Blogs from Motueka, Nelson Region, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania

We arrived in Nelson and walked to our hostel. By the time we put our bags down, it was about 4.30pm and we didn’t have enough time to go for a walk before meeting our American friends Matt and Julian for my birthday dinner. We went to a nice pub and had cocktails/beers and dinner - including desserts (plus an additional free dessert I got as it was my birthday, that we all shared). On the next day, we were going for the craziest adventure of our trip! We got picked up at our hostel by Mike while Shaun was eating something that looked like chocolate bread but turned out to be something more like seaweed bread! Our driver was confused because he expected to pick up two additional people, so we waited for a bit ... read more

Geo: -41.1101, 173.011We had a relaxing morning at the Resurgence Lodge. We then drove to the north coast of the South Island of New Zealand. We stopped at the Kaiteriteri, Marahau, and then for a hike in Abel Tasman National Park.... read more

Woke multiple times to the delightful sound of the rain pounding on the roof. It continued to do so most of the day - a proper downpour and perfectly timed to coincide with a rest day. Popped up the coast to Motueka and had a long chat about plans at the DOC office. All looking good for Wangapeka track and Leslie-Karamea track - I just have to decide which order to do them in. Supplies collected and back to the cottage to prepare the pack for the next few days. A heavy food bag tells me I'm taking too much but I don't mind carrying it both into and out of the trek if not used (better to have and not need than to need and not have). Jotted down 3-night trek plans for both Wangapeka ... read more

Geo: -41.1101, 173.011Zondag 13 februariWe reden van Westport naar Motueka vandaag. Motueka ligt in het uiterste Noorden van het Zuidereiland. Onderweg hebben we nog even halte gehouden aan de Buller gorge swingbridge. Het is de langste hangbrug van Nieuw Zeeland. Er zijn ook allerhande activiteiten te doen. Ik had ervoor gekozen om per zipline terug te komen. Een iets meer spectaculaire manier om over de kloof t geraken dan wandelen over de swingbridge. Tegen de middag waren we reeds op onze bestemming. We hebben de namiddag besteed om inkopen te doen, uiteraard een leuk restaurantje te zoeken en om eens gebruik te maken van de faciliteiten van de camping : het zwembad en de Spa. Het landschap is hier redelijk dor in vergelijking met waar we vandaan komen, maar het voordeel is dat het hier zomers ... read more

Cath here - Just got reconnected in the North Island - its now 10.30pm Thurs evening. CLASS 3 - YOU TOTALLY ROCK!! We have been chuckling a lot and you are now definitely in the lead with comments! Thanks! Now handing back over to the others to update the diary......... On our last day on the south island we did a few things. First we had to pack up all our stuff, which mum did while we helped by surfing the internet. Then with the car loaded for the last time, we set off to look at a salmon farm. They had big pools with salmon in. One had 35,000 baby salmon, and another one had 8,000 grown salmon. They also had a lake where you could fish for salmon for free, you just paid for ... read more