New Zealand SOUTH ISLAND: The Ultimate Retirement Travel Journey in NZ
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 มิ.ย. 2024
- Today's experience is our New Zealand South Island travel adventures. We made our first trip to the spectacular country of New Zealand, where we visited one of the most beautiful places in the world. Our South Island trip started in Picton and a ride on the Coastal Pacific train to Christchurch. The next portion was the TranzAlpine train through the Southern Alps to Greymouth. Our roadtrip started from there with the first stop being a half-marathon in Westport. We then headed south by Pancake Rocks, Hokitika Gorge, Mount Cook, and Haast for a jet boat ride. The drive through the Southern Alps to Wanaka and Queenstown was beautiful, followed by another scenic drive to Te Anau and Milford Sound. The Milford Sound area was one of the most scenic we have seen and we included a kayaking tour to see penguins, dolphins, and seals.
After picking up our first ever hitchhiker, which turned out enabling us to meet a wonderful Italian girl, our final stop was in Queenstown. Here is where John went bungee jumping for the first time and had the experience of a lifetime.
▶️ We started our channel to inspire and share our world travel lifestyle, adventures, and optimistic outlook on life with others. After completing a two-year journey in our Airstream to see all 50 states and 51 National Parks, we left to travel abroad. We have downsized our possessions and sold our home so that we can wander about with only the things in our backpacks.
We love living on the road, traveling each week to a new location. We plan to travel extensively to every part of the world. Ours is not a slow travel lifestyle but rather a vagabondish one. The goal is not to check a country off a list, but to experience it by meeting new people, seeing how others live, and making new friends. We believe in laughing, loving, and living our lives to the fullest.
We are working hard to build a beautiful website where you can get travel information about the places we have been. In addition, we post blog articles to help you travel better. Our channel is a way of augmenting that effort, so sometimes we post videos about how to travel or a vlog showing our lives on the road as we do an activity or an adventure. We also post Shorts, so check those out, too. We hope to entertain you, but most importantly, we want to inspire you and give you the confidence to plan your own adventure around the world.
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00:00 Introduction
00:45 Coastal Pacific Train to Christchurch
00:55 TranzAlpine Train to Greymouth
01:05 Road Trip Begins on Great Coast Road
02:21 Hokitika Gorge and more
03:23 Haast Jet Boat on Waitoto River
04:16 Blue Pools of South Island
04:58 Wanaka
05:30 Te Anau and Milford Sound
07:11 Queenstown and Bungee Jumping
10:15 Queenstown and Onsen Hot Tubs
New Zealand is a magnificent country and one we thoroughly enjoyed for a month. Join us for some ideas on the best things to do on the South Island. John and Bev
I love that you have discovered the secret to a full life, and aren’t weighed down by material attachments!!
Thanks. It has changed our lives completely. Glad you are enjoying our channel.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
The people are wonderful too. Went into a bank to exchange money and then asked teller for directions. She said to come outside with her and she would point out which way we should go. We were dumbstruck! No bank teller in the U.S. would ever do that for a customer. Everyone we meet in NZ was so friendly and helpful.
We completely agree. Kiwi hospitality is amazing. We are actually staying with a couple that invited us for lodging when we head to Auckland. Everyone we met was so friendly and kind. New Zealand is definitely a special place with wonderful people.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I've just returned from two months travelling around New Zealand. I was a Rotary Exchange Student in NZ in 1976, and I was able to have a reunion on this trip with four ladies I went to high school with during that year. I also did five weeks of HelpX, a volunteer work exchange which was wonderful and makes travel very economical for me. It's such an amazing country and thinking I might return next year to escape the Canadian winter!
Great story and thanks for the information. Glad you had a nice reunion.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
It's winter here atm. We don't get as much snow as you, but it does get cold & damp
You are such inspiring people.
Thanks so much. We love to inspire everyone to live their best possible life.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
While we lived in Australia back in the 90s, we went to New Zealand and did the Milford Walk. That might be something to add to your itinerary when you go back. It is only about 23 miles ( I think) and you stay in lodges and eat wonderful food and meet wonderful people from all over the world.
Also, we stayed in Wanaka, where we went horseback riding. I had never been horseback riding like that. The horses were happy horses and it was an exhilarating ride in the mountains.
Thanks for sharing. The Milford Track looks amazing and something we are considering when we return in 2024. Thanks. PS. We also loved Wanaka.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
You guys are lucky... thanks for sharing your adventures.....
Thanks for following along and yes, we are so grateful to be able to have this lifestyle in retirement and share it with others. Glad you are enjoying our adventures.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Great memories from my trip down there in 1995, can't wait to go back with my wife when we retire. Also the last time I picked up a hitchhiker - turned out the guy had checked himself out of an "institution". Once I'd dropped him in Christchurch I had to head to the police station to let them know!
