The west coast of the south island was very different from the farmed fields of the east. On this side the dense native bush grew untamed up to the waters edge, the roads more narrow and windy were cut out of the cliffs edges and sometimes made for some pretty sketchy driving. However rugged, Andrew and I agreed the untouched beauty was indeed...

We left Nelson to head to Westport which apparently is quite a hill billy town! Liam and the gang left Gwenno and I at this point which was sad. A whole new bus of people. I bumped in Alexis Hall from Harpenden though and she was getting on my bus! Random! On the way we stopped at Lake Rotoiti. It is beautiful. We started talking to some of the ...

The ads all say "Want England? See Christchurch.  Want New Zealand, see Westport." or "Want Switzerland?  See Queenstown.  Want New Zealand? See Westport." So we expected something -- well -- larger.  Westport has about 3500 people.  Enough.  But the ads were SO BIG!!!!! We're actually enjoying the size of the ...

Struggling to remember what i did this day.... oh yea! went to the Nelson Lakes first thing and got out first proper view of the mountains (Alps) which was really cool. They've just started to become snow caped so good timing. drove to Westport doing stop offs on the way as normal,. Just outside Westport stopped at an activity center and did.......

Thursday, January 18 Moteuka to Westport Today we drive around the northern coast of the South Island. We pass apple orchards, vineyards and hops crops. High in the hills we are driving in the clouds at times. Sheep and cows still dominate the landscape; however, we come across a deer farm, as well. Our destination today is Westport, on the west...

We start out down the West Coast. For the next 6 days the make up of the bus will stay pretty much the same, we don't expect anyone to stay on anywhere longer then the bus does. The group is fairly young but not as young as I expected. About half English, a few Irish and the rest German, Danish and Scandinavian. A few straight out of Uni but mos...

DAY 8 WED The drive from Wanaka to the Fox Glacier was a very long three and a half hour drive. I had been expecting the narrow, hairpin-bend roads one encounters when driving through the mountains of Europe but was relieved to find the road much more user friendly. The first part of the drive took us through gorges and along the edge of beautif...

I had a fellow travelling friend that I met in Christchurch from Czech Republic come and visit me in St Arnaud. This is an entry of our adventures. We went to go see the Kekeno seal population on the west coast of the South Island, then we went on a bush walk in search of glow worms, then we went to see the pancake rocks also on the west coast a...

First day on Kiwi experience. Travelled along Arthurs Pass to Westport. Saw places where narnia was shot. Jet boating on River Buller ($65). Cruise up it, taking in some of the sites, then fly back down doing 360's and mm from the side. excellent.

2nd Jan Arrived in Westport Seal Colony Top 10 for a rest after New Year's Party and a welcome shower!!! Unfortunately it began to rain - this was to be a recurring theme for the West Coast!!