SOME OF THE BEST VIEWS IN THE WORLD
12 JULY 2022
The iconic Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
Motel From Hell
Our holiday didn't have the best start because we had booked the motel from hell! We wanted to stay relatively close to the airport and not pay for something too expensive because we were arriving around 8pm at night and we were up at sparrow's fart so would just be sleeping there.
We booked a motel in Mangere which had mixed reviews, but they were mostly good. When we arrived we weren't sure where to park, so we parked outside reception and went in to ask where the best spot would be.
When we walked in, we were greeted with cigarette smoke, pokie machines and the realisation that we had booked a sh*t hole. We decided we would give the place a chance as we really didn't have much choice and the guy at reception told us to park in a certain spot because "this is where we have the best view of the CCTV" - this was so reassuring... NOT!! We were leaving our car there for 7 days while we were on holiday and we felt so uneasy as we made our way to the room.
We didn't say much but we both knew what each other was thinking - this isn't going to be the place we sleep tonight! We parked up (in the safe part of course) and the person in the room next to ours had music blasting out of huge speakers and there were all sorts of characters hanging around. We took a peak inside and were greeted with stale cigarette smell that had some god-awful spray trying to mask it. The room wasn't clean and there was trash around the outside of the place. We just looked at each other and were like "IT'S A HARD NO" and we went back to reception for a refund. The guy at reception was obviously used to people asking for refunds as he agreed straight away. (We don't usually write bad reviews about places as we try to see the good in every place we stay, but this truly was an awful motel!)
It was hard to find a place that late at night, but we managed to book a room at the Ibis Hotel right next to the International Airport. They were amazing and even charged us the same price we paid for the motel. We have stayed a few times before and we love staying there because it's crazy quiet and so clean! There was bit of miscommunication about the parking as we were told there was parking available at the hotel when we called to ask specifically but when we got there, we found out there wasn't and we had to organise a carpark elsewhere - very quickly!
So that was a very stressful start to our trip but these things happen and the rest of our stay was awesome! We love how there are tea and coffee making facilities downstairs beside reception and plenty of tables and chairs. We played games here in the morning while we were waiting for our shuttle to take us to the Domestic Airport and it was nice to have a place to chill at and enjoy a morning coffee/tea.
We booked a motel in Mangere which had mixed reviews, but they were mostly good. When we arrived we weren't sure where to park, so we parked outside reception and went in to ask where the best spot would be.
When we walked in, we were greeted with cigarette smoke, pokie machines and the realisation that we had booked a sh*t hole. We decided we would give the place a chance as we really didn't have much choice and the guy at reception told us to park in a certain spot because "this is where we have the best view of the CCTV" - this was so reassuring... NOT!! We were leaving our car there for 7 days while we were on holiday and we felt so uneasy as we made our way to the room.
We didn't say much but we both knew what each other was thinking - this isn't going to be the place we sleep tonight! We parked up (in the safe part of course) and the person in the room next to ours had music blasting out of huge speakers and there were all sorts of characters hanging around. We took a peak inside and were greeted with stale cigarette smell that had some god-awful spray trying to mask it. The room wasn't clean and there was trash around the outside of the place. We just looked at each other and were like "IT'S A HARD NO" and we went back to reception for a refund. The guy at reception was obviously used to people asking for refunds as he agreed straight away. (We don't usually write bad reviews about places as we try to see the good in every place we stay, but this truly was an awful motel!)
It was hard to find a place that late at night, but we managed to book a room at the Ibis Hotel right next to the International Airport. They were amazing and even charged us the same price we paid for the motel. We have stayed a few times before and we love staying there because it's crazy quiet and so clean! There was bit of miscommunication about the parking as we were told there was parking available at the hotel when we called to ask specifically but when we got there, we found out there wasn't and we had to organise a carpark elsewhere - very quickly!
So that was a very stressful start to our trip but these things happen and the rest of our stay was awesome! We love how there are tea and coffee making facilities downstairs beside reception and plenty of tables and chairs. We played games here in the morning while we were waiting for our shuttle to take us to the Domestic Airport and it was nice to have a place to chill at and enjoy a morning coffee/tea.
Our room at the Ibis Hotel in Auckland
The Ibis Hotel has a few games to play in the common area
We LOVE Early Morning Starts!
Said no one ever. Seriously, we love getting the early flights because it means we have a full day of adventure, but we hate it because it means getting up at sparrow's fart, feeling like crap for the morning and listening to our tummies rumble while we wait for McDonald's to open at the airport so we can down some hotcakes and hash browns.
