As we write, we are sitting in the lounge at Melbourne airport, waiting for the return flights to Stockholm via Singapore & Frankfurt.

From Port Campbell we drove along the coast line and visited a number of the beautiful natural attractions, such as The 12 Apostles (now only 8 due to erosion),

London Bridge,

and some lovely (deserted) beaches and coves.

We finished our trip along the Great Ocean Road at Warrnambool and then drove back to Melbourne on the inland road.

Now for the long journey home.

Thats all folks...........

After a short flight across the Tasman Sea we arrived safely in Melbourne.  There we met up with Peter and Sandy at their house, had a wonderful barbie and then drove to their beach house on the Mornington Peninsula.

The next day they showed us the local coves and beaches.

 

On Sunday we took the car ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff on our way to Ocean Grove where Sandy's sister Kaye very kindly offered to put us up for the night in her house on the banks of the Barwon River. 

The next day we started our journey down the Great Ocean Road.

We went to the Erskine falls,

saw some wonderful sea views around Lorne,

climbed up into the tree tops, on the Otway Skywalk.

We rounded off the day, spotting Koalas at Kennett River.

Now we have driven along the coast to Port Campbell, and started to explore,

and managed to spot an echidna at Loch Ard on the way back to the hotel.

Kia ora!

We drove round from Nelson via Blenheim to Kaikoura.  We got up very early to take the first boat trip out to see the whales, check-in at 06:15, in an attempt to get the calmest seas.

Unfortunately, it was still very lumpy but we were extremely fortunate to see 3 sperm whales within the 1 hour.  It was an amazing experience.

.

We continued the day by walking the cliffs and rounded it off with a take-away crayfish/lobster from the open-air Seafood BBQ on the side of the road on the way home, and saw more seals.

From Kaikoura we then drove to Hanmer Springs.  Took a steep walk up to a waterfall, high in the hills, up in the mist.

Next day we came full circle back to Christchurch and took a trip on the Gondola.

Goodbye to New Zealand.  Hello Melbourne.

Hello there.

Before leaving Hokitika , after sundown, we crossed the road from our hotel to a small dell where we had the pleasure of seeing hundreds of glow worms in the dark doing their thing.

Next morning the journey continued.

We drove along the coast to the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki.

Then spent the rest of the day at Westport where we visited the Tauranga Bay Seal Colony, NZ's most northernly breeding colony of fur seals.

We also took a long walk along the coast line to a good restaurant and then of course the long walk back to the hotel.

  

Today we have just driven up to Nelson.  Along the way we happened upon some old cars.

Hi

After leaving Te Anau, we had a relatively short journey to Wanaka, and tried to walk off some of that good New Zealand food & wine in the hills.

 

Thursday afternoon we watched a group of dolphins playing in Jackson bay and went for a tramp in the rain forest, hot & tiring !!!

Spent the day driving up from Haast, visiting the Fox & Franz Josef glaciers on the way.

Now we are in Hokitika, relaxing with a beer in our log cabin, 50m from the beach, listening to the surf, absolutely fab!! Does it get any better than this ?

The trip up from Invercargill to Te Anau was a complete wash out, torrential rain and howling gales the whole day.

But on the positive side we managed to get the washing and ironing up to date and found an excellent restaurant for dinner.

This morning we woke up to a fantastic sunny day (lucky!) for our trip to Milford Sound.

The rain had washed all the Australian bush fire dust away.

We went with a small company called Trips & Tramps who provided a minibus and personal guide to The Sound, cruise and lunch.  On the way there we saw a rare Kea Mountain Parrot.

We could not have hoped for better weather, Milford Sound was looking it's best and we even saw some dolphins.

To top it all, we took a helicopter flight part way back to Te Anau over the peaks, landing on a glacier.

As the locals say "Awesome".

We had a wonderful evening in the Park, finishing with the William Tell Overture to a backdrop of fireworks.

Tonight we have arrived in Invercargill.  On the way down the coast we have seen lots of different animals, blue and rare yellow-eyed penguins, seals, royal albarosses, etc. 

The coastline has been spectacular and we have had time to take many clifftop walks.  Amongst other things seen a petrified jurassic forest and the Moeraki Boulders.  

We managed to get to the southern most point of the South Island, so from here on in we only travel north!

How ya doin?

We have arrived in Christchurch, NZ.  Not so warm here but still a pleasant 20 degrees. 

We are staying in a hotel called Chateau on the Park and walk across Hagley Park daily to get to the town centre, crossing over the River Avon where you can go punting, if one so desires.

We have travelled around the town on the electric tram service, dating from the 1800s and walked through the beautiful botanical gardens filled with colourful flowerbeds and big old trees.

We have tasted some wonderful food, good beers and plenty of wines.  The Twisted Hop can be recommended both for their own brewed beers, ciders and the food.

Today we drove around Akaroa (small township of French origin) and the surrounding bays, approximately 80 kms from Christchurch.  We followed the Summit Road on the way there and experienced some interesting steep gravel roads on the way home! Both routes provided us with one breathtaking view after another.

Now were are just about to go into Hagley Park, where nearly 150,000 New Zealanders are gathering for a free open air concert  and firework display called "Classical Sparks" hosted by Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, to mark the ending of summer!!  Doesn't time fly when you are having fun?

Still hot and sunny.  Wandered through the market at the Rocks and then spent some of the day walking around Sydney Botanical Gardens, looking at the birds.

Another day, another market, this time Paddy's.  Continued through the city and up the Sky Tower to see the view.

We then ended the day watching the fireworks in Darling Harbour, celebrating the Chinese New Year with hundreds of others.

Next day, a quick ferry ride to Taronga Zoo and saw some of the local animals, such as koalas, kangaroos, etc.

Goodbye Sydney, hello Christchurch........

G'day!

After 1 car journey, 3 flights and a taxi totalling approx. 26 hours we eventually arrived on Wednesday evening in Sydney.  A welcoming 24 degrees.  

We have started with the obvious tourist attractions by walking over the Harbour Bridge.  

Then on to the Australian Hotel for the first beer of the holiday. 

Took the ferry to Manly Beach and enjoyed a pleasant lunch overlooking the harbour.  Walked the length of the beach, watching the surfers and dolphins ride the waves.

Nice surprise with the morning cappuccino.

No visit would be complete without the Opera House!

Cooled off at the Sydney Aquarium and wetted our whistles at Darling Harbour (which we can see from our hotel, 26th floor), now only 29 degrees.......

Only a couple of days left to go.

This is how Sweden has looked over the last couple of days, whilst we have been making the final arrangements for the trip.  Reading guides, packing cases, etc., etc.

The Planning Phase

18 days and counting until we set off to the airport, can't wait.