![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231129_140732-1038x576.jpg "View from Lewis Tops")
On my first visit to New Zealand 15 years ago, I was very impressed with Arthur’s Pass, the highest of the three road passes over the Southern Alps. Today, I drove over the slightly lower Lewis Pass, the northernmost road pass – and this pass definitely does not have to fear the comparison with its big brother! Continue reading Lewis is not bad either!
Country Archive: Neuseeland
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231128_150638-1038x576.jpg "Lake Rotoiti")
Down at the glacier relics
Actually, the motivation for my route today was getting to know a region of New Zealand that I have not visited before. In the end, I spent most of the time in an area already known to me, but I still had a nice day. Continue reading Down at the glacier relics
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231126_123531-1038x576.jpg "Pelorus Sound at Havelock")
Also a great sound!
After Queen Charlotte Sound, I visited Pelorus Sound – there is no shortage of sounds here! Continue reading Also a great sound!
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231123_110036-1038x576.jpg "Queen Charlotte Sound from Onahau Lookout")
Still a cool Sound!
I have already liked Picton during my first visit five years ago, mainly because of its location directly at the Queen Charlotte Sound. Therefore, I have given myself four days there this time – a very good decision, because the Queen Charlotte Sound is even more beautiful than I remembered it to be. Continue reading Still a cool Sound!
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231120_110821-1038x576.jpg "Lambton Harbour from Mount Victoria")
Water in Wellington
I spent my last two days on the North Island in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. In the spirit of my stay on the North Island with its rather changeable weather, it rained for half of the time. Continue reading Water in Wellington
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231118_105152-1038x576.jpg "Castlepoint Lighthouse and Castle Rock")
Lighthouses and stone towers
All good cornerstones come in threes: After the East Cape and Te Urewera, it was now time for the Wairarapa region. The weather was changeable at best, but I was basically still able to fit in all my desired destinations. Continue reading Lighthouses and stone towers
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231115_085753-1038x576.jpg "Napier")
O Brother, Where Art Deco?
Napier was also intended basically as a stopover between two must-dos on my route. However, this time I spent two nights in town, because I also wanted to see something of the city (and the surrounding area). Continue reading O Brother, Where Art Deco?
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/10-20231113_111729-1038x576.jpg "Lake Waikaremoana")
Sun at Lake Waikaremoana
As already mentioned, Te Urewera was a must do on route through the North Island. Unfortunately, the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle from February 2023 are still being felt. This also meant that I could not do all my planned hikes. Still, I still had two really nice, sunny days at Lake Waikaremoana. Continue reading Sun at Lake Waikaremoana
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231111_111918-1038x576.jpg "Poverty Bay from Te Kuri Farm Walkway")
Gray Gisborne
Gisborne was only intended as an overnight stop between two milestones of my route, the East Cape and Te Urewera. Nevertheless, I managed to squeeze in a short hike. Continue reading Gray Gisborne
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/10-20231109_111900-1038x576.jpg "East Cape")
In the Far East (of New Zealand)
I have reached the first of the milestones of my New Zealand route south of Auckland (around which the rest of the route was planned): the East Cape. Continue reading In the Far East (of New Zealand)
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231106_131127-1038x576.jpg "Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane")
Water in Whakatane
It also rained a bit in Whakatane. Apparently, that is the rule here for cities that start with “Wha”. However, there was much less rain than in Whangarei or in Whangamata. So, I could really appreciate the beauty of this part of the Bay of Plenty. Continue reading Water in Whakatane
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231105_100327-1038x576.jpg "Mount Maunganui from the summit")
At the heart of Bay of Plenty
Now I am starting my exploration of the Bay of Plenty, the large bay in the north-east of the North Island of New Zealand. My first stop was in Tauranga. However, I basically only slept there. All my activities have taken place elsewhere, in the surroundings of the city. Continue reading At the heart of Bay of Plenty
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231104_084700-1038x576.jpg "Whangamata Beach")
Water in Whangamata
I really hope this is not the start of a “Water” series. Unfortunately, also in Whangamata, the water was not only the attraction, but also sometimes also a bit of a killjoy (in the form of rain, of course). Continue reading Water in Whangamata
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231102_112801-1038x576.jpg "Karangahake Gorge")
Remnants of gold diggers
Today was dedicated to the gold diggers of Karangahake Gorge – or (more precisely) what they have left behind. Continue reading Remnants of gold diggers
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231101_101304-1038x576.jpg "Trounson Kauri Park")
Giants of the forest
After Hokianga Harbour, I explored the Kauri Coast. As the name suggests, this area boast some (very) large Kauri trees. Continue reading Giants of the forest
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231031_111603-1038x576.jpg "Coast South of Hokianga Harbour")
Fog in Hokianga Harbour
Slowly, the rain is receding. However, it has been replaced by low-lying clouds. Still, I was able to explore Hokianga Harbour a bit. Continue reading Fog in Hokianga Harbour
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231029_101249-1038x576.jpg "Otuihau Whangārei Falls from below")
Water in Whangarei
As during my last stay in Northland, the Northern-most part of New Zealand’s North Island, water has dominated my stay – unfortunately also in the sense of rain. Continue reading Water in Whangarei
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/nz-fern-1038x576.jpg "Dicksonia squarrosa")
Kia Ora, Aotearoa!
Long-term readers of my blog know what this title means: I am once again in New Zealand!
However: It is a bit chilly here.
“Must Do’s” in New Zealand
![[Foto]](../../../../regions/nz/img/nz-musts.gif)
I have visited New Zealand twice for two months each already. Now, I would like to look back on the hightlights of my both stays according to the motto: What must not be missed in New Zealand? Continue reading “Must Do’s” in New Zealand
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/nz2013.jpg "Lake Te Anau, New Zealand")
There and Back Again
Thanks to two months of unpaid vacation, I could spend eight weeks in New Zealand in February/March 2013. Again, I really fell in love with this beautiful country and its friendly people.