We had a great flight (aside from some hostile air hostesses - a story for another day) and we were lucky enough to catch the sunrise from above.
The girls absolutely love flying and were SUPER excited. We ordered peppermint tea and some biscuits on the plane which they thought was the best thing ever!
We had a great flight (aside from some hostile air hostesses - a story for another day) and we were lucky enough to catch the sunrise from above.
The girls absolutely love flying and were SUPER excited. We ordered peppermint tea and some biscuits on the plane which they thought was the best thing ever!
Gotta love the bed hair and early morning faces!
There's never a dull view out the plane windows (unless you're inside the clouds)
Time To Pick Up Our Home On Wheels
When we landed in Christchurch we felt the cold instantly! We caught a taxi to pick up our Britz camper, which was only a 10-minute or so ride. The taxi wasn't cheap, but we just wanted to get going and onto our first destination.
The team at Britz were fantastic. They went through everything we needed to know and gave us the full run down. They were friendly and took the time to answer any questions we had.
We decided to unpack when we got to Lake Tekapo, so we put our suitcases in and off we went! But before we did that, it was time to put some warm clothes on as it was coooold.
The team at Britz were fantastic. They went through everything we needed to know and gave us the full run down. They were friendly and took the time to answer any questions we had.
We decided to unpack when we got to Lake Tekapo, so we put our suitcases in and off we went! But before we did that, it was time to put some warm clothes on as it was coooold.
The girls were soooo excited to pick up the camper
Ready to start our adventures!
We had great weather driving south
Rakaia Gorge
We didn't spend any time in Christchurch after we picked up our camper as we were really keen to get exploring the mountains, rivers and lakes. When we were mapping out our trip, we decided to head along the Southern Alps on the way down to Lake Tekapo so we could make the most of the views and scenery (as the road along the coast is flat and straight for hours).
On the way to Lake Tekapo, we stopped at Rakaia Gorge, which is a popular tourist spot that not only offers a break from driving up and down hills, but also offers a spectacular view across the gorge of the Rakaia River.
We were really lucky with our weather on the whole trip - we had 6 days of sunshine and our last day was overcast and drizzly but we didn't mind! So this meant that our stop at Rakaia Gorge was met with blue sky and a blue river. The water under the bridge was a lighter than the rest of the river.
It was a nice place to stretch our legs and there was plenty of parking for our camper. The parking is right beside the lookout.
On the way to Lake Tekapo, we stopped at Rakaia Gorge, which is a popular tourist spot that not only offers a break from driving up and down hills, but also offers a spectacular view across the gorge of the Rakaia River.
We were really lucky with our weather on the whole trip - we had 6 days of sunshine and our last day was overcast and drizzly but we didn't mind! So this meant that our stop at Rakaia Gorge was met with blue sky and a blue river. The water under the bridge was a lighter than the rest of the river.
It was a nice place to stretch our legs and there was plenty of parking for our camper. The parking is right beside the lookout.
The view from beside the bridge
From this viewpoint you may spot a jetboat or two racing by
The water was sooo blue in some parts!
Heading To Tekapo Before Nighttime
We couldn't WAIT to get to Lake Tekapo. Our trip to the South Island had been a long time in the making and we were super deeeee dooper excited to make it to our favourite destinations.
We were freedom camping in Tekapo (more of that below) on our first night and even though we had planned to spend time at Lake Tekapo the next day, we couldn't wait until then so with the sun setting and the trees looking more golden at that hour of the day, we parked up by the lake, cooked dinner and did a little exploring.
We had the whole place to ourselves - this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience this and it was pretty damn awesome. We stayed until it was almost dark and couldn't wait to head back again the next day.
We were freedom camping in Tekapo (more of that below) on our first night and even though we had planned to spend time at Lake Tekapo the next day, we couldn't wait until then so with the sun setting and the trees looking more golden at that hour of the day, we parked up by the lake, cooked dinner and did a little exploring.
We had the whole place to ourselves - this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience this and it was pretty damn awesome. We stayed until it was almost dark and couldn't wait to head back again the next day.
The autumn colours were spectacular
Awww man, dirty windscreen - so many dead, smeared bugs!
The beautiful Lake Tekapo
We Had NO Power And It Was SO Cold!
Ohhhh where on earth do we start with this one?! Our first night freedom camping and what an experience it was... Long story short, the battery in the camper was dead so we were absolutely freezing, had no lights and couldn't cook any dinner!
We stayed at the Mackenzie Waitaki RV camping park, just 5 minutes from Lake Tekapo. It's completely free and there are even toilets there and of course, plenty of room for campers.
