The beautiful South Island

Sometimes you need to remind yourself that you do live in one of the most beautiful places in the world...

First up was a trip to Hanmer Springs - which was simply an excuse to start my motorcycle touring journey! Here's a piccie of my baby bike and the big daddy :)



I have to confess that I struggle with Hanmer - although the idea of pampering in the hot springs sounds great, it's not really me. Still, had a nice time wandering around including yummy pizza at Saints Cafe.

The real trip was a camping holiday through the Catlins Coast via Queenstown to the West Coast Glaciers. The Catlins Coast was great fun. Stayed at an excellent campsite at McLeans Falls that had a great restaurant onsite...with a happy hour...mmmm... :)

Spent a couple of days trekking around here. Everything is close to the road (although anything off the road is via gravel!) and essentially provides an opportunity to make your own calendar of amazing NZ vistas. Some of our favourites...

Purakaunui Falls







Purakaunui Bay


Jack's Blowhole
This is a 55 metre-deep blowhole that formed when part of a sea cavern's roof collapsed. The blowhole is 200 metres from the sea.





Tunnel Hill
The Catlins River Branch line began in 1879. Construction progressed slowly due to the difficult terrain and the line was not completed until 1915. It was eventually closed in 1971. Parts of the line's route are now accessible as walkways, among them a 240m long tunnel ("Tunnel Hill") between Owaka and Glenomaru.





Matai Falls



Horseshoe Falls



Nugget Point





Lake Wilkie



McLeans Falls
A rather spectacular walk early in the morning...






Niagara Falls NZ
Someone had a sense of humour...how lucky were we to see both versions within 6 months?!




Tautuku Bay
From Florence Hill

Spouting Cave


And the comedy shots...



Slope Point
Literally a trek across a man's field (closed for lambing Sept - Nov, only in NZ!)



Waipapa Point

With warring sealions!





At the "Tararua Acre", the cemetery for many of the victims of the SS Tararua which foundered off Waipapa Point on 29 April 1881 with the loss of all but 20 of the 151 people aboard. NZ's worst shipping disaster...


The off to the West Coast via Queenstown and the spectacular Lake Hawea. It's always important to remember that Queenstown is brilliant if you a) park your car and walk everywhere and b) most of the residents are wankers. Once that's settled, you can have a good time...and a great dinner at Pier 19 on the waterfront and yummy brekkie at Halo.

Stayed at the Top 10 in Fox Glacier that was a great effort - they have managed to banish the campervans miles away from the tent sites. And there were chickens! And we nicked a picnic table to make excellent coffee each morning (the table was promptly stolen by some Germans as soon as we removed the coffee kit.)

Had a great time exploring the glaciers. Fox is definitely the better town to stay in and the glacier is nicer! Great food options which included the Last Kitchen and Hobnail Cafe. The petrol is cheaper too so fill up here!

We were (surprisingly) going for the cheap activities however there are flights that aren't exorbitant and don't land on the glacier if you're after the aerial option. We preferred foot traffic...

Fox Glacier
On the way via the main route...


The Valley


Fox Glacier



However, cross the bridge and there is the absolutely amazing Chalet track. 1 1/4 hours to the best view in the world...





Franz Josef Glacier
On the way to the glacier...




The actual glacier




Gillespies Beach
Towards Fox Glacier



Gillespies Beach Lagoon


Gillespies Beach



It really is quite pretty in the South :)

The Rose