NZ 2009 - Nelson Lakes National Park

We flew from Auckland to Nelson on the north coast of the South Island, picked up a car and based ourselves at the Alpine Lodge in St Arnaud for the exploration of Nelson Lakes National Park. On that first day we did the Loop Walk, along the shores of the beautiful Lake Rotoiti, then in shore on a path through a Black Beech forest. The bark turns black when it is ready to peel and gives the appearance that there has been a fire. We heard bell birds whose clear tones do sound just like a bell ringing.
The second day was our big walk day and we drove up to the highest car park at 900m and set off on foot, eventually reaching the top of Mt Roberts at about 1550m! The views looking down on Lake Rotoiti got better and better as we got higher. It was a great feeling to be on top looking down, as it seemed, on the rest of the world. The air was just so gloriously pure. It was privilege to have walked here and 6 hours well spent.
Our final day was spent driving along the picturesque Buller River gorge. We did walk across the 110m swing (suspension) bridge across the river. It was definitely swinging when we were in the middle, a long way above the river. We came back the quick way on a tandem ride on a wire even higher above the river. Great for an adrenalin rush!
There are many wineries in this area and we had a marvellous lunch at the Seigfreid Winery just outside Nelaon. Look out for their Sauvugnon Blanc sold by M&S.