We contacted Britz about our issue and they had great customer service and helped us out as much as they could. They troubleshooted with us to try different things to see if any switches in the camper made a difference. Then they said we could stay at a local hostel but we weren't keen to stay in a hostel with two young girls because we would have to share a room with others. So we had to brave out the cold and boy was it cold!!
Luckily we had the most incredible clear night to see the stars. Tekapo is part of the International Dark Sky Reserve, which means it's one of the best places in the world to view the stars. While the girls were asleep in the camper, we set up our camera and tripod right outside and tried our luck at some night sky photography. We got some OK shots using 30 second exposure but we are definitely keen to improve our skills next time we are in Tekapo!
The park is right next to the main road and there is a lot of traffic but not too much at nighttime to disturb us.
We stayed at the Mackenzie Waitaki RV camping park, just 5 minutes from Lake Tekapo. It's completely free and there are even toilets there and of course, plenty of room for campers.
We contacted Britz about our issue and they had great customer service and helped us out as much as they could. They troubleshooted with us to try different things to see if any switches in the camper made a difference. Then they said we could stay at a local hostel but we weren't keen to stay in a hostel with two young girls because we would have to share a room with others. So we had to brave out the cold and boy was it cold!!
Luckily we had the most incredible clear night to see the stars. Tekapo is part of the International Dark Sky Reserve, which means it's one of the best places in the world to view the stars. While the girls were asleep in the camper, we set up our camera and tripod right outside and tried our luck at some night sky photography. We got some OK shots using 30 second exposure but we are definitely keen to improve our skills next time we are in Tekapo!
The park is right next to the main road and there is a lot of traffic but not too much at nighttime to disturb us.
The girls enjoying their pasta and views
The parking area is pretty big, so everyone gets their share of the awesome views
My first attempt at astrophotography
Stunning Sunrises
The drive from the RV carpark to Lake Tekapo offers views of the Southern Alps and if you’re there during the colder seasons, you will get to see plenty of snow-capped mountains.
There was no way were passing by this view without stopping for some photos! We found a place on the side of the road to stop and although it was on the main road, it was early enough to be really peaceful without loads of traffic.
Lath and the girls stayed in the warm camper (great choice) while I walked along the side of the road taking photos. On the left were fields that stretched for miles before hitting the alps and on the other side of the road was the silhouette of a huge tree, with more alps behind it.
The sunrise painted gold and pinks shades in the sky and on the caps of the mountains – it was spectacular and reminded us how great it is to get up early enough to capture the sunrise.
There was no way were passing by this view without stopping for some photos! We found a place on the side of the road to stop and although it was on the main road, it was early enough to be really peaceful without loads of traffic.
Lath and the girls stayed in the warm camper (great choice) while I walked along the side of the road taking photos. On the left were fields that stretched for miles before hitting the alps and on the other side of the road was the silhouette of a huge tree, with more alps behind it.
The sunrise painted gold and pinks shades in the sky and on the caps of the mountains – it was spectacular and reminded us how great it is to get up early enough to capture the sunrise.
Sunrises are always worth getting up for
The colours of the sunrise on the snowcapped mountains were a pretty sight to see
We were so glad we got up early for the sunrise!
A Little Slice Of Heaven
Lake Tekapo is a very popular lake in the South Island, surrounded by the iconic Southern Alps. We were really lucky that the day we visited that we had nothing but sunshine, so we had the best views, but this isn't surprising as it's one of the sunniest places in New Zealand. Also, it was a quieter time in New Zealand, so there was barely anyone around which suited us juuuuust fine!
We walked around the edge of the lake, finding the best stones to throw in the water and admiring the view. It's not often you get to explore such a tourist hot spot, lacking the tourist part.
Lake Tekapo is home to the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, which was opened in 1935, and is probably the most photographed church in New Zealand. It's a pretty building, sitting right beside the lake and there's heaps of parking beside it. You're free to wander around the grounds, taking photos and enjoying the area.
You can read our full blog on Lake Tekapo here.
We walked around the edge of the lake, finding the best stones to throw in the water and admiring the view. It's not often you get to explore such a tourist hot spot, lacking the tourist part.
Lake Tekapo is home to the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, which was opened in 1935, and is probably the most photographed church in New Zealand. It's a pretty building, sitting right beside the lake and there's heaps of parking beside it. You're free to wander around the grounds, taking photos and enjoying the area.
You can read our full blog on Lake Tekapo here.
