New Zealand Activity Log

Day 1 – Arrived in Auckland after a nice flight from LA with a couple hour stop-over in Tahiti. Brought 2 containers of quinoa from San Diego, which we ended up tossing out in Tahiti airport. Picked up rental campervan from Lucky Rentals near the airport. Quickly had to figure out the left-side driving methods and roundabouts. Provisioning the van just north of Auckland at a grocery store in a mall, which was strange. Drove up to Orewa and stayed at a top 10 campground. Walked around the town that evening, sun sets late here around 9:30pm.

Day 2 – Walked the beach nearby before C+D woke up. Stopped at Dick Smiths to get usb charger and cable for keeping phones charged. First item we didn’t bring which was needed on the trip. Mentioned that we should stop at McD’s for “Jolly Rogers”, which was my own creation for NZ naming of a hash brown. First stop at mangawhai heads to check out the surf at the beach. Grabbed lunch at Waipu, nice café, sat outside, great seafood chowder and fresh baked bread. Continued on to Whangarei. First stop at abby caves, cindy’s boot sole disintegrated immediately. Explored the glow worm caves with a few Japanese kids. Went into town to purchase another pair of hiking boots for Cindy, then stopped at the DOC office where a nice lady gave us some advise about a freedom camping spot by Mt. Manaia. Headed over and hiked the mountain (beautiful views), then frequented the local Mount Manaia Club for some tasty brews. Got to meet some Kiwi’s as well as some British expatriates. Walked back to our campsite, made dinner, and hit the hay.

Day 3 – Woke up to a beautiful view from our campsite, and made breakfast. Then off to Ocean Beach where we hiked the cliffs (Cindy in bare feet). Beautiful day, uncrowded beach, good surf with some surfers out. Then to the Whangarei town centre for sushi takeaways, internet surfing, followed by pizza for lunch. Cute town, good people-watching. From there, we continued on to the Bay of Islands. Stopped at Paihia which turned out to be a touristy town with overpriced kayak tours. Found a campsite at Haruru Falls which had kayaks for $5 rent so we took a self-guided sunset kayak trip around the falls and down the river. Came back to the campsite, talked with our neighbor who was a German traveler, and cooked dinner with the campervan door open and lights on to the attraction of a million bugs. Cindy went on a bug-killing spree in the van.

Day 4 – Long drive to Coromandel. First stop was at Hot Water Beach, however, tide was to high to dig our personal hot tubs on the beach. Then over to Hahei to hike Cathedral Cove where we we were nearly accosted by a crazy German with a camera, and witnessed crazy girls on drugs dancing on the beach. Afterwards, we found a burned down café, so we ate next door where Chris had a good burger, Drew had a good steak, and Cindy had crappy prawns with rice covered with what tasted like Spaghettios sauce. Referred to camp in a parking lot near the fire station from a sign posted at the restaurant.

Day 5 – Awoke in the morning to the police politely requesting for us to leave the parking lot. Drove to Rotorua and soaked up the warm waters of Kerosene Creek hot water pools. Continued on to Taupo where it started to rain/lightning. Checked out a fee campsite along the river where the guy there was freaking out about the water rising. Had a beer at a local restaurant- Jolly Good Fellows (no happy hours in Auckland according to the bartender- are we in Auckland??). Back to the free campsite.

Day 6 – Rain continued into the morning so we decided to sleep in. Once up and ready, we had brunch at a café in Taupo, mailed postcards, Drew frequented the Superloo, and we played on the playground. Then we made our way to Tongariro where we hiked the mountain through the snow up to the South Crater and snapped pics of Mount Doom. Round trip 13K. Then we drove to Ohakune (an off-season deserted ski town) where we decided to see if we could find a deal on a motel to get out of the van for the night. Found one in the backpackers quarters of a motel called The Hobbit, where we had the entire backpackers quarters to ourselves. Soaked our tired muscles in the hot tub, cooked in full-sized pots, ate off of full-sized plates, watched tv, and slept in a warm bunk bed.

