We saved the northern section of the south island for last because we were scheduled to meet the ferry in Picton for the short ride across the Cook Strait to Wellington. This section of New Zealand did not disappoint with some spectacular sights for our last 2 weeks. First up was pretty Nelson Lakes National Park, where we visited the excellent DOC visitor center in St Arnaud and got the scoop on the hike up Mt Robert with fine views over Lake Rotoiti. Then it was a drive up to petite Kaiteriteri where we had a few excursions into Abel Tasman National Park (kayaking Kaiteriteri, Ngaio Island and Split Apple Rock, cruising to Adele Island and Anchorage for a hike out to Cleopatra’s Pool, checking out Tonga Island Marine Reserve, and hiking Tonga Quarry Beach to Bark Bay inlet). We also took some time to venture out to Takaka. Highlights near Takaka included the Te Waikoropupu Springs, the Pupu Hydro Walkway, the Grove scenic reserve (awesome, do not miss amazing limestone canyon walk), and Rawhiti Cave (worth the huff and puff to the top of the mountain…trust us!). From Abel Tasman, we drove towards Nelson where we checked out the Heritage Founders Park which was quite enjoyable. However, the real star of this area is undoubtedly the drive out to the French Pass. There are not enough superlatives to explain just how jaw droppingly gorgeous this drive was…two huge thumbs up!!! The remainder of our time was in Picton where we caught a tour of the Edwin Fox museum which is well worth a visit. Then it was onto the Interislander Ferry linking Picton to Wellington via the picturesque Marlborough Sounds. Goodbye beautiful South Island…thanks for the amazing memories!
Becky feeding a black swan; Lake Rotoroa
Frosty drive to Mount Robert
Fresh snow on ferns; Mount Robert
A beautiful sunrise as we start our hike up Mount Robert
Becky trudging up the steep snowy track leading to the peak of Mount Robert
View as we hike up Mount Robert
View as we hike up Mount Robert
Selfie on Mount Robert
Soaking up the amazing view; Mount Robert
Lake Rotoiti
Hungry pony
Enjoying our morning with Kaiteriteri Kayak
Kayaking to Split Apple Rock, the most photographed rock formation in Abel Tasman National Park
Stopping for morning tea; Split Apple Rock beach
Robby checking out the interesting caves of Split Apple Rock beach
Meg, Noah and Robby get ready to kayak again; Abel Tasman National Park
Smiling after our morning excursion with Kaiteriteri Kayak
Panorama of Adele Island
Emerald steam on our hike to Cleopatra’s Pool; Abel Tasman National Park
A persistent fantail begs for food
Cleopatra’s Pool
Bridge on our hike to Cleopatra's Pool; Abel Tasman
Rock formations on Anchorage Beach
Posing beneath a natural archway; Anchorage Beach
Blue starfish; Anchorage Beach
Red barn near Marble Hills Resort campsite; Marahau
Visiting Split Apple Rock with Wilsons Abel Tasman
Ngaio Island; Abel Tasman National Park
New Zealand fur seals at Adele Island
Robby enjoying our hike from Tonga Quarry to Bark Bay; Abel Tasman
Swing bridge; Bark Bay
Posing by the waterfall in Bark Bay; Abel Tasman
Low tide at Bark Bay Inlet
Tree fern; Abel Tasman National Park
Pine cones; Abel Tasman
New Zealand bell bird; Abel Tasman
Robby next to a Māori statue; Medlands Beach
Becky on the walkway to Te Waikoropupu Springs
Robby beside Te Waikoropupu Springs, the largest freshwater springs in the southern hemisphere
Pretty aqua hue of Te Waikoropupu Springs
Robby inside the Upper Bubu hut; Pupu Hydro Walkway
Narrow path at the Pupu Hydro Walkway
Limestone gully at Grove Scenic Reserve
Robby enjoying our short hike through the limestone gullies of Grove Scenic Reserve
Drive out to Rawhiti Cave
Curious calves check us out; Rawhiti Cave
Robby impressed with the phytokarst features of Rawhiti Cave
Scenic drive as we leave Abel Tasman National Park for Nelson
Spiral aloe vera plant; Christ Church Cathedral in Nelson
Ornamental Purple Cabbage Plant; Christ Church Cathedral garden in Nelson
Tula and Niles, one of the shops on Nelson's Antique Trail
Giant squid artwork; Nelson
Suter Art Gallery; Nelson
Colorful artwork; Founders Heritage Park in Nelson
Founders Heritage Park; Nelson
Old Fire Station; Founders Heritage Park
Becky standing beside a six-horse wagon linking Foxhill to Murchison
Robby next to a massive wagon wheel; Founders Heritage Park
A beautiful day to explore the Founders Heritage Park, a museum housing a collection of historical buildings in Nelson
Panorama of Founders Historical Park; Nelson
Mural on a public toilet enroute to Elaine Bay Campsite
View on our drive to Elaine Bay Campsite
Sunrise at Elaine Bay Campsite
Driving the French Pass road is a visual treat with amazing views such as this; Marlborough Sounds
As we drive further along on the gravel road, the view gets better and better; Marlborough Sounds
Spectacular location for a farm; Marlborough Sounds
We kept pinching ourselves to make sure we weren't dreaming up these phenomenal views on the drive out to the French Pass!
Stopping to check out the jaw dropping views; Marlborough Sounds
Even though we weren't technically supposed to drive our rental on a gravel road, we had to break the rules to check out the gorgeous Marlborough Sounds area!
Monument of Pelorus Jack, a Risso's dolphin famous for escorting ships through the treacherous Cook Strait
French Pass jetty
Māori carving; French Pass
More stunning views on our drive back from the French Pass
We picked a spectacular day to explore the French Pass with hardly any other vehicles in sight and phenomenal weather!
Cows begrudgingly allowing us to pass; Marlborough Sounds
View on the drive to Bulwer Bay; Marlborough Sounds
Pukeko mural
Robby petting a pony
Funky cow art
Animal mailboxes near Ohingaroa Bay
Rustic house with a fish mailbox
Visiting the Edwin Fox, the world's second oldest merchant sailing ship; Picton
Robby sitting in a bunk bed on the Edwin Fox
Interior hull view of the Edwin Fox
Copper plating visible on the exterior of the Edwin Fox, the only surviving ship that transported convicts to Australia
Shag sitting on the pier by the Edwin Fox Maritime Museum; Picton
A shag drying its wings; Picton
WWI memorial in Picton
View of Picton harbor
Cruising the Marlborough Sounds
Robby enjoying the scenic voyage between Picton and Wellington on the Interislander Ferry
Bidding goodbye to the South Island as we cruise to the North Island
