Redfern to Christchurch

With an early flight to New Zealand booked, we overnighted in Redfern at the quirky Hotel Hacienda. What a classic joint. Our 2-bed suite on the ground floor backed onto the railway and was a nice little spot. Good one for the trainspotters.

Nice to hang with those perennial travellers, the Leggseys, before we flew out. We’re thinking of you as we travel, birthday girl!

After a delayed flight, it was a late start for us in Christchurch. We couldn’t find a parking spot and so didn’t see much of the town. Dinner and bed. Things didn’t improve on day 2, when I backed the hire car into another car in the local Westfield. Ouch. The highlight of Christchurch was a visit to outdoors shop, Mountain Warehouse. Retail therapy.

Christchurch to Hokitika

This route takes us over the New Zealand Alps, renowned as one of the country’s most scenic drives.

Devil’s Punchbowl waterfall

Our first stop on Arthur’s Pass was Devil’s Punchbowl waterfall. The ‘devil’ of the title must refer to the walking track, which comprises a climb of 398 steps up to the viewpoint platform. This had wanna be a good waterfall – and it is. Stunningly high, it pushes water from the glacial mountains down the falls and onto a series of rocks leading to a lengthy creek that runs noisily alongside the walking track. Definitely worth the stair climb.

Otira Viaduct

Viaduct schmiaduct. I was here for the cheeky keas. And we found one! Big and bold, these uniquely NZ birds are cute and terrifying all at once. She was eyeing off Gabe’s bacon and cheese roll before he hid it behind his back. We left before she stripped the car.

Londonderry Rock – Known at the ‘titanic erratic’, the Londonderry Rock is a glacial erratic, meaning it is different from the native rocks around it because it’s origin is the glacier from which it slowly slid down. Londonderry is 3-4000 tonnes, too big for the goldminers of the time to break up. And so here it still hangs.