Rubberchicken
Well-Known Member
Man that's some nice weather. Keep 'em coming indeed!
A little ride out in the southern hemisphere
- Thread starter Ian Porter
- Start date
Day 8 Queenstown to Fox Glacier
heading over the mountains we stopped at Cardrona for a coffee (doesn't everyone?)
and then on to lake Wanaka
past a little stream
and for a walk in the forest
to see another waterfall
and here they are again
and then on up the coast towards Fox
heading over the mountains we stopped at Cardrona for a coffee (doesn't everyone?)
and then on to lake Wanaka
past a little stream
and for a walk in the forest
to see another waterfall
and here they are again
and then on up the coast towards Fox
Day 9 Fox Glacier to Punakaiki
today we got to play in these
and went here
when back on solid ground we went to see the Kiwi's at Franz Josef (camera's weren't allowed so we have to make do with stuffed birds)
Then on to Hokitika for lunch
before getting to Punakaiki
and our Hotel
followed by an evening visit to Pancake Rocks
and some more seals
today we got to play in these
and went here
when back on solid ground we went to see the Kiwi's at Franz Josef (camera's weren't allowed so we have to make do with stuffed birds)
Then on to Hokitika for lunch
before getting to Punakaiki
and our Hotel
followed by an evening visit to Pancake Rocks
and some more seals
Day 10 Punakaiki to Hanmer Springs
Just a couple of photos from the road as today was just a blast of endless sweeping bends so we didn't stop much
some moody clouds that evening
and Day 11 was a rest day where we did nothing but wander around Hanmer, resting
Just a couple of photos from the road as today was just a blast of endless sweeping bends so we didn't stop much
some moody clouds that evening
and Day 11 was a rest day where we did nothing but wander around Hanmer, resting
Day 12 Hanmer Springs to Kaikoura
A short run over the mountains this morning to Kaikoura
for an early check in at the hotel and the latest emergency advice - TSUNAMI!!!!!!!
then spent the afternoon on the water whale and dolphin watching
followed by a BBQ cooked by our tour guides
A short run over the mountains this morning to Kaikoura
for an early check in at the hotel and the latest emergency advice - TSUNAMI!!!!!!!
then spent the afternoon on the water whale and dolphin watching
followed by a BBQ cooked by our tour guides
just in case anyone is getting remotely bored I'm only half way through the trip and haven't even started looking at the video so there's loads still to come
Rubberchicken
Well-Known Member
That Kiwi is a moody looking bugger isn't it.
Gorgeous pics Ian. Especially the how-blue-can-water-be ones.
I recognise that little stream and bridge. Haast Pass, in the bucketing rain for me, the first bit of landscape I got after being stuck for 3 days.
And yes, I did skip Cardrona Hotel. Hadn't even seen it, far too busy enjoying the road. The Crown Range road is something special isn't it...
Gorgeous pics Ian. Especially the how-blue-can-water-be ones.
I recognise that little stream and bridge. Haast Pass, in the bucketing rain for me, the first bit of landscape I got after being stuck for 3 days.
And yes, I did skip Cardrona Hotel.
Hadn't even seen it, far too busy enjoying the road. The Crown Range road is something special isn't it...
You're much better at remembering the names of these places than I am Michel,
I was just in a daydream floating by them most of the time, couldn't quite believe I was finally there.
I was just in a daydream floating by them most of the time, couldn't quite believe I was finally there.
Rubberchicken
Well-Known Member
Haast I remembered allright, you would too if you'd been stuck there without wheels over easter, in a town with a name that means "hurry" in dutch.
Day 13 Kaikoura to Wellington
today's ride was very emotional for me as we were leaving the south island possibly never to return,
I'd totally fallen in love with the place and it was hard to leave, but leave we must
just north of Kaikoura we stopped to see some more seals
and then after a very wind blown ride took the ferry to Wellington
no time for any other photo stops today as we were in a rush for the ferry and straight to a very corporate hotel in the city straight off the other side
today's ride was very emotional for me as we were leaving the south island possibly never to return,
I'd totally fallen in love with the place and it was hard to leave, but leave we must
just north of Kaikoura we stopped to see some more seals
and then after a very wind blown ride took the ferry to Wellington
no time for any other photo stops today as we were in a rush for the ferry and straight to a very corporate hotel in the city straight off the other side
Day 14 Wellington to Tongariro National Park
First stop today was at Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre to see a rare white Kiwi
and a Tuatara lizard that is reckoned to live up to 100 years+
then on through rolling hills
to the active volcanoes of Tongariro National park
tonight's warning in the hotel room - volcanic activity!!!
I took the camera outside for some night time shots as the sky was amazing (not very good but they give you an idea)
Jupiter rising above mount Ngauruhoe
First stop today was at Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre to see a rare white Kiwi
and a Tuatara lizard that is reckoned to live up to 100 years+
then on through rolling hills
to the active volcanoes of Tongariro National park
tonight's warning in the hotel room - volcanic activity!!!
I took the camera outside for some night time shots as the sky was amazing (not very good but they give you an idea)
Jupiter rising above mount Ngauruhoe
Rubberchicken
Well-Known Member
Not very good he says...
Lovely.
Lovely.
Day 15 Tongariro National Park to Waitomo
we left Tongariro in brilliant sunshine
Mount Ngauruhoe
our Hotel - The Château Tongariro
Mount Ruapehu
most of today's ride was down the Forgotten World Highway with no time for stops - a magnificent ride that I'll post video of later
we left Tongariro in brilliant sunshine
Mount Ngauruhoe
our Hotel - The Château Tongariro
Mount Ruapehu
most of today's ride was down the Forgotten World Highway with no time for stops - a magnificent ride that I'll post video of later
thanks Chris
still got another 8 days worth to post
I'm putting off the video as it's going to take weeks to go through it all
still got another 8 days worth to post
I'm putting off the video as it's going to take weeks to go through it all
Day 16 Waitomo to Roturua
We started the day off with a trip to the glow worm caves (no pictures inside the caves as they didn't allow cameras )
Then headed to Taupo and Huka falls
these two popped up again
and then on to Rotorua and some mud pools
in the evening we visited a Moari village
our 'Hangi' meal being lifted from it's underground oven
the evenings entertainment
We started the day off with a trip to the glow worm caves (no pictures inside the caves as they didn't allow cameras
)
Then headed to Taupo and Huka falls
these two popped up again
and then on to Rotorua and some mud pools
in the evening we visited a Moari village
our 'Hangi' meal being lifted from it's underground oven
the evenings entertainment
Day 17 Rotorua and Hobbiton
Another 'rest' day today so we went for a walk around the park in the morning
lot's of hot bubbly stuff - this place stinks of sulphur
Then on to Hobbiton in the afternoon
Frodo and Bilbo's place
and some others
they even turned up here
now to find the pub
Another 'rest' day today so we went for a walk around the park in the morning
lot's of hot bubbly stuff - this place stinks of sulphur
Then on to Hobbiton in the afternoon
Frodo and Bilbo's place
and some others
they even turned up here
now to find the pub
Day 18 Rotorua to the Coramandel Peninsular
the roads were very busy today so there weren't many stops
a coffee stop at Papamoa beach
lunch was in Waihi a working a gold mining town
the roads were very busy today so there weren't many stops
a coffee stop at Papamoa beach
lunch was in Waihi a working a gold mining town
