• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Fitness Fatale

Fitness Fatale

Conquering Fitness Goals One at a Time

  • About
    • Press
  • Blog
    • Archives
    • Workout Program Options
      • 21 Day Fix Resources
      • P90X Resources
    • PRs & Race Reports
    • Pregnancy
      • Twin Pregnancy
    • Recipes
  • Coach Business Mentorship For Runners
  • Beachbody Accountability Groups For Runners
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Glacier Town and Whale Village

I wrote this last night but the internet was too slow to load so some parts may be out of context now. 

After our morning white water rafting on Saturday, we picked up our rental car in Queenstown and hit the road. Mike was a little nervous to drive

on the left side of the road and probably more nervous to SIT on the right side of the car, but he did a great job of navigating the crazy traffic in Queenstown to get us out of the city. It was definitely an adjustment for me as well to sit on the left side of the car, but clearly nothing like it would be to drive on the “wrong” side of the road.

Our friend James from our Milford Trek tour let us in on a great secret – instead of purchasing the navigation system from the car rental company, we simply purchased a New Zealand SIM card and a prepaid plan so that we would have access to the internet and local phone calls while on the road. This meant that not only could we easily get directions from anywhere, if something were to happen, we’d also have access to a phone to call for help. Definitely a relief.

The 3 hour drive to Mt. Cook took us about 4 hours, as we took our time, stopping about 4 times. We stopped at two scenic lookouts, 1 fruit stand (to purchase avocados, oranges and chocolate covered almonds!) and the grocery store to pick up supplies to cook at our hostel. After eating every meal out (although on the trek we made sandwiches and overall the meals were really healthy so it didn’t necessarily feel like we were always eating out), we were looking forward to cooking something of our own. Most hostels have a kitchen but I’ve actually never cooked my own dinner on the road (in Asia it was way too cheap to eat out to think to cook your own meal so they didn’t have kitchens).

So many sheep and gorgeous views during our drive
So many sheep and gorgeous views during our drive

Once we arrived in Mt. Cook village, which the guidebook promised overlooked the tallest mountain in New Zealand, which also happens to be a glacier, were a little disappointed that the view wasn’t as epic as we hoped. Later, we learned it was definitely due to the fact that it was raining and overcast. We had a beer (a New Zealand IPA -the best beer we’ve had here yet) at the hostel’s cafe which overlooked the glaciers, did our first batch of laundry of the trip, and then cooked our dinner in the very crowded hostel kitchen where the other tourists battled us for pots, pans, silverware and counter space while eyeing each other’s food like we were all contestants on Top Chef. It was not the relaxing situation we had imagined but we survived.

The next day everything changed in Mt. Cook. The sun was trying to break through and although we still couldn’t see the peak of Mt. Cook itself, the surrounding glaciers and mountains beauty shone through. We decided to run the Hooker Trail (plus the 2.5 miles or so from our hostel to the start of the path), the most well known hike in the area and also the longest, as our first run back after CIM, as it had been nearly 2 weeks since the race and we were itching for a run. It was seriously the most beautiful run of my life. Although we did have to slow and walk some sections due to other people on the path and stairways, we ran the majority of the approximately 8 mile trail. We did stop and take photos of course, ran slow and took our time, savoring every moment. We were out there for nearly 2.5 hours and it was an absolutely great start to the day. At first my legs felt a bit heavy but at some point early on, I started to feel good. It just felt amazing to be running again.

This isn't even the trail in Mt. Cook - just the path from our hotel to the trailhead
This isn’t even the trail in Mt. Cook – just the path from our hotel to the trailhead

We headed to a late lunch and then explored the Hermitage hotel, one of the most well known hotels in New Zealand for it’s epic view of Mt. Cook (our hostel had the same view for 1/4 the price…but, let’s keep that our secret). We made a dinner reservation for that night at the fine dining restaurant at the hotel and then went back and relaxed during the afternoon. That evening the clouds disappeared just in time for our romantic dinner with a view and we finally saw the peak of Mt. Cook.

