is a road and rail ferry service across New Zealand's Cook Strait, between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island. It is owned and operated by state-owned rail operator KiwiRail. We took our rental car on the ferry from North to South without any hassles during embarkation or disembarkation. 

There are two operators which run ferries connecting Wellington & Picton. Click here for Interislander Ferries. Click here for Bluebridge Ferries.

Are your eyebrows raised???? Thinking about a ferry service that is 4 hours long, then wait. The road trip which we had so far was just a trailer. The initial part of this journey itself was exciting for me which was driving the car onto the ship which had multi levels of parking. Also, I did not even imagine that crossing a strait would be so much fun & spectacular. I was standing on the deck most of the time clicking pictures & enjoying the breathtaking views. These seascapes were nothing enthusiastic for Dileep, who is a sailor by profession. He slept throughout the sail while I went in only to warm myself as it was very cold outside. We chose the first ship after sunrise so that we could reach Picton at Noon and at the same time not miss any views.

                        Picton -> Nelson Lakes National Park                         129 Kms, 1hr 35min

Here begins our tour on the South Island of New Zealand which is renowned for its mountains, lakes, and glaciers. The Southern Alps dominate the landscape, and glaciers, fjords, and pristine lakes are strung throughout the South Island’s mountains. The scenery is more dramatic, with everything from lush rainforest, misty mountains, lots of waterfalls and the golden alpine region. The population of South Island is very less compared to North which makes it more remote & wild. The South Island is an epic destination for hiring a campervan and many stunning campgrounds to choose from that can get you immersed in the landscapes.

One thing which I forgot to mention earlier is about dogs & cats. There are several reasons that domestic animals are prohibited from national parks in New Zealand. The biggest reason is due to the unique wildlife in New Zealand, including many vulnerable bird species such as kiwis. Dogs may injure or even kill wildlife. Even just the smell or sound of dogs may cause distress to wildlife, and cause them to leave their homes. Other reasons include potential harm to dogs from traps and poisons used in conservation areas to control introduced species, the potential transmission of diseases to wildlife from dogs, and an increased risk of spreading kauri disease. However, pets are allowed inside several other areas in New Zealand that are looked after by the Department of Conservation. Some places require dogs to have a permit that needs to be applied for in advance. In all cases dogs need to stay under your control and often on a leash, not causing a nuisance or injury to protected wildlife. Dogs are also not allowed to enter inside any huts, lodges, cottages, or cabins.

The spectacular landscape of Nelson Lakes National Park was sculpted by massive glaciers during the most recent ice ages, and many glacial landforms remain. The lakes are surrounded by mountains & forests & the water reflects an incredible turquoise blue colour. This lake has many nice Mandarin Ducks, Black Swans, Longfin Eel - all happily swimming near the shore. And even a few seagulls roaming around the shore area.

Walking and hiking are the primary reasons to visit Nelson Lakes National Park. Day walkers can follow a network of short tracks to enjoy lake views, birdsong, and native beech forest. Serious hikers can strike out for Lake Angelus on a loop that generally takes 3 days. The Travers-Sabine circuit, which takes about 5 days to complete, includes soaring mountains, remote lakes, and an alpine pass. There are walks that one would finish in 15 min or longer ones which would take 7-9 hrs. Most of the days during our South Island trip, we would end up walking 5-7 kms daily around lakes & national parks.

                        Nelson Lakes National Park -> Blenheim                    105 Kms, 1hr 18min 

We chose to spend that night at Blenheim where we could find good accommodation and were on the way to Kaikōura which we were heading to. 

Day 10                                     Blenheim -> Kaikōura                         128 Kms, 1hr 36min

We started off early from Blenheim as we had to reach for Whale watching at 10.00 AM. Also, we knew the route would be scenic & we will have to stop occasionally for photographs.

This drive was also very beautiful because the landscape was switching from vineyards to coastline. The journey along this route is filled with captivating sights, from rolling hills to magnificent coastal cliffs. We stopped at a couple of picnic points just to breathe in the fresh air and click some magnificent photos. One such point was Ohau point where we stopped accidentally and happened to see numerous fur seals. The baby seals were seen playing in rock pools while the adults were basking in the sun & few raising their flippers occasionally. One can see seal colonies all around the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway.

