[C300]

These are images from Day4 of the trip. The drive from Queenstown to Fox Glacier via Mount Aspiring National Park is another highlight of the South Island. The landscape around beautiful twin lakes Wanaka and Hawea is awe inspiring. The 330km drive is through the heart of world heritage Mount Aspiring National park.

Here's the route map:



Highway 6 along Lake Hawea



Beautiful Lake Hawea





Lake Wanaka

[R2D2]

Superb pics C300. Thanks for sharing your journey with us. I hope to visit NZ one day. One of my must-visit places along with Bora Bora/Tahiti and French Polynesia.

[ku69rd]

Fantastic is what comes to my mind mate. Your photos are simply too good and wish I could relish them on a motorcycle. Please do continue the post and once done put up the details of cost. Definitely deserves to be visited.
Would NZ also have bike rentals like many other 'progressive countries'.

PS: Rating this thread 5 Star as there is no 7 Star

[C300]

Originally Posted by R2D2

Superb pics C300. Thanks for sharing your journey with us. I hope to visit NZ one day. One of my must-visit places along with Bora Bora/Tahiti and French Polynesia.

Thanks R2D2. You can probably cover all these Pacific islands and NZ together in a single trip. NZ has good connectivity with the these small islands.

Originally Posted by ku69rd

Fantastic is what comes to my mind mate. Your photos are simply too good and wish I could relish them on a motorcycle. Please do continue the post and once done put up the details of cost. Definitely deserves to be visited.
Would NZ also have bike rentals like many other 'progressive countries'.

PS: Rating this thread 5 Star as there is no 7 Star

Thanks mate. There are multiple bike rental options throughout NZ. They only check for the valid overseas license (which should be in English).
Many caravan/bike operators provide a pick-up and drop from the Airport.

[C300]

Few pictures from the last day of the trip - Drive from Fox Glacier to Christuchurch via Arturs Pass. The 400km drive is through the lush rainforest of Westland National Park before turning east towards Arthurs Pass.

The route:


View of Fox Glacier from the valley


Closer look


Arthurs Pass National Park




Otira Viaduct - Arthurs Pass


Highway 73 towards Christchurch!


and finally a quick pic of the Falcon at Christchurch Airport!

[Jignesh]

Hello C300,

Wonderful pictures. I have no other words to describe the beautiful pictures. Your photos will be a envy even to professional photographers.

As mentioned by others, the places you have visited are absolutely fantastic & roads are truly inviting. Thank you for bringing these pictures to us.

One thing I have alway wondered that what are roads in these Countries made of? I mean nowhere in developed countries (where the climate is tougher then what we have here) I have seen cracked roads or roads with huge pot holes.

Thanks,

[C300]

Originally Posted by Jignesh

Hello C300,

Wonderful pictures. I have no other words to describe the beautiful pictures. Your photos will be a envy even to professional photographers.

As mentioned by others, the places you have visited are absolutely fantastic & roads are truly inviting. Thank you for bringing these pictures to us.

One thing I have alway wondered that what are roads in these Countries made of? I mean nowhere in developed countries (where the climate is tougher then what we have here) I have seen cracked roads or roads with huge pot holes.

Thanks,

Thanks Jignesh.

I guess the road surface was made of asphalt/tar. The quality of the material while constructing the road and regular maintenance is the key. Unfortunately we lack in both these areas.

[pradyblr]

Hello C300,
Thanks for sharing the wonderful experience.
Your photography skills are really out of the world and enhances the beauty of the landscape. I am sure your folks had a great time as well!!

[C300]

Originally Posted by pradyblr

Hello C300,
Thanks for sharing the wonderful experience.
Your photography skills are really out of the world and enhances the beauty of the landscape. I am sure your folks had a great time as well!!

Thanks pradyblr! Appreciate your comment.

[niket.dhirai]

Amazing pics c300. Just out of the world. Need some help as I m travelling in April to NZ. We are 5 adults and 2 kids both around 3 years. We ll be driving around in an hired MPV and would want to know travel time between distances:
christchurch - greymouth
greymouth - westland
westland - wanaka
wanaka- queenstown
queenstown - te anau
te - anau - milfordsound - te anau
te anau - mt cook
mt cook - christchurch

Also , let us know if you indulged in adventure activities in Queenstown and respective costing ( just an idea).
Things you felt should not be missed.

I do not wish to spend more than 4 hours on road , bcoz of kids.

[Fauji]

We are WOWed!!

" A picture is better than thousand words"......Thanks for sharing.

One question - Is there a particular season to visit the place?

[C300]

Originally Posted by niket.dhirai

Amazing pics c300. Just out of the world. Need some help as I m travelling in April to NZ. We are 5 adults and 2 kids both around 3 years. We ll be driving around in an hired MPV and would want to know travel time between distances:
christchurch - greymouth
greymouth - westland
westland - wanaka
wanaka- queenstown
queenstown - te anau
te - anau - milfordsound - te anau
te anau - mt cook
mt cook - christchurch

Also , let us know if you indulged in adventure activities in Queenstown and respective costing ( just an idea).
Things you felt should not be missed.

I do not wish to spend more than 4 hours on road , bcoz of kids.

Thanks niket.

Your plan looks good. The section from Te-Anau to Mt Cook will take around 6hrs. Its more than 400kms drive so you may want to alter that.
Allow plenty of time for stoppages to soak in the beauty of the island.

Few things you should not miss:

- If the skies are clear, Visit lake Matheson. Its around 5kms from Fox Glacier. You can capture the perfect reflection of Mt Cook in the dark waters of the lake.

- Take the beautiful Crown Range Road from Wanaka to Queenstown.

- Drive along lake Pukaki to Mt Cook Village is the highlight of the trip so make sure you allow plenty of time for stoppages.

- There are plenty of activities at Mt Cook village. Go to Hotel Hermitage homepage for details. Make sure you take few short walks from the Campsite at Mt Cook Village.

- Visit Mt John Observatory at Lake Tekapo. Its just few kms drive along Godly Peaks Road (left turn just before lake Tekapo). The views from there are breathtaking.

We did not do any adventure activities so cant comment on that. Tripadvisor is the best place to start.

Originally Posted by Fauji

We are WOWed!!

" A picture is better than thousand words"......Thanks for sharing.

One question - Is there a particular season to visit the place?

Thank you Fauji Sir.
Spring and Summer (Sep-Feb) are preffered seasons.
Autumn and Winter also offer some amazing scenery but driving can be a bit tricky.