Set Off from Christchurch to Timaru and Omaru (Day 2)

In the morning after we checked out from the hostel we stayed in Christchurch, we're fresh and excited again to continue our driving journey down to Timaru. In the middle of the journey, we stopped the car at the roadside when we saw some nice views and wanted to take some photos. It's true that I was same as my friend, we liked to take as many photos as possible ;P

In Maori language, Timaru may mean ‘Place of Shelter’ – Te Maru. Timaru is a township belongs to Canterbury Region in South Island and it could be reached through driving along the State Highway 1 from Christchurch. The distance between Christchurch and Timaru is 163km and it takes about 2 1/3 hours.



Timaru downtown


We arrived in Timaru a little earlier than afternoon, so we drove through the town before we got to a cafe for our lunch. That day was 19th May and it’s my birthday as well, I still remember that I had lasagna and milk shake as my birthday lunch with Yen :)

After the lunch, Yen and I had a casual window shopping in downtown, had a nature walk in open parks and also visited the churches as well as premises with beautiful architecture. 

I-site building and the sculpture of Captain Henry Cain in front of the buiding



Steak @ Custom House(Old Customs House) at Strathallan St

St Mary's Anglican Church at Church St

Chalmers Presbyterian Church at Elizaberth St

A relaxing public park for nature walk

Railway across Timaru on the coastline

Timaru was quiet during our visit and I still recall it’s a weekday. We didn't stay overnight in the town as we thought it’s enough for a day walk. Therefore, I continued to drive to the next town Oamaru before the sky was dark.

Owing to late autumn, the day was getting dark really soon. Moreover, the weather was pretty cold. In the halfway of the road journey, I could hardly judge the distance between cars and drive properly due to the fog. All I could do was just followed the rear lights of the car in front and drove slowly. I actually almost couldn't see anything else outside the car except the heavy mist and I told my friend in joke that we as if somewhere in the heaven, lol!

It usually takes 1 hour and 5 minute drive from Timaru to Oamaru. Due to the bad driving condition that we faced on the day, we actually took more than that. It's already dark when we arrived in Oamaru and nothing much we could visit at that night. Still, we noticed that a friend of ours is also traveling and she’s in Oamaru too. Hence, we joined her for couple of hours in the hostel she’s staying. The hostel seemed like a nice accomodation. Anyhow, Yen and I didn't sleep in the hostel at that night as we wanted an attempt to sleep in the vehicle as some other backpackers did. To be frank, it's not really comfortable for us to sleep in the car mainly because the weather during autumn was extremely cold throughout the night
:(

Hit the Road to Kaikoura and Christchurch from Picton (Day 1)

Leaving from Picton, I drove the car along East Coast on the State Highway 1(SH1) to Kaikoura. In fact, Kaikoura is a small town with the population not more than 5000 residents. It’s a beautiful place lies on the East Coast of South Island with the combination of ocean and mountains. Derived from Maori word, Kaikoura is a name means ‘meal of crayfish’, so I guess it has the possibility of having abundant of this seafood?!

Kaikoura Town and mountains could be seen from the town

One of the greatest activities for visitors to Kaikoura is swim with the dolphins

Remarkable river view with mountains

Trees planted along the seaside and created a great environment for nature walk

Amazing mountains & ocean view in the late afternoon

Kaikoura is rich with nature and marine life. It’s certainly a popular destination for whale (mainly Sperm Whales) watching and dolphin swimming. However they’re not in our must-do list, so Yen and I only stopped off the town area in the late afternoon before continue the driving to Christchurch.

11 Day South Island Itinerary Planning

About 2 months staying and working in Nelson, I saved some money and decided to leave earlier than the packing season end. I knew I would attain a decent bonus like everyone else if I worked pending the season end, but I didn't care too much. I just wanted to travel with my friend Yen before winter came and we planned on taking 11 days for a trip to visit certain parts of South Island.


My planned itinerary:

Picton - Kaikoura – Christchurch – Timaru – Oamaru – Dunedin – Wanaka - Queenstown – Mountain Cook - Arrowtown – Lake Tekapo - Christchurch


We had booked a car from Ace Rental Cars in Picton. Consequently, we left Nelson to Picton by bus and picked up the car on the same first day of our trip. We also planned to return the car in Christchurch. I guess the cost for car rentals in New Zealand is relatively cheaper than in Australia. However, be careful when dealing with the car rentals company. I had an unpleasant experience in this matter as the authority person charged us more than what we were told over the phone. I did not want to affect my plan, so I still paid her after a negotiation.

This was the car we rented for traveling South Island

Centre of New Zealand

If you are in Nelson and look for recreation, let's have a walk to Nelson Botanical Hill, which is well known as Centre of New Zealand. It will take you up to an hour to reach the Centre of NZ. When you are there, don't forget to enjoy the panoramic views, take some pictures and take some deep breaths as well. I'm sure you'll be amazed by the fresh air surrounded. If you are curious about why the place was being named as 'The Centre of New Zealand', then you may refer to this website http://www.nelsoncitycouncil.co.nz/centre-of-nz/

Views from the Centre of New Zealand...

WOW (World of Wearable Art & Classic Car Museum)

Nelson is well-known for its ingenuity in arts and crafts.

Of course, Nelson is not merely about beach. There are many other great places worth your visits and one of them is the WOW - World of Wearable Art & Classic Cars Museum. The admission to this museum is not free, my friends and I paid $18 each for the visit during one weekend.

Wearable Art Gallery and Classic Car Gallery are the highlights of the museum. Besides, there’re a shop, art gallery and café for patrons to visit. No admission fee charged if you merely visit these 3 parts without entering both main galleries.

Sorry that no photos are allowed to be taken from the Wearable Art Gallery, so I have nothing to show. Notwithstanding, I took very many photos from the Classic Car Gallery. There're over 50 classic motorbikes and cars displayed in the museum, it's really a car gallery like no other!

Anyway, I think I have uploaded quite a few photos here. So, even if you don't feel like spend money to visit the museum, at least you still have explored something from here :)

WOW Museum

Location: 95 Quarantine Road, Annesbrook, Nelson, NZ  

Phone: +64 (3) 5474573

Website: www.wowcars.co.nz

WOW opens every day (except Christmas) from 10am – 5pm.

It's approximately 10 minute drive from Nelson City en-route to Abel Tasman National Park and 2 minutes from Nelson Airport. We went there by one of my friend's car. However, there's public bus service available.

Beautiful Beach Life (Part II)

Looking back at these photos, it was really nice when we stayed near to the beach. We were so relax and enjoyed our time at the beach, even though sometimes just had a short walk on weekends. I do miss the moment.