Bella enjoying the view
View out the back of our camper
The beautiful Lake Tekapo
Time To Soak It Up
The Tekapo Hot Springs are situated at Mt John, not far from Lake Tekapo. We went in autumn and the air was really cold, so it was soooo nice to have a soak in the hot pools.
We shared the three pools with only a few other people (what a treat!) and spent a few hours soaking and it was hard to get out of the pools and into the cold air. Brrr.
You can read our full blog on Tekapo Springs here and read about the cool thing we found in the changing rooms!
Also, check out our blog here on Mt John, it is amaaaazeballs and has the most insane views of Lake Tekapo!
We shared the three pools with only a few other people (what a treat!) and spent a few hours soaking and it was hard to get out of the pools and into the cold air. Brrr.
You can read our full blog on Tekapo Springs here and read about the cool thing we found in the changing rooms!
Also, check out our blog here on Mt John, it is amaaaazeballs and has the most insane views of Lake Tekapo!
Not a cloud to be seen
You know you've been in a while when your fingers are all wrinkly
The light filtering through the dirt and dust made a great photo
The Bluest Lake In New Zealand
New Zealand's bluest lake, Lake Pukaki, is situated in the South Island, not too far from one of our favourite places in the world - Mount Cook.
Our visit to Pukaki was that of a fleeting one, stopping only for a brief amount of time on our way to Glentanner and not stopping at all on our way to the Omarama Clay Cliffs!
It has to be one of the most photogenic lakes in the world, with its magic blue colour and being surrounded by the Southern Alps. We arrived as the sun was setting so we didn't get to experience the light blue colour but we have seen photos and it looks pretty amazing! We will be back again very soon to see it on a sunny day.
It's one of those places that no matter the weather, it always looks very impressive. We spent most of the time in the parking lot, taking photos and trying to keep warm, staring mostly at Mt Cook and realising how close we were to it.
The drive around the lake is magical and the mountains around you make you feel completely dwarfed and mesmerized at the same time. You need to keep a close eye on those who feel the need to stand in the middle of the road for a photo, or others who want to stop completely in the road while they take a photo.
Our visit to Pukaki was that of a fleeting one, stopping only for a brief amount of time on our way to Glentanner and not stopping at all on our way to the Omarama Clay Cliffs!
It has to be one of the most photogenic lakes in the world, with its magic blue colour and being surrounded by the Southern Alps. We arrived as the sun was setting so we didn't get to experience the light blue colour but we have seen photos and it looks pretty amazing! We will be back again very soon to see it on a sunny day.
It's one of those places that no matter the weather, it always looks very impressive. We spent most of the time in the parking lot, taking photos and trying to keep warm, staring mostly at Mt Cook and realising how close we were to it.
The drive around the lake is magical and the mountains around you make you feel completely dwarfed and mesmerized at the same time. You need to keep a close eye on those who feel the need to stand in the middle of the road for a photo, or others who want to stop completely in the road while they take a photo.
New Zealand's bluest lake is much bluer in summertime!
Hellooo Mt Cook!
Yay For Power In Our Camper!
Oh how glad we were to have a powered site on our 2nd night in the Britz camper! We had the best time at Glentanner - it's such a peaceful place and the views from every corner are just beautiful.
We spent some time in the communal lounge, drinking tea and coffee and playing cards. Everyone kept to themselves, but we can imagine it would be the perfect spot to meet other like-minded travellers.
Our night spent at Glentanner was peaceful and we felt like we were all alone in the area as we heard no noise at all. We arrived quite late so we couldn't check in at reception and had to find our way to a spot to park up for the night, but we managed ok. We didn't get a park with a mountain view but we were surrounded by trees and big hills so it was still beautiful.
The morning that we woke up at Glentanner, we made tea and coffee and went for a wander at sunrise. We found Mt Cook and had the best view of it, so of course we had to take a gazillion photos, even though we were heading there to do the Hooker Valley Track that day! The hills behind the park were lit up golden and the fog surrounding them had a blue/grey tinge which was really interesting. You can take scenic flights from Glentanner and we were lucky enough to see one taking off as we were out taking photos - the girls thought this was super cool.
There's a cafe at the park beside reception, with tables and chairs outside that offer spectacular views of Mt Cook and the rest of the mountains in the alps. We didn't eat here so can't comment on the food, but we did order a takeaway coffee.
We spent some time in the communal lounge, drinking tea and coffee and playing cards. Everyone kept to themselves, but we can imagine it would be the perfect spot to meet other like-minded travellers.