Dinner at the Hermitage
Dinner at the Hermitage

The next morning we were due to drive to our next destination, but first we headed to another valley near Mt. Cook for about an hour hike, with the best part being the amazing view of a glacial lake with Mt. Cook (again, unshielded) in the background. Then we made the 6 hour drive to Kaikoura, a small beach town on the East coast known for epic whale and dolphin watching. The 6 hour drive turned into 9 thanks to our various stops in small towns as well as Christchurch for lunch. The views were spectacular for nearly the entire drive and the countless cows, sheep, horses and deer (they farm deer here) kept us company. We explored Kaikoura when we arrived in our favorite way – by taking a walk and then ending up at a local pub where we shared a beer sampler and dined on the catch of the day and fish and chips (Kaikoura is known for great seafood).

 

\

Scenes from the drive
Scenes from the drive
Mt. Cook in the distance - from the car as we drove away
Mt. Cook in the distance – from the car as we drove away

Because we didn’t book in advance, we weren’t able to do the dolphin swim that was recommended (apparently you can swim with up to 200 dolphins). In the end, we had a wonderful day and didn’t regret missing it. Our only full day in Kaikoura was spent first with a short run (50 minutes or so including stopping for pictures) on a path near the beach in the morning, coffee at a cafe near the beach (I actually haven’t been drinking coffee since Auckland so this was a treat!), a walk, lunch on an outdoor patio at a cafe serving amazing vegetarian food, and then a drive down the coast to find a beach which apparently didn’t exist.

The greatest surprise was after we returned from our beach hunt, we ended up at the end of the peninsula which was supposed to have seals. We saw a path and headed up it, thinking it was just to a look out, and ended up on this amazingly beautiful cliffside trail that wound around the peninsula, often cutting deep through wheat colored fields (we did see the seals from afar) We kept walking for nearly an hour before deciding to turn around – nearly pinching ourselves the whole way. It was simply stunning.

Kaikoura Peninsula Walk
Kaikoura Peninsula Walk

Now we’re just about to make ourselves dinner at the hostel (this hostel has 3 kitchens and about 1/4 of the occupants so it’s much more peaceful to cook here) and then get an early night before heading to Nelson for Christmas. We have some bikes booked tomorrow (which is Christmas Eve) to ride around New Zealand’s most famous wine region for tastings and a family style Christmas dinner reserved for Christmas Day. We’ll be sad to be away from family on my birthday and Christmas (we miss you all and wish you were here!), but we know there will be many more holidays spent together.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

December 24, 2014 By fitnessfatale 3 Comments

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Abby

    December 30, 2014 at 10:20 pm

    Looks and sounds absolutely fabulous so far. So fun you guys rented a car and drove yourselves! And so fun you guys got in a couple stunning runs and walks 🙂 Can’t wait to see more.

    Reply
  2. Leslie @ Triathlete Treats

    January 1, 2015 at 11:23 pm

    Great pictures!! What a great time to be in New Zealand. I drove the entire month we were in NZ. It was hard at first…..just getting used to driving on the “wrong” side of the road especially because we flew into Auckland! Holy smokes but once we got out of the “big” city I was fine!! I am sure Mike got used to it quick too!! 🙂

    Reply
    • FitnessFatale

      January 2, 2015 at 4:24 am

      Yes he ended up picking up and was quite comfortable by the end. He’s now afraid to drive at home on the right side! haha!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Let’s Get Stronger, Healthier & Faster Together!

I am specialize in working with runners to help them incorporate strength training & nutrition into their running routines.

I am passionate about mindset and love to help people find more joy and success in their running by breaking through mental barriers.

While weight loss is a result of our programs, women in my groups often find that they are running faster, are less injury prone, and have more energy and confidence!

I am the founder of Team Run the World, a group of BODi coaches who love running! I provide mentorship, support and training for women who want to start their own coaching business from home and work flexible hours.

I would love to help support you in reaching your goals!

Archives

  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011

Footer

Copyright © 2023 · Fitness Fatale

 

Loading Comments...