Saturday, October 26, 2024

Visiting a landscape painting - South Island, NZ

Kia Ora!  - Traditional Māori greeting - meaning "Hello!"


Till date I had read and heard about the beautiful landscapes of NZ and kept it on my bucket list. At last it came true on April 2023, when we went for a 9-day long road trip across the South Island of New Zealand (NZ).  Starting from Christchurch we drove all the way to Queenstwon.


Day 1: Christchurch 

Late in the evening we landed in Christchurch. We were struck by cold weather and chilly wind - which was very different from the weather that we had in Sydney; Christchurch was missing all the hustle bustle because the whole city was empty for the Easter Friday.  We check-in to our rooms and went out hunting for dinner. 

We were put up in the heart of the city at the Cathedral junction and everything seemed very convenient. Don't miss to book your Christchurch tram hop-an hop-off tickets and explore Christchurch.


Just before we go to bed, we had one more task to be ticked off- pick our rent car, because that will be our companion for the next 9 days!

Day 2: Arthur pass / Devils Punchbowl waterfall


The first day we jumped on a scenic drive, which meandered with the Waimakariri river and crosses over to other side at Arthur Pass

As we crossed over to Arthur pass and trekked the Arthur pass walking trail, which takes you up to the Devils Punchbowl waterfall (Image below). It was a very refreshing trek through some untouched wilderness. The trek is a 1 hr - 2hr trek depending on your fitness level and do ensure you carry enough drinking water.

Many do go to Arthur pass on a Scenic train ride, but that came out to be too costly for us and hence we preferred the drive - which not only gave us some breath-taking views but also gave us the freedom to stop and breath in the fresh air.


Honestly, we were not so impressed with what we saw during our first day drive because we had seen even more beautiful sceneries and road drives in Australia - specially Tasmania.  We were wondering - is this all or is there more to the brand "New Zealand - If you Seek" !

Day 3: Drive to Lake Tekapo and then rested Glentanner

Next day we wrapped up from Christchurch and our next destination was Lake Tekapo and planned to rest at Glentanner park.

Slowly the beauty of New Zealand started opening up in front of our eyes ... colours, expanse and the innumerable sheeps - it is said that NZ has more sheeps than human beings!






Finally, we were just blown away by the Wallpaper like beauty of Lake Tekapo - and all our apprehensions just melted away.... this was out worldly beauty that we had never seen!


After having lunch at Lake Tekapo we coasted our way on the banks of Lake Pukaki for our resting place for the day i.e. Gentner park. We were fortunate to drive during the sunset and we were amazed to see the colours on lake Pukaki!
Lake Pukaki - and far away you can see Mt. Cook


View of Mt. Cook from Glentanner park


View of Mt. Cook from Glentanner park

i.
Glentanner Park (Image-Common Kitchen) - where we stayed for the night - has good accommodation options but should be booked early on as there are very few accommodations near Mt. Cook


That night, we went with childlike excitement thinking about what we have just seen throughout the day and how much more we will see in the coming days!

Day 4: Mt. Cook / Hooker Valley track to Hooker Lake and view of the glacier

Next day we drove up to the Aroki National park and planned to walk the Hooker valley track. Though there are other tracks but this is the longest track which takes you closest to Hooker lake and gives you some breathtaking views of Mt. Cook and the glacier around.

This is an easy to medium trek with a length of 5 kms in each direction. During this trek you will come across 3 hanging bridges, which are pretty interesting and a bit scary if its windy :).

Wear good trekking shoes and trekking poles will be a very good idea. Though it says that you can take your Pram/trolleys - but I will not recommend as I could see many parents struggling with it.


Views as observed during the trek

View of the Hooker Lake with the glacier on th right side (You could see broken ice blocks floating around in the Hooker lake)

View of the glacier (You could see broken ice blocks floating around in the Hooker lake) and Far way you could see Mt.Cook

Yes, no denying after the trek we were exhausted and driving down to Wanaka felt like an arduous task but the views of Aoraki national park had just energized our minds !

Day 5: Single tree in Lake Wanaka and puzzle world 

Day 5 was spent in the touristy town of Wanaka - we visited the famous Wanak alek adn cliked one of the worlds most tagged picture #ThatWanakaTree 
The Wanaka Tree

Post lunch we went to the Puzzling world which indeed was very unique compared to the giant Universal studios / Disneylands - it gave you an experience which was very different and unique!




Day 6: Lake Te Anau

Te Anau is a quaint little town on the banks of Lake Te Anau and gives you access to many of the sounds around - like Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound.

