Tag: tramping

Christchurch – What to See, Do and Eat: CARDBOARD CATHEDRAL AND CONTAINER SHOPPING

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I began my 17 days South Island trip in Christchurch. Took a red- eye direct flight on Singapore Airlines and arrived at about 10am local time. I booked an Airbnb accommodation, mainly because I’d wanted a space to store my hard case luggage, without incurring massive storage fees for that 2- week period of backpacking. Luckily, the host of my apartment agreed to keep my luggage, until I was back 2 weeks later. 

My main aim on this second visit was to truly experience what NZ is about. The amazing landscapes, and the ruggedness of travelling through it all…

Hiking the 4 days 3 nights Kepler Track

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I began my trip to South Island in February 2016 with the Kepler Track. This was my first multi-day hike, and I’d started planning for it in late September 2015. I’d wanted to do one of the great walks in NZ, and so I began with researching on the Department of Conservation(DOC) website(very useful by the way), narrowed down through the various trails by hike duration, browsed through pictures of the scenery and decided to do this one.

Aoraki Mt Cook National Park – HIKE SCENIC HOOKER VALLEY TRACK AND KEA POINT

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I love Mt Cook. Of all the places I’ve been to on this trip, this area is by far, the most beautiful place I have ever been to, and stayed in. 

So I left Wanaka early morning at about 9am, and took an Intercity bus to Mt Cook, stopping by a couple of places in between. The first stop I remember was Tarras, a small sheep farming settlement, known for producing merino wool. It was rather cloudy that day so it all looked a bit dark and gloomy. And sure enough it poured throughout the bus journey, till about 12pm when we reached Mt Cook! Super lucky I’d say. Was thankful to still be able to catch the Lake Pukaki along the way, one of the blue-est lake in NZ!

Queenstown – An Adventure Town no less! HELICOPTER SCENIC RIDE, FERGBURGER, QUEENSTOWN HILL, ARROWTOWN, GONDOLA

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So after Te Anau, I took an early morning 7am bus which picked me up at my YHA hostel and went on to Queenstown. Queenstown is one of my most anticipated places to visit, purely because it looks like a really compact town, with pretty urban features yet is surrounded by so much nature to see. Prior to arriving, I’ve heard of people who didn’t like it at all, because it is noisier, and way more touristy. I always feel that certain places are touristy for a good reason! And for most of the time, it’s because a place is so worth seeing, that everyone has to visit. Right? Albeit usually crowded for sure. Well, after experiencing a short stay there myself, I’ve got to say it’s definitely worth a trip down, and if given a chance again to go, I’d do skydiving for sure!I did my first ever helicopter ride there, and it definitely was a major highlight of my life!

Te Anau – Glow Worms Cave and Gateway to Fiordland National Park

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Upon arrival in Christchurch, I stayed for one night, and then took a morning InterCity bus from the Christchurch bus interchange to Te Anau, which costs $30. The bus journey began at 7.45am, and arrived in the quiet town of Te Anau at 6.30pm, with a couple of coffee/toilet stops in between at Omaru and Dunedin. It was a long journey on the watch, but it really didn’t feel that long because of the beautiful sights along the way, and the half hour stops on between! Was quite happy to get a glimpse of those 2 towns I didn’t get to go. Omaru is famous for its penguins, and Dunedin basically reminded me of a larger, slightly more urban version of Akaroa.

Te Anau is popularly known as the gateway to Fiordland National Park, which was thus my ‘base’ for the Kepler Track great walk!

Christchurch – What to See, Do and Eat: CARDBOARD CATHEDRAL AND CONTAINER SHOPPING

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I began my 17 days South Island trip in Christchurch. Took a red- eye direct flight on Singapore Airlines and arrived at about 10am local time. I booked an Airbnb accommodation, mainly because I’d wanted a space to store my hard case luggage, without incurring massive storage fees for that 2- week period of backpacking. Luckily, the host of my apartment agreed to keep my luggage, until I was back 2 weeks later. 

My main aim on this second visit was to truly experience what NZ is about. The amazing landscapes, and the ruggedness of travelling through it all…