South Island NZ

It was quite hard to drag ourselves away from the paradise that is Hokitika, but thinking we should see what else NZ has to offer we finally hit the road and headed south through the Glaciers towards Queenstown.

Finally after only 7 weeks of waiting, our van and home was finally fitted with it´s new motor and road worth again......... warranties are wonderful things!


Our new home is only 12 years old and we have just added this extension of a covered terrace area with a wonderful view!

Lake Moke, our home just outside Queenstown for a week.

Queenstown is a great wee spot where you can do just about everything from jumping off cliffs to drinking coffee! We opted for the cheaper options disappearing into the mountains with some food and a tent for a few days.

Hillevi on the Steel Creek Alpine Crossing between the Caples and Greenstone vallies.

Hillevi washing in a mountain stream.

What can I say! The Majority of the walk was through a hugely varying forest with limited views. So I didn´t have much choice but to photograph trees! I´m sure the ents live around here somewhere!












After getting our fill tramping, kayaking, fishing, mountain biking, Frisbee Golfing and Job Hunting in Queentown, we headed on South to NZ´s Southern most island, Stewart Island. Ever original with names, we landed in the only town Oban, where despite only having 22km of roads, and 380 inhabitants, they still have 300 cars! Kiwi´s just love driving!



The local in Oban are well know for being friendly and welcoming!?!



Hillevi takes a break at the local telephone tree for a break, and tries to decide whether to order a taxi just for the hell of it!



Again we were stuck in the Forest all day as part of our 3 day trek, so when we finally got to an opening I couldn´t resist getting a cliche shot of a pier.




Back from the island we worked our way through the Catlins towards Dunedin. Not sure what to do, we randomly stopped for the night in Curio bay, and not only being treated to a spectacular sunset, we found the place full of dolphins, seals and penguins!

First thing the next morning we headed out for a swim in a sheltered area of the bay, and spent a freezing half hour bodysurfing with about 15 dolphins......unfortunately we were too occupied to take any photos, so you´ll just have to believe me!


All throught the Catlins we found deserted beaches to set up home on.