The Second Week Of My Travel Diary Of Our New Zealand Road Trip
Today I'm back with the second week of our New Zealand road trip. I hope you already enjoyed the first part of our trip, which was filled with many great events. If you didn’t read the first part, check it out HERE. It might be a good start to read the first part before.
Also in the second week I gonna give you an insight into my diary entries and I added the corresponding digital and analog photos which Daniell has taken. Actually I also have taken some pics, which are the ones with Daniell. Somehow, the photos I took turned out quite well, thanks to Daniell's professional instructions, of course.
Although it was hard for me to leave the beautiful and sunny north coast of the South Island, because I heard from some travelers that it rains a lot on the west coast, I still had a certain anticipation of a harsher and colder climate of the west coast. I finally wanted to find out how to manage van-life even if the weather is not so comfortable. Since we always have good weather on Gran Canaria, I was looking forward to the welcomed change of the upcoming rainy days.
Funny thing was, as soon as we reached the west coast, it really started raining. But what I can say in advance, is that the rain didn’t ruin the trip. On the contrary, it has dipped New Zealand in a different but awesome light. As you will see on the pics.
How do they say: “There is no bad weather, just the wrong clothes”.
But now read for yourself what we have experienced in this stunning second week.
24.11.2019
Using the day to get to the west coast in one stroke.
Driving a little bit longer than usually today.
Arriving the city Westport in the afternoon.
Checking out the freedom camp side, which is actually only a parking place but directly at one of the many long beaches of the west coast.
Having a walk at the long beach where a lot of drift wood laying all over the beach.
Collecting some shells and drift wood.
Starting to rain.
Nice waves pumping in.
Forecast looks good for tomorrow.
Because of the steadily increasing rain staying in the van the whole evening.
Due to the wave-forecast planning to go surfing tomorrow.
Checking out some surfboard-rentals in Westport.
25.11.2019
After yesterday’s rainy day waking up with wonderful sunny weather.
Having early breakfast.
Then taking our way to the surf shop called Surf Fevah in Westport city.
Chatting with the owner and renting two boards for the whole day.
Heading to the spot at the Touranga Bay and having a blessed sunny surf day.
The spot offers waves for different surf skills.
Smaller waves at the inner section and bigger waves at the outside section.
Waves are pumping so we completely forgot the time.
Late lunch, having Fish n Chips in an old-fashioned restaurant.
Returning the boards. Had again a super nice chat with the guys from the surf shop.
Continuing along the west coast down south. Awesome landscape with so many unsurfed waves in good quality (waves are pumping more and more).
A mix of Mediterranean environment, native bush and tropical bays.
Visiting the amazing Pancake Rocks. Unfortunately too many tourists, but still worth a visit.
Finding a comfy freedom camp site directly at the River Fox.
Checking out an old railway bridge, which is located next to the river, between sunset and blue hour.
Watching the starry sky.
Having a peaceful night with al the other campers around us.
Despite many campers not feeling troubled.
26.11.2019
During breakfast time a food truck offering pancakes, sandwiches and coffee, on the freedom camp side.
Playing with the dog from the owner of the food truck.
Missing our dog Nica, she would have loved it here.
After breakfast heading to Hokitika.
Driving a litte further inward to Hokitika Gorge.
On the way we driving through so many beautiful sceneries always with the view of the approaching mountain peaks.
To get to the famous spot of Hokitika Gorge having a little hike and passing a swinging bridge.
Checking out the beautiful surrounding and the glacier-blue water of the river.
Looking for a remoter place with no tourists.
Finding the right place. Sitting alone on the shore of Hokitika Gorge.
Bathing our feet in the ice-cold glacier water.
Helping a guy who takes a bath and drifts away by the current, unable to get to the shore.
After some rescue action going back to the parking and driving back to Hokitika town.
Checking in the Shining Star Beachfront Accommodation, where we have a campsite with hot shower.
Taking a long-awaited hot shower.
Due to the clouds at the horizon having no sundowner at the beach today.
Instead visiting the Alpacas on the camp ground area.
27.11.2019
First fully rainy day.
But the west coast is always very rainy, so we were prepared.
Continuing south visiting the historic Hotel called „Empire Hotel“ in Ross.
It’s a must stop when it’s rainy and traveling through Ross.
Looks like a true old west coast pub.
Trashy but cozy ambience filled with historic memorabilia, like an historic cash machine, old duke-box, piano, dartboard and a big open stone fireplace.
Stuff and locals are very welcoming.
