SGDF and I spent 3 days traveling around New Zealand’s North Island (can read about it here) before spending 10 days in the South Island. This is a long overdue post from a trip taken in Jan 2019.

Day 1: Getting to South Island, Okiwi Bay, and French Pass

From the North Island, we took the ferry from Wellington to Picton (South Island). Flying is an option, but we were planning to road trip across the two islands. Unfortunately due to the rain, we couldn’t see too much but can imagine how stunning Marlborough Sounds could be.

Ferry Experience. If you are driving, then show up earlier than the departure time to park your car on the ferry. Once parked, then you have to leave your vehicle. The ferry has various levels and attractions, including a cinema you can pay for, different cafes, premium lounges you can pay for, play area for kids, and outdoor seating. Once in Picton, we decided to drive around Blenheim, known for their wineries and winery bike tours. Most things were closed on Christmas day so we decided to brave the weather and drive to Okiwa Bay, stopping along the drive at different vista points.

After Okiwa Bay, we backtracked and headed to Okiwi Bay and Okiwi Holiday Park, where we were staying. The facilities were bare, but the location was great as we were just a 2 min walk to Okiwi Bay. The French Pass is another famous driving route in the South Island, starting at Okiwi Bay. The French Pass drive became one of my favorite drives of NZ, though it is a tough drive as the roads can become very windy and narrow, and there were sheep and cows wandering the open roads. We saw amazing views on both sides so pay attention on the drive there and back. We only made it to part of the pass as it was getting dark but overall, we highly recommend visiting.

We ended the night with some homemade Christmas dinner by Okiwi Bay with a cotton candy sunset. Merry Christmas!

Day 2: Abel National Park

We were ecstatic when we woke up to sunshine and immediately left for Abel National Park. Along the way we stopped in Nelson to restock groceries at Countdown market, one of the larger grocery stores, and fuel. We stumbled upon Gre3n Superfood and Juice Bar for some açaí bowls and Raglan Roast Coffee.

I booked Abel Tasman Kayak’s half-day tour, which included lunch, boat ride around Abel National Park, and a kayak tour on clear turquoise waters surrounded by lush mountains. We kayaked to another island where we saw NZ seals and baby seals and explored the coastline of the park, which is known for its multi-days coastal hike.

Post kayaking, we checked into The Barn, a holiday park / lodge, located between the mountains and the beach. We booked a “room”, which looked like a shipping container with a bed, electricity, heating / AC, and a killer view of the ocean. This holiday park was one of our favorites as it was the most scenic . Reserve ahead because it was fully booked when we were there. Post checking in, we went to the start of the coastal hike and walked along the beach. It was crazy to see the difference when it was low tide, there was over half a mile of exposed beach compared to this morning. The stargazing was incredible and we woke up to a sunrise over the beach.

We went nearby to Hooked Restaurant and Bar, located by the beach. We loved the food (lamb and fish and chips) and service, and can see why it was near fully booked.

Day 3: Great Coast Road

Day 3 we did a 6-hour drive along the Great Coast Road to Arthur’s Pass. Along the drive, we discovered Nelson Lake National Park, worth stopping by to check out and stretch your legs. However, be warned there are many bugs so come prepared.

We decided to divert from our original plan and drive along the Great Coast Road to get to Arthur Pass and to Monteith’s brewery that SGDF found. Post the drive, SGDF and I agreed that was the best decision. As we approached the coast, it reminded us of Big Sur’s Pacific Coast Highway drive, but better. If we ever come back, then we start the drive from south to north to make it easier to stop at the vista points.

Along the way, we stopped by Paparoa National Park, an amazing park that we luckily stumbled upon. We wished we had more time since it looks like there are many hikes. We did some of the Pororari River Track and the park reminded us of scenes from the Jurassic Park movies – insane mountains covered in palm trees, river streaming through, and greenery everywhere.

Afterwords, we drove through the beach town Pupinkiki and stopped by the Pancake blow horn, which took us ~30 min to walk around.

The rest of the drive is so beautiful that we kept stopping and thought we would never make it to Monteith’s brewery. We finally made it there for early dinner. The brewery offers tours, tasting, and some great eats. We did a beer tasting and got their signature ribs, and were impressed by the food and beer (worth the stop).

At last, we headed out to drive through Arthur Pass to get to Arthur Pass B&B. I can see why the Arthur Pass drive (see below) is one of the top attractions in the South Island. The drive is so beautiful as you drive through the park, along the windy roads, and up and down steep roads (make sure you have enough gas).

We eventually made it to Arthur Pass B&B, home to a sweet NZ couple and their adorable dog. We spent the evening planning for the next few days.

