The Coromandel Peninsula

Yesterday we drove up from Rotorua to The Coromandel Peninsula, where we are staying in apartments in Coromandel Town. Today we took a drive along the beautiful west coast stopping for lunch at Hot Water Beach, where at low tide you can dig a hole in the sand and bathe in hot volcanic water bubbling up through the sand. Cathedral Cove proved a destination too far so something to save for our next trip!

Hunterville to Rotorua

Last night we stopped off at Jude and Barrys house in Hunterville, and again were royally entertained with copious food wine and some 60 year old whisky! Plus some excellant company. Today we have driven up to Rotorua through the desert highway past Mount Ruapehu and the Huka Falls.

Back to Waikanae

Yesterday we took the ferry across The Cook Straight to Wellington and have stayed the night back in Waikanae with our friends Raewyn and Bruce, where we have been royally entertained. This morning The Kapiti coast and Island are looking stunning in the sun.

Blenheim via Nelson

We were given a guided tour of the dairy farm by Betsy on Wednesday before heading off eastwards. After an overnight stay in Nelson we have now arrived back in Blenheim. Tomorrow we are catching the Interislander Ferry back to the North Island. The drive from Nelson gave us beautiful views across the bay in fine warm spring weather. 

Abel Tasman National Park

Today Tuesday was a much better day with clear blue skys and much less wind. So we took a water taxi along the Abel Tasman coast from Marahau up to Totaranui, with stops along the way at split apple rock and several picturesque sandy bays where walkers could get onto dry land to do all or part of the Abel Tasman track, or go kaiaking along the coast. We took the easy route staying in the water taxi all the way back, but managed to see some more wildlife along the way.

Golden Bay, Takaka and Farewell Spit

We are now up in The Golden Bay area in the far north west of the South Island, staying with Betsy and John on their dairy farm. Today we took a tour to see the sights of Golden Bay including Te Waikoropupu Springs, which are the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand. The water was so amazingly clear with no contamination or plant growth to spoil the wonderful colours below the water. We also walked along a small part of Farewell Spit with glorious views across Golden Bay.

Sydney to Blenheim via Christchurch

We arrived back in Christchurch early yesterday and spent the day doing washing and shopping. We have now driven up to Blenheim on our way to Golden Bay tomorrow.

Here are some photos of our climb of Sydney Harbour Bridge climb earlier this week plus some other views from the top!