We were primarily based in Palliser Bay, where Andrew's father has a home. Palliser Bay is a beautiful, rugged & remote stretch of coastline on the south of the North Island. It has managed to stay off the typical tourist track and is still fairly undeveloped. It is about 2 hours driving from Wellington on a highway that makes the road to Whistler seem straight, as it twists and turns through the Rimutaka mountain range!
We had 3 weeks in the North Island. Much of the time was spent around the house going for hikes in the hills as well as walks on the beach and around the surrounding farmland. The weather was not quite the warm, sunny, summery stuff we were hoping for so some days were spent just reading and relaxing in the house.
But we got out for a few day trips to nearby areas. One was to a town called Masterton where they were having their annual county fair. It was like stepping back in time: there were baked goods, quilts, highland dancing shows, and livestock pavilions. The event ended with a parade of the winning cattle, sheep, and horses, all led by their proud looking owners!
Another day trip was to Cape Palliser, the southernmost tip of the North Island. There is an old lighthouse there as well as a huge seal colony, and several little fishing villages.
We also got to do some wine tasting in the Martinborough area, a place that has become internationally known for their Pinot Noir, apparently.
But the highlight of the North Island was a 3 day hike in the Tongariro National Park with Bindi, a friend of mine who moved back to NZ 3 years ago. It's always so wonderful to catch up with old friends and the hike was spectacular! You go through so many different types of landscapes that it's no surprise that it is one of New Zealand's most popular hikes.
We ended our trip with a week long tour of the South Island. The South Island is less populated but more spectacular than the North Island. It is where the highest peaks & glaciers are, as well as the stunning fjords of Milford & Marlborough Sounds. It's also the bigger of the two islands so it meant that 4 of our 7 days were spent in the car watching the scenery zoom by.
We had 2 days in Queenstown, a city that markets itself as the adrenaline capital of the world. It's the place to go bungy jumping, rafting, jet-boating, paragliding, etc... We were hoping to get our dose of excitement but the wind was too strong for flying activities and the water level too low for water activities. Instead, we did a big hike to one of the peaks nearby. It provided spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains, but we didn't linger very long since it was snowing! So much for summer!
We also had 2 days in Marlborough Sounds, an area in the northern part of the island. The weather was a bit more cooperative for this part of the trip, allowing us to get out cycling one day and kayaking the next. It's a beautiful part of the island, resembling the Gulf Islands in BC but with turquoise water and more dramatic hills.
But enough words, the pictures do a much better job.