New Zealand, South Island (Mar 12 - 22)

Our visit to the South Island of New Zealand is hard to describe. We saw so much in such a short time that it was a bit crazy and not how we would normally like to explore an area of this size. Our plan was to circle the island mostly driving the coastal highways and then to stop and explore certain key points of interest along the way. We accomplished what we set out to do but also have determined that if we are fortunate enough to return we will focus our time on a couple of areas as opposed to trying to see the whole island again.

The South Island was incredibly beautiful. When we lived on the North Island years ago, people kept telling us that we needed to see the south, primarily to see the majestic mountains. We thought that because we lived in such close proximity to the Rocky Mountains it would not be that impressive. We were wrong. This island continually impressed us with its glaciers, snow-capped peaks, rich agricultural valleys, fjords, fresh water lakes, waterfalls, spectacular coastlines, great hiking and walking trails, and much more.

We are attaching a few photos to give you an idea of some of what we saw. It was hard to decide which photos to include, there was just so much variation in the landscape and we took so many photos.

Starting out on a day hike of Abel Tasman Nat. Park

Good trails, easy walking

Typical of the views from the trail

Coves and beaches along the way

Swingbridge over the Buller Gorge

Pancake rocks at Punakaiki

We were fascinated by the rock formations and blowholes

Pancake rocks

Franz Josef Glacier

Hike up to the Fox Glacier

Walking bridge over the Oahu river

View of Mount Cook

So many incredible views like this

Steep winding highways

Many lookouts to see the agriculture in the valleys below

On the way to Milford Sound

Enjoying a cruise up the Milford Sound

One of several waterfalls in the Sound

 Sandfly Point - good place to spot penguins

Round rocks found at Moeraki

One of numerous fur seal colonies on the west coast

Vast estate wineries - we have sampled a few wines

Highlights of our visit: a day hike of the Abel Tasman National Park (we hiked 12.5 km along the coast, then caught a boat back to our car), crossing the Buller Gorge Swingbridge and doing a hike there, observing the blowholes and pancake rocks at Punakaiki, staying at a backpackers hotel and visiting with all of the 'younger' travelers (this was our first backpacker stay), hiking to see 2 glaciers (Franz Josef and Fox) then driving through the slide area in the Haast pass late in the day, driving into Queenstown with a badly running rental car and exchanging it, cruising the Milford Sound (it is actually a fjord) early in the day and then driving across island to Dunedin for night, going out to Shag Point to observe the seals sunbathing on the rocks (this was one of numerous fur seal colonies along the coast), stopping to see the fascinating rock formations at Moeraki, and many short hikes off of the highway to see waterfalls and lookout points.

We crossed back over the Cook Strait on Mar 22 and plan to drive up the west coast, working our way back to Auckland.