Day 4: Robert’s Point Track

In the morning, we enjoyed a full breakfast and were ready for our double-hike day. It was easy to get to the trailhead of our first hike at Devil’s Punchbowl and find parking. Although you can see Devil’s Punchbowl Falls from the road, it was worth the 40-min walk to get closer to the falls.

We left immediately after the hike to go to Robert’s Point Trailhead. Along the way, we stopped by Lake Mapourika for lunch (great spot to kayak or picnic). We then headed nearby to Robert’s Point Track (type that exactly into Google Maps), which takes you to a large parking lot. As you drive in, you are greeted by an amazing view of the Franz Josef glacier. There are some other walking paths that are shorter, but we decided to stick with our original plan to do Robert’s Point Track, which is a 12 km hike (~5-6 hour round trip hike). This is the most technical hike we’ve done. The terrain is tough as you go uphill and downhill a lot within the first 30 min, and then it is just all uphill. For those scared of heights, note there are at least 4 swing bridges, including a really long one pictured below.

I highly recommend proper hiking shoes given the rocks you climb uphill, and back downhill, creeks, and slippery grounding. At the end of the hike, we were rewarded with the most incredible rest area equipped with a picnic table, benches, and an amazing view of the glacier and surrounding scenery.

The way back was tough, and felt so long, but eventually we made it out and headed to the Rainforest Retreat Franz Josef, a holiday park located in the center of town. It was a very lively and completely booked. I can see why given its location and views of the glacier. We were so exhausted and ended up nearby for dinner at Rainforest’s Monsoon Bar.

Day 5: Wanaka, Queenstown, Te Anau

We woke up early since we knew we had a lot of driving ahead of us. We got coffee at Full of Beans Cafe, and then started the drive to Wanaka. Another picturesque drive. As we got closer to Wanaka, we stopped at some of the lookouts like Lake Hawea Lookout.

It was late by the time we arrived at Wanaka, but we needed to get lunch. We went to Big Fig, which does “slow food fast” and is located near the lake. This was a great spot for a quick bite and if you want to try various dishes. We did a caffeine refuel at Ritual (great coffee, we came back another day), and got Blake Peak homemade gelato and bought some meat pies at Doughbin. We then walked off the massive meals by heading to Wanaka Tree, an Instagram / blogger famous tree since it’s located inside the lake. Pretty but crowded.

We took off for Queenstown, which required driving up and down some windy roads, but also some incredible vista points.

Queenstown is much larger and crowded than Wanaka. We walked around the wharf and navigated the streets filled with retail stores, bars, and restaurants. Got take away at Wok Away, a good chinese spot before driving to Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park.

Day 6 Milford Sounds

We woke up to rain and found out from our Milford Sounds tour that it tends to rain most of the year there, hence some epic waterfalls at the sounds (though technically it’s a fjord). Rain or shine, this is a beautiful place and worth the out of the way stop to visit.

Day 7: Drive back to Wanaka, Gibbston

We looped back and headed back towards Wanaka stopping by Gibbston Valley winery for a NYE lunch and wine pairing. It was impossible to find a site or decent hotel for NYE so we ended up going to Rhythm and Alps (an experience).

Day 8: Wanaka, Skydiving

Happy 2019! We spent New Year’s Day by first getting some acai bowls at Dripping bowl in Wanaka and then headed to Skydiving Wanaka for my 1st skydiving experience.

I had to refuel post all the adrenaline and we got lunch at Relishes Cafe and then got another adrenaline kick at Crossfire Wanaka for some rifle shooting. We ended the day by checking into our B&B Tempest on Wanaka and catching dinner at Water Bar (with views of the lake of Wanaka).

Day 9: Drive to Mt. Cook

From Wanaka, we made the drive towards Mt. Cook and we both didn’t anticipate all the places to stop along the way. We stopped by Lindis Pass Summit Lookout, this scenic town called Omarama, and so many turquoise lakes. Definitely stop and admire Lake Ruataniwha and Lake Tekapo (has views of Mt. Cook).

We took a stretch and did a hike at Hooker Valley Track, which has great views of Mt. Cook (when it’s not foggy). We stopped by our last holiday park – Lake Tekapo Motels & Holiday Park.

Day 10: Drive to Lyttelton and Christchurch

Our final full day in NZ. We made our way towards Christchurch, stopping by Lyttelton, a town overlooking this gorgeous turquoise water. We got some great coffee at Lyttelton coffee company before finally arriving at our B&B in Christchurch, Lavender Towers B&B. We spent our final day walking around the town before ending the evening with dinner and drinks at OGB Bar & Cafe. In summary, visit New Zealand.