The Thomases’ Grand Antipodean Adventure (17) – Christmas and Boxing Day
I don’t know what your feelings about Christmas are, but in my family, certainly back in 2012, we generally celebrated Christmas close to home. …
The Thomases’ Grand Antipodean Adventure (16) – Melbourne
Two days for the price of one in this installment – 23rd December 2012, when we left New Zealand and returned to Australian shores, and Christmas Eve around the Melbourne area. …
The Thomases’ Grand Antipodean Adventure (15) – To Christchurch
What a lovely place to wake up in. We were greeted by the stunning blue waters of Lake Pukaki, with the dazzling snow capped peaks, including Aoraki, behind, with a delicate wispy layer of clouds in the middle. …
The Thomases’ Grand Antipodean Adventure (14) – Mount Cook
We really didn’t have very long to spend in Dunedin, as we needed to be carrying on our journey. However, having experienced the “thrill” of a section of dual-carriageway as we entered the City, we parked up in the central area, and had a brief explore of the “First Church of Otago”, a rather superb 19th Century Church building in the European style. …
The Thomases’ Grand Antipodean Adventure (13) – Exploring the Catlins
Before going any further, we need to talk about birds in New Zealand …
The Thomases’ Grand Antipodean Adventure (11) – Milford Sound
Intro So today was the day we hoped finally to make it to the top tourist destination, Milford Sound. Would the road open in time, would we be able to
The Thomases’ Grand Antipodean Adventure (8) – Queenstown day one
A relaxing day in Queenstown After such busy days and new places everyday, we had organised three whole nights in Queenstown, at the Mercure Queenstown Resort hotel. This hotel had
The Thomases’ Grand Antipodean Adventure (7) – from the forest to the lakes
Collyer House to Queenstown (Otago) [googlemaps https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Collyer+House+Guest+Lodge,+Cuttance+Rd,+Haast,+New+Zealand&daddr=Queenstown,+Otago,+New+Zealand&hl=en&geocode=FT4dYv0dqW4RCiFz7JGTnrGN1CkdepXYdgnVbDFz7JGTnrGN1A%3BFQbhUP0ddJYNCilf3qjX8R3VqTEApnmEhu8ABQ&aq=0&oq=queenstown&sll=-43.901077,168.914602&sspn=0.01124,0.022724&t=h&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=-44.44263,169.043537&spn=1.184502,0.761741&output=embed&w=425&h=350] Haast Pass This was a day of travel (and we both had mild colds), but which showed how much contrast New Zealand has to
The Thomases’ Grand Antipodean Adventure (6) – Along the West Coast in sunshine
Okarito to Collyer House (Haast) via Fox Glacier [googlemaps https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Okarito,+New+Zealand&daddr=Collyer+House+Guest+Lodge,+Cuttance+Road,+Haast,+New+Zealand&hl=en&geocode=FZt1bP0drHkkCikdSJ2aDnApbTHw4nmEhu8ABQ%3BFT4dYv0dqW4RCiFz7JGTnrGN1CkdepXYdgnVbDFz7JGTnrGN1A&aq=0&oq=collyer&sll=-43.223653,170.162604&sspn=0.34274,0.727158&t=h&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=-43.561484,169.579676&spn=0.680083,1.332465&output=embed&w=425&h=350] (click map / zoom out for full view) Segment six of our trip saw us wake up in our Hutel
The Thomases’ Grand Antipodean Adventure (5) – Blue rivers, beautiful coast (NZ)
Arthur’s Pass to Okarito The next day of our adventure sees us drive from Arthur’s Pass, to the tiny settlement of Okarito (population 30). Along the way we took a