Alice Toothacre and husband Mark travelled to New Zealand from San Diego for a quick one week exploration of the South Island. Travelling with friends Yvonne & Craig Koehler
they hit the ground running.
After a meet up with some acquaintances for a morning coffee in the city, Constance their guide took them for a drive out to New Brighton Beach. They took a walk on the pier and checked out the waves of this South Pacific Coast. Being surf buddies this was of particular interest to Mark and Craig.
From here, the group took a scenic drive through Sumner Beach around to Lyttelton, the Port town, that was the epicentre of the Christchurch earthquake, before making their way inland to Lake Tekapo.
They broke their journey with lunch at an Irish Country Pub, in Kirwee, which was celebrating its first anniversary since re-opening; after a fire gutted the building four years previously. Coincidentally it was also St Patrick’s Day.
That evening the weather held and the cloud stayed away for the two couples to enjoy a star gazing experience at our largest International Dark Sky Reserve. Sadly there was no aurora to be seen but they were thrilled to see the Southern Cross and other constellations.
With no rest for the wicked the group had an early morning start. They were booked to visit the mighty Tasman Glacier where they got to view our largest peak, the majestic Mt Cook.
This was followed by a late lunch at the High Country Salmon Farm outside of Twizel, where they overlooked the turquoise blue waters of the reqion and got to feed the fish. Driving further south over the Lindis Pass they reached the shores of Lake Wanaka shortly before nightfall.
In the morning the group took a leisurely stroll around the lake into the town, stopping enroute to photograph the famous Wanaka Tree.
Constance then drove them across the Crown Range, stopping at the Cardrona Distillery. They enjoyed a boozy start to the day, with a tasting of some top class spirits. Followed by a beer chaser at the Cardrona Hotel and a splendid lunch at Mora Winery & Kitchen.
Afterwards they wandered around the historic village of Arrowtown. Famous for its fall colours, the group were a week or two early as the leaves were only just beginning to turn.
Other stops that afternoon included watching the Bungy jumpers at Kawarau Bridge then another tipple at Gibbston Valley Winery before heading to Te Anau for the next two nights.
The following day dawned bright and beautiful, perfect for the days excursion into Milford Sound. They stopped at several viewpoints along the way, such as The Mirror Lakes, Falls Creek and The Chasm.
With not a cloud in sight they enjoyed their cruise and were awestruck by the nature of the Fjord. The only downside was that they did not get to see our Alpine Parrot, the cheeky Kea, who were noticeably absent that day. On the upside they did have an encounter with an inquisitive Piwakawaka (Fantail) and saw the endangered Takahe instead.
Before leaving Te Anau the group took a short boat ride across the lake to visit the renowned Caves and Glow worms, then it was onwards to Queenstown. Unfortunately the day proved to be a little gray, so the couples decided to chill out for the afternoon, taking in the view from the comfort of the rooms before convening again for dinner.
Being the adventure capital of NZ, the groups last day was action packed. Starting with a thrilling jet boat ride on the Shotover River. They then went up Bob’s Peak on the Skyline Gondola to race each other down the Luge track.
Sitting lakeside they ate famous Fergburgers for lunch, lining their stomachs in readiness for their twilight wine & beer trail with Altitude Tours. With a final meal at FINZ on the waterfront it was time to say goodbye.
The group were headed to Fiji at sparrow fart the following morning for the next leg of their journey, where the boys plan to surf while the girls sit poolside with a book, for some well deserved rest and relaxation.
