This post has a lots more ideas for the Summer..
Click on this link to see a trip we did around South Island earlier this year late last year.
And we were down there last year too !
The latest posts will come out first so scroll to the bottom to get the chronological order 🙂
Enjoy
It doesn’t seem to matter how early and organised you are but taking a large Motorhome across the strait always seems to be stressful. I have to say though this was one of the easier crossings.
It was perfect weather for a crossing. No wind forecast and not a cloud in the sky.
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Parked in PictonWe lined up early and were boarded pretty quickly. Easy peasy turning around and lining up behind a huge truck in front of us.
The InterIsland left about 20 minutes before us and we basically followed that all the way over.
It was really nice to see Arapawa Island all lit up by the late afternoon sun. This is where the Perano Whaling family based our old Whale Chaser called Rorqual.
Arapawa Island. The whalechasers were kept in the bay in the middle.They chased in threes and all worked to a larger Mother ship which was a steamer called the Tuatea. Unfortunately it was later destroyed by fire. Rorqual like its other chasers were all powered by 600HP V12 petrol engines.
Rorquals one was a Kermath Sea Raider but others had different varieties, some even having old aero engines. They could honk though.. most did around 35 knots plus which was going for a 12 metre boat.
The trip was nice but as we got closer to Wellington, the wind got up so when we arrived, it was actually quite cold.
WellingtonIt was easy as ever getting off and we were headed up to Plimmerton NZMCA park where we were meeting Fiona’s cousins for a night of Fish and Chips, nice wine and lots of laughs. A great end to a nice day.
About to leave the ferryA couple of years ago we stayed here at Spring Creek and Managers, Andy and Christine had recently arrived from the Orere Point Top 10 and were just getting started.
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Parked at Spring CreekOn our way to the ferry and wanting to check out the vineyards around Blenheim on the bikes, we thought this would be a perfect spot to stay. It was also good to catch up with Andy and Christine and see the changes they’ve made to their campground.
The Eel ParkWe rocked in fresh from the Kaikoura Coast so it was nice to be able switch off, plug in and open a bottle of wine.
Nice ParkingThe next day we were up earlyish and got the bikes ready for the loop around Blenheim.
The Bike trail to Blenheim on State Highway 1Our first stop was at the Ritual Cafe in the centre of Blenheim and the food was amazing. We’ve been here before and the Coffee and food never fails!
Click on the Gallery below for the bike ride
After having lunch there we set off westward towards Allan Scotts Vineyard. I’m not sure of the distance biut probably an easy 10k’s or so, so the Chardy in their open Veranda was very well received. From there we headed to the Raukaura Shops and then back to the camp after a quick stop at the Chocolate factory.
Arriving!The round trip was about 32k’s and I felt like I’d done some riding too.
Fiona in the open Veranda areaLast time we did much the same ride two or so years ago on Huff and Puff bikes, it took a whole morning. This time on Electric bikes, it took less than 1.5 hours. A big difference but I still felt the 32k’s !!
While we were at Fairlie, I met our neighbours Peter and Val who were heading to Amberley to see their daughter. She just happened to live near the Campground at Amberley Beach. This was to be our next destination too.
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After leaving Fairlie, we checked with old friends Ray and Margaret who have settled now in Geraldine. We met them at Peskis and they later showed us around Lake McGregor when we were with them at Tekapo. We had lots of fun together and it was neat to catch up with them again and see their house.
From here it was a quick stop at Christchurch to get some chemicals for the loo and then off to Amberley Beach.
We arrived there about 4pm and the shadows were already starting to get long. The camp is split into two bits. On the right is an area for Dogs and on the left is an area without Dogs. We went to the left and signed up and put our money in the “wooden maiden”. The cost is $5pp plus $5 for power.. very good value with some new loos nearby and the beach just through the sandhills.
We went for a walk down to the beach just for a look and it looks fantastic with Pines on the foreshore in the sandhills.
It reminded me of when I was growing up in Christchurch, we used to have family holidays somewhere up this coast and I remember the pine trees that you had to run through to get to the beach and there were lots of old Cribs.. ahh the good old days !
It looked a bit bleak this time but this was only because it was getting late.
In the morning we left there and headed through to Kaikoura. Coming down from Wellington poured with rain all the way so we didnt get to see much but this time it was brilliant sunshine.
Its amazing what has been done here by the roading and railway people fixing things up after the earthquake. We saw some of the brave abseiling workers fixing back wire barriers to stop rocks falling. Amazing
Arriving at Kaikoura for lunch, our first stop was to the Pier Hotel where we’ve eaten before. Looking across from there its amazing to see all the rocks that have been pushed up by the earthquake.
One of the things still noticeable is the state of the roads around the area but Kaikoura is looking great and its great to see the good folk of Kaikoura bouncing back after such massive damage.
The Netspeed Speedtest Amberley
Download : 42.05 mbps
Upload : 12.16 mbps
Ping : 50 ms
Our aim after leaving Lowburn was to stay at Fairlie after getting a freezer full of one of the best pies in the South Island. They’re known as “Fairlie good pies” around the south but I reckon they’re Fairlie Amazing pies. Pork Belly with crackling, Chicken and Salmon and some other amazing options.
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Taken under a light in the Rafe – Pork Belly with the Crackling all ready eaten 🙂
After stopping at Lake Pukaki for lunch we hurtled on to Fairlie.
The place to stay in Fairlie is the Fairlie Holiday Park which is also taking part in the NZMCA’s Camp Saver program.
Nice parking$20 a night for a powered site with everything else available. There is a dump station, great Toilets and showers in several places and a huge council playground right next door for the little ones.
They also have Dogs on leashes.
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
Kitchen and LaundryIt is also only 5 minutes walk into the main shopping area one way and is next to a lovely huge river on the other side.
