All Posts by Jonas Röösli
Week 9
Week 9 was the week of hot water and slowness. The dilatoriness has two reasons: Firstly, we were recommended to speed up our new videos (because the week eight conclusion was a bit sleepy) and secondly, we took more time between the different places and drive fewer kilometers compared with the first week.
Hot water is shortly explained. Rotorua is surrounded by thermal activities such as geysers, hot mud and steamed soil. Tree of our five recommendations are related to this thermal theme.
Route
Day 60: Waitomo – Rotorua (via Hobbiton or Matamata)
Day 61: Stay in Rotorua
Day 62: Rotorua – Napier
Day 63: Napier – Masterton
Day 64: Masterton – Wellington
Day 65: Stay in Wellington
Day 66: Stay in Wellington
special recommendations
Hobbiton
The film “Lord of the Ring” and the country New Zealand are strongly connected. Quite all scenes in the trilogy were shot at various locations in the countryside or in studios in Wellington. There are huge books which explain all the movie sets. As well the stage director, Peter Jackson, is a superstar and extremely present.
Hobbiton is the movie set of the Hobbit village “Hobbiton” and was discovered at 1999 by Peter Jackson during an exploring flight with a Helicopter. Although the place was the ideal set for the village, severe landscape modification had to be done. For example, they had to build a new party ground above a little pond. To make this hard work more cost efficient, Peter Jackson asked the government for some help. The government sent him the army to assist. They supported the film crew to make the place suitable for filming (earthmoving, street construction, decoration).
According to the contract with the landlord and sheep farmer, the whole film set had to be deconstructed after they finished the movie work. Thankfully, a heavy storm prohibited additional work for about six months. During this time, the first film was presented in the cinema. Shortly afterward, the first fans asked the farmer for visiting the movie set. The old sheep rancher realized the enormous touristic potential and stopped the reduction.
These days, this farm-family became one of the richest in the region, and a little company guides the interested tourists around the old movie set.
Rotorua Centre – Hot water and Maori Culture
Rotorua is one of the major tourist attraction of the northern island of New Zealand. This place is one of the centres of the Maori culture as well as a salient hotspot for the thermal activities.
We bought two tickets for the park. The entree fees included a guided tour through the park. We had a heated discussion about the question if the tour is for free or not. In my opinion, the tour was optional but already paid (the tickets costs us a fortune).
Anyhow, the tour was a very great pleasure. Our guide, an inspiring Maori woman, was amusing and self-ironic. She explained us a lot of background stories about the place and how the Maori tribe used the thermal conditions. In the end, she also told us the fairy tale about the kiwi bird. We bought this storybook afterward.
Craters of the Moon walk
On the way to Napier, we saw a written street sign “Craters of the Moon walk”. I was in the mood to do a shorter walk and convinced Maggi to follow this hint. The weather wasn’t so friendly; it was a bit rainy but not too hot.
We both shipped big hiking shoes, raincoats and rain trousers to New Zealand. So, why do not use them for the first time?
There was an entry fee to pay, but the short walking trip was an impressive experience. The path led us through an unreal landscape with various of steam sources.
It was more a relaxed stroll than a serious hiking, but nevertheless, an absolutely must do.
Wellness in Napier
The day we reached Napier was a rainy day. Therefore, we decided to spend some time in hot water. We both like visiting thermal sourced baths in Switzerland. Because there were not so many opportunities in Australia to take a warm bath, we were lucky to find a thermal bath in Napier.
Te Papa – National Museum of New Zealand in Wellington
Te Papa is the national museum of New Zealand. Every tourist guide highly recommends it, and it is for free. The museum displays the different aspects of New Zealand’s history as well as a special exhibition like the today dreamworks presentation.
As always, we booked a guided instruction tour. From my point of view, guided tours are one of the best ways to become familiar with the content of a museum. The guide (a female student in geography) was not bad, but she explained the various areas a bit in a hurry.
