We traveled inland heading for Motueka, then on to Picton in the Marlborough area continuing on back down the east coast to Christchurch.

On the way, we spotted a retro RV, some dubious accommodation and some attractive scenery.

Our next stop was an Airbnb situated on a hill outside Motueka, adjacent to the Abel Tasman National Park looking out onto the Tasman Bay. The house is in an eco-village, obtaining hydro power from water flowing down the hill.

Views from the house

We drove up the coast to Golden Bay

and the start of the spit crowning the island seeing numerous geese and surprisingly, black swans cruising the calm waters.

Split Apple Rock, a giant granite stone cleaved in half.

The Motueka morning market was on. A private show:

A Rusty ship in Tasman Bay built in 1901 (the Janie Seddon) was the last surviving military ship to have served in both World Wars.

We explored the area including venturing towards Nelson

Our next stop was Picton in the Marlborough Sounds, taking the inland route and stopping off at Lake Rotoiti.

Picton is the South Island base for the ferry service that sails to Wellington capital of NZ on the north Island.

The Marlborough area is also New Zealand’s primary wine producing area. While exploring we also discovered an aircraft museum where a DC3, also known as a Dakota, was parked.

The Marlborough area consists of inland hills and valleys and inlets and the winding coast lines of the drowned valleys of the Marlborough Sound

From Picton we set out for Hamner Springs north east of Christchurch stopping off at a saltworks and Nin's bin.

then onto Christchurch for a long weekend house sit looking after two cats, two dogs and some chickens:

Before flying out to Auckland we drove up the eastern link to Arthurs Pass, a photographic highlight for me. For those who know Middle Earth, you may recognise some of these pictures.