The Last Week Of Our New Zealand Road Trip in December 2019

I wrote this text just one week ago when I was sitting at the airport to fly to Germany. Because fortunately I got a job for a C&A shooting and I could travel to Denmark via Germany. I am very happy that the film and photo productions are slowly starting again, because this industry has come to a complete standstill due to the Corona crisis. Let's see how the first production with the new Corona-nomalaty works. I spent the night in Hamburg and met up with my best friend. Next day I traveled from Hamburg to Eßbjerg (Denmark) by train. The shooting took place at the North Sea. I haven't been to the north for so long, so I was really happy to have this opportunity. Since I had a lot of waiting time at the airport I was able to prepare this blog post about our New Zealand trip. This is the last post where I share our experiences and impressions of New Zealand’s south Island. Because this post is about the 4th and last week. This last week was also filled with eventful things. We were evacuated, traveled to the foot of the highest mountain of New Zealand (Aoraki/Mount Cook) and visited some glacial lakes. In addition there was again a hike with overnight stay in the tent and swimming in cold river. We collected such nice memories, that we will never forget this trip. But have a look for yourself and enjoy the beautiful photos and as always my diary entries.

08.12.2019

• Because of the rainstorm during the night we got evacuated from the camping ground this morning. Since the place will be under water soon

• A ranger informs us competently about the emergency, because all roads out of the region are closed

• Anyway we wanting to stay in that region. Because our next destination is Lake Pukaki. Which is 45 min drive from there.

• Lake Pukaki is the largest of 3 almost parallel-located alpine lakes,

• Framed by the breathtaking landscape of Mount Cook National Park

• Beautiful and unique scenery with a stunning panoramic view

• At the head of Lake Pukaki lies New Zealand's highest mountain, the Aoraki/ Mount Cook

• We found a really nice freedom camp site at the southern east coast of the lake

• Since bad weather a lot of clouds hanging in front of the mountain range 

• We can’t see the Aoraki

• At the evening walking to the south coast to check out the best location for the planed early bird shooting next day

• Due to tomorrow’s early bird we going to turn in early

09.12.2019

• Getting up at 5:00 am

• Leaving the camp site and driving to the location we found during yesterday’s walk at the shore of the Lake Pukaki

• The sun is starting to rise, a breathtaking view opens up

• All the clouds are gone and we have a free outlook to the whole mountain range including the majestic Aoraki/Mount Cook

• All mountain peaks got a layer of fresh snow last night and the rising sun let the snow-covered mountain peaks shining in pale pink.

• Having the opportunity to capture this moment on photo

• When the magic moment was over continuing to roam to the west side of the lake Pukaki

• We are getting closer and closer to the Aoraki

• There's something magical about the way it rises up as the highest mountain 

• On an extended road taking breakfast and some more pics with the Aoraki in the background

• Visiting the Tasman Lake 

• A glacial lake created by the retreat of the Tasman Glacier

• Doing a short Tasman Glacier Lake Walk that taking us into the Tasman Valley with a magnificent view of Tasman Glacier Lake

• The walk leading us to a lookout on the  moraine rampart. From here you have a wonderful view over Tasman Glacier Lake where impressive icebergs and ice floes float in the water

• Afterwards visiting the DOC Center because we might want to dare to go on a little alpine hike

• We think of the Mueller Hut but unfortunately we have no luck.

• Because of strong winds it’s not recommended to go up

• Driving to the nearby camp site the Glentanner Holiday Park

• Located just 18km from Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park

• Taking a long hot show and enjoying a barbecue

10.12.2019

• Before breakfast walking Hooker Valley Track 

• In order to get there before the crowd is coming and to enjoy the impressive landscapes of the Southern Alps almost alone. 

• Great morning hike

• Crossing various swinging bridges

• The walk ended at the glacier lake with an amazing view of Aoraki/Mount Cook and encountering picturesque icebergs and glacier

• For breakfast having a picnic at glacier lake 

• Only few people

• Walking back and the crowd is already meeting us halfway

• Glad we came at the right time

• When we reaching the parking lot, it’s already fully crowded

• Taking a quick breakfast

• Then heading the road again towards Athur's Pass

• But before taking some last pictures of the magic Aoraki/Mount Cook on that famous road

• On the way discovering a big delta in the middle of the green Canterbury Plains.

