Te Anau — 3rd November.2025

 Big day today last night we took the chance re weather and booked the cruise out to the Doubtful Sound. Leaving at 10.30am  arriving back at 5.30pm. Way too tired by then to get my blog away last night after cooking dinner hence leaving it until the morning. We certainly made the right decision the weather was almost perfect just needed a little more sun. Even though we were told the chances out there with no rain is unusual. Everyone says always raining in the Fiords. Well we struck it lucky. We did have clouds but no rain. First of all we had an hours boat trip across Manapori Lake. Sun was shining. Then transferred to a bus.  There were three big buses to take everyone to the next boat.another hour on the bus driving through the Fiordland National Park which is the largest of the 13 National Parks in New Zealand. Unsealed road but very well maintained. A nice smooth ride. A few twists, steep climb to the top then descending down to the Patea Bay where we picked up our next boat in the Fiords. Then our trip started on our adventure in the Fiords. The Captain drove more or less straight out to the ocean giving us time to sit inside and enjoy our lunch.  A few little Islands out there with seals, penguins and birds. The boat went very close to these islands to see the wildlife up close. We spent about half an hour just idling close to the rocks. The swells  hit us as we got more into the open sea which was fun with the boat bouncing up and down. A few squeals outside on the  forward deck where I was standing most of the trip. Very windy had to hang on. PT stayed inside upstairs sitting behind the captain so he had a good view forward and stayed warm. Not me I had to feel the real thing. After that half hour out in the ocean we headed back darting in and out of a few of the Arms. And again the Captain got right up close to the sides of the mountains. We zig zagged more on the way back taking more time to get into and up close. Arrived back to catch our bus driving through the National Park again taking another hour back to the first boat waiting for us on Lake Manapori to take us back to the other side of the lake were were started our day.. Arriving back at 5.30pm. Huge day but so enjoyable so glad we did it and the sun shined over us more on the trip back in the Fiords. So lucky with the weather. The scenery seems a lot brighter when you are actually there.

Left Te Anau at 9.00am driving over to Lake Manapori to catch the 10.30am boat to do the Fiordland Cruise.

Arrive at Lake Manapouri looking over the lake.

We are about to board this boat to take us over to the Fiordland National Park to catch our bus. Forty five mins by boat.

Take a look at the wash behind us. Can you see the man’s face? Amazing.

Beautiful weather over the Lake.

Looking out front beside the captain. Next four photos crossing Lake Manapouri 

Our Captain, Stuart. 

Just arriving across the other side pulling in beside the power station to disembark. This is all we saw of the power station as it is all underground. PT would have loved to have had a  tour but they stopped those tours ten years ago. 

Disembarking onto the Fiordland National Park to catch our bus to drive for one hour over the park to get to Patea where we catch our next boat to go through the Fiords out to the ocean.

 

We had the front seat in the bus looking along the well maintained roads. Very smooth for being out in the middle of nowhere.

Now going over the top of the range. Long way down to sea level.

Looking down to Patea where we catch our next boat.

On the boat and now on our way up through the fiords out to the ocean. I am taking this photo standing up on the bow. Couldn’t stand back enough to get the whole boat in the picture.

Looking back going out to the ocean more or less straight while we have lunch on board. More time to site see on the way back. Didn’t post photos on the way out as they came out almost black and white as no sun and high hills must have taken all the light away. But fortunately it was much brighter coming back partly cloudy.

Hanging on tight going straight into the wind. Very hard moving around without falling over.

Now out in the ocean a few islands at the mouth of the fiords. Captain took us very close to this small rocky Island to spot the seals. There were a colony of them further down the rock but this big fellow was up the top looking down on us as though he was protecting all the others.

Out in the Ocean looking along the West Coast.

Same area as above.

When we were heading out to the ocean the swell was getting up hitting the front of the boat giving everyone on the bow a thrill including myself.

One off the small Islands at the mouth of the fiord. 

The captain went right up close to this island to spit the bird life. We hovered around there for about half an hour.

We have now turned round heading back to Patea. Cloud now lifting a bit with the sun peeping through making it brighter.

Pictures from here and below are self explanatory as we drive back through the fiord.

This is an over night cruise and fishing boat. Built in 1937. 

The end of a fantastic day and so lucky re the weather. As I’ve mentioned earlier, the locals tell us that it’s nearly always raining in the Fiordland’s. Hence the lack of rain over the last couple of days the waterfalls were flowing just a trickle. But I would rather have the sun and lack of rain. It was a lot of fun. Big day that’s why I didn’t get this blog away last night too exhausted hanging on the railings of the boat in the head on winds trying to take photos. We just relaxed today went out for coffee in Te Anau  and back to the motel  to write my blog. I haven’t posted photos of Te Anau yet will do that in tomorrows post . We leave Te Anau tomorrow after our three nights here. Didn’t get up to Milford Sound just too tired today for that long drive. But fortunately we did that some years ago.  😎

One night in Bluff tomorrow before we catch the 8am ferry to Stewart Island for 3 nights. 🤞🤞

