The Arun Rao family of four, from New Jersey in the USA, hit the ground running for the South Island leg of their NZ Road Trip.
The disadvantage of travelling in the winter months is that there is less daylight hours to soak in the scenery but the landscape is still spectacular nonetheless. Constance, their guide was determined that they would see as much as possible.
Day one was a grey old day as they drove out to the Banks Peninsula, where they did a Harbour Cruise with Akaroa Dolphins; accompanied by Buster the dog. This family business has four dogs that take turn about, with their primary purpose being to sniff out the small Hector Dolphins.
Day two dawned bright and clear for their drive across the Arthur’s Pass through the Main Divide or Southern Alps. Stopping for a walk at Castle hill to admire the massive limestone rock formations and snow-capped peaks.
It was an early chilly start the next day but the sun was shining as they checked out the Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers before getting a cracker view of Aoraki/Mt Cook & Mt Tasman reflected on the surface of Lake Matheson.
The group then spent Matariki, the Maori New Year in Wanaka and with no sign of the predicted rain, the family enjoyed a lovely stroll around the lake in the morning before tackling the Diamond Lake Lookout Walk in the afternoon.
Before leaving town the following morning they trekked up Mt Iron. It was certainly an invigorating walk, much of it spent above the clouds with an occasional glimpse of the view below.
Thirty minutes down the road at Cardrona though it was all blue skies and sunshine. The family couldn’t go past the historic hotel without stopping for a second breakfast of the best cheese scones around.
After a leisurely lunch, an amble along the Arrow River and exploration of Arrowtown they continued south to their next destination, Te Anau.
Heavy rain was forecast for later in the day so they decided to take a punt on the cool grey weather and squeeze in the Lake Gunn Nature Walk en-route to Milford Sound. The temperate rainforest of the Fiordland National Park really made them feel like they were transported to Middle Earth.
Sadly their glow worm experience the following day was cancelled due to flooding in the caves. Instead they walked around the lake to visit the endangered Takahe at the towns bird sanctuary.
The family were not expecting to see so many of Aotearoa’s unique bird species and lost count once the got past 30! They thoroughly enjoyed their up close encounters with Kea, Fantail, Kereru and Tui to name a few.
In Queenstown they travelled out to Glenorchy for an adrenaline filled adventure with Paradise Zipline. As well they went up Bob’s Peak on the Skyline Gondola.
They were amazed by the volume of snow that had fallen in the previous days weather event. Everything had been transformed into a winter wonderland.
The drive north via the Lindis Pass was unreal. The golden tussock covered hills were blanketed in snow and glared white in the sun.
Aoraki/Mt Cook once again revealed itself to our visitors. The family enjoyed brief walks on the Hooker Valley Track and up to the Tasman Glacier View Lookout. Although it was rather icy due to the snow on the ground and being a few degrees below zero.
This boded well for their evening star gazing experience with Silver River at Lake Tekapo. Rugged up to the nines they were thrilled that there was no light pollution and they were able to see the Southern Cross and Milky Way.
The final day with Constance saw them have second breakfast at the famed Fairlie Bakehouse before returning to Christchurch via Geraldine and the iconic Cookie Time Factory.
But the Road Trip for them was far from over. They were excited to collect a rental vehicle to continue their discovery with a self drive tour heading north.
