We arrived in Picton in the early morning via the Cook Straight Ferry. From Picton, we drove along the scenic Queen Charlotte Drive to Anakiwa to hike a section of the Queen Charlotte Track. We did a 10-mile out and back from Anakiwa to Onahau Bay. The track follows the coastline of Queen Charlotte Sound (part of the greater Marlborough Sounds) and provides spectacular coastal vistas along the way.
anakiwa
queen charlotte sound
davies bay
one of the many views along the trail
180 degree views from the grove arm lookout
beautiful horses in the pasture
when we came back through, both horses were resting
soaking in the view
A sign at the trailhead said wild pig sightings are rare, but can happen. So during our hike, when we heard a rustling in the bush, we thought it might be the elusive wild pig, but it turned out to be a goat.
is it a wild pig? nope, it’s a goat
It was obviously low tide on our way out on the track, because on our way back, water filled areas that were dry sand just a couple of hours prior. It looked like a completely different landscape.
earlier in the day, there was no water under this bridge
post hike, back in anakiwa
After our time on the Queen Charlotte Track, we headed to the city of Nelson. We’d heard nice things about the place, and besides, how could we pass up making a stop at a city that bears our last name? Upon arriving in Nelson, we headed to the Botanical Reserve. At the base of Botanical Hill is a field where NZ’s first-ever rugby match was played.
site where NZ’s first rugby match was played
A walking track zig-zags up Botanical Hill, where at the top is a needle marking the “Centre of New Zealand”. Whether it is truly the center of New Zealand depends on how you define the center. Nonetheless, Nelson is the central land district among NZ’s 12 districts and Nelson was laid out from the summit of this hill.
the needle marking the centre of NZ
standing at the centre of NZ
From the summit are nice panoramic views of Nelson and the surrounding area.
views of nelson
nelson – further inland
the surrounding countryside – lovely!
alone at the top, i took my own picture (jay had opted to rest his legs for our big hike the next day, probably wise)
We hung around Nelson until after dinner, then headed to a campsite near our next destination: Abel Tasman National Park.
Jay and Joann's Journey 
Loving your photos. Are you keeping track of your mileage (both van and on foot)? I hope you are able to see a lot of the south island before you run out of time — going fast! (Would you do the camper-van again or is once enough?)
Yes, I’ve been keeping track of our mileage both by foot and driving – final stats will be posted in my last NZ blog post. I would definitely do the campervan thing again!
I can only image how gorgeous that all was to see in person!! Glorious mountains… water….sky…green landscape….wow! Praying for your last moments of your adventure and your travels back (& of course for your HUGE adjustment back to the demands of life)
Just finished taking another enjoyable trip with you guys. More beautiful country. Looks so serene and peaceful. Lv. Grandma