at 13:50 on Sunday 17 Feb 2019 having flown from Singapore overnight with a short stopover in Sydney.
Highlights new Zealand and Australia Part 2 New Zealand South Island
17/2/2019 Day 5 - Christchurch overnight.
We arrive in Christchurch a charming city renowned for its gardens and parks. We stay overnight at the Heartlands Hotel. You might think you were in a typically English town.
We take an evening stroll to the city centre and it is a very quiet Sunday evening.
What became obvious was the devastation left by the earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, many buildings still propped up and the Cathedral left with a gaping hole. There were obvious signs of regeneration taking place but that takes time.
The City had suffered a most awful earthquake in 2010, at 4.35 am 4 September 2010 a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck and felt all over the South Island. One person died in the 2010 quake but no other deaths but huge amounts of damage. From September 2010 to September 2011 there were over 9000 aftershocks causing more damage. The next major earthquake on 22 February 2011 saw some 185 people lose their lives. All utilities were affected.
Neil Dawson's sculpture "Chalice' made for the Millennium escaped the quake. Its metal pieces cut into shapes of indigenous plants.
18/2/2019 Day 6 Franz Josef
After our breakfast in Christchurch we embark on a stunning scenic drive travelling through the patchwork fields of the Canterbury Plains.
Heading towards the Southern Alps we cross Arthur's Pass
We stop for lunch at HOKITIKA a small township of 3000 people in the west coast region close to the mouth of the Hokitika River.
We make a spectacular descent down the western side of the Alps towards the rocky beaches through striking wild scree-scarred terrain with forests of Crimson Rata and Kahikatea past the Lake Mapourika.
We spend time at Franz Josef at the Glacier Hotel.
We spend time at his small resort the Glacier is one of NZ's most spectacular attractions. It is 12kms long and we take a look close up by trekking to a view point. The glacier has retreated several kilometres since the 1940's. The views of the river valley, waterfalls and glacier are amazing.
19/2/2019 - Day 7 - Franz Josef.
Today we are free to absorb the beauty of this little town mainly of a one main road of small shops, restaurants and bars. There is a big trade in selling helicopter flights over the glacier. Today we drive a short distance (5km) to the Franz Josef Glacier terminal where we walk to view the glacier. The weather this morning has started out extremely cloudy but this is the rain forest and as they say you can appreciate four seasons in one day.
19/2/2019 - Day 7 - Franz Josef.
Today we are free to absorb the beauty of this little town mainly of a one main road of small shops, restaurants and bars. There is a big trade in selling helicopter flights over the glacier. Today we drive a short distance (5km) to the Franz Josef Glacier terminal where we walk to view the glacier. The weather this morning has started out extremely cloudy but this is the rain forest and as they say you can appreciate four seasons in one day.
After breakfast the skies are clearing and we can see part of the alpine mountains. Arriving at the start of the trek the rain has now stopped and the day has warmed. The Glacier Valley Walk takes up alongside the Waiho River bed following the glacier's path of retreat. This is quite an easy walk about an hour to the view point of the Glacier itself. The view of the various waterfalls, the river bed and mountains eerily covered in cloud can not really be captured in a photograph to do it some justice.
In the afternoon we pick up another trail running on the opposite side of the river through rain forest trees and ferns all seems quite eery with large raindrops falling on our heads.
20/2/2019 - Day 8 - Franz Josef to Queensland
24/2/2019 (Day 12) - Rotorua
today we visit Hobbiton the film set as seen in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies. We are fascinated by the Hobbit holes, Green dragon inn, the Mill and just the sheer beauty of this area. It is amazing how this piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into the Shire from Middle Earth and making the farmer a multi-millionaire.
25 and 26 /2/2019 (Day 13/14) - Auckland
A flight from Rotorua to Auckland this morning and take in the the City with a trip from the airport around the city to orientate ourselves. in the evening we walk to the docklands area , The Pavilions where we sit outside for our meal and a beautiful sunset.
The following day we walk to the Sky Tower to take in the panoramic view of the city from the 57th floor, watching the bungee jumpers. The views from here are terrific.
No visit to Auckland will be complete without a visit to Devonport by ferry to take in the amazing views.
We New Zealand for the next stage of our adventure to Australia on a flight to Melbourne.
In the afternoon we pick up another trail running on the opposite side of the river through rain forest trees and ferns all seems quite eery with large raindrops falling on our heads.
20/2/2019 - Day 8 - Franz Josef to Queensland
Leaving Franz Josef at 7.45am we
witness incredible scenery today as we travel through Mount Aspiring National
Park, and across the Haast River Bridge on one of the most exciting scenic
roads ever built.
We journey along the shores of Lake Hawea.
We meander across the Southern Alps
The following the River Wanaka as we
enter New Zealand’s Central Otago region.
Later in the afternoon we arrive at
the four star Millennium Hotel in the stunning alpine resort
of Queenstown which will be home for the next three nights.
21/2/2019 (Day 9) - To Milford Sound
Today we travel to the magnificent Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound a real highlight on our trip. This scenic drive takes us through a variety of landscapes, open farmland, native grass tussocks, grasslands we pass through he Homer Tunnel 1.2 km long through solid rock.
The end of the tunnel provides the dramatic setting of waterfalls.
22/2/2019 (Day 10) Queenstown - TSS Earnslaw.
Today we head for the waterfront at Queenstown and have booked a trip on the steamship, TSS Earnslaw.
They say it is New Zealand’s most iconic boat and one of Queenstown’s most historic destinations.
We take a leisurely 90 minute cruise across Lake Wakatipu and the views from the ship showcases some of Queenstown’s spectacular alpine scenery whilst being part of living history – the TSS Earnslaw is 105 years old.
You can visit the engine room to see the giant steam engines at work. We combined the trip with a visit to Walter Peak High Country Farm where we saw sheep being sheared and the famous Hunter Way dogs herding sheep. This was followed by a fabulous BBQ.
23/2/2019 - (Day 11) Rotorua
An early start this morning as we head to the airport for the next flight to Rotorua the famous thermal region. We visit the famous Bath HouseTudor Style building situated within the Government Gardens and to enjoy the rich Maori culture.
24/2/2019 (Day 12) - Rotorua
today we visit Hobbiton the film set as seen in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies. We are fascinated by the Hobbit holes, Green dragon inn, the Mill and just the sheer beauty of this area. It is amazing how this piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into the Shire from Middle Earth and making the farmer a multi-millionaire.
25 and 26 /2/2019 (Day 13/14) - Auckland
A flight from Rotorua to Auckland this morning and take in the the City with a trip from the airport around the city to orientate ourselves. in the evening we walk to the docklands area , The Pavilions where we sit outside for our meal and a beautiful sunset.
The following day we walk to the Sky Tower to take in the panoramic view of the city from the 57th floor, watching the bungee jumpers. The views from here are terrific.
No visit to Auckland will be complete without a visit to Devonport by ferry to take in the amazing views.
We New Zealand for the next stage of our adventure to Australia on a flight to Melbourne.
