Exploring the South Island, New Zealand

I spent most of my university years exploring every corner of South Island. When I moved to Auckland for work, I was gobsmacked to find out most of my colleagues from Auckland knew little about the island across the Cook Strait. My own husband showed little interest, deeming the south as "farmland" with sheep running around everywhere. So I promptly packed our bags and flew down to Christchurch to begin our journey "to the South".

A note to Lord of the Ring fans, parts of the movie was filmed in the South Island. Anyway, back to the story. I dragged my ignorant man to see Lake Matheson, Franz Josef, Hanmer Springs, Punakaiki, Nelson, Milford Sound, Dunedin, Queenstown, Lake Wanaka and Greymouth. I imagined a rapturous response when he came face to face with the spectacular scenery. Instead, his face was buried in a book whilst I was driving and enthusiastically running a commentary about the different sites. I swore I heard a snore...... Fast forward ten years and numerous adventures later, I've come to terms that he's a Club Med resort and museum type of guy.

Here are a few photos taken during the trip that I managed to dig out of my chest today and scanned into a digital file - 10 years later.



Purakaunui Falls in the Catlins, South Island




Lake Mapourika, South Island




Punting down Avon River, Christchurch, South Island