With RV to Lake Wanaka, Milford Souds and return

We explored the South Island of New Zealand, travelled to the Franz Josef Glacier, stayed at Lake Wanaka, and cruised Milford Sound. We also enjoyed the Coromandel Peninsula and New Plymouth on the North Island.

Coromandel Peninsula North Island

The Coromandel Peninsula boasts beautiful beaches, stunning mountains and wonderful valleys. It is a popular tourist destination for hiking and all kinds of water sports.

We spent a week in Tairua, a small town on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. A little holiday paradise with a great choice of restaurants and cafés. A pleasant beach, numerous lovely walking trails, and a harbour where one can go windsurfing and kayaking. AirB&B, New Zealand

We spent a week in Tairua, a small town on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula of New Zealand. It is a little holiday paradise with great choices of restaurants and cafés. There are beautiful beaches, many nice hiking trails, and also a harbour where you can windsurf and kayak.

We played a couple of times on the fantastic Tairua golf course. The 18-hole course is challenging, hilly, and has stunning views. After the game, we enjoyed drinks and a good meal with the friendly locals.

Coromandel's golden beaches are surrounded by misty forested mountains and lush valleys. New Zealand

The interior is a rugged and mountainous region that is covered with lush native forests. It is a fantastic area for hiking and you may see one of the last wild Kiwi birds.

We went on a glass-bottom boat cruise along the spectacular volcanic coastline from Whitianga. Coromandel peninsular, New Zealand

Then, we went on a glass-bottom boat cruise from Whitianga to explore the vibrant marine life and stunning coastal scenery.

Cathedral Cove, with its fabulous white sandy beaches, native New Zealand trees, and incredible rock formations, is a "must see" on the Coromandel Peninsula.New Zealand

The Cathedral Cove Is famous for the white sandy beaches and a famous natural rock arch. It is a popular spot to hike there. The walk takes about 30-45 minutes one way. A wonderful place to swim in the clear turquoise waters. In the view the big Te Hoho Rock.

Looking through the glass panels, we saw a wide variety of fish species.

We saw a wide variety of fish species through the glass panels at the marine reserve around the Cathedral Cove area. When we went outside the reserve, we saw significantly fewer fish.

There are three easy walks from Coromandel to view the magnificent Kauri trees, which are over 1000 years old.Coromandel Peninsular, New Zealand

There are three easy walks from Coromandel to view the magnificent Kauri trees, which are over 1000 years old: the Kauri Grove, 30 minutes each way; the Square Kauri for a quick look; and the Tree Long Bay Kauri Walk, about 2.5 km.

New Plymouth North Ialand

During our New Zealand trips, we explored the interesting New Plymouth. The scenic coastal walkway is just fantastic for walking, cycling, and enjoying stunning ocean views. The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Len Lye Centre, a contemporary art museum and cultural hub, are a must-see. Mount Taranaki (Mount Egmont) is awesome.

On our way to New Plymouth in 2017, we stopped at Tongaporutu and were lucky to have low tide, which allowed us to walk to the Three Sisters and Elephant Rock. New Zealand

We stopped in Tongaporutu in 2017 on our way to New Plymouth, and because of the low tide, we could walk to the Three Sisters and Elephant Rock.

When we were in New Plymouth, we enjoyed walking the 13.2 km Coastal Walkway, which has numerous access points. It is easy to do just parts of it.

We enjoyed hiking the 13.2 km Coastal Walkway in New Plymouth. The impressive Te Rewa Rewa Bridge is one of the numerous access points.

There are many pretty sculptures on the Coastal Walkway.Plymouth. New Zealand

The coastal walkway is wonderfully designed. There are numerous entry and exit points. During the walk, you will find enough places to rest and enjoy the stunning scenery. We loved the many beautiful sculptures on the way.

The Wind Wand is a 48-meter-long kinetic sculpture that illuminates at night. It was created by artist Len Lye and cost over $300,000 to build.

The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is New Zealand's contemporary art museum and worth a visit when you're in the area. We loved it, it was great fun. New Zealand

The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is New Zealand’s contemporary art museum and is worth a travel to when you’re in the area. We loved it; it was great fun.

