Background

I landed in Christchurch almost a year to the day since my previous visit. This time I had some different ideas about what I wanted to see and do, as well as re-visit some favourites from my previous holiday. I stayed in Christchurch for the first couple of days, making a visit to Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula which I hadn't had time to do last year. I then headed off through the beautiful Arthur's Pass, where the weather kept getting better and better, to the West Coast, paying a short visit to Greymouth, before heading down and staying in Hokitika. I then drove down the coast, checking out the wonderful Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers and overnighting in the tiny hamlet of Haast.

Then I dived inland over the Haast Pass, where a torrential downpour eventually gave way to more pleasant weather allowing great views of Lake Wanaka. My destination for that day was Queenstown, where I stayed for a couple of days of relaxation in the new Crowne Plaza there. From Queenstown I dropped off the car and fly up to Wellington for a few more days on the North Island. You can see my route here (in red) superimposed over last year's route which is in yellow. Overall another wonderful week on New Zealand's beautiful south island!

Akaroa / Banks Peninsula

Arthur's Pass

Greymouth

Hokitika / West Coast

Franz Josef Glacier

Fox Glacier

Haast Pass / Lake Wanaka

Queenstown