And the travelin' family are on the move again!
It's summer holidays and our beautiful island nation is beckoning to be discovered! One of the things that New Zealand is most famous for is it's spectacular scenery and just how accessible it is for people like us to get out and explore it. So we have decided to try our hand at tramping with the kids and exploring the top and west of New Zealand's South Island.
When we first came up with the idea of taking the kids to experience New Zealand's great hiking tracks I think most of my friends thought it was nuts. Four kids hiking mountain trails and through bush and rain forest, I must agree that is sounds like the ultimate recipe for a whine-fest.... But I had a cunning plan up my sleeve.... instead of dropping them in the deep end of "tramping" (definition for you non kiwi's out there, being a multi day hiking or bush walking) we decided to introduce them to "glamping" on the world famous Queen Charlotte Track. (Definition: glamorous tramping.) Many weeks went into the planning to be sure we knew what we were getting into, and to get the kids really sold on the idea. We even had "practice tramps" up and around the Mount where we live.
So with hiking boots, camelbacks and loads of bug repellent we eagerly arrived into the little town of Picton at the top of the South Island. This cute little town has grown up as the port that the Cook Strait ferry docks into, you can drive onto the ferry in Wellington and in three hours drive off into the South Island. And many adventure seeking tourists take this route on their "100% Pure New Zealand" experience. (Trademark NZ government marketing campaign, cause let's be honest, New Zealand is not really all that clean and green, there just aren't as many people to pollute it!)
We are super lucky on the weather. It is a sparkling day and the forecast is looking good for the next three days, fingers crossed it stays that. Our camp ground is filled with RV's, cabins and tents with quite a range of different people - Kiwi, German, French and British - couples and families alike all keen to see this beautiful land and enjoy the height of summer.
It's just an overnight stop for us though. Tomorrow we are catching the 9:30 am water taxi to the start of the trail. Not too early, all part of our "glamping" experience.
It's summer holidays and our beautiful island nation is beckoning to be discovered! One of the things that New Zealand is most famous for is it's spectacular scenery and just how accessible it is for people like us to get out and explore it. So we have decided to try our hand at tramping with the kids and exploring the top and west of New Zealand's South Island.
When we first came up with the idea of taking the kids to experience New Zealand's great hiking tracks I think most of my friends thought it was nuts. Four kids hiking mountain trails and through bush and rain forest, I must agree that is sounds like the ultimate recipe for a whine-fest.... But I had a cunning plan up my sleeve.... instead of dropping them in the deep end of "tramping" (definition for you non kiwi's out there, being a multi day hiking or bush walking) we decided to introduce them to "glamping" on the world famous Queen Charlotte Track. (Definition: glamorous tramping.) Many weeks went into the planning to be sure we knew what we were getting into, and to get the kids really sold on the idea. We even had "practice tramps" up and around the Mount where we live.
So with hiking boots, camelbacks and loads of bug repellent we eagerly arrived into the little town of Picton at the top of the South Island. This cute little town has grown up as the port that the Cook Strait ferry docks into, you can drive onto the ferry in Wellington and in three hours drive off into the South Island. And many adventure seeking tourists take this route on their "100% Pure New Zealand" experience. (Trademark NZ government marketing campaign, cause let's be honest, New Zealand is not really all that clean and green, there just aren't as many people to pollute it!)
We are super lucky on the weather. It is a sparkling day and the forecast is looking good for the next three days, fingers crossed it stays that. Our camp ground is filled with RV's, cabins and tents with quite a range of different people - Kiwi, German, French and British - couples and families alike all keen to see this beautiful land and enjoy the height of summer.
It's just an overnight stop for us though. Tomorrow we are catching the 9:30 am water taxi to the start of the trail. Not too early, all part of our "glamping" experience.
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