A quick drive north from Taupo took us to Rotorua, the next town on our route where we immediately decided that another night in the van could kill us, and found a hostel right in the centre of town. After a ritual degreasing ceremony we were ready to explore! Sadly our adventurous spirits only got us as far as the park across the road. Typically of this thermal area the ground bubbled up gasses stinking of sulphur, and park signs carried warnings not to stray of...

After a brief drive North East we arrived at Hawkes bay, Napier- the main city in the bay. On the drive up we were optimistic, as the Vineyard rich bay boasted the most sunshine on the east coast and were bemused when we got there at the persistent rain! Still we managed to play rugby on the beach for a good few hours and look around the surrounding town of Hastings. That night (after locating a suitable lay by to sleep in) we went back into town and found a cool...

On our final day in Christchurch, we added a new memeber to our travelling party. He was a 2001 Mazda Bongo Van, and also our home for the next month as we explored New Zealand. After signing various forms to say we wouldn't write off the car (Although it would be no great loss if we had!) we filled up on fuel and supplies and began our 5'000 kilometre road trip.Our first stop was Lake Elesmere, a couple of hours South of East of the City, where we ran into our f...

Wahoo! We have arrived in Christchuch! after a little hop across the water, we arrived in good spirits excited about a new country! We had an easy transfer to our hostel which was a period building that had been renovated into beautiful dorms, and was run by a very old man (who asked us his rent was!). The two days we were there we were struck by how anglicised the city was, and also its size. Being the capital of the South island Christhurch took about 15mins to...

We arrived into Sydney airport quite late, mainly cause of delays due to the terrible storms! The hostel was just a short cab ride into the city, however the hostel was a long, rain drenched walk from the car.We checked in and met our delightful room mates.The next day was our first in the City so we took a walk up George Street, the main shopping district. We got to Circular Quay and booked on to a ferry trip around Sydney harbour, to see the Opera House and Ha...