Due to the rain ordering a pot of hot tea and sitting at the fire place.
Enjoying the cozy surrounding.
Later visiting the Dorothy Falls, we are completely alone.
Small but beautiful and without tourists
Stopping by the Lake Mahinapūa, beautiful romantic surrounding with a long wooden jetty leading into the water.
Despite the rainy day all the places had something special.
The moody light was different but so beautiful.
Heading to the freedom camp ground at the shore at the Whataroa Gorge.
Parking directly in the creek bed.
Water is coming higher, parking further up.
Very remote and not crowded camp ground in the middle of the most beautiful nature New Zealand’s
28.11.2019
Next destination Franz Josef, a small town located below the Franz Josef Glacier
Planing to make a day hike up to the Alex Knop peak (altitude of 1300m) to have a great view to the Franz Josef Glacier.
Due to the weather conditions, still raining, asking a the DOC Center in town, if it’s possible to go up.
Advising us not to go, weather is too bad and changeable.
A little bit disappointed that we can’t hike, entering a restaurant to drink something warm and to use the internet.
Staying longer than expected and ordering delicious burger with fries.
Driving to our campsite which is located a little outside the village at the Lake Mapourika. The self-check-in camp ground called Otto's Corner.
A very beautiful romantic lake.
Finally for the last few hours of the day stops raining.
Taking pictures of the lake, capturing how the mountains being reflected in the water.
Shortly after sunset following the golden hour.
Dipping the lake in a wonderful golden light with slightly pastel colors.
Sand flies are coming.
Therefore entering into the van and and we're just eating a little snack
29.11.2019
Unfortunately the weather is still not better.
Deciding to leave Franz Josef without going up to see the glacier because today isn’t still possible hiking up to Alex Knop.
Leaving the west coast over the Hast Pass towards Wanaka to get on the sunny side again.
After the Hast Pass the weather is getting better and better.
Stopping at the Cameron Flat Campsite, having perfect sunny weather.
From our camp site walking little less than an hour through the marvelous forest, over a swinging bridge to get to the azure blue Blue Pools on the Makarora River
Crossing the Blue Pool bridge and having great views into the gorge behind the pools.
Swimming in the blue pools
Water is ice-cold
Can't stay in the water for long. Just swim a few strokes against the current.
But repeating this several times
After the sun keeping us warm again walking back to the camp site
Enjoying the evening sun with a fantastic 360 degree view to the surrounding snow-covered peaks
30.11.2019
Off to Wanaka
Only 1 houre drive from Blue Pools to Wanaka
More than half of the route driving along Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea.
Both are big lakes surrounded by 1000 m mountains.
In the background always the higher mountains covered with snow.
One of the most beautiful scenic roads
Checking out Wanaka’s city center and the Waterfront
Super nice chilled town with a lot of water action
Renting 2 Stand Up Paddle Boards for 1 hour
Paddling out on the Lake Wanaka
At the end discovering the famouse Wanaka Tree
Daniell taking pics with the underwater camera from the Wanaka Tree.
Amazing how big the lake is
In the afternoon hiking up to the Roys Peak which is 1500m high
8 km steeply uphill
Reaching the peak after 3 hour
Having a picknick and enjoying magnificent view of the scenery of the surrounding lakes
Due to the sunset the whole scenery starting to dip in gold
Having to start the way down soon, because of the falling darkness,
Getting dark quickly,
Going down in the darkness
Amazing view to the stars
Arrival at the parking at night
Getting quickly to the next self-check-in camp ground
You may noticed that not every diary entry is accompanied by photos, because sometimes we didn’t want to take the cameras with us to enjoy also some time only for ourselves.
But the stunning and breathtaking view from the Roy’s Peak we really wanted to capture, even though we damned the idea of taking our cameras up the steep hike, because normally you want the luggage as light as possible. But we were rewarded with an overwhelmed and unforgettable view, which was a perfect end of the second week on New Zealand’s south island.
Below I also have added a map where I marked all the places we had visited in the second week. So you can follow the route we traveled. So have fun by discovering our great route.
I hope the insight into my travel diary and the pics has taken you again to that places to forget the worries around you for a while. As always, it was also a benefit for me to go back and reminisce about this beautiful journey.
I’m already looking forward to prepare our third week which was around the area of Queenstown and the Milford Sound.
Stay positive and enjoy the little things,
Love Katy!
Pics by Daniell Bohnhof and Look2 Ocean
Text by Look2 Ocean