Friday, pick up time for the rental car in Auckland was 10am but because of the storm, I was stuck on Waiheke and only managed to get there by 2pm.
Of course, in the rain, I missed the city entrance to highway 1 South and had to turn around a bit later.
A brief stop in a mall to get some supplies and I was really off.
That day, I made it to Taupō where I found a bed in a 4-p room at Base Backpackers. Great location but super loud with its own bar and the 3 just across the street.
Saturday, I was on my way when I realised I forgot to look for some books at the bookstore, so I turn around and buy the books. Driving off I see 2 lucky backpackers heading for Wellington like me. Lucky them!
A beautiful drive on highway 1, passing through the area around mount Tongariro with the desert and the gorges with beautiful black beeches.
We made it to Wellington just in time for me to drop them off at their hostel and to catch the ferry to Picton. I wouldn’t have to stay in Wellington.
The crossing was choppy to say the least. 5m waves according to the captain. Watching the waves and the horizon, I managed to keep my supper in.
I woke up at Picton’s lovely Sequoia Lodge Backpackers to a delicious 20degrees and a hesitant sun. The most interesting road to Nelson seemed the Queen Charlotte drive. More zigzagging but excellent views.
That’s where I found Alex, “Alex’s walk for life” on FB, who is walking from north to south and had just lost all his gear when a German ran his tent over, him sleeping in it!, with his car... Alex now had to interrupt his walk to go to Nelson to get new stuff. I hope you manage to get back on track Alex!
In Nelson, I dropped him off in the town center, found a parking spot behind the church and an excellent lunch place in front of it. The Cod and Lobster by the way.
Then, why not go check out Abel Tasman National Park? I did, but couldn’t find a bed anywhere near it. So I just drove into one of its inroads, only to find hoards of tourists camped in bungalow parks, and turned around.
I ended up driving all the way to the end of the road, to Collingwood, located in this large valley, protected from the main land by high ranges of mountains and twisty roads. And back, of course. A nervous drive as I was testing the content of my gas tank to the limit...
In Nelson, I got myself a private room at a hostel to get some sound sleep. And a swim in the hostel pool :-)
The next leg was Nelson - Christchurch. Driving through the mountains was a very nice experience but I was disappointed when I dropped by Hanmer Springs, a stop I enjoyed very much in 2008, and found it just a big tourist attraction.
Arriving at Christchurch it wasn’t too late and I let myself be lured by the mystery of the French settlement in Banks Peninsula. Akaroa was the end of the road and too late to change my mind but I was super lucky to find a bed in charming hostel “Chez la mer”.
The next day, I wanted to reach Greymouth but also wanted to visit some of the peninsula and see Christchurch again since the earthquake. There is a lovely scenery drive following the vulcanic peeks with views over the different bays of Banks Peninsula that I ended in Levauchelle to buy some local cheese.
The damage caused by the earthquake to the center of Christchurch is impressive. Almost 50% of its surface has been levelled and cleaned up to make a parking lot. The city with the most parking lots ever! It is hard to get around as many streets are still closed for repair works. I have such admiration for how they got back up from not one but two major earthquakes.
A little walk around the damaged cathedral and then I went to bistro The Villas for a nice fish lunch.
By 3pm I was on my way for Greymouth via Arthur Pass...
(read on about the rest of the trip in part 2, Greymouth to Stewart Island)
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