Looking through to the playgroundBeing able to park for the night in sites like this on the Camp Saver program is just fabulous and long may it continue and grow.
Driving past this for about the 6th time without getting some piccies was not an option 🙂
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The Service StationThe Three Creeks Trading is created from over 25 years of collecting memorabilia by Dave Taylor and it is all for sale !
Everthing you could imagineWith all sorts of Bric a Brac from days gone by, old washing machines, beautifully made Macrocarpa outdoor furniture, you name it, Dave’s got it.
Great RadioAlthough most of what you see here has been brought together by Dave, more and more has been added from the Us over the last 10 years. You can easily forget the time and get lost in it. Its a wonderful spot.
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
Yes, you can buy Coffee hereBurkes Pass is half way between Geraldine and Tekapo and is well worth checking out. There is easy Motorhome parking in front too.
An airstreamy MotorhomeMoving from the Queenstown Holiday Park after my job was complete, we were looking forward to catching up with Rob and see Helen who had arrived in Lowburn from Auckland the day before.
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Motorhomes and caravans down at one of my favourite parking spotsWe were at Rob and Helen’s place for the weekend and Sunday was planned for a quick bike ride down to the lake by Lowburn Inlet.
Rob had some chores he wanted to deal with and was going to walk down later so we all set off.
The bikes ready to goFantastic sunshiney day and warm as toast as long as you kept out of the shadows!
Fiona and Helen heading to LowburnWe ended up down by the inlet where we’ve stayed in Rafe right by the lake. Its interesting to see that the absolute lakeside has been fenced off but it is still a wonderful place to stay. I believe the loos have had a bit of a makeover too.
Lowburn lakeWe didn’t stay long and we biked back up the Lowburn Valley to check out some of the newly built houses. The real estate scene down here is cruising along nicely and I’m not surprised looking at some of the fantastic homes being built here.
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
Fiona getting back to Rob and Helen’sA great day out in the sun.
After parting ways with Rob at Alexandra, we set off towards Queenstown and then Glenorchy. Good old GPS took us right through the main shopping area of Queenstown. We were heading for the pedestrian mall at one stage 🙂
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Once out of Queenstown, it was a fun drive. We stopped along the way at a lookout over Lake Whakatipu for lunch and then carried on. The road was up and down all the way to Glenorchy but amazing scenery.
We checked in at the Glenorchy Hotel where they have CSC Motorhome parking for $12 with power which is great.
After settling down Rafe, we set off to have a quick look around and of course ended up in the Pub in front of the fire.
In the morning, we used the Laundry here to get through the washing before the forecast rain came.
Later, the weather was closing in and we had an amazing thunderstorm which went on for about three hours. Its amazing hearing the boom echo off the mountains and the ferocity of the lightning was something else too.
It was fun tucked up listening and watching 🙂
After breakfast, we set off for a walk down through the town as the wind got up, the sun came out and the mountains around us looked amazing.
Fiona went for a walk around the Glenorchy lagoon which she said was nice.
Its a nice wee town and interesting to see a few big back up generators around. They must have a few weather related power issues from time to time.
The Netspeed Speedtest
Download : 65.17 mbps
Upload : 13.49 mbps
Ping : 89 ms
On arriving at Cromwell, we had to stock on some groceries at the New World, get some Diesel at the Truck stop and call some friends re catching up as you do!
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The Historic Precinct in CromwellAfter this we had lunch by the lake and had a good look around the Cromwell Historic Precinct. The lake looked fantastic and its a nice spot to relax in and see what used to be in this area.
By the Historic Precint in CromwellWe were going to stay the night in Lowburn at Rob and Helens house with Rob, Helen was flying down later that week. As they’re Motorhomers themselves, they have a purpose built concrete pad with a 16 amp external power socket for friends on wheels 😄
Absolute luxury !
Rafe and Rob and Helens Tracker at their place.After a nice night with Rob at Lowburn, we met old Auckland friends Ross and Karen and they took us around to a restaurant and we enjoyed a nice couple of hours catching up on all the news. Our kids were all Playcentre kids together so we go back a long long way.
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
The view from Rob and Helen’s loungeIts really good to see Rob and also Ross and Karen as we haven’t seen them for at least a year or two.
A look at Rob and Helen’s Tracker just after in arrived from the UK a couple of years ago.
It was a cold, foggy and clammy day with a bit of drizzle thrown in but we were keen to bike into Alexandra from where we were staying about 7 k’s from Alex at Derek and Andrea’s Park over Property.
Its a big space with plenty of powered sites, a toilet, $2 shower and a laundry along with water. And its $12 per van!
From here its and easy ride to either Clyde or Alexandra and the Otago Rail Trail is just 1/2 a kilometre away.
Click on an Image for Hi Res – (Iphone images)
After a coffee and a quick look around in Alex, we found the end of the trail by the bridge and set off along the river towards Clyde. Its about 12k and is supposed to take about 45 minutes.
Its a great ride and we came across several coming the other way on bikes and a few walkers.
About half way along there are old tailings where a lot of Gold was discovered, and there is what looks like an old drill bit from days gone by. When I say drill bit, its about 6ft in diameter so not something that would fit the Black and Decker !
We averaged about 15-18kph along the ride as its quite different from the Rail Trail (avg 25kph) with a few curves around trees and ups and down but this makes it a fun ride.
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
It runs alongside the river and in several places you cross bridges, ride on boardwalks and there is even a small waterfall. Well worth doing. It took us a little more than ½ hour.
Eventually we came to the Clyde Bridge and rode off into Clyde.
A fun day
The Netspeed Speedtest at Derek and Andreas CAP
Download : 41.79 mbps
Upload : 5.31 mbps
Ping : 66ms
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