The Journey
25 days. Two islands. One campervan. Four Richmonds. From the glowworms of Waitomo to the fiords of Milford Sound, this is our adventure through Aotearoa.
North Island
And We're Off!
Dec 26 | Sydney → Auckland
Landed 6pm, picked up by Ngesi. Auckland Harbour Suites with a top view.
Weta, Giapo & the White Lady
Dec 27 | Auckland
White Lady toasties for brekky. Weta Workshop was very cool.
Bikes, Beaches & Almost-Crashes
Dec 28 | Waiheke Island
Spent the whole day watching Ned almost crash until he did crash!
Meet the Motorhome
Dec 29 | Auckland → Waitomo
Picked up the campervan. Glow worms. Met a friendly chicken.
There and Back Again
Dec 30 | Hobbiton
Hobbiton! Then Opal Springs for swims and hot baths.
Flying Through the Forest
Dec 31 | Rotorua
Canopy tour and zip lining. Night walk with glowing lanterns.
Mud, Mountains & Mountain Bikes
Jan 1 | Rotorua
Mountain biking in the Redwoods. Eagles vs Shark then Corners.
Snapped Rods & Precious Rescues
Jan 2 | Taupo
Charlie snapped his rod, Ned lost his precious but waded in to get it.
Geysers, Champagne & Mud
Jan 3 | Wai-O-Tapu
Lady Knox Geyser and Champagne Pool were amazing.
Tim Winton in an Elevator
Jan 4 | Tongariro → Wellington
Gollum's Pool. Durie Hill elevator with Tim Winton.
Te Papa, Books & Birds
Jan 5 | Wellington
Museum very cool. Bird sanctuary was very cool.
South Island
Across the Cook Strait
Jan 6 | Wellington → Nelson
Ferry to Cable Bay. Met Oscar and Max the dogs.
Mountain Biking with Ocean Views
Jan 7 | Cable Bay
Hard climb up the hill. Boys rewarded with Māori fried bread.
Swing Bridges & Lake Jumps
Jan 8 | Nelson → West Coast
Jumped off the jetty at Hans Bay. Cold but very refreshing!
The Bluest Water You've Ever Seen
Jan 9 | Hokitika → Fox Glacier
Hokitika Gorge - amazing water colour. Great lunch at Snake Bite Pub.
When the Rain Wins
Jan 10 | Fox Glacier
Pretty heavy rain. Boots were not happy!
The Rain's Revenge
Jan 11 | Fox Glacier → Wanaka
Rain absolutely belting down. Amazing waterfalls on the drive.
Eels, Edge Driving & Pizza Burns
Jan 12 | Wanaka → Te Anau
Family panicked on the mountain edge. Pizza a little burned but ok.
The Eighth Wonder
Jan 13 | Milford Sound
Milford Sound - which is actually a fiord. Brilliant bus driven by Johnny.
Jet Boats & Duck Diving
Jan 14 | Te Anau → Queenstown
Takahe bird. Jet boating - awesome! Baby ducks "duck diving".
Luge Lords & Jelly Bean Heists
Jan 15 | Queenstown
Smashed speed records on the luge. Ned left with a pocket full of jelly beans.
The Long Drive North
Jan 16 | Queenstown → Tekapo
7 hours driving. Famous church at Tekapo.
Grounded (But Well Fed)
Jan 17 | Canterbury → Christchurch
Ballooning cancelled. Big slap-up breakfast instead. Wildlife park.
Penguins & Pints
Jan 18 | Christchurch
Antarctic Centre. Church pub was great.