New Zealand 2007 November

On our 5-week holiday in New Zealand we covered the Southern Island only - the mountainous, more various part of New Zealand full of National Parks (NP). We drove with a simply car round starting from Christchurch and heading to north first to the Nelson Lake NP and the Albel Tasman NP. Then drove down on the West Coast, passing by Pancakes Rocks at Paparoa NP, Westland NP with Fox Glaciar . Then we went to the Fiordland NP and then back to Christchurch on an Inland Scenic Route. We did numerous track, Great Walks, daily hiking, boat trip, helicopter ride and some relaxation. Christchurch (2 days)

After 30 hrs round-world flying via LA, we arrived on Monday morning in Christchurch. The main goal of this day was to stay awake till the evening. The dinner was eaten in half-sleepy way - though it was a delicious meal as all the meal we had in New Zealand. So towards the end of the day we scrolled in the Botanic garden. Bank Peninsula Track (2 days) Our first track was the private owned Bank Peninsula Track nearby Christchurch. This took us through the volcanic island Bank Peninsula, beautiful coastlines, farmer lands, rain forest, Reserved Areas and spent two night in a little luxury farm houses. Second night we shared the house with yellow eyed penguin family.

On the East coastline (day) Driving at the coastline in New Zealand is an experience. Apart from the left driving (just keep in mind LEFT) as difficulties, no traffic, good road conditions and easy driving style.

a great night at the coast with excellent sea view

Nelson National Park (2 days) We took this time an easy hiking and walked 2 hours into the Nelson Lake National Park, north of the South Island. We spent a whole day fishing (Dick) and reading (Szilvia) and making sure the Kea won't make another damage on our tent....

Our second superb view from a tent

Trout Fisherman - here is still practicing his fly-fishing skillsKea - the only Alpine parrot

Kea - just eaten up half of our dinner

Abel Tasman National Park (3 days) Our first Great Walk. This is organised by the DOC (Department of Conversation) and we had to book our camp sites. There was lots of trampers, but much more kayakers in this unique NP. We walked 32 km along the coastline, in the bushes. Sometime we had to wait for the tide to go back.

Hundreds of beautiful beaches....

Camp site at the coast - and great place to bath

Relaxing at the beach waiting for low tide

Tidal crossing - in the rest of the sea

Punakaiki / Pancake Rocks (2 nights)

On the West Coast Punakaiki is a little village with a marvelous beach and rain forest and with the Pancake Rocks, another unique natural creation.

unique, endless beach

Pancakes Rocks - whether a fossil of pancakes baked by our ancestor??

Paparoa National Part /Punakaiki River Loop (day trip)

Scrolling through a rain forest and fishing along the river for a day...

The real fisher...always looking at the water...

Welcome Flat Track (3 days) Another great walking, 7 hrs in the forest, along the beach and finally arriving at a spot with hot spring and slopes with avalanches...

Another rain forest with lots of Fern Trees

Copland RiverAnother amazing camp site, well protected from the rain under the Bivouac Rock at Welcome Hut FlatHot spring with the awesome mountain range behind...

Routeburn - Greenstone Valley track (5 days)

Start of the Routeburn track : spring bridge

Route Burn river

First Camp site on the Routeburn Track - in the rain

Routeburn Track"mini golf" camp siteEarland Fall in a rainy day (our first real rain - finally)Camp spot at Greenstone ValleyThe throwThe StruggleThe Catch - Rainbow TroutTussock field in Greenstone ValleyEINDELOSE BEUKBOS - endless beech forest The last camp site on the Greenstone Valley - the sandfly mist was so unendurable that after eating we headed into the tent

Milford Sound (1 day) We drove down the Milford sound road (100 km), through small vallew with steep mountains both side in the rain - the second real rain in our trip. At Milford Sound we waited 4 hrs to clear up - no hope....so we headed for a 20 min walk to see basically nothing from it...or this is what we saw:

On the Milford Road we set up our tent at the river and I found this strange creature in our tent...

Doubtful Sound - Deep Cove Charter boat trip (1 day - 1 night) As German recommendation we took this 1-day/night boat trip in the Doubtful Sound.

Our boat as transport, accommodation, restaurant

Doubtful Sound from the Wilmot Pass Some windless, sunny, restful moments on the Sound

Some of our catch: sea pearch

Sea pearch - used only for bait

Blue Cod - our dinner

School Shark in full length: 120 cm, 13 kg - my biggest everI was not afraid to hold his nose :-)

Kepler Track (3 days)

Our dinner on the first camp night at Kepler - 3 crayfish tail from the boat trip at Doubtful Sound

My dream hiking: along the fjord The first and last camp site in Kepler

Mt Cook (1 day)

Mt Cook from Lake Pukaki

Mt Cook at dawn from our hotel roomLittle helicopter ride and snow landing

Fox Glacier in cloud

One side of The Divide is sunny, the other is cloudy

Mt Cook, New Zealand's Top (3754 m)Tasman Glacier, longest one in New Zealand, though not the most picturesque as half of it is covered by debris Delta to the Lake Pukaki. The right site the rain water flows (dark), on the left site glacier water flows (whitish)

Lake Tekapo (4 days) our last 3 days at Lake Tekapo, bit of rest, bit of fishing, bit of sunset....

Lupids, a common spring flowers in NZThe other side of the range is cloudy and green

Note: I have not edited the picture, the colour real, though in reality it's more...

Lake Alexandria (day trip)