Day 3
150km
Christchurch - Arthur's Pass
I can say this was the first day of our holidays.
While the past two were about the settling of administrative details, this was the first where we set off on our road trip. We packed our stuff in a rush as the check out time was 10.00AM (as was the same for most of the other motels in NZ) and enthusiastically set off in the direction of Arthur's Pass. We decided that the ideal seat configuration was for my kids to flank my wife at the back seats while the front left seat was for the jackets and groceries. Somehow, this became the default seating all through our entire road trip.
The way there was filled with a few firsts.
Road Tip 1
We came across our first one-lane bridge which thankfully was empty on the other side so we passed through smoothly. I did not see the road signage but realized in subsequent signs through our journey that it indicates which side should stop first.
Road Tip 2
We came through our first railroad crossing. The lights were twinkling red so to err on the side of caution, I stopped. A train immediately ran past. I was a little taken aback as I half wanted to go through due to my inexperience with NZ railroad crossings as I was not exactly sure at that moment if the flashing was to tell me to stop or to go through. The lesson is if you are not sure, just stop. Better safe than sorry.
We made 2 stops along the way to stretch our legs and soak in the fresh mountain air. Arthur's Pass temperature was around 9 to 13 degrees Celsius and it showed. We had to take out our winter jackets each time we got out of the car 'cos it was that cold.
As we were reaching Arthur's Pass, all we could do was marvel at the breathtaking landscapes around Bealey and Waimakariri River.
We reached our next motel, the Arthur's Pass Alpine Motel (click here for our experience), around 2.20PM where we were to stay for 2 nights. After an investigation of the premises by our kids, my wife prepared a late lunch after which we headed out to check out the...
Arthur's Pass Walking Track (Place To Visit - Free)
This is where the Devil's Punchbowl waterfall was located. We met a nice Singaporean auntie on the way who made good friends with my son especially. T'was nice to see a Singaporean so far away from home :)
Wobbly Kea (Restaurant)
After a good 1.5 hour walk, we headed to the Wobbly Kea. Now in Arthur's Pass, there are like 3 restaurants (I kid you not) of which the Wobbly Kea was one. It was cozy spot with a fireplace, especially with the chilly outside. We gobbled down some hot chocolates and did a takeaway of their fish n chips for our dinner back at the motel.
Day 4
Today, we travelled within the Arthur's Pass town area.
Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre (Place to Visit - Free)
We thought the Visitor Centre would be a good place to start. It indeed was as we could get some info on the background of the location and how and why the Otira Viaduct (which we were to see tomorrow) was built.
Waimakariri Bridge (Place to Visit - Free) We then headed to the Waimakariri Bridge where there was a stone structure confirming we were at Arthur's Pass National Park. We took some mandatory photo shots with the absolutely stunning backdrops. I cannot emphasize this more.
Klondyke Corner (Place to Visit - Free)
On to Klondyke Corner, a camper van area with a track along a huge river. My kids enjoyed the breeze though my daughter was pretty frozen. She had a hands glued to her jacket pockets most of the time.
After lunch back at the motel, we headed to the Arthur's Pass Walking Track again to explore a different part of the terrain. This time, we walked up the hill along the Historic Walk after which my kids started to get tired so we proceeded back to the Wobbly Kea for food and then to our motel.
Day 5
An earthquake struck around midnight which we later found out to be the 7.8 Magnitude Kaikoura Earthquake. I detail this more in this post.
Today, we were headed to Punakaiki, famous for its Pancake Rocks attaction. We would stop midway at Greymouth for a grocery resupply.
We put the events of the previous night behind us but when checking out, the motel owner advised on the Kaikoura road conditions should we venture there.
Otira Viaduct Lookout (Place to Visit - Free)
The first part of our drive was very scenic. Joining the tourist trail, we stopped at the Otira Viaduct Lookout in very misty conditions for a few shots.
Otira Gorge Road Scenic Lookout (Place to Visit - Free)
There was a clearer Scenic Lookout of the Otira Gorge Road further down where we could view a waterfalls and a tunnel. At the same place, my kids got to play with some friendly keas, some birds that obviously were very much attuned to tourists that would feed them.
There was not much telco network coverage but we there were a few miscalls. We later found out through an email from the Singapore Embassy in Wellington that they had been trying to contact us to make sure everyone was ok following the earthquake. It was a nice and reassuring gesture to know that folks are looking out for us. That said, it does make sense to register with your own country to indicate you will be overseas just in case of any incidents such as this.
150km
Christchurch - Arthur's Pass
I can say this was the first day of our holidays.
