Base Discovery Lodge Queenstown

We've travelled back across the Cook Straight to Wellington. This time it was a nicer sailing experience as I'd taken some sea sickness tablets. We left the sunshine of Picton and arrived in a grey and cold Wellington. But we weren't there for long. By the next day we'd hired Boris II and were headed for National Park (place name not the park) and Tongariro National Park. We holed up at the Discovery Lodge. For anyone who's watched 'Identity' it was a bit like that without all the murders. An...

The one thing I said I'd never do was a bungy jump. What have I just done? Only the Nevis Bungy jump in Queenstown and what a thrill! It all started with my alarm not going off and waking up with 2 minutes until I was supposed to be checking it. I grabbed whatever I had and ran out of Base hostel to the Bungy jumping centre. On the way I bumped into two of my friends from the bus, Hayley and Sophie, who had come to find me before I missed the bus. The jump wasn't cheap so you really didn't wa...

With the world's steepest street out of the way, we drove back to Queenstown. Most people slept for the journey, and although the scenery was as spectacular as it has been all around the Southern loop, most people were sceneried out by now. We stopped off at one of the many hydroelectric power stations that dot the lakes and rivers in this area, providing power to the North Island. I had chosen a double room this time in Base. I thought about changing hostel, but I knew the bar was just downs...

You will notice I have fitted 3 days into here. The main reason for that is that in comparison to the last few days, not a lot happened. The scenery continued to be magnificent all around us, but we were all due for a rest anyway. The amount of beer that was purchased by our overloaded bus in the hostel in Makarora was "7 drinks, and one was a coke" - a story told by the barman to at least the next three or four buses. He'd shut the bar by 10pm and most people were in bed. Worryingly, I think...

Queenstown is New Zealand's very own adventure capital. The locals consider it to be the adventure capital of the world, but then again, they're getting more and more ****** off at tourists driving up the house prices of the area; so for now, we'll stick to my definition. It is also cold, at times, very cold, but we were there in the middle of winter so no real qualms there. The 5 streets and other roads that lead off them allow you to jump off bridges, ledges and anything else that takes you...

Saw the physio yesterday and purchased the crutches so I could take them away from Wanaka. Whilst I was there, Ricce and Ebony went skydiving and had an amazing time apparently (yes I was just a bit jealous!). Got the bus to Queenstown and I planned to book in the YHA across the road from the hostel where Stray booked everyone in - I wasn't being antisocial I was just sick of the grotty expensive places they kept taking us. The YHA was booked but I decided to ask them about information regard...

So, i spent a week in Queenstown, and i want to rewrite this section, but for now, tongan internet isn't the cheapest in the world, so it'll have to be short. Stayed at Discovery Lodge Hostel, its terrible, I move to an aptly named for you guys at home, Mcfees, its fab, I cook spagetti bolongnese for 9 of us, Milford Sounds: another geography field trip, tips for travellers do the Milford Kayak instead- its all equally beautiful. Stopped at a place on way to milford called KNOBS FLAT, he he, ...

Warning! This entry is overly long. Sorry. If I get time, I'll try to shorten it. For years, we've had to listen to how bad the weather is in Manchester. Well it hasn't got anything on New Zealand. They claim it's the worst February for wind and rain on record, but perhaps they just tell the tourists that. Apparently the weather here has made the news around the world, but fortunately we weren't tied to a schedule, and have managed to avoid the worst of it. We left Wellington for Wanganui, ju...

Heading further south towards Taupo we stopped at Wai-O-Tapu (meaning Sacred Waters). This is probably the best of the thermal areas to visit, we got there just in time to see the Lady Knox Geyser erupting. It erupts at the same time every day, helped along by the addition of soap powder put in by the staff members. The soap powder reacts with the sulphur in the water, first discovered by some early settlers who tried to wash their clothes in the hot water in the ground. After Lady Knox Geyse...

Day 183 - Drove to Wanaka, stopping for a few photos at a few lakes on the way. Here myself, TJ and the odd couple were moving on, but the rest were going to stay a few nights. We had an hour or so to spare so went with the boys and Laura for a coffee and a wander - Wanaka is a very pretty little town set on a lake, surrounded by mountains and with lots of little cafes and shops. I said good bye to everyone, hoping to meet again in Queenstown and as a replacement, collected four more people.....