New Zealand on Austen's Travel Blog

New Zealand - Day 20 - Christchurch to London

Mon, 07 Jan 2019 20:37:56 +0000

Our final day in New Zealand. We had a bit of a lie in after so many early starts over the past week. We couldn’t linger too long though as the check out was 10am. We showered, packed and left our luggage at reception straight after check out.

We had breakfast in the local cafe which was very popular with the locals and really great wholesome food.

Afterwards we walked to North Hagley Park and the botanical gardens. We explored the rose garden, conservatory and fern garden which were all brilliant and kept us captivated looking at the fascinating plants.

New Zealand - Day 19 - Christchurch

Sat, 05 Jan 2019 07:29:56 +0000

Another and hopefully final early start. Cereals for breakfast, quickly did the washing up and tidying and we were heading for the main road at 8am.

We were at the bottom of a gravel path by Lake Pukaki and had woken to stunning picture postcard views of the lake and Mount Cook. Getting back up the hill required a bit of a run up and some wheel spinning but we made it, probably waking up all of the other people in their campers in the process.

New Zealand - Day 18 - Lake Pukaki

Fri, 04 Jan 2019 09:33:46 +0000

Early start as usual. Breakfast and out walking towards the lake front by 8:30am.

We arrived at the pier by 8:45am and queued up to check in for Kjet. After check in we were given waterproof ponchos and life jackets in preparation for our ride.

We boarded, kids in the middle and without further ado moved out into the lake and had a quick safety briefing before our first 360° manoeuvre. The driver clearly enjoyed his job and sped around the lake jumping us over waves and making sharp turns. There were two boats as part of the trip and we played tag, taking turns to take the lead and watch each other doing 360’s.

New Zealand - Day 17 - Queenstown

Thu, 03 Jan 2019 07:42:42 +0000

Our usual early start, breakfast, empty the camper tanks and away for 8am ready for today’s horse trekking.

We arrived at the trekking place early, it was only a 5 min drive, and used the opportunity to get prepped with sun cream, insect repellent, long sleeves and rain coats. The weather was cloudy and blustery and we were ready for rain.

At 9am one of our guides for the day came to the gate and welcomed us to the farm. She took us through the usual health and safety briefing and made sure we were kitted out correctly. I had to wear a jacket over the top of my rain coat to stop it flapping in the wind but everyone else was fine. Later when on top of the hill I was quite happy about the extra layer!

New Zealand - Day 16 - Doubtful Sound

Wed, 02 Jan 2019 09:08:01 +0000

Early start and a quick breakfast before setting off for Manapouri and the beginning of our tour of Doubtful Sound.

Last night when I’d checked how long it would take us to get to Manapouri it turns out I had Google Maps in cycling mode as the 1hr 15min journey only took 20 minutes. Our early arrival did give us chance to find a parking space and walk back into town to get a coffee and buy some more insect repellent.

New Zealand - Day 15 - Te Anau

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 10:39:43 +0000

Due to last nights festivities and the long day before we had a lie in and a late start.

I made sausages and fried eggs on the BBQ for breakfast and we sat outside in the sun.

We decided not to drive to Milford Sound today as originally planned as we wanted a break from driving and we’d seen a sign for a mountain bike trail from lake to lake on the way here which we decided to try out instead. As luck would have it, the trail started on the opposite side of the street to the camp site.

New Zealand - Day 14 - Te Anau

Mon, 31 Dec 2018 08:35:51 +0000

Today is our Kayak adventure on Lake Wanaka. The activity Diana has been most looking forward to and what started the whole idea of a trip to New Zealand. It’s also New Year’s Eve.

Up early, breakfast and ready for collection at 8:45am by reception. We’ve parked the camper in the camp site staff car park as we’re supposed to check out this morning. It’s a beautiful day for it, the sun is shining and it’s mid 20’s.

New Zealand - Day 13 - Wanaka

Sun, 30 Dec 2018 10:09:18 +0000

7am wake up call ready for our fishing trip on Lake Wanaka. A quick breakfast outside on the picnic bench before jumping on the bikes and heading to the marina.

Alex had a couple of falls on his bike as he wasn’t used to cycling down hill and on dirt tracks. He soldiered on and got the hang of it and we arrived at the marina 20 mins early.

New Zealand - Day 12 - Wanaka

Sat, 29 Dec 2018 10:29:13 +0000

We woke to the patter of rain on the camper roof and had a quick breakfast. We decided to abandon our plans to cycle the mountain bike trail to the glacier car park thanks to the weather and prepared for a walk to see the Fox Glacier instead.

A 5 minute drive via the most expensive garage so far, took us to the glacier car park which I’d scouted by mountain bike yesterday. The rain had kept people away so there was plenty of parking. It was our first opportunity to try out our wet weather gear and we set off prepared for the rain to continue, which it did.

New Zealand - Day 11 - Fox Glacier

Fri, 28 Dec 2018 09:55:00 +0000

7am start waking up to the sound of the ocean. A quick breakfast and then the kids went to play on the beach while we got ready.

Set off by 9am and drove for an hour stopping at the tree top walk for coffee. It was super expensive, but really fun. We walked around the structure enjoying the view and tried to avoid looking down. The tower was exciting and nerve racking as it swayed when people walked up and down the stairs. Wonderful views of the surrounding area and rainforest.

New Zealand - Day 10 - Greymouth

Thu, 27 Dec 2018 07:12:30 +0000

6 am alarm and a run along the shore of Lake Rotoiti. Breakfast in the van and set off for Greymouth by 9am.

It was too cold to take a dip in the lake before we left, quite chilly without the sun.

