Left Queenstown after relising that a bungee was obviously not a financially worth while experience obviously and headed to Milford Sound a 5 hr journey with only Te Anau to break it. Drive down in rain whcih creates loads of waterfalls over the mountains in the valleys which is awesome and upon arrivng in Milford take refuge from the rain in a hostel which seems to be the only thing in Milford apart from boat trips. We head out to the van in cold rain to kip and obviously the battery is dead, luckily we have a spare with us, as you do and changing it over brings back life to the old girl. We then float down to a flooded carpark to camp. Boat trip following morning on Milfound sound is clear and good but one of those have to be there places to really appeciate it. Huge moutain sides meeting sea in a huge gorge is quite impressive though, but in my opinion the drive down is just as good. After boat outing hit the road back and luckily dont get stuck at the tunnel through the mountain. Passback through Queenstown and stop at bungy but unfortunately they have closed so we hit the road and end up at (WILL ADD LATER). Campsite is luxury,head on North and pick up hitch hiker who looks sad,this proved a mistake as she didnt speak, let alone Anglais. Dropped her off at (add name later)and i think she was quite glad to be rid of us, this may be for a number of reasons a) She had to sit on our bed with no seat belt and my smelly socks b) my driving c) my singing or d) all of the above. I do remember occasionally looking in the rear view mirror and sseing her thrown about from side to side. Head up to Mount Cook through Twizel and pass the deep blue Lake Puraki on route. Not a great deal in Mt Cook and its raining so we check out the hermiritage, (huge complex) and go for walk around glacier to lakes. Horrible weather. Camp up at DOC camp ground. After one night at Mt Cook head north along the east alongh scenic road which has afew sheep and deer and nothing else. Pass Mt Hutt ski area but head on to reach Christchurch which is very english and reminds me of Cheltenham apart from the river boats, trams and gondola. Spend afew days around Christchurch check out cathedral square and the gondola view point which is quality looking across the plains to the southern alps. Also make a visit to the Jade Stadium, Dillys Lions Tour Stadium number two which isnt very well signposted. City is nice in Autumn colours. Make way up the east coast and make a stop at Hamner Springs a great little placeset in mountains, forest and valleys. Go at night to the thermal spring baths where we can get a good wash and sneak into campsite, vacate early! Check out the surrounding valleys on quad bikes which is great stuff, although tracks along vertical drops is scary. Head on, stop at Kaikoura known for its wale population, on the east coast, but we only sea a load of seals just sitting on the rocks one big 'en literally jumping out at me from behind a hedge, a surreal situartion as Nicky recalled the hopping beast nearly "running me over'. Camp up at in a car park where we park up about 5 meters from a railway track (not known at that time) and a awoken to the sound of loud thunder, peering out the curtains to see a the train speeding by and shaking the townace up. Head on towards Picton and make 2nd pit stop just to get two new tyres. Pick up the next ferry back to Wellington and the north Island.