Day 7 – After breakfast and warm showers, we hopped back in the van and took the scenic drive to Whanganui where we had our greasy spoon lunch (fish and chips), and walked around town. Then continued on our way to Wellington with a stop at Waikanae- a beautiful beach town. Saw a boat being loaded into the sea being towed by a tractor on the beach. Continued onto Wellington to catch the ferry over to the south island in the morning. Didn’t book a campsite, and unfortunately the mobile park next to the ferry was full. The guy working didn’t appreciate Chris moving his cones so that we could pull the van in (they were cones!). Found a Top 10 campsite ~15-20 minutes away at Lower Hutt which had all the amenities including a jump pillow for Cindy and Drew.

Day 8 – Awoke early and headed straight to check in at the ferry at 7:30am for departure at 8:30am. Made coffee and tea in the van while waiting in line to board. Nice 3 hour ferry ride. Got into Picton and took off for Nelson where we found a bike trail on a mountain to hike. A lot of the trees on the mountain had been cut down. After the hike we found a church that was converted to a bar for a tasty, but expensive beer. Then had pizza at Stefano’s for dinner, where the owner looked like he should be cast in Jersey Shore. Drove down to Wakefield where we found a freedom camping spot to stay the night.

Day 9 – Awoke and drove up to Abel Tasman, making skydiving reservations for Sunday. Then we took the last water taxi up to Bark’s Bay and hiked the 23K back out. Beautiful, long hike. Back at the parking lot, we enjoyed refreshing brews and took our boots off to relax tired muscles. Found a camping site at Kiki Beach nearby.

Day 10 – Awoke to greetings of Ryan and Claire! Overcast and rainy day so to stay indoors, we decided to hit up some of the nearby wineries. First stop- Glover Winery (I think we woke up our host) which also included homemade beer out of a 2L diet lemonade bottle. 2^nd stop- Himmelsfeld winery where we met Beth and her lamb Marigold. She recommended a pizza place for lunch called Kahurangi which was delicious and also included a wine tasting. Afterwards, we went NZ’s oldest pub- Moutere Inn for some tasty local brews and to wait out the rain. Headed back to Wakefield and stayed at the freedom camping spot from day 8.

Day 11 – Breakfast at The Jester where we fed the tamed eels. Then, time for skydiving!!!! Afterwards, it was back in the van to Hanmer Springs to meet up with our friends from Canada- Laura and Rod. Dinner and drinks at a local restaurant, then off to bed after a long day. A cold night in the van.

Day 12 – A big thanks to Laura and Rod for offering a place to park our campervans and a warm shower in the morning! Said our goodbye’s, then off to Christchurch for Drew’s flight in the morning. Fast food thai for lunch, then explored the town, damaged and deserted after the 2011 earthquake. Drew then had a lamb weiner for post-lunch snack. Trying to keep the town alive with shops, bars, and café’s in intermodal containers while they rebuild. Walked around the botanical gardens, then found a parking ticket on our van when we returned. Then off to find a free campsite and found a great place tucked away along the river. Built a fire where Drew gave us a demonstration of his smelting skills.

Day 13 – Dropped Drew off at the airport, then stopped at McD’s for breakfast. Took off towards Tekapo with a stop along the way in Geraldine where we decided to go white water rafting along the Rangitata River with our guide Dan. Chris made crazy faces jumping off the rocks along with funny screams, then we warmed up back at the lodge with a shower and warm fire, along with a tasty dinner. Then off to Lake Tekapo and found a free campsite by the lake (beautiful view). Got up at 2am to see the stars. Cindy was freezing and could do nothing to get warm.

Day 14 – Long drive to Te Anau. Had drinks at a bar next to the laundrymat while we did laundry which didn’t really clean anything. Loaded up with groceries headed south of town to a supposed free campsite. No camping signs posted, but we decided to press our luck and hope nobody would come looking for us. However, we did get booted off of the site around 9:30pm, so we headed back north of town to a sanctioned DOC campsite.

Day 15 – Got up early to make our way to Milford Sound to hopefully get on the 9am boat tour. We made it in time and Claire got us a deal on tickets. Amazing cliffs, waterfalls, and wildlife including seals and penguins. After the tour, we drove into Queenstown and stayed at a Top 10 campsite near town to shower up and power up. Walked into town and had our Thanksgiving lamb dinner at Roaring Meg’s.

Day 16 – Coffee and breakfast, then Claire and Cindy went for a run while the guys hiked up a mountain. Showered up and drove to Haast. Checked the surf, but no good, so we continued up to Lake Paringa where we camped at a DOC site and got attacked by sandflies. Decided to watch a movie in the van with the group (Anchorman).

