New Zealand 2018 Part 3. Queenstown to Wellington, Days 7 to 9
This part of the trip will be our last on the Sth Island, as, waiting for us at Picton, will be the ferry that will take us to New Zealand's Nth Island.
We leave Queenstown heading for our first stop which will be in the old mining town of Arrow. The 'Jones Family Fruit Stall' will be our next stop where coffee, fruit and ice-cream await us (at our own expense, as are all coffee stops ). Lunch is at the Makarora Country Cafe.
More lakes to see and lots of rivers, with only a single lane bridges to cross, on the way. The first night's accommodation is at the Scenic Hotel in Franz Joseph. After settling in at the hotel I went on a wander along the Minnehaha Walk in the Fox Glacier Glow Worm Forest, which was most enjoyable.
After breakfast on day 8 we drive off to have views of both Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers and then board the Trans Alpine train for our rail journey back to Christchurch. The next morning, after a very early and quick breakfast, and still in the dark, we head off in the bus for Picton and our ferry. We only have out sleepwear and a few things we might need with us today, as all our other gear and clothes are also waiting for us at Picton. A lot of re-construction is still going on with the highway along this part of the coast due to the damage caused by the last earthquake. A quick lunch at Picton then it's onto the ferry for our 3 hour trip to Wellington. We had a smooth sunny trip on the ferry but the wind was really blowing in 'windy' Wellington. We were met by our new driver, Greg, who drove us to our hotel, the Ibis, in Wellington. That night I had tears in my eyes with laughter over an event with Roman, and his mix-up with his room, and my visit to Dale and his mum's room.
Tuesday 13th We leave Queenstown and head for Fox Glacier
Queenstown sunrise.
Crossing the Edith Cavell Bridge over the Shotover River at Arthur's Point.
Lakes District Museum, Arrowtown.
Arrowtown's original Bank of NZ's stables.
The museum has actually been built 'over' part of the old town.
Man on the Loo
The man on the loo.
Arrowtown Library
Post Office, Arrowtown.
Buckingham St, Arrowtown.
Buckingham St, Arrowtown.
Buckingham St, Arrowtown.
Buckingham St, Arrowtown.
It was time for Warren (our driver) to get himself together and get us back on the road again.
Kawarau Bungy Centre (AJ Hackett Bungy)
Goldfields near Cromwell.
Goldfields near Cromwell.
Goldfields near Cromwell.
Kiwano or horned melon, one of the many exotic friuts at the Jones Family Fruit Stall.
Flowers at the Jones Family Fruit Stall
Jones Family Fruit Stall
Jones Family Fruit Stall
Growing wild in the lawn at the Jones Family Fruit Stall.
The vineyards of Domaine Thomson Wines.
Giant fans to help prevent frosts, near Mount Pisa.
Clutha River at Albert Town.
The mountain-bike rider could be taking part in a multi-day cross-country race.
Clutha River
Farm shed on Lake Hawea- Albert Town Rd.
Lake Hawea
Lake Hawea
Lake Wanaka Lookout
Looking from Lake Wanaka Lookout.
Looking from Lake Wanaka Lookout.
Lake Wanaka Lookout
Warren explaining what lays ahead along the road.
Looking from Lake Wanaka Lookout.
Lake Wanaka
It seemed like most of our trip was spent looking out the bus windows.
Jet boat on the Makarora River..
I went for a walk during our lunch stop at the Makarora Country Cafe.
Along Makarora-Lake Hawea Rd., looking towards Mount Alba and Mount Turner North.
The Makarora River at Cameron Flat, looking towards (I think) Mount Brewster.
Single lane bridge over the Makarora River.
Makarora River.
Gates of Haast (Haast River)
Thunder Creek Falls
Crossing the Haast River looking across to Shattered Peak.
Landslide along the Haast Pass-Makarora Rd.
Haast Visitor Centre
I had a feeling I had been doing it wrong.
Warren mentioned the name of these tree which could have been
Rimu tree......or Kahikatea tree.......or something else.
Haast River Bridge
Passing bay on the Haast River Bridge.
Haast River to the Ocean.
Crossing over the Paringa River.
Bruce Bay
Looking for rocks at Bruce Bay.
Driftwood at Bruce Bay.
Whoooops
Single-lane suspension bridge over the Fox River.
Crossing the Fox River.
Single-lane suspension bridge over the Cook River.
Single-lane suspension bridge over the Karangarua river.
The town of Fox Glacier.
The brochure said we were to stay at the Scenic Hotel in Franz Joseph but we instead stayed at the Heartland Hotel in Fox Glacier.
'The White Pub - Cafe & Bar'
I didn't see the 'Non-White Pub'.
Travelling by Ford.
Sticker on dashboard of the old Ford car.
'Chance of Ice Cream Today - (High)'
Minnehaha Walk in the Fox Glacier Glow Worm Forest.
I thought I had found a Silver Fern.
Wednesday 14th
Two glaciers and a train ride to Christchurch.
Just a reminder of the cost of fuel.
This Kea was chewing on the street light in Fox Glacier.
Fox Glacier from Cook Flat Road.
