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NZ 2016 – Day 5 - Queenstown – Part 1 – September 2016 - Queenstown

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Queenstown September 1st 2016

Queenstown Today was our driver's rest day, so we had the option to go on local tours or just have the day to ourselves, which is what I decided to do. I spent the day wandering around the town until it was time to go for dinner. View from my Hotel View from the Copthorne Hotel Frankton Road View I walked down Frankton Road to get to the town centre Foreshore I spent some time on the 'beach' at the foreshore Weather It was still quite cool William Gilbert Rees Statue I found this cool sheep statue Downtown And wandered around downtown Queenstown 2013 Attached are some photos of when I was here in 2013... read more

NZ 2016 – Day 5 - Queenstown – Overview – September 2016

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Queenstown September 1st 2016

Shonz

A day off in Queenstown It was nice to have a day to myself, just to wander around town, and then to go out with everyone on the steamship for dinner. Links to the posts are below. Walking around Queenstown Gondola (Skyline) Wharf Botanical Gardens TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak Station ... read more

NZ 2016 – Day 4 - Franz Josef to Queenstown – Overview - August 2016

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Queenstown August 31st 2016

Franz Josef to Queenstown Map

Shonz

This was my second day of the tour. We ha a great day and saw some fantastic scenery. We saw: · Franz Josef Glacier · Fox Glacier · Haast Highway · Bruce Bay · Lake Moreaki · Haast River · Haast Visitor Centre · Haast Pass to Makarora Road · Thunder Creek Falls · Makarora · Lake Wanaka · Lake Hawea · Lake Dunstan · Jones Family Shop, Cromwell · Arrowtown · Queenstown... read more

NZ 2016 – Day 4 - Franz Josef to Queenstown – Part 2 – August 2016 - Makarora to Queenstown

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » West Coast August 31st 2016

Haast Pass - Makarora Road

Shonz

Haast Pass - Makarora Road Leaving Thunder Creek Falls we headed further along the Haast Pass - Makarora Road Makarora Lunch Stop And stopped in Makarora for lunch. The views from lunch were spectacular. I ventured out into the middle of the road to take some photos, even though it's the main road from the West Coast to the east. There weren't any cars to be seen at all, it was that quiet. Makarora River Leaving Makarora we continued along the Haast Pass - Makarora Road past the Makarora River Lake Wanaka Past Lake Wanaka Lake Hawea And past Lake Hawea, where we stopped at the lookout. Just amazing views! Lake Hawea to Albertown Road Leaving Lake Hawea we headed down the Lake Hawea to Albertown Road Lake Dunstan We went past Lake Dunstan Jones Family ... read more

NZ 2016 – Day 4 - Franz Josef to Queenstown – Part 1 – August 2016 - Franz Josef Glacier to Thunder Creek Falls

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » West Coast August 31st 2016

Franz Josef Glacier Village

Shonz

Franz Josef Glacier village The view from the hotel restaurant was amazing whilst having breakfast, but unfortunately, I left my camera and phone in my room. After breakfast, I went for a walk around the local area, as we had time to kill because some of our group were doing a flight over the glacier. I decided not to do it as I had flown over Mt Cook when I was in NZ in 2013 and figured nothing could top that! Fox Glacier village Once we left Franz Josef Glacier village, we headed south and Mark and Lu arranged to stop in Fox Glacier village to check out the views. Again, they were amazing! Haast Highway Leaving Fox Glacier we headed south along the Haast Highway Bruce Bay We came to Bruce Bay on the coast ... read more

NZ 2016 – Day 3 - Christchurch to Franz Josef – Overview - August 2016

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » West Coast August 30th 2016

Christchurch to Franz Josef Map

Shonz

This was my first full day of the tour. We ha a great day and saw some fantastic scenery. We went to: Tranz-Alpine Railway West Coast Franz Josef Glacier ... read more

NZ 2016 – Day 3 - Christchurch to Franz Josef – Part 3 – August 2016 - Franz Josef Glacier

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Franz Josef August 30th 2016

Franz Josef Glacier

Shonz

Franz Josef Glacier We continued through the town, across the Waiho River to the car park of the glacier. Unfortunately, the glacier has receded so much, we didn't have time to walk to the face. It's on my list of places to go when I come back to NZ next time. Franz Josef Glacier Village There was plenty of time before I had to be back at the hotel for dinner, so I went for a walk Franz Josef Glacier Village Fire Station Our Lady of the Alps Church St James Historic Church Waiho River I headed back to town, had dinner at the hotel and fell into a very comfy bed - I'd stay at the Scenic Franz Josef again! ... read more

NZ 2016 – Day 3 - Christchurch to Franz Josef – Part 2 – August 2016 - Arthur's Pass to Franz Josef

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » West Coast August 30th 2016

Otira Highway

Shonz

Otira Highway We all piled back into the bus made our way to Hokitika. Hokitika The Jade Capital of New Zealand, I didn't go into a jade shop, but I did wander around the town including: Beach (lunch spot) Department of Conservation Around town Haast Highway We continued along the Haast highway and headed towards Franz Josef Glacier Harihari Whataroa Lake Mapourika ... read more

NZ 2016 – Day 3 - Christchurch to Franz Josef – Part 1 – August 2016 - Tranz-Alpine Railway

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Canterbury August 30th 2016

Christchurch Station

Shonz

Tranz-Alpine Railway from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass We all piled into the bus at the hotel and made our way to the station. Christchurch Station When we got there, our tour director Lu got our tickets for us and then we were able to wander about and get on the train. There is an open carriage, which is where I spent most of my time! Canterbury Plains Rolleston Kirwee Darfield Springfield Waimakariri River Castle Hill Viaduct over Broken River Lake Pearson Cragieburn Bealey Waimakariri River Southern Alps Arthur's Pass ... read more

NZ 2016 – Day 2 - Christchurch – Overview - August 2016

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch August 29th 2016

Christchurch Day 2 Map

Shonz

This was my last full day wandering around before the tour started. I made the most of it by going to: · Punting on the Avon · Rebuild Tour · Christchurch Gondola · Wandering Worcester Boulevard Once I was back at the hotel, I went to the dinner for everyone to meet each other for the tour. I met my tour director Lu and got my sexy name badge! I also met some of the others that would be on the bus in the morning. There was 38 of us, and we all sat down for dinner to get to know each other. ... read more

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