Punakaiki Travel Blogs

We left Picton this morning and headed for the west coast. We stopped shortly in St Arnaud just because there was snow around. When we arrived in Punakaiki we went straight to the blow holes because they work at there best at high tide. It is a formation of rocks that create some great viewing as…

After a good breakfast we did pack our backs and walked down to wait for our boat who would bring us back to Picton. Before this the owner Ron took us in his boot to show us a little bit from the surrounding waters. The big boat came at 10:15 and left with all of us. It took us 1,5 hour e…

Finally made it to Punakaiki.  Stayed in a lovely little backpacker.  Saw the pancake rocks and blow holes.  Check.  The best part about this part of the road trip has actually been the road part.  The west coast drive took us over long winding roads sandwiched between a mo…

By the time I had driven around the car park at the car rental place I had pretty much figured out how to drive an automatic car... when stationary keep your foot on the brake... when you want to start moving press accelerator gently (do not stomp down on it..........) The plan for today was to dr…

After an amazing year working & meeting new friends in New Zealand, it was time to start travelling this amazing country. The plan was to start in the South Island, head North & to make my way back home to the UK through Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, South Korea, China & unplanned Taiwan.

got done for speeding getting from the ferry at Picton to Punakaiki by sunset. it was worth it though.

Toured New Zealand and helped Joe with his thesis project for 18 days.

Well it was my first day with the tour group. They're a varied bunch ranging in ages from 18 to 68 a 50 year difference. The 68 year old, Sai who comes from Canada is a real character. He'll be up every morning at 6 to take photos and will walk further and faster than anybody else. On friday we l…

Best trip ever: Worldtrip. With two couples we travelled around the world. Our first stop was Hong Kong: very impressive: East meets West with a lot of English influences. Second stop: New Zealand: most relaxed and natural country in the world: best TIP ever! Go down under! Thirth stop: Pacific dream: Rarotonga. Not that touristic as Fiji or French Polynesia. Made a daytrip to Aitutaki. Forth stop: L.A., USA. Big city. Visited Universal Studios, drove thourgh Beverly Hills. Home

3 weeks of traveling around new zealand..

der Weg vm Abel Tasman National Park hat uns die Westkueste runter nach Punakaiki gefuehrt. Der Ort ist vor allem beruehmt wegen seiner Pancake Rocks. Sehr interessante Steinformationen und eine tolle Kuestenlandschaft. Haben dort im Hostel uebernachtet und haben am naechsten Tag Kilometer gekloppt…

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One of the best place to go outdoor, The South Island, New Zealand! Tramping (trekking in kiwi's) is my thing so it's felt so good over there! Feb-April 2007

Still on a high from the fantastic flight this morning, I cruised up the coast in the direction of Nelson Lakes, with a couple of quick stops on the way.  I had heard about the pancake rocks but was much more impressed with them than I imagined I'd be.  A photogenic jumble of layered rock…

From the  Pancake Rocks to Lake Matheson the views were spectacular. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better you are shocked by some other natural wonder. Moments such as that make it difficult to want to come home. I often wonder why I stayed in Texas for so long. Family and friend…