Our night spent at Glentanner was peaceful and we felt like we were all alone in the area as we heard no noise at all. We arrived quite late so we couldn't check in at reception and had to find our way to a spot to park up for the night, but we managed ok. We didn't get a park with a mountain view but we were surrounded by trees and big hills so it was still beautiful.
The morning that we woke up at Glentanner, we made tea and coffee and went for a wander at sunrise. We found Mt Cook and had the best view of it, so of course we had to take a gazillion photos, even though we were heading there to do the Hooker Valley Track that day! The hills behind the park were lit up golden and the fog surrounding them had a blue/grey tinge which was really interesting. You can take scenic flights from Glentanner and we were lucky enough to see one taking off as we were out taking photos - the girls thought this was super cool.
There's a cafe at the park beside reception, with tables and chairs outside that offer spectacular views of Mt Cook and the rest of the mountains in the alps. We didn't eat here so can't comment on the food, but we did order a takeaway coffee.
Mt Cook in the morning
The sunrise gave a golden glow on the mountains below the grey/blue fog
The cafe at Glentanner has epic views
Is This The BEST Hotel View In New Zealand?
The Hermitage Hotel is located in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, surrounded by the Southern Alps. No matter which room you're in, you're guaranteed an incredible view of Mt Cook!
We were lucky enough to stay when there weren't many visitors at all and we had a great time. We asked for a room on the top floor and we absolutely loved our stay - who needs a tv when you have those views!
The dinner buffet was INCREDIBLE! The food was so fresh and delicious, we ate waaaay too much and kept going back for more. There were just three other families dining in when we were there and we were first up to the buffet so we got first choice of the best bits!
The staff were incredible and so lovely, we met some great people who were very passionate about the area and the hotel.
You can read our full blog on the Hermitage Hotel here.
We were lucky enough to stay when there weren't many visitors at all and we had a great time. We asked for a room on the top floor and we absolutely loved our stay - who needs a tv when you have those views!
The dinner buffet was INCREDIBLE! The food was so fresh and delicious, we ate waaaay too much and kept going back for more. There were just three other families dining in when we were there and we were first up to the buffet so we got first choice of the best bits!
The staff were incredible and so lovely, we met some great people who were very passionate about the area and the hotel.
You can read our full blog on the Hermitage Hotel here.
This HAS to be the best hotel room view in New Zealand!
The Hermitage Hotel
The buffet was deeelish
One Of New Zealand's Best Day Hikes
This has to be one of New Zealand's most spectacular walks. We were surrounded by the alps and came across a few lakes and rivers and the girls loved running across the swing bridges (I really, really didn't!). We even got to hear an avalanche which was super loud!
Bella was coming down with something, so we didn't make it to the end of the track, but we still did a few hours of walking. Everywhere you look, it's postcard perfect with snowy mountains, milky lakes and hills covered in scree. The walk itself is really easy and a mainly flat walk which takes around 3 hours return.
You can read our full blog on the Hooker Valley Track here - you don't want to miss this one!
Bella was coming down with something, so we didn't make it to the end of the track, but we still did a few hours of walking. Everywhere you look, it's postcard perfect with snowy mountains, milky lakes and hills covered in scree. The walk itself is really easy and a mainly flat walk which takes around 3 hours return.
You can read our full blog on the Hooker Valley Track here - you don't want to miss this one!
Come on mum, stop taking photos and just walk!
View across the first swing bridge
Don't look down, don't look down, don't look down...
High Country Salmon
Salmon told us that we had to stop off at High Country Salmon for a bite to eat. It was a really cod day and the girls were hungry, so we went in for a feed. Pretty sure we went on a fryday and it wasn't too busy so we managed to get a table by the roasting hot fire.
We had some salmon bao buns which were quite nice and the lady serving us gave the girls some colouring in to do which they loved! The cafe offers more than just salmon dishes, so don't worry about that, all non-fish-eating people.
There is a fish feeding station right outside the cafe where you can feed the salmon... the girls thought this was fin-tastic.
The salmon farm sits on Lake Ruataniwha and has the most incredible trees along the banks which are super pretty in autumn! We stopped by the lake afterwards to get some photos and we wished we had more time to spend there, but adventure called and we had to keep moving forward or we would dolphinately get to our next campsite too late at night.
Guys - if you have any better puns, drop me a line and let minnow.
We had some salmon bao buns which were quite nice and the lady serving us gave the girls some colouring in to do which they loved! The cafe offers more than just salmon dishes, so don't worry about that, all non-fish-eating people.
There is a fish feeding station right outside the cafe where you can feed the salmon... the girls thought this was fin-tastic.