Twisty roads with stunning views around most of the corners. The sun came out and it turned into a lovely day. The road followed a number of rivers with crystal clear water, growing bigger as we got closer to the ocean.

New Zealand - Day 9 - Nelson National Park

Wed, 26 Dec 2018 08:44:16 +0000

A late start and no longer raining!

We had a quick breakfast in the van and the kids played on the trampoline while we got organised, refreshed the camper tanks and then got going by 11am.

We dropped into the Countdown supermarket in Blenheim to pick up supplies, as there won’t be any big towns for a while.

Onward with a 1 hour drive to Nelson national Park through Marlborough Wine Country. Just like on the photos with neat rows of vines in fields all along the road.

New Zealand - Day 8 - Marlborough

Tue, 25 Dec 2018 08:16:52 +0000

Christmas Day and a 4am start, not due to the children but to catch the ferry to the South Island.

The kids opened their presents from Craig and Caitlin (Father Christmas delivered to our home in London) and they were really pleased. Alex got some Lego and Bella, The Game Of Life board game. Cold pizza for early breakfast and then we set off.

We drove the 10mins to the ferry terminal and queue to check in. 3rd in line so plenty of time for the 6:30am.

New Zealand - Day 7 - Wellington

Mon, 24 Dec 2018 07:33:18 +0000

Christmas Eve!

We got up at 7am to the sound of traffic passing on the road nearby. Not that it was particularly heavy traffic, just that it was a contrast to where we’ve been staying over the last few nights. The children didn’t want to get up due to the late night last night but their bed covers the Camper’s table and door so no option but to wake them up to do anything really!

New Zealand - Day 6 - Wellington

Sun, 23 Dec 2018 08:38:04 +0000

We woke up early after a good nights sleep and took a swim in the lake before breakfast which was really refreshing. The water was the perfect temperature and crystal clear, the views amazing and it was the perfect way to start the day.

A breakfast of fried egg sandwiches in the camper followed by a bike ride along the edge of the lake in the sun shine. We admired the holiday houses which back onto the lake - maybe we’ll come back one day. The track turned to gravel and sand after a few KM which made it hard for Alex to ride. We turned around after 2.5km and returned the way we’d come.

New Zealand - Day 5 - Taupo

Sat, 22 Dec 2018 22:21:53 +0000

Woke up at 6 to the sound of the waves and the sun rise - an amazing place to wake up.

Breakfast all together in the van and then the kids went to play on the playground while we prepared the camper. Refilled the fresh water tank, emptied the grey water tank on the grass in front of the site.

Diana and I took a walk along the beach - stunning.

New Zealand - Day 4 - Rotorua

Fri, 21 Dec 2018 08:28:49 +0000

We woke up late, it had been a long night. First Alex fell off the bed with a bump, he couldn’t remember in the morning, then the Bluetooth speaker we’d been using that evening ran out of batteries and started beeping which then seemed to be followed immediately by the loudest dawn chorus (The birds, not Bella) I’ve heard in a long time. It sounded like a flock of birds had descended on the van. Needless to say, we woke up not well rested.

New Zealand - Day 3 - Waitomo

Thu, 20 Dec 2018 07:36:26 +0000

We woke up early at 6am, had a quick breakfast, packed, checked out and took an Uber to Wilderness Motorhomes near the airport to pick up the Camper.

We arrived at Wilderness just as they were opening and spent the next hour checking out the Camper. We decided to hire mountain bikes as they did us a deal - we’d dismissed it before as too expensive. After the paperwork formalities the lady showed us around the Camper. So many buttons, cubby holes and features! The kids couldn’t help themselves in pressing as many as possible all the time. The automatic step was the most popular and continues to be deployed and stowed several times on each entry and exit - that may get tired quickly.

New Zealand - Day 2 - Auckland (2/2)

Wed, 19 Dec 2018 08:42:17 +0000

The children woke up hungry at 4:30am complaining that they hadn’t had dinner. I plied them with an apple and sent them back to bed. They reemerged at 5:30am and we sat down to a breakfast of Croissants and fresh fruit which I’d bought the night before.

Whilst we were getting ready to go out the kids invented “Mum Bucks” ™ which they could earn by doing good deeds with an initial exchange rate of 1000 MB to 10 NZD. That later changed to 100 MB to 10 NZD and they diligently kept up earning their MB’s throughout the day both ending with 9 MB each.

New Zealand - Day 1 - Auckland (1/2)

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 09:15:29 +0000

The adventure begins. We had a lie in and a leisurely breakfast, finished the packing and took a Taxi to Heathrow at 11am.

We had a delicious lunch at Heston’s The Perfectionist Cafe, a glass of champagne to celebrate and off to board the plane.

We flew Air New Zealand Economy to Auckland via LA. The first leg of the flight was 14 hours to LA and seemed to pass by quickly. A movie and food but mostly trying to sleep. I bought some Bose noise cancelling headphones at Heathrow duty free which made an amazing difference to comfort levels on a long haul flight.

New Zealand - The night before

Sat, 15 Dec 2018 21:04:50 +0000

Our bags are packed, we’ve planned the route, watched the YouTube videos of how the camper works and we’re ready for 28 hours in the air. The adventure starts tomorrow!

New Zealand Road Trip 2018

Sun, 09 Dec 2018 20:49:40 +0000

Our latest family adventure is a road trip around New Zealand for 3 weeks. We’re hiring a camper and off to make some family memories. We’re all super excited, New Zealand looks stunning and we can’t wait to explore.

We’ll be flying into Auckland via LA, spending 3 weeks touring and then flying out of Christchurch back to to the UK via Auckland and LA.

Our intended route below sees us arriving in Auckland, touring the North Island and crossing to the South Island early on Christmas Day morning.