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We only had one night in Queenstown, but we certainly made it count! Known as the "Adventure Capital of the World," this alpine town is a stunner, nestled right against the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

The absolute highlight of our quick stay was taking the Skyline Gondola up to Bob’s Peak. As the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere, the ride up is an adventure in itself! Once we reached the top, we were treated to a spectacular 220-degree panorama. Looking out over the iconic Remarkables mountain range and the deep blue of the lake, it’s easy to see why this is one of the most photographed spots in New Zealand.

Off to Melbourne!

Today we traded the coastal roads for the lush, deep greens of the West Coast rainforest. Rather than heading for the heights, we took a beautiful walk through the ancient forest that surrounds the Franz Josef Glacier valley.

Today we traveled through the beautiful countryside on our way from Christchurch to Franz Josef.  We took the Great Journeys of New Zealand TranzAlpine train in the Scenic Plus category which provided us with amazing meals as well as a private area in their open air viewing car.  Our driver met us at the station in Greymouth and drove us the rest of the way to Franz Josef It was a wonderful way to travel and we got some fantastic pictures of the stunning New Zealand landscape.

We had a nice leisurely morning today. We started with a Waka paddle on the Avon River. Our guides were wonderful. They talked about the Māori culture and the importance of the Waka. Afterwards we did a bus tour stopping at beautiful garden then driving around the city.  Our driver, John, pointed out some of his favorite spots as he is a resident of Christchurch.

Several stops along the 5 hr drive from Dunedin to Christchurch made for a very enjoyable day.

First stop was the Moeraki Boulders (Te Kaihīnaki) which is a fascinating intersection of indigenous oral history and deep-time geology. Whether you see them as ancient food baskets or millions of years of mineral accumulation, their presence on Koekohe Beach is a powerful reminder of how we interpret the natural world.

Larnach Castle 

While the castle itself is a marvel of Victorian architecture, the Larnach Castle Gardens are the true soul of the estate. Recognized as a "Garden of International Significance," these grounds offer a curated journey through New Zealand’s botanical beauty.

If you’re looking for a day that perfectly balances rugged natural wonder with refined relaxation, you’ve found the blueprint. Hawke’s Bay is famous for two things: its dramatic coastline and its world-class vines.

We spent an unforgettable day soaking up the best of the region, led by our fantastic host, Don Bird, whose local knowledge made every stop feel like an "insider" experience.

We had a a busy day today.  We started our morning at Whakarewarewa Forest. While many people head straight for the high-altitude Treewalk, we stuck to the forest floor—and I’m glad we did.

There’s something incredibly grounding about walking among trees that have been standing since 1901. When you’re at the base of a Californian Redwood, you realize just how small you are.  Redwoods are not native to New Zealand but thanks to the soil & rain they grow faster here.