Geo: -43.5316, 172.637We woke to a home cooked breakfast; bacon, sausages, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, home made fruits, cereals, juices, toast, and fresh coffee prepared by our friendly hosts. We shared the breakfast table with Christian and Helga, an Austrian couple around our age.By 10.30 we were packed and on the road bound for Christchurch airport. We elected to take the Scenic Inland Road on Route 72 via Methaven rather than the freeway. It was prettier sure, but did have us scrambling a little for time. The GPS lying to us about fuel near the airport didn't help our cause. We finally arrived at check in around 2.10 for a 4.00pm flight. We breathed a sigh of relief as our wine filled luggage scraped at 'around' the tolerated weight limit. Quickly, returning our vehicle keys, we cleared ... read more

Geo: -43.6053, 170.296Today ended up being another wine tour! We set off from Queenstown around 9.30 picking up a maccas breakfast on the way to the Gibbston Valley wine region. We managed to tackle five wineries and a cheesery here between 10 and 2. In order; Peregrine Wines, Mount Rosa, Gibston Valley Cheese, Gibston Valley wines, Chad Farm and Waitiri Creek. In short, Peregrine sported a spectacular set up, with a decent wine selection, we left here with a Pinot Gris. Mount Rosa hardly looked like it was open or had a cellar door. We followed the arrows to a phone to call for assistance. Soon there after we were greeted by Jeremy and his friendly Dalmatian 'Muppet'. Muppet snoozed whilst we went through a tasting. These were probably my favorite wines of the day, all ... read more

Geo: -44.6698, 167.928Here I am in the most picturesque, scenic cabin after the most breathtaking, awe inspiring drive I have ever experienced. The Te Anau - Milford Highway is an experience in its own right. We arrived at Te Anau around 10, after departing Queenstown at 8.15. Its a pretty place by a lake for a stroll, to top up fuel, gather supplies and information before heading North towards Milford. We grabbed a pepper steak pie from here which lived up to its hype. Heading north is a journey into the heart of the Fjordland National Park. Its basically a sole 120km highway all the way to Milford with the exception of a 30km unpaved turnoff, Hollyford Road which finishes at Humboldt Falls. Along the way, dozens of short and long walks, lakes, tracks, pools, waterfalls ... read more

Geo: -43.3891, 170.182It all started with a sneeze. Nat down. Suspected broken neck and paralysis. Only 8am. Still time enough for a quick morning stroll before we head down to Franz Joseph for a helicopter ride and glacier hike. Its only a couple hours south and only 10 minutes to the beach. Wrong. The path to the beach is covered in mud. Deep mud. Deep enough to swallow and break my thongs. We saw a baby horse. That was pretty cool. By the time we got back to our hotel for departure and Id checked our route I realized we were behind schedule. It was further than I thought. We needed to average a speed of 260km p/hr to make it to our Glacier Hike on time. Oh and Nats life is flashing before her eyes ... read more

Geo: -41.2708, 173.284We enjoyed a sleep in and leisurely start to the day. We woke to find the heavy rain of last night had passed leaving relatively clear blue skies. We checked out of our Blenheim accommodation and drove north to check out the coastal town of Picton, where the ferry departs for Wellington and the North Island. Picton was a pretty place, a small beach town, surrounded by lush forest overlooking a turquoise bay and impressive fjord. After some time here, we were ready to start todays main objective; tasting Marlborough wines.Our first stop at Saint Clair was a bit of a fail, the winery being closed for renovation. Fortunately there was a local foods business on site with cheeses, fudge, mushrooms and honey available for tasting. We walked away with one of the best ... read more