Queenstown — to — Te Anau, 2nd November, 2025

 Woke up to overcast skies this morning after three perfect days. We left Queenstown heading for Te Anau. The weather was closing in and then the rain, which lasted for about quarter of our travelling time. Stopped off at Devils Staircase lookout towards the Southern end of Lake Wakatipu. And right at the bottom end of  the Lake was an another stop called Lake Wakatipu Lookout, beautiful spot full of motorhomes free camping. Situated on a small beach with views looking up the lake from the southern point. Unfortunately like Queenstown beach it was covered in tree debris from the storms that they have been having. A little further on we arrived at Kingston so stopped off  hoping to see the Kingston Flyer Steam train. Couldn’t believe our luck it was sitting there getting all steamed up ready to leave. It only runs twice a week on a Sunday at 10.00am and around 2.00pm not sure of exact time. So we waited until it left getting photos and a video when it was leaving. Got back on the road again and further down turned of towards Mossburn and stopped for coffee and a bit to eat for lunch. Continuing on heading towards Te Anau. We were going to arrive about 12.30pm so rang through to our motel to ask if there was a chance to check in early. Usual check in times are usually 2.00pm. Always worth asking as our room was ready so it was a yes therefore worked out well for us. Unpacked then off to town to buy a few supplies for our dinners while we are here. Our room is large for a motel room snd beautifully decorated. Even though the motel looked older from the outside well presented inside. Had a quick look around the area then back to the motel for the rest of the afternoon. We have three nights here so that might slow us down. Maybe, but maybe not…….

As we were leaving Queenstown one last look down over the town as we passed through. See how the weather has closed in.

One last look at the Remarkables as we passed by still in  the shadow. The sun hadn’t come up over the top.

This is taken from Devils Staircase not sure what the name represented but we still stopped and took this photo. Still no sign of sun.

This is the little beach at Lake Wakatipu Lookout where all the motorhomes were free camping. I should have taken a photo of all the campers but didn’t think of that.There were well over 30 camper vans. 

Here she is, the famous Kingston Flyer Steam Train. She is a real beauty.

So lucky to be there before she left.

I love all this tussock grass. It reminds me of parts of the outback in Australia.

This farmer had all the logs stacked up after the cleanup with the  loss of so many trees in the storms.

Driving into Te Anau. Greeted us with a little sunshine after after all the rain we drove through today.

After the supermarket we drove back to our motel and took these few photos around town. Botton of the Main Street. Lake on the left.

A bit of snow up on the mountains

Looking down the other way.

Zooming in over the rooftops from our balcony

Very nice and modern all been done up inside. Lots of space.

Looking through to the kitchen.

Looking out from our balcony. Lovely well kept grounds.

Just planned a special day for tomorrow, watch this space.

Queenstown — 1st November 2025

 Another beautiful day in Queenstown. Didn’t rush this morning getting down to town about 9.00am. Spent two hours wandering around the shoreline and the Saturday Markets.Had a walk up through the gardens out to the point then back into town. Didn’t go up the chair lift as have done that a couple times before. Although it would have been a beaut day for it. Went back to the car and drove out to Lake Hayes. Cracker of a day, lovely reflections on the lake. Had a good wander in the area then had a bit to eat before  dropping off to watch the Jet Boats on the River which was only a km from where we are staying which is a little out of town. Then  back in camp about 2.30pm. Just relaxing for the rest of the afternoon working on the blog.

EARNSLAW 

Our first stop downtown Queenstown to see the Earnslaw before she left the docks.

Enjoying watching the boats

Saturday markets not too busy this time of morning.

What a mess on the lake foreshore after all the storms they have had. I thought that they would have had a clean up by now but no, it’s massive, everywhere round the shores and some floating out into the lake. It’s hard to understand where they would start. So much tree debris. 

I was just too late to get round the front of the boat to get a photo straight on. As the owner of the boat was driving in to the mooring, his dog was sitting up leaning against him looking very proud. Would have made a good picture looking straight onto to him.

Made another new friend.

Looking from the beach down to the far end of the lake

This piece of art was for sale would have loved to bring it home for Tayla but too big to bring home. Sorry Tayla.

Looking from the beach over to the point where we walked to and back.

This fellow was in the gardens.

Looking over to the Earnslaw from the other the side of the lake on our walk out to the point, through the gardens.

The gardens

How about this. Tight squeeze for the tree.

Still walking through the gardens.  

Beautiful display of big red tulips

Still on the other side walking back from the point

And again 

Looking across to the beach area in town.

Earnslaw reversing out from the docks going on her first voyage for the day.

We drove out to Lake Hayes about 10km out of town. At the bottom end of the lake 

Half way back found this viewing area.

Looking back to the bottom end.

Back out on the main road taken from a viewing point still at lake Hayes. Above and below.

From the above area turned round and saw this quaint place nestled up on the side of the hill. Pretty garden great position looking across the road right down lake Hayes.

Picked up a burger for lunch and sat down here at the marina and enjoyed the outlook over the Remarkables up in the Frankland  end of Lake Wakatipu.

Further along the marina.

A quick shot of the Remarkables as we were driving along no place to stop. I hope to get a better picture tomorrow  morning  as we leave town.

On our way back to camp we stopped for a few minutes to watch the Shot Over Jets performing.

We didn’t go on these rides as we have been on them before. That’s the trouble returning to places you have already been too.

Another great day with the weather. We are off to Te Anau tomorrow for Three nights. Could be some rain tomorrow 😩