Since we had already booked the tickets for whale watching, we were in a hurry to reach Kaikōura. The duration of whale watching was 3.5 hours. But all throughout the sail we got to see other marine animals as well which included numerous Hector Dolphins, Albatrosses & several other birds. The guide was explaining how to spot a whale & shark in the blue sea while one of the fellow tourists spotted the spurt of misty vapour and the vessel was immediately directed towards that. That was just the beginning because we were lucky enough to spot & watch 4 sperm whales closely on that tour. We all silently observed the massive species re-oxygenating and then lifting its flukes high before diving deep into the waters. The tour was very ethical with a deep respect for whales and vast knowledge about them. They know a lot about these beautiful creatures that they even countdown for that perfect tail shot. One can find these giant sperm whales all around the year. Kaikōura Canyon runs right up against the coast creating a rare system of sea currents that sustain an incredibly rich marine food chain which is the reason for the large number of whales. It was altogether a wonderful experience and we returned home with plume-blowing & the tail shot firmly etched in our memories. Click here to book your whale watching ride. 

The Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway is a scenic path that runs along the coastline, offering stunning views of the ocean & the clifftops. One can choose to walk lower way which is mostly the boardwalk and can walk along the shoreline or the upper way which requires a bit of fitness because it has a fair amount of ascends & descends along the top of the cliffs walking across the farmlands with a view of the ocean always or combine both to make it a loop.

Kaikōura is a place for seafood lovers. Fresh local seafood is always on the menu if you are into it.

Day 11                                     Kaikōura -> Otira                               316 Kms, 4hr 13 min

We started off early from Kaikoura. Rangiora is the place from where you take the exit from SH1 to enter SH 73. The roads were smaller and there was no traffic. We kept on passing through small towns which were very beautiful with farmlands & the mountains in the backdrop. We stopped twice to get a break from driving. 

Our next stop was at Castle Hill. This scattering of monolithic limestone rocks is a majestic landscape with geological, cultural, and spiritual significance. This iconic setting was used as the backdrop for a battle in the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. This area is known as one of the world’s best bouldering locations, and climbers flock here to challenge their skills. It was very windy when we reached. The wind would blow strongly for 1-2 minutes making us blind because of dust and unable to walk. It felt as though the wind was pushing us back. Then nature would be at peace for the next 2 minutes. We waited there for almost 15 minutes & this process kept repeating. I was not able to push the car door out, the moment we reached here. And it was just for 5 seconds I could stay out, that too because I was not able to pull the car door open & get in. 

We enjoyed the beauty of the boulders sitting inside the car itself and since it seemed like it would never stop, we decided to continue our trip. Even while driving, we could feel the wind hitting on our car. We had even stopped at Lake Pearson. There was wind but not as strong as the one we experienced at Castle Hill. And since it started to drizzle, and we could see dark clouds approaching, we left from here too.  

Once we reached around Cass, it started pouring that we were not able to see the road ahead. We kept driving slowly as there were no picnic areas or space so that we could park our car safely from the road. Arthur Pass is the highest pass over the Southern Alps. It has two landscapes. A wide, shingle-filled riverbed and vast swathes of beech forest on one side and on the other side a dense rainforest along a deeply gorged river. 

We had booked our stay at Otira. We had to proceed to Otira directly without stopping at Arthur Pass because it was raining cats & dogs and did not seem to stop anytime soon. We went to Otira & came back again to Arthur Pass to fill gas & to have our lunch. This is the only place where we missed hiking. We had to stay indoors owing to the incessant rain. 

We witnessed two phenomena on this route. Cloud shadow over mountain range with trees in the bright sun. This happened when we were approaching Castle Hill.  Another phenomenon which we happened to experience is the vertical rainbow. Even I came to know about this only after witnessing it and began to search about it when I got the network. I was sceptical about this when I saw it initially and then I had to ask Dileep to get it reconfirmed. 

