Gibbston, Arrow Junction, Queensberry, Lake Dunstan
Monday, February 6 day 8 we traveled 120km to Wanaka Kiwi Holiday Park in Wanaka. Our first stop was an old Chinese settlement. We walked through the town and visited the mining museum. Next we stopped at the Kawarau Bridge, the bungy jump location where we watched some people bungy jump. We didn’t. We had a picnic lunch overlooking Kawarau Gorge. Then we walked across a bridge to the Kawarau Gorge Mining Company, but decided not to take the tour. It was really windy eating lunch and walking across the narrow bridge. Continuing on a few miles we came to the southern 45th parallel. We had crossed the northern 45th parallel in Maine last summer. The southern 45th only crosses land in New Zealand and the southern tip of South America. The rest is all over ocean.
Haast, Mount Aspiring National Park, Fox Glacier, Bruce Bay Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea
Tuesday, February 7 day 9 we drove 289km or 170 miles to Franz Josef Top 10 Holiday park in Franz Josef Glacier where we had our first views of the Southern Alps. We saw a lot of waterfalls along the way. We took a short walk on a barley distinguishable path through the rainforest to Wanaka tree. New Zealands most photographed tree which is very large. We saw the top of the tree as we were returning to our rig looking backwards over the trail.
The south island of New Zealand is know for having many one lane bridges. On this day we went over about 40. There were six of them within a 14km (8.75 mi.) span.
They post yellow signs that name different geographical things such as bluffs, creeks, bridges, and even culverts. We had our first view of the Tasman Sea along this road. At Bruce Bay there are large boulders piled up between the sea and the road with signs warning that there could be debris on the road during high seas.
When we got close to the campground we put on our ponchos and walked 20 minutes to see the Franz Josef Glacier. Unfortunately it was foggy and with all the recent rains, the path was closed before we could see it. We returned to our rig and drove to the town of Franz Josef Glacier and stop at SnakeBite Brewery. Pat and Julie joined us for a beer. It was fun getting to know them better.
West Coast, Carter’s Beach
Wednesday, February 8 day 10 we drove 281 km or 169 miles to Carter’s Beach Top 10 Holiday Park in Westport. We were seeing flooded areas and some of the first mud slips (slides). We pulled at an overlook as saw the Strong Man Mine memorial. A memorial to New Zealand surveyors.
We stopped in the town of Hokitika known as the Jade Capital of New Zealand. We thought it was funny when we saw train track through a round about. Dave bought me a beautiful jade necklace and earring set as a birthday gift.
We continued to the pancake rocks and blow holes. After parking we walked to the visitors center and it started to pour, so we browsed through a gift shop for 10 minutes. The rain stop and we were able to walk to the rocks, which were really neat. They are heavily eroded limestone formed by wind and water. The blow holes have geysers through them during high tide. Dave was so fascinated I didn’t think I’d get him away.
Leaving the visitors center in our rig a little brown goat almost jumped in front of us. I don’t think he was a wild goat and hope he found his owner safely.
Our next stop was a seal colony. The seals were neat because it was birthing season and we were able to see some pups nursing.
Shortly after we reached our campground, checked in and changed clothes and Dave took me to a birthday supper at Donnaldo’s Restaurant a mile away. He had chicken phyllo supper and I had a pork roast and roast vegetable supper. Both were delicious. Returning to the campground for the evening travel meeting, Joan and Keith surprised me with birthday treats. Hokey Pokey ice cream and cookies which have toffee in them.
Wairau Valley, Rapaura
Thursday, February 9 day 11 we traveled 292 km or 175 miles to Parkland Marina Holiday Park in Picton. Our day started out with a gorgeous double rainbow over our campground. It was a good luck omen for our future travels on the North Island.
This was basically just a travel day. We couldn’t find a park to eat lunch at so we pulled into a parking lot of closed auto repair shop to eat lunch. There are a lot of vineyards in this part of New Zealand and we pulled into one for a tasting, Framingham.
