New Zealand, South Island, Picton and Able Tasman / Jan 15 - 18

We left Wellington by ferry to the South Island.

The roads on the south island are much more 'interesting'

We're staying near Kaiteriteri which is just on the edge of Able Tasman National Park.  Able Tasman is the smallest but most highly used of New Zealand's parks.  The iconic landmark is Split Apple rock.

The park's big feature is a coastal walk which takes 3 to 4 days.  If you don't have that much time, many water taxis can take you to points along the coast.

We opted for a shorter 5 hours hike, where the water taxi took us up the coast and we walked back south.

The shoreline is beautiful

And the track is too

With narrow passages

And swing bridges

Although the track can be a little suspect

Even though this is the high season at the busiest park, there are very few people around

Back at our the B&B the tide is out

A 'fishy' mail box

The next day, we take a little drive to the northern tip of the south island.  The road crosses a few mountain ranges with stunning vistas.

Alpine valleys

Funky stores

We finally made it to leeward side of Farewell Spit

A country road takes us across the spit

To the open ocean

The hike back takes us through a farm with curious locals

A narrow cow path

takes us to another lonely but lovely beach

Back on the road: next time you need to cut down a tree...

Last day in Abel Tasman, a happy kayaker.