Date: 9th November 2024
Day 10: Waiting Out the Rain & Journey to Greymouth
total distance covered = 195 km; total time taken = 2 hr 36 mins
The rain didn’t stop, and unfortunately, we couldn’t see Fox Glacier. To make matters worse, the road to Greymouth was closed due to fallen trees and flooding.
The rain just wouldn’t let up, and with low visibility, we couldn’t see a thing. As if that wasn’t enough, the road to Greymouth was closed due to a fallen tree—completely blocking our way forward. With no option but to wait it out, we reconsidered our plans. We thought about canceling our stay in Greymouth and spending the night at Fox Glacier instead. But one thing was non-negotiable: we had to be in Christchurch by the 11th, no matter what, to catch our flight to Auckland. The uncertainty in the air matched the fog on the windows—it was just one of those days where nature calls the shots, and all you can do is adapt.
We chatted with fellow travelers who were also rerouting their plans—some were aiming for Wanaka, but even that road had been closed off. With nowhere to go, we settled into a local café for lunch and waited, hoping for better news. The rain kept pouring, and time moved slower than usual. Our hostel host kindly let us hang out in the common hall, which gave us a dry place to pause and regroup.
When word finally came that the roads were open, we packed our bags and made a move. But barely half a kilometer in, the police stopped us—it still wasn’t safe to continue. So, we turned back, parked our car, and turned the wait into a quiet moment—we watched a movie from the comfort of our seats, the rain tapping softly on the windshield.
Luckily, by around 3 p.m., the skies began to clear, and the road to Greymouth reopened—our journey could finally continue. The route to Wanaka remained closed, a reminder that even with planning, nature sometimes chooses its own course. We made our way to Greymouth by evening, weary but grateful to have moved forward. After a comforting home-cooked dinner, we took a short walk to stretch our legs. A light drizzle greeted us once again, softly blurring the edges of the day, but somehow it felt different—less of an obstacle, more of a gentle sign-off to an unpredictable chapter.
Sometimes, travel reminds us that plans may change, but every journey has its own story to tell. As the rain drizzled on, the road still stretched ahead, and the adventure continued.
Must-Visit Places in Greymouth
If you ever find yourself in Greymouth, here are some great spots to explore:
- West Coast Wilderness Trail – A scenic cycling and walking trail.
- Brunner Mine Site – A historic site showcasing New Zealand’s mining past.
- Shantytown Heritage Park – A fascinating replica of a 19th-century gold-mining town.
- Coal Creek Falls – A beautiful waterfall with a short hiking trail.
- Left Bank Art Gallery – A creative space featuring local artwork.
Date: 10th November 2024
Day 11: Greymouth to Christchurch via Pancake Rocks & Arthur’s Pass
total distance covered = 340 km; total time taken = 4 hr 35 mins
Finally, the sun returned—piercing through after two straight days of rain and setting the perfect tone for our last full day on the South Island. We began with a visit to the remarkable Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki. Science may still be puzzled by their formation, but nature, as always, finds a way to leave us speechless. The layered cliffs, shaped by wind and sea, looked like they belonged to another world.
After lunch, we continued toward Christchurch via Arthur’s Pass—another route famed for its alpine beauty and wild charm. We paused often for photos, trying to capture just a fraction of the South Island’s magic. It felt fitting, somehow, to be leaving this leg of the journey through winding roads framed by towering peaks and sprawling valleys.
Technically, it was our final day here, and the South Island left a lasting impression. It’s sparsely populated, yet that very stillness adds to its untouched appeal. We humans tend to shape nature to suit our comfort, often at the cost of its essence. But here, in these wild landscapes, the beauty remains unedited—and breathtaking.
Back in Christchurch, we made one last stop at Pak’nSave—a full-circle moment from the ritual we’d unknowingly started in Dunedin. Just as we were planning to stretch the day with a visit to Hagley Park, the rain returned, nudging us gently indoors. So we made our way to the apartment and began the quiet task of packing. Everything from the car’s back seat found its way into our luggage—each item a small marker of stories we’ve lived along the way.
Date: 11th November 2024
Day 12: Farewell South Island, Hello Auckland – A Day of Transitions
It was time to say goodbye to the South Island, and with it, the chapter of serene landscapes, winding roads, and unforgettable memories. Before returning our trusty rental car, we realized it needed a good clean. Harshit found a self-service automatic car wash—something pretty new for us as Indians. Cleaning the car turned into an unexpected little adventure. I took charge of the inside, using a high-pressure hose and choosing the “fragrance finish.” Then we settled into our seats while the car rolled along an automated belt, getting lathered and rinsed until it sparkled. At the rental return, someone casually complimented my “lovely perfume” and even joked about how lucky Harshit was. That’s when it hit me that I was smelling nice — because of the car fragrance! and I’m definitely not used to receiving compliments like that since I don’t really wear perfumes.
The car return was smooth, and we were dropped off at the airport for our flight to Auckland. Once we landed, we needed to pick up a new rental car. Most rental services offer airport pick-up, but we had to ask an airport staffer to call the company for help locating the shuttle. Eventually, our ride arrived, we picked up the car, and made our way to the hostel—where we were pleasantly surprised with a room upgrade for a minimal cost. A small win after a long transition day.
Then came the big decision: Should we drive to Cape Reinga tomorrow? It would mean an 800 km stretch in a single day for Harshit. But the allure of Cape Reinga, where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean and where, according to Māori tradition, souls begin their final journey, was too powerful to resist. After much deliberation, we repacked our black bag for the next three days and committed to the adventure.
As we turned in for the night, the anticipation of the longest drive of the trip loomed ahead—but so did the promise of one of the most scenic routes in the North Island.
With the South Island behind us and the northernmost tip of New Zealand ahead, we drifted off to sleep—ready to chase the horizon once more. 🌊🚗✨
South Island Summary– Where Roads Unfold Like Poetry, A Chapter of Mountains, Fiords & Magic
From the moment we stepped off the plane in Christchurch, the South Island welcomed us like a hand-painted canvas—gardens in bloom, homes with soul, and skies that whispered freedom. It felt like nature had slowed down just enough to let us catch our breath.
Our road trip carved its way through moody coastlines and misty peaks. We wandered the quirky steepness of Baldwin Street in Dunedin and soaked in the quiet calm of Te Anau, where the lake mirrored towering snowcapped giants. The Milford Sound cruise was our eight-wonder moment—coffee in hand, dolphins dancing, waterfalls thundering around us, and not a single care beyond the horizon.
Gelato and Ferg Burgers became our comfort food, while Pak’nSave, The Warehouse, and even rearranging our suitcases in the car trunk became quirky rituals we didn’t know we needed. On sunlit days, we chased landscapes. On rainy days, we let go of plans and embraced the stillness, learning—again and again—that detours can be just as beautiful.
We found magic in Mount Cook’s star-drenched skies and shared wide-eyed silence at Tasman Glacier. We crossed swinging bridges on the Hooker Valley trail, each step echoing our awe for nature’s quiet majesty. Even when the weather tested us or plans slipped through our fingers, we kept going—sometimes tired, sometimes laughing, always in it together.
And as we crossed Arthur’s Pass, watching clouds drift off the mountain peaks, we realized South Island wasn’t just a place we visited. It became a part of us—a reminder of raw, untouched beauty and our shared love for the road less taken.
The South Island left us with wild winds in our hair, stars in our eyes, and a whole new definition of adventure stitched into our hearts. And with the North Island calling, our story was only just unfolding.
From Office Blues to Worldly Views 