A Campervan Round New Zealand  

Having wanted to visit New Zealand for many years, we eventually organized a 2 weeks tour in a rented campervan early 1998. Two weeks around New Zealand definitely not enough. Four week would have been far more comfortable. You could easily spend four months. We started at Christchurch (South Island) and finished at Auckland (North Island).



Map below showed our 2 weeks journey.
Our Campervan

Day 1, Sunday 25/1/98 : Christchurch

We arrived Christchurch at about 1.00pm. Took the pre-arranged campervan and start shopping for foods, drinks, groceries and get ready for the next day activities.

Esther & Evon


Day 2, Monday 26/1 : Christchurch - Lake Tekapo
Walk around the 'Garden City', along the Avon River which runs through the city center. Visited Cathedral Square, and Botanical Garden. Then, start our journey towards south to Lake Tekapo.

Cathedral Square


Day 3, Tuesday 27/1 : Tekapo - Mt Cook - Queenstown
Lake Tekapo, over 2310 feet above sea level, this lake has an astounding turquoise blue hue reflecting the surrounding mountains. The color is caused by 'rock flour' which is finely ground particles of rock held in suspension in the melted water from the glaciers that run into the lake. Overlooking the lake is the Good Shepherd Church which was built with locally gathered stone. From the altar window there is a beautiful view over the lake to the magnificent center of Mt Cook, that still covered with glaciers during the mid summer, We Arrived Queenstown in the evening and enjoyed the 'Kiwi Magic' movie on top of the Skyline Gondola.

Queenstown
Good Shepherd - Tekapo
Skyline Gondola

Day 4, Wednesday 28/1 : Queenstown
Queenstown - a beautiful alpine resort located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, It enjoys a magnificent setting amid steep mountain ranges and pockets of native bush, with the jagged peaks of the Remarkable Ranges rising from the far side of the lake. We took a trip on the TSS Earnslaw steamship to the Walter Peak Sheep Station. We have a wonderful time together singing during the Earnslaw accompany by the Earnslaw pianist.
   
Walter Peak Sheep Station

Day 5, Thursday 29/1/98 : Queenstown - Te Anau

We were enchanted by Queenstown's beauty and promising ourselves to return again.

Surrounded by flesh air, blue sky and sunshine along the scenic way to Te Anau, though we were in the rush for time, we can't resist to shop at the roadsides to take photographs.
 
On the way to Te Anau

Day 6, Friday 30/1 : Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau

Early in the morning we drove through Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound. Cruise through Milford Sound to experience the local sea life, magnificent sheer cliffs, cascading waterfalls and majestic Mitre Peak.
Milford Sound - Mitre Peak Mirror Lake

The sunset was around 10.30pm, After our dinner, we still have the opportunity to visit the Te Anau Wildlife Center and Lake Manapouri and township which is about 15 km from Te Anau.
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