The second half of our spring break travels was just as thrilling and beautiful as the first, though with a lot more driving! I mean, what do you expect? The South Island is twice the size of the North Island and we did the entire length of the east coast and back in about five days! Get ready for a tale of farmland, coastlines, fantasy battlegrounds, and encounters with amazing people!
Driving from Picton to Waianakarua (337 miles)
WAIANKARUA FARM
Driving from Wainakarua to Bluff (198 miles)
MOERAKI BOULDERS
Here’s what I liked learning (and think I understand) about them. These boulders are almost perfect spheres that are surprisingly not manmade, but instead created by nature (erosion over time). Inside they are made up of different rocks, sediment and minerals. The coolest part is that at their center they contain a type of calcite crystal. This crystal can cause cracks in the boulders (and as you see in some of the pictures) and a number of them have been completely broken open as a result. They are old boulders (scientists don’t agree on how old), but records state that some boulders that have been 'excavated' and studied have been found to contain the bones and fossils of dinosaurs. Whilst the Moeraki Boulders are not the only example of this type of natural wonder in the world, they are extremely rare and unique.
KATIKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE
BLUFF
in a separate blog post HERE.
Driving from Bluff to Greendale (356 miles)
OAMARU
I know those books will remain be my favorite ‘souvenirs’ to bring back from the trip.
WALNUT TREE COTTAGE
In the morning, after a good night's sleep, we were served a delicious English breakfast (we paid about 25 NZD extra for it, but it was worth every penny) before heading out on our last day in NZ.
Greendale to Devil’s Punch Bowl (75 miles)
ARTHUR'S PASS
CASTLE HILL
meaning “the treasure from a distant land”)
DEVIL'S PUNCHBOWL
This area of the forest is also known to be home to the NZ native bird the kiwi!
Devil’s Punchbowl to ChristChurch (88 miles)
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
If ever I stumble through an enchanted wardrobe…
or if I find an aged grey wizard standing outside my door asking if I want to go on an adventure…
or if I have a new friend ask, “Do you want go on a trip with me? I’m buying the tickets today!”
I will choose to never be one who “listens to fears” and I will walk confidently in the knowledge that “not all those who wander are lost” when they walk in the footsteps of the Master.