fiddlerkrt

Thank-you for putting the effort into this trip report, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Your photos of Australia are impressive but those from New Zealand are truly breath-taking!

You didn't seem to have much luck with your flights. None of them were anything to write home about!

gstork

Wow, simply sensational photos of NZ! It was high on my list before reading your report, but now it's at the top. In fact, I may have to swap a couple of trips already booked around so I can get there sooner.

Thanks for taking the time to share so many helpful details.

worldiswide

Fell in love with something or someone there? The place keeps calling you back again and again. I love the term plotting your return .. I completely understand. . Returning again in February.

essjay2009

Thanks. I like to keep housekeeping in a job We also tend to pack in such a fashion that requires every single item to be removed and strewn across the floor before you locate the item you actually required. And because I'm still a TR newb, it didn't occur to me to take the photos before.

Odd. I definitely wasn't charged and it was pretty clear both on the handset itself and in the literature that accompanied it that local calls were free. And I did use it a couple of times without charge.

What's strange is that the meal in Thala Beach nature reserve was also interrupted by wildlife. The difference being that was an outside/inside venue and part of the charm. The Hotel in Yulara wasn't set up this way (there were restaurants on the property that were) and as such it came across really badly. It didn't help that the food was really pretty woeful. I was tempted to try and catch the mice and cook them instead but it was far too hot

The Bridge Walk was actually fine. You're tethered the entire time and move pretty slowly. Apart from one tight ladder there are also steps throughout. We were lucky though as the weather was perfect. I've seen photos of people up there in really bad weather, that would not be pleasant at all.

And yes, that's one of the oddest choices of decor I've ever seen, especially given all the warning of dangerous wild animals that greet you in the airport!

Thank you. The flights were more of a means then an end on this trip, especially with such short domestic hops. I do have a pretty spectacular video of taking off from Queenstown though that I'll have to post.

I'd definitely recommend New Zealand, it's an incredible place. Just be patient with the weather though as it's very changeable at all times of year (but especially on the shoulder seasons). It's also a bit like Iceland in that you see some truly amazing sights then drive ten minutes and see something even more amazing, and then drive ten more minutes and get blown away again, then drive ten more minutes... and you repeat this until you reach Milford Sound.

wanderer35

Nice pictures!

And this compliment is coming from one who is often asked to judge photo contests.

EK_Flyer

Brilliant Trip Report !

Excellent Pictures - Loved reading it all and seeing home through your eyes

Thanks & Cheers,

essjay2009

Thank you. I can only assume you're referring to the cheese and cracker photo!

cshel

Looked like a fantastic trip.

How was the drive between Queenstown and Milford Sound, pretty easy to navigate? Also did Hertz have an option for GPS?

essjay2009

It's not too bad. There's only about four turnings really. It's a long drive, and you couldn't round-trip it in a day. Be careful though, I got fined for speeding on that drive for doing 111kph in a 100kph area. In the UK, the police wouldn't bother you for that small an indiscretion so I was surprised to say the least. I would guess that they target the many tourists driving the route. The trip does take in a fair few different types of environment. There's some desert like areas, some towns, you drive along at least two lakes and once you go through the tunnel you're driving in mountains, so it's quite entertaining. You can fly from Queenstown if you're in a rush, and that can be done in a day.

Yes Hertz had a sat nav available to rent, which we had. We also had our phones, but there's little service.

When I Travel The World

Great trip report, great pictures and a great read. I miss living in Australia from reading this.