Schwiizerdütschi Zämefassig
Ändlich wieder mau e Badwanne! Was fürnes Träumli 😉
Week 8: Foto der Woche
Anmerkung: Die Videos zu den Fotos werden meist relativ spontan gedreht, so dass auch der eine oder andere Patzer vorkommen kann. So gibt es zum Beispiel in Neuseeland und nicht in Australien viele sogenannte einspurige Brücken – für Maggi war es wohl noch zu früh am Morgen 😉 . Jeder der mich kennt, weiss, dass ich mich nicht zu den Perfektioniesten zähle und gegenüber Fehlern und Unzulänglichkeiten sehr tolerant bin; ganz Schweizerisch schätze ich das Durchschnittliche und nicht das Makellose oder gar Elitäre. Diese Grundhaltung bildet sich natürlich auch in den Videos sowie den Fotos wieder. Trotz alledem bin ich gegenüber positiver Kritik (wie vom Bodevolk) immer offen.
week 8
Week 8 was the first week in New Zealand. We’ve fallen deeply in love with the green countryside combined with the cooler temperature and the beautiful clouds up in the sky. It is more like Switzerland!
We also took the advantages of our modern campervan. No more searchings for a covered restroom during a long road trip as well as the possibility to have a shower after a great fun in the sand dunes. To have a self-contained van with a little toilet is a great benefit.
This week was also the start of my little project: foto of the week – Foto der Woche, which took place at the Cape Reinga. This location is one of the most northern points of New Zealand. Out of the lighthouse, you can see the “mixture” from the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It’s a gorgeous place.
Route
Day 53: Stay in Auckland
Day 54: Stay in Auckland
Day 55: Auckland – HiHi Beach
Day 56: HiHi Beach – Campground near Cape Reinga
Day 57: Campground near Cape Reinga – Matakohe
Day 58: Matakohe – Manurewa (close to Auckland Airport)
Day 59: Manurewa – Waitomo
special recommendations
Mount Eden in Auckland
New Zealand is home for some volcanos – most are silence, and only three are still active. Mount Eden is an old volcano located very close to the main city. From the crater, you have a superb outlook of the city and the surrounding countryside. You can reach the top in less than 30 minutes with the public transport and a very short walk.
Maori Village
Opposite to the Aborigines in Australia, the Maori population in New Zealand is more visible. As well the culture (or some part of it) is still practiced, and it is an important tourist attraction. The Maori culture is more respected than the cultures from other native populations in the world are. For example is Maori an official language (not as English) and there are some governmental services like a Maori TV or special educational programs. Furthermore, the official welcoming ceremony of Rugby Play includes a native dance of the Maori. Rugby is like a religion for the Kiwis here!
On the way up far north, we dropped by a Maori Village close the main highway. The Maori center includes a modern building with cafe and some new facilities and a traditional Maori Village. We did a very personal tour with an experienced Maori tour guide. He gave us a good inside in his culture. It was fascinating how different a community could be organized.
By the way, we also met a cute cat – like my Murri Burri! 😉
Sandunes
In the past, I saw several photographs of people who ride a board in the dessert. I was wondering how it does it work. As soon as I saw a sign with the words “rent sandboards” I asked Maggi to stop.
We reached the Sundunes twenty minutes after we had left the rental station (a private farmhouse).Unfortunately, it had begun to rain a little bit and because this reason, Maggi decided to stay in the campervan. I enjoyed the steep walk up the sandunes and the three runs down to the Campervan. It was a very sandy pleasure. I was lucky to have a short shower in our motorhome.
Waitpoua Kauri Forest
To visit this lovely forest was a unique tip from our housemother in Brisbane. And yes, it was a very impressive trip. Seeing a big tree which has the same age as Jesus Christ is not an everyday experience. We took pleasure walking in the refreshing forest, and we were astonished by watching the epic trees.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
The magic of caves was something I didn’t value before this journey through Australia and New Zealand. Firstly, it’s an excellent opportunity to escape from the summer heat (also in New Zealand the temperature can reach more than 30 degrees); secondly, caves could be fantastic and beautiful as the Waitomo caves.
