January 25, 2016

Alrighty –I still have some of my favorite places coming up! Before leaving Nelson, we did a brewery tour around Nelson up through Golden Bay. It would have been rude not to after doing the winery tour the day prior. After Nelson we continued onward through Golden Bay towards Able Tasman National Park along top of the South Island. At this point last November, Brittany and I had only been on the road for about two weeks. We still slept only on our sleeping bags as cushion from the ground. After a month or so, I realized a blow up mattress was only about $16.00 so I grabbed one. Best decision ever. Luckily Warehouse, the Kiwi Walmart equivalent, will take anything back. Whenever it pops I take it back and swap it for a new one. We’ve done this for our tent too!

Leaving Nelson, we continued onward through Golden Bay going in and out of the tiny towns along the coast. There were lots of tie died everything as it tends to be the “hippie” area of New Zealand. You can tell, it’s definitely relaxed and care-free. We finally reached the famous Able Tasman National Park. This is one of New Zealand’s famous National Parks consisting of one of the “Great Walks.” It is a multi day hike throughout the national park. Unfortunately, Brittany had a flight out of Wellington a few days later so we were unable to do the hike. Emma and Marsha did however a few days later after we left. We made the best of our time and did some day hikes of instead.

Able Tasman National Park is lined with colorful sandy beaches and impressively blue water. We camped in the center of the park next to this gigantic hole in the ground where people can go cave dwelling. The night we arrived it was dark so we camped nearby and did the hike to the massive abyss come morning. On a side note, that morning consisted of those huge, massive bumble bees pestering us as we cooked breakfast. I told the girls that they were harmless and don’t tend to sting. Moments after the words came out of my mouth the bastard came up and stung me on my stomach for no reason! I didn’t see that one coming.

The big hole in the ground, was well, a big hole in the ground. You couldn’t really look too far over the ledge but we managed to get a couple peeks in before my fear of heights kicked in! Later that day we drove to some beaches. You can see that by the hoodie I am wearing it wasn’t quite yet warm enough to properly enjoy the beach. It was still nice though. This was in November and still technically Spring!

The park itself has most of its best points only accessible by the overnight hikes. There is a lot we didn’t get to see this time. I definitely would consider going back through when I eventually make my way back to Queenstown!

After this was the Farewell Spit, but I’ll save that for later!

Previous Posts of the New Zealand Road Trip:

Fox and Franz Joseph Glacier:

https://ontheloosejuice.com/2016/01/16/fox-and-franz-joseph-glacier/

Hokitika, Arthurs Pass & Christchurch
https://ontheloosejuice.com/2016/01/24/hokitika-arthurs-pass-christchurch/

Kaikoura & Nelson:

https://ontheloosejuice.com/2016/01/24/kaikoura-nelson/

Able Tasman on the way to the hole – I should look up the name really to be honest.

The girls getting way up to the sink hole.

THIS – I was able to get this shot only bc I had my camera on a tripod – I set up a self timer and hung the camera over the ledge.

It’s hard to get Brittany to smile for a pic – Any time I do, I consider it a succes.. Even if my face is blurry.

Yep.

Able Tasman National Park

Able Tasman National Park

Brit being emo.

Doing the HAKA! or something else.

I wanted to get on that boat.

Able Tasman National Park.