The salmon farm sits on Lake Ruataniwha and has the most incredible trees along the banks which are super pretty in autumn! We stopped by the lake afterwards to get some photos and we wished we had more time to spend there, but adventure called and we had to keep moving forward or we would dolphinately get to our next campsite too late at night.
Guys - if you have any better puns, drop me a line and let minnow.
Lath was super excited to catch a salmon! Salmon get him a trophy!
Teriyaki salmon bao buns
The trees at Lake Ruataniwha are incredible in Autumn
An Out Of This World Experience
New Zealand is known for its lush green bush, snowy peaked mountains, blue flowing rivers and just so much greenery yet here we have the most random but incredible clay cliffs in Omarama!
We explored inside the cliffs and were amazed at the formations, as they were nothing like we had ever seen before - it's like being in another world. Once you step inside, you're completely dwarfed by the sheer size of the cliffs. We scrambled to the top, over scree and rocks and spent a lot time photographing and staring in awe at the cliffs.
There were a few pigeons that had made the cliffs their home and they flew from cliff to cliff, sending poo bombs down our way! Luckily we're master poo dodger ninjas a?
They're only 1.5 hours south of Lake Tekapo and are definitely worth stopping in to see if you're travelling north from Queenstown.
You can read our full blog on Omarama Clay Cliffs here, including our summer experience here!
We explored inside the cliffs and were amazed at the formations, as they were nothing like we had ever seen before - it's like being in another world. Once you step inside, you're completely dwarfed by the sheer size of the cliffs. We scrambled to the top, over scree and rocks and spent a lot time photographing and staring in awe at the cliffs.
There were a few pigeons that had made the cliffs their home and they flew from cliff to cliff, sending poo bombs down our way! Luckily we're master poo dodger ninjas a?
They're only 1.5 hours south of Lake Tekapo and are definitely worth stopping in to see if you're travelling north from Queenstown.
You can read our full blog on Omarama Clay Cliffs here, including our summer experience here!
The autumn colours are so beautiful in the South Island
The cliffs were quiet compared to when we visited in summer
Riverside Haven
After a great afternoon at the clay cliffs, we made our way to the east coast, to Riverside Haven to park up for the night. We're sure there were some amazing views along the road from Omarama to Oamaru, but we drove most of the way in the dark.
Riverside Haven in Oamaru was a great place to camp for the site and it's a peaceful place to wake up to. We had no idea what we were going to wake up to as we arrived in the dark, so it was a pleasant surprise when we looked out the back window and saw a small river. Also thankful we didn't back up too far in the dark and end up in there!
The girls had a lot of fun throwing stones in the river and trying to skip them. The water was really clear and the river passed alongside a huge cliff, which made a nice backdrop as we ate our bacon, eggs and ciabatta for breakfast. We sat on an old picnic table (which, by the look of it, we hoped would hold us!) to eat breakfast and chill on while the girls played by the river.
Riverside Haven in Oamaru was a great place to camp for the site and it's a peaceful place to wake up to. We had no idea what we were going to wake up to as we arrived in the dark, so it was a pleasant surprise when we looked out the back window and saw a small river. Also thankful we didn't back up too far in the dark and end up in there!
The girls had a lot of fun throwing stones in the river and trying to skip them. The water was really clear and the river passed alongside a huge cliff, which made a nice backdrop as we ate our bacon, eggs and ciabatta for breakfast. We sat on an old picnic table (which, by the look of it, we hoped would hold us!) to eat breakfast and chill on while the girls played by the river.
One of our traditional breakfasts while on the road
The river was super clear
It Wasn't Really Worth The Drive
Moeraki Beach is on the east coast of the South Island, just south of Oamaru and is home to a whole lot of round boulders, which attract a lot of visitors each day.
The beach itself is a pretty east coast beach and when we visited, there was some nice sea mist or fog on the beach as the was rising. We spent a while exploring the rocks, but we weren't too wowed by them and wondered why we drove 3.5 hours across the county to see them!
The best time to view the boulders is at low tide, so you have the best chance of seeing them. Some are cracked open while others are still embedded in the cliff, waiting to roll down onto the beach.
You can read our full blog on the Moeraki Boulders here.
The beach itself is a pretty east coast beach and when we visited, there was some nice sea mist or fog on the beach as the was rising. We spent a while exploring the rocks, but we weren't too wowed by them and wondered why we drove 3.5 hours across the county to see them!
The best time to view the boulders is at low tide, so you have the best chance of seeing them. Some are cracked open while others are still embedded in the cliff, waiting to roll down onto the beach.