Mount Taranaki volcano is part of the Egmont National Park. It is 2518 metres above sea level and the cone is almost symmetrical. New Zealand

Mount Taranaki (Mt Egmont) Volcano is part of the Egmont National Park. It is 2518 metres above sea level, and the cone is almost symmetrical.

New Zealand’s South Island

The South Island is the larger of the two main islands of New Zealand. The South Island is known for its stunning landscape, of mountains, glaciers, fjords, lakes, and rainforests. A great palace for outdoor adventure.

After exploring Christchurch for a few days, we rented from Pacific Horizon, a 4-berth motorhome, this was one of the best we hired on all our trips. Then we went out for our New Zealand’s South Island adventure. Our first stop was Kaikoura, where we visited the Headland Point New Zealand Fur Seal colony.

We loved Picton at the Marlborough Sounds, with its ferry services to and from the North Island and seafront cafés and restaurants. New Zealand

We loved Picton, the gateway to stunning Marlborough Sounds. The waterfront with its cafés and restaurants is a great place to relax and enjoy the views of the harbour. Picton is the terminal for the ferries from Wellington. It’s a great spot for scenic cruises, kayaking, and visiting the Marlborough wine region.

hiking with stunning views of the Marlborough Sounds

We stayed for one night with our motorhome in a secluded location near Havelock. It was very quiet and had breathtaking views. The next day we hiked the Cullen Point Coastal Track. Not a challenging track, not crowded but stunning Marlborough Sounds views.

Next, we stayed in Marahau, a great point to explore the Abel Tasman National Park. The sleepy settlement is the perfect place to hire kayaks or go on the Coastal Walking Track. you can book water taxis to pick you up after a long hike or take you to a remote location. Marahauhas it all, accommodations, an information centre and shopping facilities.

Tasman Abel National Park, where we went hiking and kayaking.

We did some beautiful hikes but not the Abel Tasman Coast Track, which is a 60-kilometer trail that can be walked in 3-5 days. Did a kayak tour and went for a refreshing swim.

West Coast

New Zealand’s South Island West Coast is rough and spectacular. It has stunning landscapes, dense rainforests, towering mountains, and wild coastlines. The West Coast is perfect for outdoor lovers and those who enjoy unspoiled natural beauty

It was a long drive from Tasman Abel to the West Coast. Then, we visited Greymouth and stopped at the impressive Franz Josef Glacier, which descends steeply from 3,000m above sea level to the terminal face. It is the world’s lowest glacier.

We went during the right season, and we had almost the entire caravan park to ourselves. The problem on the West Coast was sandflies, not tourists. When we visited the beach, we were attacked by a swarm of sandflies. We dashed back to our RV and got inside, and twenty flies escorted us.New Zealand

We visited New Zealand during the off-season and had almost the entire RV park to ourselves. On the West Coast, the issue wasn’t tourists, but sandflies. When we went to the beach, we were swarmed by them. We quickly ran back to our RV, but about twenty flies managed to follow us inside

Before heading off to Lake Wanaka, we did the Hapuka Estuary Walk, which is an easy, lovely walk if you can fight off the sandflies. New Zealand

From Whataroa, West Coast, before we drove to Lake Wanaka we did the Hapuka Estuary Walk, which is an easy, lovely walk if you can fight off the sandflies.

The two-to-three-hour drive from the West Coast to Lake Wanaka passes through some spectacular scenery, including the Haast River, the Gates of Haast Gorge, and the Haast Pass. New Zealand

When driving two to three hours from the West Coast to Lake Wanaka, you pass through some spectacular scenery. That includes the Haast River, the Gates of Haast Gorge, and the Haast Pass.

We enjoyed staying in the caravan park at Lake Wanaka during the off-season because it was almost empty. But one thing you have to get used to is that the doors and windows of the amenities blocks were open in all the parks we visited, even though it can be freezing at night in May. New Zealand

During the off-season, the caravan park at Lake Wanaka was almost empty. But one thing you have to get used to is that the doors and windows of the amenities blocks were open in all the parks we visited, even though it can be freezing at night in May.