• Taking a stop and Dani takes the drone up to capture some stunning pics of the delta.

• Chosing a camp site 1-2 hour before Athur’s Pass since we spent half the day on the road

• The camp site Whitecliffs Domain Open is one of the best freedom camp sites we visited

• Wonderful natural romantic gound directly on a small river

• Having an evening  swim in the river

• Enjoying the sunset in this nice surrounding

11.12.2019

• First thing having a beach in the fresh cold water

• Having a lovely breakfast at the riverside and enjoying the icy cold water of the river to get ready.

• Starting our way to the Athur’s Pass

• Arriving Athur’s Pass at noon

• Visiting the DOC Center

• Informing us about a day hike with possibility to camp

• The woman recommended us the Bentley Spur Track, which takes 3 hour one way

• Upstairs you will find a 100 year old hut at a glade where you can camp

• Sounds perfect, so starting to prepare our equipment and having some lunch before

• Stating the hike at afternoon at 4:00 pm

• The hike isn’t so easy, as they described us

• But in time at 7:00 pm arriving the place where the hut is.

• First checking out the hut and the area

• Setting up the tent

• And our cooking place for dinner

• This time taking some ready-to-serve-backyard-menus, just having to add cooked water

• After dinner lighting a campfire

• Sitting at the campfire enjoying the analog kinda way of life the penultimate day

12.12.2019

• In the morning without breakfast starting our way back

• Around 10:00 am arriving at our Van

• Taking a good breakfast

• Relaxing until afternoon

• Visiting Devil’s Punch Ball, a huge Waterfall

• Hiking up a bit to have an awesome photo-motive with a big rainbow

• We are so overwhelmed by this beauty and power of nature that we stay long than expected

• Driving halfway back in direction Christchurch

• Staying at the self-check-in camp site called Lake Pearson Moana Rua Camp Site before it goes back to Christchurch tomorrow, spending the last evening at the beautiful Person lake

• Enjoying the view and taking an evening beer

13.12.2019

• On the way to Christchurch passing by an amazing rocky landscape where we stop to take some pictures

• Arriving in Christchurch downtown

• Finding a Tattoo Studio

• Geting inked at Otautahi Tattoo

• Having lunch in the city

• Looking for a camp site directly in the city

• Finding the Cabbage Tree Villa which offers van parking and camping

• The old villa is nestled in side street at the famous Avon River

• Not far from the city centre and airport

• Good end point

• Half an hour walk along the Avon River to the city center.

• Checking out Christchurch

• Daniell going to the Baber to trim his beard

• Continuing strolling through Christchurch  

• Discovering the remaining ruins of the 2011 earthquake

• Buying some gifts for family and friends

• Taking Friday drink in a bar at the Avon River

• Continuing strolling

• Having Dinner at a Greek restaurant 

• Sitting at the Avon and having a beer and ice cream

• Going back to the Villa

• Our last night in the van is weird, because after 4 weeks we are not used to the sounds of the city

14.12.2019

• Getting up early and preparing suitcases

• Cleaning the Van

• Taking shower

• Leaving leftover food and various things we don't need at Julian the host of the Villa

• Bringing the Van back to „Tui Campers“

• The Shuttle of Tui Campers taking us to the airport

• And then it's  time to say „Goodbye“ to New Zealand

So that’s it. That was our last week. What do you think about New Zealand? Has your wanderlust been aroused or is this island not your style of traveling?

We enjoyed it so much. The combination of beaches, countryside, nature, cities and adventure we’d really like. It was very versatile.

But even the most beautiful journey has an end and yes it’s always hard to let it come to this end. That's why we were a little bit sad and nostalgic when we flew over the Southern Alps again after the started in direction Sydney.

Will we ever visit this country again? We do not know, but we would love to. So if we ever have the chance again, we will discover the North Island. But until then, we will take our Lenny (Toyota Land Cruiser with roof tent) and our dog Nica and traveling around the 7 Canary Islands. Just shortly we were on the road again for a few days in the mountains of Gran Canaria and I will share it with you soon. I can only tell you so far that the photos are awesome.

So stay tuned and have a great day!

Love ,

Katy

Pics by Daniell Bohnhof and me

Text by me Look2 Ocean