Day 17 – Got up early and drove to Fox Glacier. Hiked up past the guard rail to get a better look at the glacier. Pitstop in Hokitika where Chris bought a rod and reel to try some fishing. Made a few stops along the way to try some fishing while we took a quite scenic drive to Westport. Checked the surf at Tauranga Bay, no good. Drove just past the surf spot and found a free campsite along the beach. Very windy which blew a lot of dust on us and into the van. Beautiful sunset and nice to listen to the waves as we fell asleep.

Day 18 – Early morning surf check – no good. Had coffee and tea in a park in Westport. Then headed east, fished a couple spots along the way. Stopped at Lake Rotoiti for lunch along the beach. Enjoyed relaxing in the sun and the beautiful scenery. Did some exercises, then Chris and Ryan jumped into the cold lake. Headed back up to Picton and caught the 6:30pm ferry back to the North Island. Exited the ferry about 10pm and headed north to find a quiet spot to free camp. Ended up in a new neighborhood, parked on a sloped street in front of an unfinished house. Wind was howling most of the night.

Day 19 – Woke up early and moved on to avoid confrontation about camping on a residential street. Drove a bit further north to a nice oceanfront spot with a toilet, then made hot beverages and breakfast. Continued on to Harewa, where i bought some new fishing lures and some advice on hot spots to try. Stopped near opunake to check out a point break for ryan, but conditions were gusty onshores. Forecated to be the same for the next few days. Camped at an oceanfront spot which ryan had found on his last trip, near stent road.

Day 20 – Ryan and claire got up early to check stent road. We went over to opunake beach, then walked up near a lake to try some fishing. Came back and made breakfast in the van, then off to check out the interior of taranaki. Fished on the upper part of a river while cindy went for a run. Drove up near dawson falls, then a short hike to see them. Headed back around 4pm to meet up with ryan and claire back the point break near opunake. Rented 2 boards from opunake surf shop, longboard for cindy and a fish for me. Recommended to check out aru aru, which was near oakura. Surfed a bit that evening, water was way too cold and windy! Not much luck on the fish board. Camped for the night right near that beach.

Day 21 – Woke up to check surf, still kinda windy but Ryan and I went anyways. Cindy still sleeping, so I tried the longboard, still not much luck on these waves and conditions. Cindy went out afterwards when i came back in from the cold. Laid out on the grass to warm up and took a nap. Planned to go surf again with ryan, but afternoon low tide conditions were bad. Girls walked to oakura grocery store, while ryan and i conversed over a bottle of vino. Drove over to baily road to search for poua(abalone). Found about 8 which ended up being undersized but tasty for dinner. Camped back at aru aru road, where german tent camper gave us his leftover national parks card for the US.

Day 22 – Ryan and Claire’s last day. Surfed a bit in the morning, but still not riding much on the fish board. Ryan caught a great right to end his day. Met up at butlers reef for lunch, then they drove on to auckland. Drove up near new plymouth, fished a river near the ocean, but no luck. Really windy walk along the ocean. Camped back at aru aru road.

Day 23 – Woke up and went to oakura to try that beach break. Missed the incoming and into shore pound, not much luck other than cindy’s 1.5 rides. Cold again, drive to Lucy’s Gulch to hike a bit. Ended up doing a 5 hour hike to the trig point with a bit of rock climbing. Steepest tramp yet for us. Enjoyed a brew at butlers reef, then back to aru aru for the night.

Day 24 – Day started nicely with light winds, but gusty again after eating late breakfast. Drove to oakura, but too blown out. Drove to stony river to try fishing. Kids pointed us the right way, but no luck catching. Continued to opunake beach, surfed for a bit. Finally caught first wave on fish board. Couple big swells crashed on us, took it back in. Cold water surfing is not for us! Returned boards and drove towards auckland. Stopped for the night at a nice free spot near a river. Chatted with an older couple from NZ staying in an rv.

Day 25 – Got up early, had a fish on the line but it broke my knot then broke the line. Hiked a bit in the area. Drove into town and did laundry. Continued up to Raglan, but crappy weather there. Saw worlds longest left surf break, but rained out. Great seafood chowder. Stayed the night at camper van park near auckland airport and had a hot shower!

Day 26 – Packed up and returned the van. Nice guy drove us to the airport as a courtesy. Great locals in NZ!