You can read our full blog on the Moeraki Boulders here.
The best time to see the boulders is at low tide
The hazy morning made for a great photo
One happy girl
A Step Back In Time
Oamaru is a historic little town, full of character and charm. Walking through the town amongst the Victorian buildings was like walking in the 19th century. Many of the buildings were made using 'Oamaru Stone' or limestone.
We went to Oamaru so we could visit Steampunk HQ and ride on the steam train. We had no idea how cool the town itself is and it's clear that the theme running through the town is steampunk. Some of the shops had random items inside, which made us feel like we had stepped into an op shop (thrift store) instead of a cafe!
Each year the town holds a fete in the Victorian Precinct, where people dress up in the appropriate attire. You'll see ladies wearing full gowns that reach the ankles and have high necks, while holding beautiful lace umbrellas. The gentlemen wear tweed jackets, a bowler hat and some may even sport a moustache or beard to complete the look and the kids like to dress up in Victorian costume as well.
We went to Oamaru so we could visit Steampunk HQ and ride on the steam train. We had no idea how cool the town itself is and it's clear that the theme running through the town is steampunk. Some of the shops had random items inside, which made us feel like we had stepped into an op shop (thrift store) instead of a cafe!
Each year the town holds a fete in the Victorian Precinct, where people dress up in the appropriate attire. You'll see ladies wearing full gowns that reach the ankles and have high necks, while holding beautiful lace umbrellas. The gentlemen wear tweed jackets, a bowler hat and some may even sport a moustache or beard to complete the look and the kids like to dress up in Victorian costume as well.
It's like stepping back in time (aside from the cars!)
Oamaru is such a beautiful town
The railway station is the brown building on the right
Steampunk HQ
We weren't sure what to expect when we got to Steampunk HQ as all we knew of steampunk was that it was some sort of clothing style, with cogs, gears and hats.
The HQ is absolutely crazy (in a good way!) with so many statues made from items you would find in a junk yard, secret rooms and some creepy looking items! The girls were a bit scared with some of the things, so if you've got young kids, be aware.
There was a huge organ there that had the most random music on each key, including drum and bass - it was sooo much fun to play!
Our favourite part was the light room. You go through a door and step onto a platform and wait for the light show to begin. The room is covered from floor to ceiling with mirrors and there are loads of lights dangling down at all different lights. The lights change colours in sync and the show lasts around 2 minutes. It's a very clever design and pretty magical!
The HQ is absolutely crazy (in a good way!) with so many statues made from items you would find in a junk yard, secret rooms and some creepy looking items! The girls were a bit scared with some of the things, so if you've got young kids, be aware.
There was a huge organ there that had the most random music on each key, including drum and bass - it was sooo much fun to play!
Our favourite part was the light room. You go through a door and step onto a platform and wait for the light show to begin. The room is covered from floor to ceiling with mirrors and there are loads of lights dangling down at all different lights. The lights change colours in sync and the show lasts around 2 minutes. It's a very clever design and pretty magical!
Have a closer look inside, there's a creepy dude at the wheel!
The epic light room!!
Lath after driving 7 hours straight
All Aboooooard!
The girls absolutely loved going on the steam train and so did we! It was a slow train that took us along the coast and through some of the town, where we saw an elephant's bum (whaaaat? Ok, it was fake and had a slide coming off it, don't you worry!), a giant penny farthing (like, mahooooosive) and a dock full of shags. We chose to sit in the outside cart which we reckon is where you get the best views.
We had absolutely know idea that the train would take us to the penguin colony which Oamaru is famous for!! We got off the train for 15 minutes to look around and our guide took us to a few nesting boxes scattered around the place where we found two GORGEOUS little blue penguins! They were absolutely adorable and really were 'little blue penguins'.
We also saw a few seals along the coast and one was RIGHT BESIDE US on the other side of the wooden fence! He/she was used to humans so didn't mind us at all.
This is such a fantastic experience that we highly recommend you do when visiting Oamaru.
You can read our full blog on the Oamaru Steam Train ride here.
We had absolutely know idea that the train would take us to the penguin colony which Oamaru is famous for!! We got off the train for 15 minutes to look around and our guide took us to a few nesting boxes scattered around the place where we found two GORGEOUS little blue penguins! They were absolutely adorable and really were 'little blue penguins'.
We also saw a few seals along the coast and one was RIGHT BESIDE US on the other side of the wooden fence! He/she was used to humans so didn't mind us at all.
This is such a fantastic experience that we highly recommend you do when visiting Oamaru.
