apache2020

Well we headed to the Central Otago area of Southland with mixed expectations. On the one hand we had been told that the rail trail was a must see but after the slightly dissapointing Southern scenic route we held judgement. We needn't have, driving through to the Central Otago area we were immediately impressed with the town of Alexandra where we stopped for a beer or two on what was a schorching day. The surronding countryside had impressive tussock ridden grasslands and strange Tors (schist outcrops that have weathered less rapidly then the surronding rock formations) and evidence that this was an ocean millenia ago. We drove to Clyde and up an innocent looking sign that pointed to a lookout, ideal for freedom camping! Ten minutes later of a steep climb we were slightly concerned but ... read more

We made it to Manapouri at the edge of Fjordland National Pack in our leaky Spaceship in time to put it in the garage for repair and catch our ferry taking us across Lake Manapouri. This was the start of our 2 day wilderness cruise in the Doubtful Sound. The lake is interesting in that it feeds one of NZ's largest hydro-electric power stations producing nearly 5% of its electricity, whilst the majority of plant is underground we could see the control station and transmission wires as we crossed the lake. We then took a coach across Wilmot pass to Deep Cove at the heart of Dountful Sound. This 21km stretch of road is completely isolated from the mainland so the few coaches and plant machinery goes back and forth on this stretch! It was only ... read more

Well we arrived at Fox Glacier expectant of some stunning scenerey and the initial drive to it did not dissapoint! However upon arriving a thick fog enveloped the town of Fox and we were unable to see the mountains let along the glacier! We had booked a heli hike and it didnt look good, although we needn't have worried as the weather cleared the following day and we were on! Firstly, you get how can I say it what is a rudimentary safety briefing telling you to sit calmly in the crash position should the helicopter be plummeting to its demise. Yeah right, I think we all know you are a gonner in that scenario. We got picked up by some young pilots who had seen Top Gun a few too many times (not that I ... read more

Well getting the bus back from Motueka to Old McDonalds Farm we saw goats and sheep and pigs and..... no!!!! we met up with a friendly chap Simon whom we had met on the Queen Charlotte Track. He's from Manchester and was kind of stuck with the weird Kiwi backpacker bus connections so we offered for him to join us on a tour of Golden Bay. First stop was Collingwood, the only thing I can remember about this weird old school place is that is near the farewell spit and had something to do with gold. I think everywhere in NZ has something to do with gold!! Therefore after admiring some linoneum artwork I decided that all are is too expensive and I cam going to do my own with that bit of lino off the ... read more

Leaving Kaikoura we headed inland to the Nelson National Park region (North Central South Island) through the Mauri plain, a vast grassland with some beautiful driving country. Onwards to the forests of Hammer Springs which is fabled for its mountain biking. We had no time to stop maybe next time! The route had many things to see along the way, the most notable of which was Maruia falls a stonking falls which is shown in the attached piccies. We then climbed through the Nelson National Park to the Buller Gorge region of NZ to Murchison. Not just a great place to stop and rest but also as we found out the home of the New Zealand Kayaking school being at the centre of covergence for 4 rivers in the region. We had to have a go ... read more