Blogs from Te Anau, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 2

Hello from our camper van (a camp site with wifi - who knew?!), where we have just completed nearly a week of touring over 1000km through the magnificent but currently extremely wet South Island in New Zealand. We hand back our trusted friend tomorrow, yet are still looking forward to another fortnight before moving onto Australia. Not having really been bred as a camper myself, I was a little sceptical when Vicky booked us into living in a vehicle as big as our flat's en suite bathroom for part of our trip. The inevitable rain, veruca ridden showers, luke warm dinners and limited sleep that I'd experienced on my few previous ventures had drummed out any kind of desire to indulge in the activity ever again. This didn't look set to change on our first night ... read more

Te Anau Leaving Te Anau, it was a crisp clear morning, and unfortunately, I missed the sunrise over the lake - I'll have to remember to get up early next time I'm here! Te Anau to Gore The views were the usual spectacular views I had come to know and love. Gore We stopped off in windy Gore for a morning tea stop, and I went for a quick wander around the town. We then continued along the Clinton Highway to Dunedin... read more

We left Dunedin on Route 1 in sunshine once again. It really did lift our spirits. The road was quiet and empty of traffic apart from more of those classic cars pootling along in convoys. Many of the roads had rumble strips down the centre line; we weren't sure if this was to warn dozy drivers they were wandering out of their lane or whether to help with lane demarcation when the roads were covered in snow. It was at about this time that we began to realise that New Zealand should be known as The Land of the Loose Chippings. Jeez, they were everywhere. Roadworks? Loose chippings. Lay-bys? Loose chippings. Car parks? Loose chippings. And when you're in a hire car where every bit of damage has to be paid for you made damned sure ... read more

Well since Dunedin we have done a serious amount of miles, but OMG what a journey. We travelled down the Catlin coastal road and called in at Kaka Point which led us down an unmade road to Nugget Point. There is a lighthouse there and fabulous views out over the ocean and the bays on either side, one of which was cannibal bay, didn't bother visiting this one!! Next onto Purakaunui Falls which apparently are the most photographed falls in NZ, don't really know why this is. They were pretty and the walk to them down the boardwalk was short but lovely. It was like being in the jungle. From there is was back in the car and off the the southern most point on the South Island which is Slope Point, we visited porpoise bay ... read more

Saturday 7/2/15 Queenstown to Te Anau.Yet another lovely drive, the roads are so quiet and the scenery changes from flat to hilly and forests to bare mountains and snow.The motel in Te Anau is another surprise, a bit dated but large and clean with a big sofa and a little patio area at the front.Went a walk and found 'the best pie shop' well that's what it was called and who am I to disagree. Ian had a pie and didn't seem to be disappointed. Tea was in the pub that was next door to the library, excellent co-locators I think but the ser... read more