We traveled from Rakaia to Twizel. A very scenic drive.

Here’s an interactive map of our route, with some of the stops marked:

Morning snack:

An art:

Southern Alps:

Lake Tekapo lupins:

The iconic Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo:

Scenic lunch in the van:

Looking at Aoraki / Mount Cook across the lake:

Bumblebee:

We arrived at Twizel Holiday Park to check in before they closed:

,,,but the office had closed early, so we just grabbed the map to our site:

Then we headed to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park:

Fuel stop in the park:

Park map:

Park visitor center:

Relief map:

Predator free NZ:

We walked partway along the famous Hooker Valley Track:

There are three swing bridges along the track, but the second one was damaged, so the track was closed at that point (which was fine, since it was further than we wanted to walk anyway):

The first swing bridge:

A monument:

Aoraki / Mount Cook viewpoint:

Pizza for dinner in Twizel:

Jelly Tip ice cream for dessert back at our site:

A very scenic day. But not the last!

We traveled south from Hammer Springs to Rakaia.

Here’s an interactive map of our route, with a grocery stop marked:

A nice shower at the Hanmer Springs Top 10:

Back over the one lane Waiau Ferry Bridge:

Waiau Uwha River:

Hills:

Morning coffee and snack at Red Post Cafe in Culverden:

Interesting rocks:

We stopped for groceries at Woolworths in Amberley. It was nice to be able to load groceries directly into the van:

Fanfare sculpture in Christchurch:

Arriving at Rakaia River Holiday Park:

They had a TARDIS by the office:

Campground map:

Outdoor kitchen:

Indoor kitchen:

Shower:

We headed out again to go into town; the iconic Rakaia salmon sculpture:

We got dinner from Rakaia Takeaways:

Rakaia buildings:

We opened some Christmas crackers:

And had mini pavlovas for dessert:

We traveled south from Collingwood to Murchison.

Here’s an interactive map of our route, with some of the stops marked:

A sunny morning view from our site:

A seagull on the skylight:

Leaving Collingwood:

Since it was rainy when we visited Te Waikoropupu Springs the previous day, we decided to stop by again on the way past; very glad we did, as it was much more clear without rain:

Takaka mural:

Old farmhouse:

Takaka valley:

Weka:

Interesting rocks:

Hawkes Lookout track and viewpoint:

Suspension bridge:

Kohatu Flat Rock Cafe for lunch:

Snow-capped mountains:

Nelson Lakes National Park Visitor Centre:

The very iconic Lake Rotoiti Jetty:

Eels:

Arriving at Murchison Motorhome Park:

Buller River below the campground:

Our site:

We traveled northwest from Nelson to Collingwood.

Here’s an interactive map of our route, with some of the stops marked:

I like campgrounds that have separate rooms for each bathroom:

Free shower with timer:

Heading out in the rain:

Dumping waste tanks on the way out:

Motueka valley:

Roadworks, with time to green light:

Curvy road:

Nikau Cafe for lunch:

Interesting rocks:

Abel Tasman Monument:

Labyrinth Rocks:

Te Waikoropupu Springs:

Welcome to Collingwood:

Collingwood Holiday Park:

Our site:

We walked into town to get fish & chips takeaways from Collingwood Tavern:

Then took it back to our site, and enjoyed eating with a nice view: