26/02/09: Left the hostel at 7.30! Stopped at Lake Matheson for a walk around- its really beautiful because the mountains reflect off the water!! Drove on to a waterfall for a picture opportunity, then more driving to a cafe to stop for lunch. The scenery on all the drives was beautiful as we was driving in valleys by the southern alps and so there was lots of mountains with snow on top and big lakes and waterfalls running down the sides of the mountains- plus lo...

24/02/09: We left lake Mahinipua about 9.30- after the buses engine was flat so we had to get it jump started!! Then stopped an hour late at a bush centre where we watched a film on deer farming- not a highlight of my trip- and saw possums and deer and a wild pig. We also had breakfast there! Then we continued on a short drive to Franz Josef which is beside the southern Alps- we paid for the glacier hike we are doing tomorrow then checked into hostel- most of the...

23/02/09: We left Westport about 9 and headed along the coast road to a place called Cape Foulwind (haha). We all done a 1 hour coastal walk where we walked along the cliff and could look down onto seal colonies!! We drove further along the coast to Punakaiki, also known as the pancake rocks because the rocks are layered like pancakes, plus are blow holes there that spurt water! We had dinner in the cafe there before continuing on to Greymouth where we stopped br...

22/02/09: We had to get the bus at 8.30 so up nice and early and then we set off to Nelson Lakes national park- which was absolutely gorgeous- there was a huge clear lake surrounded by mountains- we went for a walk about the forest. Then chilled by the lake and had lunch. We set off through the mountains to Westport- beautiful scenery. A funny day- it was sunny one minute and raining the next. A lot of driving today. We arrived in Westport and checked into the qu...

19/02/09: Caught bus at 7 to the ferry port!! Nice, big boat. We had breakfast in cafe then chilled in the lounge and had a doze. We went up on deck as we were coming into Picton and saw the stunning scenery- crystal clear waters and lush green mountains everywhere! We boarded a new bus with mainly new people in Picton and on the way to Nelson we stopped at a winery in the middle of miles of vineyards. They were offering wine tasting but- sorry mum- i didnt parti...