The advantage of a motorhome is that you can turn it around to get the best view of Lake Wanaka.

From Lake Wanaka we drove to Te Anau. It is a scenic journey through beautiful landscapes. First up to the Crown Range Summit 1,121 metres above sea level. Then visited the historic Arrow town and Queenstown and had an overnight stop at Kingston.

Milford Sound

Milford Sound is one of the South Island’s most famous and beautiful places. It is one of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders. Its breathtaking scenery, towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and lush rainforest make it so.

While exploring the Fiordland area, we stayed in the waterfront town of Te Anau, which has a good selection of accommodations, restaurants, and cafés. New Zealand

While exploring the Fiordland area and Milford Sound, we stayed in charming Te Anau. The town serves tourists and has a range of accommodations, dining options, and shops. In addition, it is a great place for hiking, fishing, kayaking, and scenic flights.

The journey from Te Anau to Milford Sound is spectacular. It drives through stunning landscapes. The distance is about 120 kilometres and can be done in 2 to 2.5 hours by car. But it takes much longer while there are many attractions on the way. There are steep mountains, lakes, crystal-clear streams, waterfalls and beech forests along the drive. We stopped many times to have a short walk or take photos of the breathtaking scenery.

The road to Milford Sounds climbs 940 metres and passes through spectacular scenery, including the 1.2km Homer Tunnel. New Zealand

The drive to Milford Sound involves ascending 940 meters and passing through the 1.2-kilometer Homer Tunnel. But the scenery is stunning.

Cruise through Milford Sound, one of the world's wettest places, where it rains an average of 182 days per year, totalling 6,813mm. We were extremely lucky to have such a beautiful day. New Zealand

Milford Sound, one of the world’s wettest places, where it rains an average of 182 days per year, totalling 6,813mm. But we were extremely lucky to have such a beautiful day.

Before getting back to Te Anau, we took a short walk along the foreshore through beech forest, with a spectacular view of Mitre Peak. Keep an eye out for sandflies! New Zealand

Before leaving Milford Sound to get back to Te Anau, we took a short walk along the foreshore through beech forest, with a spectacular view of Mitre Peak. Keep an eye out for sandflies!

On the way back, on the Milford Road to Te Anau, we stopped and hiked the Lake Gunn Nature Walk. An easy walk through beautiful beech forests to the shore of Lake Gunn.

On the way back to Christchurch

We drove from Te Anau to the Catlins, a very remote area where we found a welcome sign. We played tennis in Wyong, NSW, Australia. South Island , New Zealand

Furthermore, we drove from Te Anau to the Catlins, a very remote area where we found a welcome sign for Wyong, NSW, Australia, where we used to play tennis.

We went to the petrified forest, which is over 160 million years old, saw penguins, and stumbled over this! New Zealand

When we went to the petrified forest, which is over 160 million years old, saw penguins and stumbled over this

Nugget Point was named by Captain Cook because it looked like a piece of gold. The lighthouse is one of New Zealand's oldest.

Captain Cook named it Nugget Point because it looked like gold. The lighthouse is one of New Zealand’s oldest.

We stayed in Portobello before heading to beautiful Dunedin. The drive along Otago Harbour is breathtaking, but it is difficult to navigate in a motorhome. Unfortunately, our holiday was coming to an end, and we didn't have time to visit the albatross colony and see the penguins, fur seals, and sea lions. New Zealand

Before we drove to Dunedin, we stayed for the night in Portobello. The drive along Otago Harbour is breathtaking, but it is not easy to drive in a motorhome. Finally, our holiday ended, and we didn’t have time to visit the albatross colony and see the penguins, fur seals, and sea lions.

A quick stop at the wonderful Lake Tekapo. New Zealand

Then, a quick stop at the stunning alpine Lake Tekapo. Unfortunately, we had no sunshine to get a good photo of the turquoise blue lake with the Southern Alps and Mount Cook (Aoraki) in the background.

While it is still Autumn, Mount Hutt, elevation of 2,190 metres, already has plenty of snow. It is one of the largest ski resorts in New Zealand.

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