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A tale of two vans and the trials and tribulations of travel and the beautiful South Island landscape.
In the distance a volcano rumbled...
When friends from the UK announced they were visiting New Zealand for a campervan tour we decided to take this oportunity to see them and tour the magnificent scenery. So in date order: flights to Wellington booked, Campervan booked, Ferry to Picton booked, first nights campsite booked and return flight from Christchurch booked. We were organised.
Then the tale of travel tribulations begins:-
D-Day minus 1 we get a text message from Qantas that flights are cancelled due to the Chilean Volcano Ash cloud. So we called Qantas to see which flight we could catch next, to be told the following day - but it may not fly. Not ideal. So an hour later, via a quick search of the internet and a couple of phone calls, we have tickets to fly with Air New Zealand to Christchurch, Hotel room booked, Campervan pick up moved to Christchurch and Ferry cancelled. So we were able to get to New Zealand South Island on the same day as originally planned. No, we don't know why Air New Zealand were flying but Qantas weren't....
The adventure begins...
Day of Departure - Friday: Fly out from Adelaide to Christchurch where we arrive at our Hotel just in time for Dinner and a Beer/Wine.
Saturday: Pick up our Britz campervan (Trailblazer) and then head up the coast to Blenheim (310km) to meet our fellow travellers. A gentle drive up the coast with a rest stop at Kaikoura (Craypot). This is a fairly rocky coastline with lots of seals just resting on the rocks. Then we got to Blenheim and the Top 10 Holiday Park. Here we met the intrepid travellers from the UK, had a drink and found dinner at the Grove Tavern.
Sunday: Bacon Butties for Breakfast. Being in the Marlborough Wine region a visit to Cloudy Bay Vineyard followed by Allan Scott Cellar Door was required. Next was a short drive around to Franz Josef (490km - C on the map below). En-route we stopped off at Lake Rotoiti, for lunch cooked in the campervan; this lake is a beautiful spot and well recommended. Then the journey continued, watching the scenery fly past, to get to Franz Josef. A quick dinner cooked in the campervan followed by a tasting of the wares purchased earlier in the day.
Monday: After another Bacon Buttie Breakfast we found our way to the Air Safaris, where we had a scenic flight over the Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier. The sky was clear and we had brilliant views of both glaciers - an absolutely worthwhile flight. After a well deserved lunch at The Landing in Franz Josef, we made our way to Queenstown (350km). The journey required a few stops to admire the scenery, Arty stones at Bruce and waterfalls. On arriving in Queenstown we parked our vans at the Top 10 and headed into town for Dinner.
Tuesday: No travel today - a day of rest. First stop was a ride on the Gondola to the Skyline for views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. Another lovely day, over on the Ski slopes there was a small patch of man made snow. It should be noted that we had arrived in peak ski season with no snow. Next stop was a 90 minute cruise on the Lake. That evening was Dinner at the very popular Cow Resturant for excellent Pizzas.
Wednesday: After Breakfast there was a division of activities. Two went of on a Apellation Central Wine Tour. The remaining two contemplated Starbucks but in fact found themselves at the Dux Lux Bar where the various brews on offer were tried. Guess which 2 went to the pub and which 2 went to the wineries? Other activities were abandoned due to rain. At the end of the day the two divisions were rejoined. Another pleasant dinner had in Queenstown.
Thursday: Time to depart Queenstown and say farewell to our fellow travellers.
From Queenstown we made our way to Dunedin (260km) . Overnight snow had started to fall and there was a some snow to be seen on the slopes - so the skiers would be happy. A gentle drive stopping to see Roaring Meg. After a quick look around we settled into our campsite (Top 10: Aaron Lodge) and cooked a slap up meal.
Friday: Prior to our nice coastal drice to Timaru (200km), we went to the Otago Peninsula to see the Yellow-Eyed Penguins with Natures Wonders Tour on a 8 wheel drive ATV. We were able to see seals only a few feet away, many birds apart from the eusive Penguins, however the scenery was stunning and the weather fantastic. We then left and made our way up the coast, more seals/scenery and no penguins, to Timaru. Once settled in the Top 10 we walked along the coast and had a lovely dinner at Monteiths Bar & Resturant.
Saturday: We then headed off to Akaroa (200km). Beautiful scenery on the Banks Peninsula. We found our Top 10 campsite and our pitch had views over Akaroa Harbour. Off down the hill to explore Akaroa and to have lunch at a lovely cafe/resturant. A bit more exploring on this beautiful day and back up the hill to our accommodation. Then back down the hill to have our last dinner in New Zealand dinner in the same cafe/resturant. When we say 'hill' we really do mean hill. It was a very steep walk into the town/back to the campsite. Off to bed ready for our trip home, all planned out to drop off the van, jump in a plane and head for Adelaide.
Travel Tribulations part 2...
Text message at midnight to say our flight was delayed. Alan rang Qantas to transfer onward leg to a later flight, no problem. Once we awoke we headed back to Christchurch (80km) to drop off our trusty steed. On to the airport to check in. At which point we were told the delayed flight was even further delayed. Remember how there was no snow in Queenstown? Well by the time we reached Christchurch there was so much snow that planes could not get in or out of Queenstown. Coaches were on their way with people who'd been stranded there. The race was on - would the coaches make it before Queenstown Airport closed? That would mean another night in lovely New Zealand, not part of the plan and we were due at work on the following morning.
While we waited for our flight we went to the Antarctic Centre and had the close up tour of the penguins, drove in a SnowCat and spent a few minutes in Antartic weather conditions (they have a special room with snow and wind). I would recommend these experiences to anyone.
Eventually the coaches arrived, and we were the last flight out of Christchurch, and the last plane into Sydney. We were met by the Delay Management Team who had arranged a hotel. Luckily managed to persuade Qantas to put us on the 1st flight (leaving at 6am) rather than the next (leaving at 8am) so we could get back to work.
Overall a great week and it was good to see friends from the UK.
Pictures here
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