1 Year of New Zealand Selfies: March & April
For the next couple months I travel all over the place, just watching the kilometers on my car add up and up. My grandparents join me for 16 days of fun (but not 16 nights of hostels). Then, lo and behold, I have more visitors.
Then, you realize that I’ve lied to you and I argue that new-to-New-Zealand-Maddie didn’t know it was going to be a lie, but right-now-Maddie’s plans have changed. And here’s the lie: in April, I leave New Zealand and go to Australia.
*Note: For full stories about many of the regions, hikes, and activities featured in these selfies, you can click this link to view the complete list of Oceania Travel Entries.
**Final note: I decided it was too much scrolling to post 365 selfies on a single page, so you can access other months at the links below:
July & August
September & October
November & December
January & February
May & June
March 1
Nelson Lakes National Park: hiked the St Arnaud Range Track to Parachute Rocks and above for stunning views
March 2
Murchison: bummed around rainy Murchison and read some books
March 3
Nelson Lakes National Park: hiked an enchanting track along the lake to Whiskey Falls
March 4
Auckland: flew up to Auckland to meet my grandparents!
March 5
Auckland: visited Mt Eden and the wintergardens with my grandparents
March 6
Waiheke Island: took the ferry to Waiheke Island for wine and sunny weather
March 7
The Northern Explorer Train: took a train down the North Island from Auckland to Wellington
March 8
Kaikoura: took the ferry across the Strait, visited Andrew, got some wine, and headed to Kaikoura for dinner
March 9
Akaroa: explored Akaroa and the Giant’s House
March 10
Dunedin: drove to Dunedin and explored the town
March 11
Dunedin: visited Larnach Castle and Gardens for views of the Otago Peninsula
March 12
Milford Sound: drove into Milford for a boat cruise and hiked Lake Gunn Nature Walk
March 13
Queenstown: took a jet boat ride and enjoyed a walk around town in the sunshine
March 14
Queenstown: took the TSS Earnslaw Steamship to Walter Peak Station for a yummy dinner and sheep shearing show
March 15
Cromwell: tasted wine and walked along the river to the historic precinct
March 16
Cromwell: hiked the Bannockburn Sluicings Trail for wonderful views and lots of mining history
March 17
Lake Pukaki: drove from Cromwell to Mount Cook and hiked to Tasman Lake
March 18
Mount Cook National Park: took a scenic flight including glacier landing with my grandfather
March 19
Christchurch: arrived in Christchurch in time for a stroll around the Botanic Gardens
March 20
Christchurch: dropped my grandparents off at the Christchurch Airport 🙁
March 21
Peel Forest: hiked to Acland Falls and Emily Falls
March 22
Peel Forest: spent a day reading, writing, and catching up
March 23
Arthur’s Pass National Park: picked up Curve and Shelley at Christchurch Airport and hiked in Arthur’s Pass National Park
March 24
Fox Glacier Town: enjoyed an evening in Fox Glacier with partial glacier views and tiny wine glasses
March 25
Fantail Falls: drove from Fox Glacier to Queenstown with several scenic stops
March 26
Queenstown: enjoyed a day by myself and sought out Bluff Oysters, but wasn’t super impressed
March 27
Queenstown: I jumped off a bridge (with a bungy) and Shelley did too (but not Curve!)
March 28
Lake Pukaki: stopped at Lake Pukaki for delicious salmon sashimi
March 29
Kaikoura: stopped in Kaikoura for food and a beach walk to break up the drive
March 30
Blenheim: enjoyed a wonderfully personal tour at a vineyard, including a ride on a grape harvester
March 31
Travel Day: crossed the Cook Strait via ferry and drove to National Park
April 1
Tongariro National Park: hiked the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing and had a perfect day for it
April 2
Rotorua: visited Rotorua for geysers and a cultural performance, then soaked in Kerosene Creek, a natural hot spring with a waterfall!
April 3
Whiritoa: arrived at Jacky and Bruce’s home after a long day of driving
April 4
Whangamata: kayaked out to Whenuakura Island to go into the secret lagoon in the center
April 5
Whiritoa: enjoyed delicious Kiwi tucker (lamb, potatoes, pumpkin) and played cards
April 6
Auckland: said goodbye to Curve and Shelley and my car didn’t pass the Warrant of Fitness on the first go 🙁
April 7
Waitakere Ranges Regional Park: visited the Arataki Visitor Center and hiked the Nature Trail
April 8
Auckland: got my car repaired and received a new Warrant of Fitness for my car, so now it’s ready to sell!
April 9
Whatipu Beach: hiked part of the Omanawanui Track and meandered along Whatipu Beach
April 10
Huia: tried to sell the car but no immediate luck
April 11
New Lynn: met a buyer and sold my car–last photo with Little Suzi
April 12
Huia: did a little bit of sheep herding with my host
April 13
Huia: relaxed with a puzzle
April 14
Huia: enjoyed a nice, final visit with Jacky and Bruce
April 15
Auckland Airport: got on a flight and headed to Australia
April 16
Sydney: walked around Sydney and visited the Rocks, the Chinese Garden, and the Opera House
April 17
Sydney: went to North Sydney to explore more parks and views
April 18
Sydney: walked from South Head to Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach
April 19
Sydney: Julia arrived and we climbed the Harbour Bridge pylon and went to Manly
April 20
Blue Mountains National Park: explored Katoomba and hiked the Giant Stairway and Katoomba Falls
April 21
Blue Mountains National Park: hiked part of the Valley of the Waters Track, the Undercliff Track, and Wentworth Falls
April 22
Port Douglas: travel day from Katoomba to Port Douglas
April 23
Port Douglas: visited a wildlife park and did a half day snorkel trip at the Low Isles of the Great Barrier Reef
April 24
Daintree Rainforest: took a day trip to the Daintree Rainforest
April 25
Port Douglas: took a snorkel trip to Opal Reef, an outer reef of the Great Barrier Reef
April 26
Cairns: went on a canyoning trip to Behana Gorge
April 27
Ubud: arrived at my hostel in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
April 28
Ubud: went on a hostel tour to waterfalls and Tirta Empul water temple
April 29
Ubud: Walked through the Monkey Forest and took an aerial yoga class
April 30
Ubud: visited waterfalls, temples, and Ceking Rice Terraces
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