You can read our full blog on the Oamaru Steam Train ride here.
Best place to spot seals
Our ride awaits
We were so lucky to see the penguins up close!
The Largest Playground In The Southern Hemisphere
Our last leg of the trip took us from Oamaru through to Christchurch, which was a 3-hour journey on some very flat and straight roads! The trip seemed a lot longer which was probably a mixture of the roads being so straight forever and the dread of knowing our holiday was over the next morning. We knew what to expect as when we were planning our trip, which is why we made sure we went across the alps at the start of our trip.
One of the 'must dos' on our trip was visiting the Margaret Mahy Playground in Christchurch which is actually the biggest playground in the Southern Hemisphere.
We had an absolute blast, running from feature to feature and we spent a lot of time on the giant slide! It was getting dark when we were there and we loved how bright lights lit up the playground once it got dark.
There was so much to play on, the kids didn't know which was to turn sometimes and there was something for all ages and abilities. It's a seriously fun playground and not just for kids!
You can read our full blog on the Margaret Mahy Playground here.
One of the 'must dos' on our trip was visiting the Margaret Mahy Playground in Christchurch which is actually the biggest playground in the Southern Hemisphere.
We had an absolute blast, running from feature to feature and we spent a lot of time on the giant slide! It was getting dark when we were there and we loved how bright lights lit up the playground once it got dark.
There was so much to play on, the kids didn't know which was to turn sometimes and there was something for all ages and abilities. It's a seriously fun playground and not just for kids!
You can read our full blog on the Margaret Mahy Playground here.
There's so much space to run around here
Dad's ready!
The playground is still really busy at night
Our Last Night - Boo Hoo!
Our trip came to an end at the Amber Kiwi Holiday Park in Christchurch as it was our final stop before flying home to Auckland the next morning.
As usual, we arrived at our destination in the dark, so we didn't get to see the area till the morning. We woke up to find a small playground right behind our camper, which the girls thought was pretty damn cool!
While the parents had all the fun cleaning the camper and packing suitcases, the girls unfortunately had to play on the playground - boohoo! It was a small playground but it did the trick and got a little bit of energy out of them before our plane ride back to Auckland.
We had breakfast at one of the picnic tables right beside the playground and afterwards we played in the pretty autumn leaves under the big trees.
The spaces between each camper are close-ish but we didn't hear a thing during the night which was great!
We didn't use any of the facilities as we had a self-contained camper, so can't comment on those. We enjoyed our stay at the park and found the grounds to be really well maintained and the staff were really lovely.
As usual, we arrived at our destination in the dark, so we didn't get to see the area till the morning. We woke up to find a small playground right behind our camper, which the girls thought was pretty damn cool!
While the parents had all the fun cleaning the camper and packing suitcases, the girls unfortunately had to play on the playground - boohoo! It was a small playground but it did the trick and got a little bit of energy out of them before our plane ride back to Auckland.
We had breakfast at one of the picnic tables right beside the playground and afterwards we played in the pretty autumn leaves under the big trees.
The spaces between each camper are close-ish but we didn't hear a thing during the night which was great!
We didn't use any of the facilities as we had a self-contained camper, so can't comment on those. We enjoyed our stay at the park and found the grounds to be really well maintained and the staff were really lovely.
The holiday park has a small playground for the kids
Autumn leaves are my fav
Our camper was right beside the playground which meant we could pack and tidy while the girls played
Mappy McMap Face
Conclusion
The South Island has some of the most spectacular places in the world. It's known for its incredible beauty, all over the island, from the snowcapped Southern Alps to the lush green sounds in the north. Our trip showcased so much beauty and we wish we had more time to explore each area! Every season has its own reason to visit and we especially love exploring in summer and autumn. The loop around the island we did was really fun although a lot of driving! Another option is to fly into Christchurch and end up in the beautiful Queenstown, after visiting the clay cliffs in Omarama.
Gallery of our Epic South Island Trip
Check out the rest of the awesomeness that didn't make it to the main blog but deserves to be shown.
More to do around New Zealand
WHANGAREI FALLS
NORTHLAND A powerful 23.6m high waterfall along the Hatea River in central Whangarei. These falls will blow your mind. Remember your raincoat! |
WHITES BAY BEACH
MARLBOROUGH The perfect beach for swimming and taking in the most incredible views from the cliffs. The drive here is just as breath-taking! |
NEW ZEALAND ALPINE LAVENDER FARM
CANTERBURY Lavender ice cream, cute bikes and rows of lavender near the beautiful Mt Cook and Lake Pukaki - what a dream!
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