Kaikoura - Whale watch / NZ

From Hokitika I went up to Greymouth and crossed via Route 7 from the West to the East Coast. 
I stopped at the Hanmer Springs for a break. It was quite relaxing sitting in the heat of the hot springs after my hike the day before. 

At the Campsite

Reaching Kaikoura I stayed at the Kaikoura Holiday Park. The whole way is 383km, which was too much driving for one day. 

For dinner I got great Fish'nChips in town at Tiki's Take Away. You can also do some souvenir shopping. One street, not too big, but a few lovely little shops.

On the boat

For the next day I had booked a boat trip to go Whale watching. Again my tipp to check on the website bookme to get a discounted ticket. In the morning you will find out, if your trip takes place at all, depending on the weather conditions etc. They asked me if I need anything against sea sickness. I never was sea sick in my life.
We went to the harbour, got on the boat and off we went. Bit farther out the waves were quite high and at the end everybody except the staff was hanging above a paper bag, including me. Now I understood the long explanation of the crew how to use a paper bag.
What we did not see was a whale :-(
At least you get quite a lot of your money reimbursed in case you do not see a whale.

I really wanted to see a whale, therefore I checked the bookme page myself and booked a flight with Air Kaikoura (there is another company called wings over whales) for the next day :-).

Having a lot of time left that day I first went to the Lavender farm. I am not telling much, as the owner a Dutch Couple told me they are going to sell the farm as they wanna retire. But next to a garden full of lavender they had a little shop with great smelling self-made lavender articles.  

 

The Peninsula and the walk

At the road to the peninsula

The rest of the day I spent on a long walk starting somewhere along the road after you have passed the ISite. I walked and walked along the whole peninsula, saw some seals, went on and went up to the top of the peninsula, walked along there and crossed somewhere after  reached the houses at South Bay. Long walk, but nice and beautiful weather. 
 



 

 

The next day I went to Air Kaikoura The little airport is outside of town with two pilots running the business (at that moment). A couple joined who sat in the rear and me sitting in the front next to our pilot Melissa. 
It was fantastic. We have seen one whale, which was great but the flight itself was also very fantastic. The view on the peninsula was amazing and there has been a huge group of dolphins doing jumps and having fun with each other. 

The Whale :-)

Many many and jumping dolphins

Kaikoura peninsula

I couldn't tell what I would recommend boat or flight?! If you see a whale from the boat, you are nearer, from the plane you have a different perspective. I really loved the flight. 

Afterwards I left Kaikoura heading up the coast to Picton.

Tipp: I haven't done it, but I read about the The Kaikoura Coast Track. Sounded nice, maybe you are interested, it's a few days and your food & luggage even gets transported. Have a look at www.kaikouratrack.co.nz

Hokitika - Hokitika Gorge - Mt. Tuhua / NZ

On my way to Hokitika, I love this colours

Hokitika famous for its sunsets, a place to go. I didn't really see much of the town as everything was closed the evening I arrived and being Sunday the day after.

Just in time for the sunset I checked in at Beachside Motels & Holiday Park. It's nothing special but I liked it and the owners were very lovely and helpful. 

Across the road you can pass onto the beach. This night it was very cloudy, nevertheless with some bites and a glass of Chardonnnay it's a beautiful time to end the day. 

Streets of Hokitika

First evening at Hokitka beach

When it got pitch dark you can just walk the opposite direction and you will reach the Glowworm Dell. Why paying money to visit a glowworm cave in Te Anau, when you just can look at hundreds of them just around the corner of your campsite :-) 

Hokitika Gorge

Next day I went to Hokitika Gorge. The drive is longer than I thought ;-)
It's a lovely walk and when you do not have a problem with freezing water take a swim. Some get here to have a picnic. Good idea :-)

It says 7hrs, you can do it at least in 4:40 like me :-)

From there I went to Lake Kaniere to hike Mt. Tuhua (1125m). I got the idea, that you either find tracks which are easy going or bloody steep. This one counts to the steep tracks.
The first part is going through the woods and further on top you go along the ridge. 
I passed very few people coming down though I had the top for myself again.
It was quite cloudy, therefore I wasn't lucky and couldn't enjoy the view on Lake Kaniere. Later I catched a glimpse on Hokitika at the coast.
Getting down it had drizzeld and the track got quite slippery. Take care being very steep at the bottomm part I thought I need to get down on my bottom without braking an ankle. When I got up one guy came running down, another option to get down.

I told you it's steep ;-)

Yes, steep

Getting nearer to the ridge

 

Last glimpses onto Lake Kaniere

 

Walking the ridge

At the end is the "top"

The summit "cross"

Naughty, bit annoying always coming back birdie (forgot the name of them)

 

There it went the hope on a good view onto the lake

Yes, you have to get down there on the wet and slippery roots ;-)

This night I stayed at Hokitika again and I enjoyed a beautiful romantic sunset with my bottle of wine ;-)   

Fox and Franz Josef Glacier / NZ

From Haast I went up the West Coast to get to the Glaciers. 

Fox Glacier

First I got to Fox Glacier. Along the gravel road to the park space, you pass several signs indicating how huge the Glacier once has been. 

You need to walk up to the end of the track to see the Glacier. 

It's possible to do trips onto the glacier, which are quite expensive. I met a girl who has done it and she loved it.
You can also fly with a heli above the Glacier e.g. 20min for 100 NZD. Bookable in Franz (town). 

Bildunterschrift hinzufügen

Just in 6 years got smaller and smaller

Fox Glacier

Lake Matheson

You should take the time to drive to Lake Matheson. It's a walk around the lake. When you are lucky it's calm, the lake is a mirror and you see the reflection of Mt. Cook.
I can't show any pics, I wasn't lucky ;-)

Next I went to Franz Josef Glacier. Picked up a lovely Finn walking the road and we went up to the end of the Glacier together.
 

Franz Josef Glacier

Franz Josef Glacier

Part of the Glacie covered in "dirt"

In Franz you can have good lunch.

Tipp: Check this website bookme, maybe you get a discounted ticket for a flight or trip onto the glacier