This was also our rest day, as we were pretty tired from the continuous driving and trekking - so we relaxed sipping some tea and taking in some amazing, relaxed views of Lake Te Anau

Day 7: Milford Sound

Next day morning we had our Milford sound Tour booked (you can also drive in car).

Now what is a Sound? 

No it is not music or noise - as per geography, a sound is a smaller body of water usually connected to a sea or an ocean. A sound may be an inlet that is deeper than a bight and wider than a fjord



On the way to Milford Sound
Mirror Lake on way to Milford sound

Milford Sound (View from the Cruise)

Some of the amazing waterfalls you encounter during your cruise in the Milford Sound

Day 8: Queenstown 

We drove in to Queenstown - The adventure capital of New Zealand, but we had nothing planned except Skyline to get some breath-taking view of Queenstown.


The Remarkables over Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown 
. The view is supposed to be breathtaking when these peaks are covered in snow



Queenstown

View from our accommodation - it was just breath taking.
 If it's a clear day - ensure you take a view of the night sky 


Day 9: Glenorchy

The drive to Glenorchy is possibly the most picturesque drive in New Zealand , as we drive on teh banks of Lake Wakatipu - you could see the different hues of blue, green, cyan reflected on the lake and some breathtaking views 

Lake Wakatipu 

Glenorchy is small town with beautiful landscapes, and it is said that some of these landscapes where the inspiration for Lord of the rings 



Teh famous Red hut of Glenorchy - One of the most instagram-med pictures!






Alas ! ...every good thing comes to an end and these nine days where so mesmerizing, the memories of these few days will stay with us forever !

Some Pro-tips:
  • The roads in New Zealand are empty - but don't exceed speed limits at any point in time.
  • Ensure you keep your gas (Fuel) topped up all the time - the fuel stations are pretty far and scant
  • Advisable to carry some backup food always - Bananas, Bread, Butter/Jam as it is hard to find food when you are travelling in remote areas
  • Book your accommodation and car in advance - possibly 6-9 months in advance will save you of $$
  • See if you could save some foreign transaction fee on your purchases/ spending- something like a Wise card
  • Best time to visit: Anytime!
    • If you want Skiing - then Winter ( June/July/ August)
    • Scenic beauty - with snow: May/August 
    • Scenic beauty - but warm weather: March/April / Sept/Oct
  • Tentative costing without food:
    • 6000 Australian Dollars for 3 people (All accommodations and car rental was booked 10 months in advance). Please stack in inflation!

Friday, February 24, 2023

Revisiting Tasmania...2022

Last time we were in Tasmania was in 2019 and when we came back from Tasmania (link to my earlier visit) it felt - wish we could spend some more time and see other parts of Tasmania that was left out!

So, this time we made sure that we tick all those places that we missed and re-visit Cradle mountain where we spend quality time exploring Cradle mountain. Off we goooo....
Day 1 : Landed in Hobart and went for a Long walk in Sandy Bay Area. You might witness the bioluminescence in the Sandy bay area waters...but unfortunately we did not!
Day 2 : Salamanca Market This market feels like a magical place where you transition from yummy local food to a shop filled with toys and books or you can find that favourite colour scarf!
Day 2 second half: The Mona Museum - Probably a whole day affair but we just gave it half a day!

Day3 : Ticked off  Port Arthur - Stay over in Bronte Park for the night The overnight journey from Hobart to Bronte park (Centre of Tasmania), though it turned out to be adventurous but in hindsight was a very bad decision - it has 90+ hair bends and single lane mountainous road and not a single soul around to help you if you needed one!
Day 4: Lake St.Clair, Nelson Falls, Queenstown to Strahan
A calm lake St.Claire
How old was this tree!


A Tasmania shaped Stone!



Day 5: Gordon River cruises - Such a serene river ride- where you could see the fisheries and a sneak peak into the revolt for an environmental cause!  Read: Movement marks 50 years of green politics, 40 years since the Franklin Dam campaign turning point - ABC News
Day 6: Wilderness Train ride
Day 7, 8 & 9: To Cradle Mountain - Yes that's how much we loved this place!
Night life at Cradle Mountain!
Wombats on a roll!
Day 10: To Launceston - on the way Cataract Gorge Chairlift - back to Sydney
They say it's the world's longest Chair lift!
I hope you liked this Picture-blog - It was intentional that I did not put too many words in this, because Tasmania is a place where you should go to see and feel the richness of nature...do not hurry through your visit else you will have to revisit!!