Written by Mod Fam on June 7, 2019
New Zealand Cities: Picton New Zealand
New Zealand . Travel . Worldwide TravelWe set aside day seven of our 14-Day New Zealand Itinerary for the scenic drive through Nelson wine country to Picton and the ferry docks and the ferry ride to Wellington. There is a lot to do along the Northernmost stretch of the South Island, and you could easily add an extra night or two in wine country at an AirBnB or other local accommodations. Blenheim and Nelson and the region are rapidly developing the region’s vineyards, and the growth is obvious; new vineyards connect the more established estates all along route 6, almost until the hills leading into Picton.
Written by Mod Fam on June 1, 2019
Abel Tasman Coast Track – Great Walks NZ
Backpacking . Hiking . New Zealand . Outdoor Recreation . Tent Camping . Travel . Worldwide TravelIf you’re thinking of either a long day hike or a longer, overnight trek, add Abel Tasman National Park to your list of stops on your two week trip. We’ve hiked the Milford Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, and many shorter treks throughout the South Island. The scenic views, secluded beaches, and dense native bush of Abel Tasman make this one of our favorite areas to hike and camp (and we have a lot of favorites in New Zealand!).
Written by Mod Fam on May 28, 2019
New Zealand Itinerary – Brunner, Waiuta, and Motueka
Hiking . New Zealand . Outdoor Recreation . Travel . Worldwide TravelWe planned day four as a driving day to cover about 1/3 of the length of the South Island, from Hokitika all the way to Motueka, on the South Island’s North Shore between the Abel Tasman National Park and the wine-growing region of Nelson, Picton, and Blenheim. If you have a little more time, you could easily break this into two segments and stay in Reefton, the first town in New Zealand and all of the Southern Hemisphere to receive electricity. You can easily cover the distance with a few fun stops in less than a full day.
Written by Mod Fam on May 24, 2019
New Zealand South Island Road Trip – Hokitika
New Zealand . Outdoor Recreation . Tent Camping . Travel . Worldwide TravelHokitika is known for its greenstone shops and other tourist attractions. Originally a gold mining town in the 1860s, Hokitika was once one of the most populous New Zealand cities. Even though the original industries have faded, it has become a popular tourist destination along the West Coast, and we recommend spending at least half a day checking out the historical downtown area and gray sand beaches.
Written by Mod Fam on May 19, 2019
Tour New Zealand – South Island Itinerary: Fox Glacier
Hiking . New Zealand . Outdoor Recreation . Travel . Worldwide TravelThe mountain villages of Fox Glacier and Franz Josef provide access to the two most accessible glaciers on the West Coast. You can easily spend a full day exploring the glacier nature walks and the villages that thrive on the summertime tourist economy. At Fox Glacier, the hike to view the receding glacier has more than doubled since we first started visiting in 2003, due to the stunning retreat of the glacier.
Written by Mod Fam on May 16, 2019
New Zealand Road Trip – New Zealand Beaches: Makarora to Fox Glacier
New Zealand . Outdoor Recreation . Tent Camping . Travel . Worldwide TravelFor this part of the trip, we recommend taking a full day to drive the stretch from Makarora to Fox Glacier, with plenty of time to stop at the blue pools and the beaches North of Haast. If you have a little more time, break this up into two sections, camping near Bruce Bay or Haast.
Written by Mod Fam on May 15, 2019
Blue Pools New Zealand
Hiking . New Zealand . Outdoor Recreation . Travel . Worldwide TravelVisiting the Blue Pools, you’ll find a series of unbelievably turquoise pools just below a waterfall that opens up into a wide river below. The banks are littered with smooth, round stones, and the glacial mineral runoff refracts the sun’s light to create the most beautiful blue water imaginable. If it wasn’t for the hordes of sandflies, this would truly be paradise.
Written by Mod Fam on May 15, 2019
New Zealand South Island Tour – Makarora West
Hiking . New Zealand . Outdoor Recreation . Travel . Worldwide TravelOnce you leave Queenstown, drive up between Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea for spectacular views of both lakes and Mt. Aspiring National Park to the West. We highly recommend the reasonably-priced and comfortable A-Frame accommodations at the Makarora Tourist Centre, just below Mt. Shrimpton and adjacent to Mt. Aspiring National Park.
Written by Mod Fam on May 14, 2019
Cities in New Zealand – Queenstown to Arrowtown
Hiking . New Zealand . Outdoor Recreation . Travel . Worldwide TravelIf you’re driving from Queenstown toward the West Coast, be sure to check out Arrowtown; there are plenty of accommodations, from camping or renting a cabin at the local holiday park to private rentals, all just a short drive from the busy streets of Queenstown.