![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240111_114624.jpg "Last view of New Zealand")
Long-term readers of my blog also know what this title means: My wonderful time in New Zealand has come to an end. Continue reading E noho rā, Aotearoa
Country Archive: Neuseeland
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240110_141133-1038x576.jpg "The Terrace (Christchurch)")
City of two worlds
I spent my last days in New Zealand in Christchurch. I was happy to see some life again in the city center&nsbp;– very much in contrast to the last time I was there, shortly after the severe earthquakes. But there are still (sometimes quite deep) wounds visible in the city. Continue reading City of two worlds
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240107_093157-1038x576.jpg "Arthur's Pass")
Arthur is still great!
On my first visit 15 years ago, I praised Sir Arthur Dudley Dobson and the pass he “discovered”. This time around, I could see that nothing has changed: The landscape is still magnificent. Continue reading Arthur is still great!
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240102_155527-1038x576.jpg "Greymouth")
Gray Greymouth
Actually, the title above is probably a bit unfair to Greymouth. After all, I decided to spend the two sunny days somewhere else (namely around Hokitikia and in Punakaiki). So, it is not the fault of Greymouth that only the rainy day was left. However, I still think that the true West Coast treasures can rather be found elsewhere. Continue reading Gray Greymouth
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240104_140410-1038x576.jpg "Pancake Rocks")
Pancakes and a Hiking Trio
Today, I went on a day trip to Paparoa National Park. There, I did three hiking trails, and also saw some pancakes – the Pancake Rocks. Continue reading Pancakes and a Hiking Trio
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240102_115612-1038x576.jpg "Hokitika")
Forces of nature in Hokitika
I am currently staying in Greymouth for four nights. While I am there, I once again rented a car. Today, I used that to explore the area around Hokitika. Continue reading Forces of nature in Hokitika
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240101_102918-1038x576.jpg "Waiho Valley")
Franz Josef, the Third (visit)
I spent New Year’s in Franz Josef – a much quieter place than Wanaka or Queenstown. Continue reading Franz Josef, the Third (visit)
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231228_105508-1038x576.jpg "Wanaka")
Wanaka – with W as in “Welcoming”
I simply like Wanaka: It is basically the more relaxed version of Queenstown – even though there are quite a few tourists around, especially now between Christmas and New Year’s. Continue reading Wanaka – with W as in “Welcoming”
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231227_094559-1038x576.jpg "Arrowtown")
Swift as an arrow through Arrowtown
I have already killed enough time in Queenstown on this trip. So, before taking the bus to my next destination, I rather went on a short excursion to Arrowtown, a former gold mining town. Continue reading Swift as an arrow through Arrowtown
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231225_091930-1038x576.jpg "Routeburn River")
Queenstown, the supply station for Routeburn hikers
After my tour around Lake Whakatipu , I returned to Queenstown. There, I rented the necessary equipment for a multi-day hike (i.e. sleeping bag, and cooking pot): I spent the three days over Christmas on the Routeburn Track. Continue reading Queenstown, the supply station for Routeburn hikers
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231222_114713-1038x576.jpg "Lake Whakatipu")
Around Lake W(h)akatipu
I have spent the last three days around Lake Whakatipu. Formerly, this lake was known as Lake Wakatipu (and in fact, this name is still widely in use). However, the latter version is actually a wrong transcription of the original Maori name. Continue reading Around Lake W(h)akatipu
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231219_154845-1038x576.jpg "Waiau River")
Along the Anduin Waiau River
After spending a lot of time in the car over the last two days, I did not want to drive too far today. At the same time, I did not want to go on a long hike, either – also driving can be tiring. So, I chose a leisurely walk in the forest along the Waiau River. In the “Lord of the Rings” movies, this river was used for some shots of the Anduin. Continue reading Along the Anduin Waiau River
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231218_095210-1038x576.jpg "Milford Sound")
For once a “real” tourist!
New Zealand has many scenic routes to offer – even if not every one of them has the word “scenic” in its name. One of those is the Milford Road. Since I currently have a rental car, I did what many tourists do: I jumped in my car, and enjoyed the many viewpoints and short walks along the road – and of course the highlight at the end, a cruise on Milford Sound. Continue reading For once a “real” tourist!
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231217_154534-1038x576.jpg "Southern Scenic Route")
On the Southern Scenic Route
After flying back from Stewart Island, I did not feel like waiting for 23½ hours for a bus to Queenstown. So, I dediced to rent a car at the airport – for six days. Today, I used this rental car to explore part of the Southern Scenic Route, namely the part between Invercargill and Te Anau. Continue reading On the Southern Scenic Route
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231214_161508-1038x576.jpg "Mason Bay")
Coast to Coast
I spent the last four days on Stewart Island, New Zealand’s “third island” (even further south than the South Island). There, my main focus was on the natural treasures of this beautiful island. Continue reading Coast to Coast
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231211_094456-1038x576.jpg "Skippers Canyon")
Queenstown, the stop-over destination for bus travellers
Queenstown is the bus hub in the Southern part of the South Island. Most buses are scheduled to leave in the morning, and arrive in the evening. Therefore, as a bus traveler, you are almost forced to spend at least one night in the city if you want to explore the Southern part of the South Island. In order to be able to explore at least a little bit more of the area, I added a second night on such an occasion. Continue reading Queenstown, the stop-over destination for bus travellers
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231207_144348-1038x576.jpg "Hooker Valley")
Hiking along gurgling streams
A (hiking) holiday in New Zealand is not complete without a visit to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Therefore, this is just what I did in the past three days. Continue reading Hiking along gurgling streams
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231206_161404-1038x576.jpg "Lake Tekapo")
Airless depths (of space)
Tekapo is located in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. Therefore, star observation should be especially good there. However, this of course only depends on the weather. So, as I was only spending a single night there, this was also a bit of a gamble. Continue reading Airless depths (of space)
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231203_092154-1038x576.jpg "Akaroa Harbour from Trig GG")
(Cloud) Banks Peninsula
I have spent the last four days on the Banks Peninsula (after an “organization day” in Christchurch). The main focus was on the Banks Track, but I also visited the main town Akaroa (again). Continue reading (Cloud) Banks Peninsula
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231130_122048-1038x576.jpg "Hanmer Springs")
Whoops, am I in Canada?
Wooden houses with pointed roofs, in the middle of (mainly coniferous) forests, surrounded by hills and mountains – Hanmer Springs is possibly the most Canadian town in New Zealand. Continue reading Whoops, am I in Canada?