We booked “the most popular combo” which includes a walking trip to one cave and a boat trip to another cave. Because of a power cut, the first trip had to be postponed to the next morning.
We started with the walking trip – we listened to some general information about the geological building process of the cave, the story of the stalactite and stalagmite and some history background info.
The next day at half past 9, we stood in the group for the boat adventure. After a short walk, we reached the an underground river and a classic boat. The boat moved slowly along the waterway. During this calm journey, we were be amazed by watching the blue-green shining glowworms on the top. It was another magnificent daytrip!
Schwiizerdütschi Zämefassig
Glüehwürmli si super!
week 7
Week 7 was our last time in Austalia as well as the start of our stay in New Zealand. We spent the week in visiting Adelaide (the driest city in the driest state in the driest country on the continent on earth), packing our luggage and flying to New Zealand. Adelaide was also an exciting town (very structured and well planned like Canberra) with a lot of old historic buildings, green grounds (which enclose the city centre) and some lovely shops and restaurants.
The packing was quite a “painful” process. Although we booked two extra luggage pieces, we had to reduce some stuff. We also realised that we won’t be able to expand our luggage for the flight home so pricey. 60 kilos are maximum. The prize for overload is extremely expensive – for instance five extra kilos for 340 Swiss francs.
Moreover, we said Goodbye to our old campervan. It was my first experience in WOMO-Holidays – and yes I enjoyed it. To give you an imagination of the camper, I posted some pictures of his inside.
Route
Day 46: Stay in Hahndorf
Day 47: Hahndorf – Adelaide
Day 48: Stay in Adelaide (City Tour, Dinner at Jamies Italien)
Day 49: Stay in Adelaide (Packing)
Day 50: Adelaide – Auckland (flight)
Day 51: Stay in Auckland (hotel room Day)
Day 52: Auckland Hotel – Auckland Campground
special recommendations
City Tour in Adelaide
In my experience – to be told the history of city or a special place is the best way to get in touch with a new location. Therefore, we decided to book a walking tour in Adelaide. The operator was a new in business (so far as I am able to make this implication) and was good prepared and motivated to offer us a deep inside in the history of Adelaide. He explained us a lot of local stories behind some historical buildings as well as status in the city center. Because the tour began at 10 am in the morning, we were able to spend the whole afternoon in the recommend places.
National Wine Centre
South Australia is famous for his delicious wines and some of his wine region like the Barossa Valley. Besides of his famousness, the wine industry is also a crucial economic factor. These are of course the reasons for Adelaide to be the location for the national wine centre.
The centre included an exhibition about the fact and figures of wine in Australia and a fancy wine bar. No, it was not a typical wine bar. The counter was also extremely well-thought-out. There were different wines bottles behind a glass wall – so we had to choose the sort and the amount, inserted a preloaded card and hold the glass under the metallic pipe. With this system, you were able to try serval wine without a hurry. Genious!
Dinner at Jamie’s Italien
Jamie Oliver is well-known in Australia. He has advertisement contracts with Woolworth (one of the big supermarket chain) and owns the two or more restaurant in Australia. Although, the choice of food for vegetarians is limited, Maggi likes this place too.
We visited this restaurant twice in Brisbane and once in Adelaide. We both enjoyed the excellent starters like olives on ice and an assorted bread collection, I got in love with the fancy steaks and we really liked the dessert (epic Brownie for Maggi and Pavlova for me). Yes, the dishes hadn’t changed.
Our new Camper
The new camper (Mighty) is absolutely comfortable. It’s a bit big (for my taste), but it includes large sofa, a lot of cupboards, a huge fridge, a self-contained toilet and shower. That’s awesome!
