Lake Matheson & Mt Cook / Milford Sound
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10 - 27 Mar 2005 (18 days) New Zealand North & South Islands
There were 20 members for this trip. We began our tip in the North Island covering Rotorua, Bay of Islands and Auckland for 5 days. We then flew to the South Island town of Christchurch and did a loop starting in Kaikoura, then moving westwards to Greymouth, then south to the land of glaciers before returning to Queenstown. We went on to Te Anau, Milford Sound, Invercargill, Dunedin and Mount Cook before returning to Christchurch.
Day 1 Thu KLIA: Assembled at KLIA for the afternoon flight to Auckland.
Day 2 Rotorua: It was a long overnight flight and we arrived at 11am local time. We proceeded to Rotorua 3hrs away. After settling at our cottage, we went over to Kuirau Park, an active thermal area right in the center of town. We then adjorned to Countdown Hypermarket to buy fresh provisions for our dinner.
Day 3 Sat Rotorua: Our first stop was the Waiotapu Thermal Area, some 10km out of town. After that, we went on to Kerosene Creek for a free soak in the hot-water stream. We managed a short stop at the Redwood forest walk, followed by lunch in town. Afterwards we went to Whakarawera Village for a tour of a Maori Village located within a thermal area. The inhabitants here have been using the thermal waters for heating, cooking and bathing for hundreds of years.
Day 4 Sun Bay of Islands: In the morning some group members visited Rotorua Gondola and participated in the luge rides. We also went for the Maori show at Whaka village before going on the long drive to Paihia and the Bay of Islands.
Day 5 Russel then Auckland: In the morning we took a ferry acrossed to pretty little Russel town. We trekked up to Flagstaff Hill for a view of the Bay of Islands. We did not miss the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. After lunch, we started off to Auckland with stops in pretty Waipu Cove and Man Heads. We also detoured to see the gigantic McKinney Kauri tree. By the time we arrived in our Auckland accomodation, it was almost 7pm.
Day 6 Auckland: Our first stop was Mt Eden volcanic cone with great views of the city. We parked at the Victoria Park Mall and had a free and easy rest of the day. The group used the efficient public transport system to move about the various areas in Auckland like Posonby, Broadway and Newmarket. Some took local ferries to the suburds with more nice views of the City of Sails. We regrouped at 6pm and returned to our motel.
Day 7 Kaikoura: The airport is a convenient 10 mins away and we left on the early 6am flight. While I sorted out the paperwork for the car rental, the group visited the Antartica Center. We drove on to Kaikoura 183km 3hrs and after checking into the motel, we visited the lavender farm. Unfortunately the bushes were not blooming. We went on to Fyfee House, a former whaling station and finished the day on the Peninsular Cliff Walk.
Day 8 Greymouth: We arrived early at the thermal pools of Maruia Springs for a good soak. Our destination after lunch was windswept Cape Foulwind with its colony of seals. Finally we drove on to Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowholes. Although the tide was coming in, it did not sufficient force to "blow the holes". before proceeding on to the pancake rocks and blowholes of Punakaiki. Our night stop was still some 100km 1.5hrs away in Greymouth.
Day 9 Glaciers: Our first stop for the day was Hokitika, known for its greenstones or jade and its many craft shops. We drove on to Lake Matheson where we lunched. The Lake is famous for its mirror reflection of Mount Cook. Fox Glacier is in the vicinity and we went up the face of the glacier. Our night stop was in Haast 117km 2.5hrs.
Day 10 Sat Queenstown: I arranged for the group to jet-boat on the Waiatoto River, which is recommended by Lonely Planet. It would have been better if it hadn't rained so much. The drive through UNESCO listed Mt Aspiring National Park is scenic. We managed a lunch stop at Wanaka's Puzzle World, famed for it's first 3-D maze in the world. Our final destination was the popular town of Queenstown 262km 5hrs, where the group spend time wandering about in the Mall.
Day 11 Sun Queenstown: We started the day at Kuwarau Bungy where 3 of our members jumped. Then we drove onto a nearby Winery before going on to Arrowtown, a former gold mining town. The rest of the day was free and easy. Some spent the time going up the gondola for an expansive view of Queenstown. Others simply spend time walking along the edge of Lake Wakatipu.
Day 12 Te Anau: Te Anau 170km 3hrs away is our night stop. We bought crayfish or lobsters at a nearby processing plant before going on the scenic road to Milford Sound 120km 1.5hrs. There are numerous photo stops on this very popular route including Mirror Lake, Eglinton Valley and Lake Gunn. Most also went on the immensely popular Milford Cruise.
Day 13 Invercargill: We went on the less traveled "Southern Scenic Route" all the way to Invercargill 158km 2.5hrs, the least developed town in New Zealand with its many quaint old buildings and residential houses. We visited the port of Bluff, nearest point to Australia and drive along the wild southern coast.
Day 14 Dunedin: The way to Dunedin 290km 4hrs included stops at Slope Point (most southernmost part of South Island), Curio Bay (fossiled forest) and Nugget Point. We arrived early with enough time for a visit to the World's Steepest Street known as Baldwin Street in Dunedin. Dunedin is the second largest city on the South Island and was founded by Scottish settlers.
Day 15 Mount Cook National Park: In the morning the group wandered about the town center with its quaint Scottish architecture. On the way to Mt Cook NP, we stopped at Moreaki Boulders and a salmon farm. Although it was quite late, I took a decision to do the Hooker Valley Walk. It was drizzling intermitently and only our young couple managed to reach the glaciers. Even then the view of Mt Cook was hidden behind the clouds.
Day 16 Christchurch: In the morning, it rained heavily. We spend some time at the Visitors Center before driving off to Christchurch 263km 5hrs. The usual stop was at Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepard. As we arrived early in Christchurch, we had time in the evening to view Catheral Square, which was lighted up at night.
Day 17 Christchurch: Today was a free and easy day walking about the garden city of Christchurch. Beside the Catheral Square, one can also visit the Art Center and the nearby weekend flea market. There are some good eats available at the many stalls.
Day 18 Go Home: We flew home at 8am arriving at about 10pm the same day.
