New Zealand South Island Road Trip

I don’t usually do road trips in foreign countries, but when I do, they apparently can look like this. (You can click on the photos — you’ll get a much bigger version if you do.)

Heading back to Christchurch

Heading back to Christchurch

In Mt. Cook NP

In Mt. Cook NP

Kea Point, Mueller Glacier Lake, and the Southern Alps

Kea Point, Mueller Glacier Lake, and the Southern Alps

Hooker River

Hooker River

Hooker River with Mt. Cook in the distance

Hooker River with Mt. Cook in the distance

Swing bridge heading toward Mt. Cook

Swing bridge heading toward Mt. Cook

Mueller Lake in Mt. Cook NP

Mueller Lake in Mt. Cook NP

Hooker River in Mt. Cook NP.

Hooker River in Mt. Cook NP.

Moeraki Boulders, made of naturally occurring cement for some reason.

Moeraki Boulders, made of naturally occurring cement for some reason.

Kiwi viewing station. There were no kiwis. Weren't even any New Zealanders.

Kiwi viewing station. There were no kiwis. Weren’t even any New Zealanders.

2014-12-23 at 22-04-13

South coast shoreline.

South coast shoreline.

2014-12-23 at 20-11-48

As far south as I've been in my life.

As far south as I’ve been in my life.

View from the southern tip.

View from the southern tip.

Lake Wakatipu (Queenstown)

Lake Wakatipu (Queenstown)

There are also cows in New Zealand.

There are also cows in New Zealand.

2014-12-21 at 23-45-32

Marian Creek, on the way to the lake.

Marian Creek, on the way to the lake.

Lake Marian in Fjordland NP

Lake Marian in Fjordland NP

Bowen Falls near the Milford Sound port.

Bowen Falls near the Milford Sound port.

Sunny day on Milford Sound, looking out from the port.

Sunny day on Milford Sound, looking out from the port.

Sterling Falls in Milford Sound

Sterling Falls in Milford Sound

First there would have to be a kea for me not to feed it.

First there would have to be a kea for me not to feed it.

Waiting to enter the Homer Tunnel on the way to Milford Sound

Waiting to enter the Homer Tunnel on the way to Milford Sound

Mirror Pond on the way to Milford Sound

Mirror Pond on the way to Milford Sound

Drive heading toward Milford Sound

Drive heading toward Milford Sound

2014-12-20 at 16-30-24

Sheep following other sheep. You might need to click on the photo to see the white sheep dots.

Sheep following other sheep. You might need to click on the photo to see the white sheep dots.

Matukituki sheep.

Matukituki sheep.

2014-12-19 at 17-39-06

A bridge over the Matukituki

A bridge over the Matukituki

Matukituki Valley

En route to Rob Roy Glacier

En route to Rob Roy Glacier

Rob Roy Stream; en route to Rob Roy Glacier.

Rob Roy Stream; en route to Rob Roy Glacier.

Waterfalls, peaks around Rob Roy Glacier in Mt. Aspiring NP.

Waterfalls, peaks around Rob Roy Glacier in Mt. Aspiring NP.

West Matukituki River

West Matukituki River

2014-12-18 at 18-51-44

Trail heading toward Franz Josef Glacier. Many unruly European tourists. Many.

Trail heading toward Franz Josef Glacier. Many unruly European tourists. Many.

Route back from Fox Glacier.

Route back from Fox Glacier.

Fish, chips. Ketchup and tartar sauce cost extra.

Fish, chips. Ketchup and tartar sauce cost extra.

Hokitika Gorge (, bridge over).

Hokitika Gorge (, bridge over).

Castle Hill, west of Christchurch. With lawnmower.

Castle Hill, west of Christchurch. With lawnmower.

Track heading toward Devil's Punchbowl in Arthur's Pass NP.

Track heading toward Devil’s Punchbowl in Arthur’s Pass NP.

So that was it then. Nine days I think? Close to that. We went counter-clockwise. Rained a lot. This was in December 2014. Just trying to keep the blog from getting lapped by a year.

bkd