Fox Glacier
Fox Glacier
Fox Glacier from Cook Flat Road.
Oh look, a rainbow.
Waikukupa River
Could be Chris and Tim doing their helicopter ride.
Waiho River, we go straight ahead as the sign says.
Bridge over the Waiho River to the town of Franz Joseph.
Waiho River
Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef Glacier
Plants from around Franz Josef Glacier.
The mauve flower, which I think is Heal-All (Prunella vulgaris) we have growing at home.
Franz Josef Glacier from the car park.
Our Lady of the Alps Catholic Church Franz Josef.
The Whataroa river, running alongside the Whataroa Hwy.
The Bushman's Centre, Pukekura.
Depending on what you like it's "Unique, wacky, worth stopping at. Bring your sense of humour!” "Lots of funny little touches make this a great road side stop on your journey up the west coast" or “Possibly the worst cafe in NZ”, “Avoid !”, “Don't stop here if you want a decent coffee and friendly service!” (tripadviser comments).
The house at 28 Aylmer St Ross looked a bit..........................
....................different in 2009. (Google Street View image)
"Westland Women" Commemorating the women at the heart of our communities.
Artist: Richard Brett 2009"
Carnegie Building in Hokitika.
Pioneers of the Frontier Statue and Town Centre Clock, Hokitika
Statue of Richard John Seddon, the 15th Premier (Prime Minister) of
New Zealand from 1893 until his death in office in 1906, in front of Hokitika Government Buildings.
'Fesh and Cheps'
Well, that's how they say it.
(Fish and Chips)
St. Andrew's United Parish Church, Hokitika.
Arahura Bridge Park, just north of Hokitika.
This is one of the original timber truss spans retained near the new bridge, which we are about to cross over.
Otira Viaduct
Nearing Arthur's Pass.
6 wheels are better than 4, and Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre.
Carving inside Visitor's Centre.
A stuffed 'sqashum'.
Back to the bus to pick up out train tickets.
Walking through the underpass to the station.
Walking to the train.
Here come out TransAlpine train to take us to Christchurch.
And so out rail journey begins.
We follow the Bealey River at first.
Lone tree with clouds.
All snug inside.
While others stand in the windy observation carriage.
Busy bees.
All our cameras are ready for photographing from the bridge down the gorge............
...........and this is the view we had.
Another viaduct coming up.
Waimakariri River
Waimakariri River
Slovens Creek Viaduct shadows.
Barb enjoys a sweet moment. (PbL)
Just need a little work to be done and it will be ready.
Well it is New Zealand.
Thursday 15th
A very early start to a long day to get to Picton, then on the ferry to Wellington.
Our reward for a pre-dawn start.
From the bus.
Sunrise from the bus.
All the loos were full at Cheviot.
Rail bridge across the Walau River.
Photographing earthquake damage and reconstruction works. (taken through bus window)
Coffee break stop at Kaikoura.
Artwork in the Fish Tank Lodge, Kaikoura.
Kay and Mac enjoying the 'coffee break' stop at Kaikoura.
Looking from Kaikoura north to Hapuku. The Seaward Kaikoura Mountain Range is snow covered in winter.
Looking south from Kaikoura to Point Kean.
ST Paul's On The Hill Presbyterian Church, Kaikoura.
Travelling north to Picton where our ferry to Wellington is waiting for us.
Some of us saw dolphins out in the bays.
Landslide beside the highway.
Railway bridge crossing the Waima (Ure) River, near Ward.
I was drawn to the rolling hills along the way and have given some of them a touch of extra editing.
The Lone Cabbage Tree
Cabbage Trees
Giant fans to prevent frost damage to vines.
Flax, Cabbage Tree and sheep.
The long and winding road.
Toilet stop at The Wine Station, Blenheim.
Our 'backup' driver, Dale.
Picton Marina.
The Interislander ferry terminal.
Our ferry to the North Island, MV Kaitaki, waiting at the Picton Ferry Terminal.
The ship was built at Van der Giessen de Noord shipyard in the Netherlands, and was launched in 1995.
(PbL)
Do as Mac tells you Lynn.
Picton from the ferry.
Help at the end of a rope.
North Island here we come. (PbL)
The last ferry that Lynn crossed the Cook Strait in, sank, 12 months later.
This mussel farm.................
(PbL)
............makes a good roosting spot for these gulls.
On the right is Moioio Island.
King Salmon's Te Pangu Bay salmon farm.
They came to say goodbye and have a safe trip.
Jellyfish, I think.
Leaving the South Island.
Entering the Cook Strait.
We had a smooth crossing. (PbL)
But once we turned the corner into Fitzroy Bay the wind came up.
Girl or young woman only? (New Zealand speak)
Windy Wellington.
Baring Head Lighthouse
Pencarrow Upper Lighthouse, and, I guess, Pencarrow 'lower' Lighthouse on the right.
Looking out through the salt covered rear window of the ferry.
Luckily, we didn't have to use these.
Now to find our 'new' bus.
Ready for when needed.
The view (through a dirty window) from our hotel room.
Now to see what happens on the 'second' part of our NZ holiday.
Cameras: Canon PowerShot SX60 HS and Sony DSC-W690.
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