While the past two were about the settling of administrative details, this was the first where we set off on our road trip. We packed our stuff in a rush as the check out time was 10.00AM (as was the same for most of the other motels in NZ) and enthusiastically set off in the direction of Arthur's Pass. We decided that the ideal seat configuration was for my kids to flank my wife at the back seats while the front left seat was for the jackets and groceries. Somehow, this became the default seating all through our entire road trip.
The way there was filled with a few firsts.
Road Tip 1
We came across our first one-lane bridge which thankfully was empty on the other side so we passed through smoothly. I did not see the road signage but realized in subsequent signs through our journey that it indicates which side should stop first.
Road Tip 2
We came through our first railroad crossing. The lights were twinkling red so to err on the side of caution, I stopped. A train immediately ran past. I was a little taken aback as I half wanted to go through due to my inexperience with NZ railroad crossings as I was not exactly sure at that moment if the flashing was to tell me to stop or to go through. The lesson is if you are not sure, just stop. Better safe than sorry.
We made 2 stops along the way to stretch our legs and soak in the fresh mountain air. Arthur's Pass temperature was around 9 to 13 degrees Celsius and it showed. We had to take out our winter jackets each time we got out of the car 'cos it was that cold.
As we were reaching Arthur's Pass, all we could do was marvel at the breathtaking landscapes around Bealey and Waimakariri River.
 |
| Arthur's Pass Alpine Motel |
We reached our next motel, the Arthur's Pass Alpine Motel (click here for our experience), around 2.20PM where we were to stay for 2 nights. After an investigation of the premises by our kids, my wife prepared a late lunch after which we headed out to check out the...
Arthur's Pass Walking Track (Place To Visit - Free)
This is where the Devil's Punchbowl waterfall was located. We met a nice Singaporean auntie on the way who made good friends with my son especially. T'was nice to see a Singaporean so far away from home :)
 |
| Devil's Punchbowl waterfall, Arthur's Pass |
Wobbly Kea (Restaurant)
After a good 1.5 hour walk, we headed to the Wobbly Kea. Now in Arthur's Pass, there are like 3 restaurants (I kid you not) of which the Wobbly Kea was one. It was cozy spot with a fireplace, especially with the chilly outside. We gobbled down some hot chocolates and did a takeaway of their fish n chips for our dinner back at the motel.
Day 4
Today, we travelled within the Arthur's Pass town area.
Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre (Place to Visit - Free)
We thought the Visitor Centre would be a good place to start. It indeed was as we could get some info on the background of the location and how and why the Otira Viaduct (which we were to see tomorrow) was built.
Waimakariri Bridge (Place to Visit - Free) We then headed to the Waimakariri Bridge where there was a stone structure confirming we were at Arthur's Pass National Park. We took some mandatory photo shots with the absolutely stunning backdrops. I cannot emphasize this more.
Klondyke Corner (Place to Visit - Free)
On to Klondyke Corner, a camper van area with a track along a huge river. My kids enjoyed the breeze though my daughter was pretty frozen. She had a hands glued to her jacket pockets most of the time.
After lunch back at the motel, we headed to the Arthur's Pass Walking Track again to explore a different part of the terrain. This time, we walked up the hill along the Historic Walk after which my kids started to get tired so we proceeded back to the Wobbly Kea for food and then to our motel.
Day 5
An earthquake struck around midnight which we later found out to be the 7.8 Magnitude Kaikoura Earthquake. I detail this more in this post.
Today, we were headed to Punakaiki, famous for its Pancake Rocks attaction. We would stop midway at Greymouth for a grocery resupply.
We put the events of the previous night behind us but when checking out, the motel owner advised on the Kaikoura road conditions should we venture there.
Otira Viaduct Lookout (Place to Visit - Free)
The first part of our drive was very scenic. Joining the tourist trail, we stopped at the Otira Viaduct Lookout in very misty conditions for a few shots.
Otira Gorge Road Scenic Lookout (Place to Visit - Free)
There was a clearer Scenic Lookout of the Otira Gorge Road further down where we could view a waterfalls and a tunnel. At the same place, my kids got to play with some friendly keas, some birds that obviously were very much attuned to tourists that would feed them.
There was not much telco network coverage but we there were a few miscalls. We later found out through an email from the Singapore Embassy in Wellington that they had been trying to contact us to make sure everyone was ok following the earthquake. It was a nice and reassuring gesture to know that folks are looking out for us. That said, it does make sense to register with your own country to indicate you will be overseas just in case of any incidents such as this.
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