Schwiizerdütschi Zämefassig
Tschüüsss Australie, hallo Neuseeland!
week 6
Week 6 was the last whole week in Australia. After six wonderful weeks travelling through the driest continent on Earth, it is now time to say goodbye. It was an amazing experience and we will remember this time forever. We met a lot of friendly and open people here. In quite every situation, we felt welcome. I’ve never met so polite and helpful worker in a supermarket. That’s definitely something we, the Swiss citizen and our Tourism, could learn from. Of course, the Australians have also some difficulties with the native inhabitants, but I like this way of friendly behaviour.
As a short summary, I would like to give you a list of the things we love and we disliked in Australia:
Love: Pale Ale’s (Beer), various landscapes, local tour guides
Disliked: Wifi on Campsites, temperatures above 35 degrees, “Bodevolk” as neighbours on a Campsite
–> Like always check our map here!
Route
Day 39: Great Otway National Park – Allansford
Day 40: Allansford – Southend
Day 41: Stay in Southend
Day 42: Southend – Victor Harbor
Day 43: Victor Harbor – Tanunda (Barossa Valley)
Day 44: Stay in Tanunda (Vinery Tour)
Day 45: Tanunda – Hahndorf
special recommendations
Cave Tantanoola
We visited this cool cave during a hot day after some driving. It was just an interesting (the history of the discovery), refreshing (only 17 degrees every day, independent from the exterior temperature) and magnificent (look at the picture) excursion. After a short history-introduction, the guide explained some interesting facts & figures about the cave. Beside listenting the information, I also took some pleasure in taking astonishing pictures.
Dinner at Restaurant Piccolo in Warrnambool
After a long journey of about 400 kilometers, we were lucky to find this delicious and suitable restaurant. They offered a good range of Italien meals like pasta and pizza, but also some fish and salads. I took a salmon and Maggi (like always) a vegetarian pizza. The dessert – yes it’s possible after these meals- were just super tasty. Absolutely recommend – excellent (not high end) cooking for a reasonable price.
Quad Tour
After a quad experience in Naxos (a greek island), I was willing to do it again during our stay in Australia. Contrasting to the Greece Island, to drive a quad on a normal road was not allowed. So, the only way to “ride” a quad was to book a guided tour. Next to Victor Harbor was a farm which offered this kind of expeditions. We subscribed us for the scenic trip. The guides (there were two for about seven people) explained everything very carefully. To drive a quad was quite easy – but this feeling could be dangerous. Quads are the most risky vehicles on farms. Therefore we first had to go on an exercise track. After ten minutes, we were familiar with the quad and had no problems on the further journey.
Wine Tour in Barossa Valley
The Barossa Valley is the most important wine region in Australia. The valley has only a length of 45 kilometers, but includes more than one hundred independent wine producer and about eighty large and little wine shops – so-called cellar door. The wine farmers from the Barossa region are responsible for more than 21% of the Australian wine production.
We did a guided wine tour together with a small Scottish family and our guide. We tasted more than twenty-five dissimilar wines in five different wineries. It was quite impressive to listen to the stories about the German influence, the deep rootage of those families in the wine industry and how involved the whole economic sector is (including the supportive industries and services like the bottle fabric or the tourism).
The German Village Hahndorf
The region north from Adelaide was influenced by German families who were come to Australia because of their belief. The state South Australia was extremely liberal (so everybody could believe what he/she wants to). Some of the German established new farms or industries. They also built new villages like Handorf.
You can easily see the German impact in architecture, food and in the language. You can discover a lot of German street names or Restaurants.
Schwiizerdütschi Zämefassig
Biodynamische Wii immene chliine australische Dörfli z entdecke und dr Wiiverkäufer seit uf Nachfrag dass s biodynamische ufene östrichische Typ namens Steiner zrüggeit – schöne Momänt 😉
Immer eis meh :-) 