The Interislander ferry would take us across from Wellington in the North Island down to Picton in the South Island for the second half of our New Zealand adventure.

This was the first time either of us had driven a vehicle onto a proper car ferry, and we both were reminiscing about family holidays to France. Once she was parked up and anchored down we went off to explore the boat.

We had been warned that you could get a rough three and a half hour crossing, but we got some great views of the misty sounds on the way in.

The sun set just as we docked in Picton, where we took the very windy road to Havelock. We were welcomed into lovely campsite and told to crack open a bottle and relax, no official check out the next day just wander over to the harbour and grab some lunch and head off when we were ready, this was our pace of camping! Unlike some other campsites where we asked if there was any flexibility in the 10am check out time, they said with a straight face.... "maybe a couple of minutes past?"

So as recommended we did just that and headed round to the marina for a great lunch of the local green lipped Havelock mussels, mmm! Tim not being a big fan of mussels, had the taster plate with seven different toppings including chilli and lime, this was a great introduction to mussels as it masked half the taste!

We had a stop at Buller Gorge and the swing bridge and did a zip line back across the gorge, driving onwards to see the seals and pancake rocks. The scenery down the west coast was an amazing mix of rainforest to the sea with the mountains behind.

We ended the day at West Port where we popped into a local brewery for Tim to same the local ales, Green Fern and a porter were highlights! This was followed by a "bush bath" hidden out the back of a soap shop, a huge bubble bath in amongst ferns, great way to relax with a glass of wine for Bee, felt very decadent after so many freezing campsite showers!