Day 12                                     Otira -> Fox Glacier                            245 Kms, 3hr 8min

It was raining the whole night which continued when we started from Otira. But the intensity of rain kept on decreasing as we were moving from Otira. There are many scenic reserves on South Island especially in this region and we could see boards for trails which started from there. 

Scenic reserves are a type of New Zealand protected area that were first created when communities decided to keep some original vegetation in an area where most original vegetation had been removed. Most are patches of bush, often close to roads. There are trails in this reserve which even take days to complete. One must carry a sleeping bag, and essentials to cook & eat & stay prepared for any challenge nature throws at you. 

We stopped at Hokitika to restock our groceries. Then we stopped at Lake Mahinapua which was unplanned. We just decided to take a break and decided to stop at the picnic area whichever comes next and that is how we ended up here. The drive in & out into the rest area through beautiful dense native bush which opens out to a sheltered grassed area by the lake is the highlight. These separate driving tracks for entry & exit cannot be mutually seen. The fantails keep flying around you expecting food.

Lake Matheson – New Zealand renowned as the best of all mirror lakes situated near Fox Glacier, nature has combined exactly the right ingredients to create truly stunning reflections of New Zealand's highest peaks - Aoraki (Mount Cook) and Mount Tasman. The waters of Lake Matheson are dark brown, so on a calm day they create the ideal reflective surface. The colour is caused by natural leaching of organic matter from the surrounding native forest floor. At the gateway to the walkway is Matheson café where you can have a quick bite or dine after your walk. The full tranquil journey through winding bush with plentiful bird song and stunning views around the lake takes around 1.5 hours.

We ended the day with a beautiful view of Fox Glacier from the Fox Glacier Viewpoint which was just 6 kms from Lake Matheson. 

Day 13                                    

This indeed was a beautiful day. We had booked for a helicopter ride for which both of us were thrilled. A 30-minute helicopter flight, seated next to an expert alpine pilot over the twin glaciers of Franz Josef and Fox, view of caves, crevasses & frozen rivers from above and finally with a snow landing at the head of Fox Glacier – It was an experience for a lifetime.

Fox Glacier -> Wanaka                                   263 Kms, 3hr 25min

It is beautiful to see the sun kissing the snow-capped mountains especially during sunset & sunrise. The snow glows like golden sand. But the helicopter ride was something more than that. We were dumbstruck and for the first time in our lifetime, Dileep was driving in the silence. Normally, while driving either of us would keep talking or we would be debating on something to ensure the person who is driving is not taking his attention off the road. Click here to book your helicopter ride.   

I have read that aquariums can have a calming and soothing effect, which can help reduce stress and improve mood. Driving on any roads in New Zealand especially the South Island gives you the similar effect. This is one such road which I loved most – the drive from Fox Glacier to Wanaka. It tempted us to stop every here & there especially when reaching near Wanaka. The stunning lakes & the mountains with & without snow as the backdrop.

We stopped at Knights Point Lookout (a breathtaking vantage point to admire the power of nature as the wild Tasman Sea meets the rugged West Coast), Ship Creek (a small river that flows into an area of coastal kahikatea swamp forest), Thunder Creek Falls (a waterfall in Mount Aspiring National Park), Haast Pass (a tranquil mountain pass through the Southern Alps that crosses through a scenic beech forest) & Lake Hawea on our way to Wanaka. You can find numerous picnic spots in the South Island on every road you drive. If you are to stop at each picnic spot, it would be better to travel by foot and enjoy each picnic spot & reach your destination without any timebound.

A lovely lake with a nice compact town surrounded by mountains. Plenty of restaurants & cafes are situated which are facing Lake Wanaka. Grab something and you can walk through the park with plenty of trees and enjoy the views of the lake. Or else go on with swimming, kayaking, or biking. There are options to hire bikes & kayaks if that is what you are looking for. We realised this only towards the end of our trip.  

If you wish to continue, Click here to read the third & last part of this blog.

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