![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2013-02-24.jpg "Dunedin Railway Station")
Actually, I wanted to explore the Catlins by car starting today. Unfortunately, my rental car booking was canceled. So, I am now sitting around in my hostel in Dunedin. Continue reading Help me, I am in Dunedin!
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2013-02-23.jpg "View from atop Mt. Roy")
Wanaka – with W as in “Welcome back!”
Initially, I did not plan to come back to Wanaka. In the end, I decided to visit my favourite town of my first trip again, and do another day hike there that I missed the last time. Continue reading Wanaka – with W as in “Welcome back!”
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2013-02-20.jpg "Siberia Valley")
Touring Siberia (Valley)
Today, I did the Siberia Experience, a combination of scenic flight, hike, and jetboat ride in Mount Aspiring National Park. Continue reading Touring Siberia (Valley)
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2013-02-19.jpg "Haast Pass")
The two sides of Julius von Haast
Today, I left the west coast behind. I went over the Haast Pass to Otago. Compared to the trip four years ago, today's trip was totally different: The last time, everything was covered in low-hanging clouds. Today, we could enjoy blue skies (at least from the start of the climb towards Haast Pass). This finally made me realize how beautiful this mountain road actually is. Continue reading The two sides of Julius von Haast
Your Majesty, I am back!
For the first time on this trip (apart from Auckland), I am staying overnight in a place that I already visited on my last trip to New Zealand: Franz Josef. This time, however, I am not going on a glacier tour. Rather, I am just passing through, and going further south tomorrow – for a very special adventure.
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2013-02-17.jpg "Heaphy Track")
Heaphy & Hippie
For the past four days, I stayed in a hippie hostel. Even though I did not go hippie, the relaxed atmosphere still made me sit back and do nothing much but short strolls on the river and beach during the first one and a half days.
Yesterday, I went to the Oparara Basin, as already mentioned before. Today, I finally did a three-hours-long stroll on Heaphy Track. Continue reading Heaphy & Hippie
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2013-02-16.jpg "Moria Gate Arch")
At the Moria Gate (Arch)
Today, I explored the Karst formations of the Oparara Basin As the original explorers were reminded of Tolkien's Middle Earth by this area, a lot of place names are references to "Lord of the Rings", like the Moria Gate Arch. Continue reading At the Moria Gate (Arch)
Sightseeing from the Bus Window
![[Picture]](../../regions/nz/south/thumb/av.jpg "Buller Gorge")
Even on a travel day, you may have an adventure. My route from St. Arnaud in Nelson Lakes National Park to Karamea on the west coast was an adventure in its own right due to the rather limited public transport: First, I took a private shuttle from St. Arnaud to Kawatiri Junction (approx. 20 min., 50,– NZD). From there, I caught the Intercity bus to Westport (2:19 hours, about 18,– NZD with a 45 hours flexipass). Finally, I took a minibus to Karamea (about two hours, 35,– NZD).
As the Intercity trip was going through the spectacular Buller Gorge, I also had something to see on the way.
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2013-02-13.jpg "Lake Rotoiti")
Up to the Angels
In the last two days, I went on my first alpine hike on this trip: a two-day hike in Nelson Lakes National Park, going from St. Arnaud (a village at the border of the national park) to Lake Angelus (in the mountains) and back. It turned out to be quite a tough hike, but it was definitely worthwhile – even though the weather was not as good as I hoped for. Continue reading Up to the Angels
Travelling Through
![[Picture]](../../regions/nz/south/thumb/ak.jpg "Nelson")
I cannot really say that I visited Nelson. Even though I am spending the night there, I have mainly just used its infrastructure: doing my laundry, stocking up on food, and organizing my travels. In the evening, I finally had a short stroll through the city center. This gave me an idea why the town is that popular with backpackers: There are indeed quite many nice cafés and bars. However, for me, there are other more important attractions in New Zealand.