Now that's a great travel story. Thanks for sharing.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Hilarious 😂 you confirmed this place should stay on our bucket list no matter what!
Absolutely. We loved our time in New Zealand, especially the South Island.
Safe travels,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
The only thing that competes with my homeland's beauty is the people, including our visitors, please return.
We agree completely and can’t wait to return. Beautiful country with wonderful people!!!
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
We love New Zealand, too❤
Thanks. We had an amazing month there. Such a beautiful place.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Bravo John! Next time when you do bungee Jumping, make sure you pack an astronaut dipper…… Great job guys. Loved your video.
Thanks. That's a great idea for next time. I was a little nervous. 🤣
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I've just found your channel and this video has brought back some great memories. I've got a great friend who lives in Auckland (I'm from the UK) and, on my last visit, I drove from Christchurch to the west coast and visited Westport and the Pancake Rocks. I drove south through Hokitiki, past the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and on to Wanaka before heading back to Christchurch via Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo and the Fairlie Bakehouse!
I also did Te Anau to Milford from Queenstown a couple of year earlier (in 2016) before heading south to Invercargill and then headed north via Dunedin - very different scenery (still beautiful) and culture. There's a lot of Scottish heritage in the south because of the sheep farming.
You were very lucky with your Milford Sound visit - the average annual rainfall seems to be around 7,000mm each year, which is around 23 feet! Most of that seemed to fall on my visit there!
Overall though, New Zealand is the most naturally beautiful country I've visited - and I'll be back!
We felt the same way. New Zealand is one of our favorite countries and yes we got very lucky at Milford Sound, although the sand flies were out in force.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
We have been to New Zealand and just loved it!
Thank you for a great video, we were able to see some places in South Island that we couldn’t see on our first visit…Be safe and enjoy your adventures
Glad you enjoyed it! New Zealand is amazing.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
What an amazing video!!! I love it! You were very brave jumping! I won't EVER do it! ❤❤ Thank you guys!😊
Thanks so much!! Glad you enjoyed the video and it was such an amazing place to jump. Well worth it.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
As a proud Kiwi I'm having a quiet chuckle about you calling various places "cities". To qualify as a city in New Zealand there needs to be a population of 50,000+. People may be surprised to arrive in the "city of Haast" to find fewer than 100 people. So glad you enjoyed our beautiful country. Come back again soon. 😊
Awesome country. We loved New Zealand. Haast is a real metropolis! 🤣
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
@@RetirementTravelers certainly is. Peak hour traffic is sooo stressful 😂😂😂
What a great adventure! So wonderful! Everything that you showed us looks just so dreamy! Visiting and exploring. New Zealand (Aotearoa in Maori) is one of the places I want to visit. Love everything that you did on this trip. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us! I can’t wait to see your next video.
You should definitely visit New Zealand. It is one of our favorite places for sure. Thanks for following along with us on our retirement adventure.
Safe travels,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Great to see you enjoying the South Island, I am a recent subscriber who lives in Nelson at the top of the South Island. I've been watching your videos and slowly telling my hubby snippets of our world travel plans...nothing is impossible! We are about 40 and not financially free but maybe a work / travel model could be an option.
I laughed out loud when you mentioned the "city" of Haast. Blip on the map might be more accurate 🤣
We loved the South Island. Sorry we didn't make it up to the Nelson area, but just couldn't do everything this trip. We plan to return in 2 years! Love your attitude and sure your travel plans will be great. Let us know if we can ever be of assistance.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
It is a metropolis!! 🤣🤣
Beautiful! I look forward to checking out New Zealand in my retirement! Thank you!
Thanks. Best of luck with your retirement and safe travels.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Oh you two are incredible, just found your channel loving them. Think we should have thought about retiring earlier, thought I would retire when I was 60 (English pension), Government now changed to 66😭 I have good health, being a Registered Nurse for 44 years the pension is terrible, have private pension but cashed in mine to help the children with home buying,weddings etc. You really don’t realise how time flies by and your older, wiser but still work full time and your husbands health isn’t good, but he still works 40 hours week 🧐
We brought a camper to go away weekends, but it always seems something turns up and it’s been 10 months since we took her out☹️ going to keep watching and start our plans having watched most of your travels, keep up the good work😍
Thanks and hope you get to take the camper out more this summer.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
This is where I live. If you came down the East coast from Picton, you would have come through Kaikoura. I live off grid in the mountains just North of the town.
You have a beautiful country. We took the train from Picton to Christchurch and just loved our time on the South Island.
Many blessings,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I loved watching this video. You packed in so many wonderful tips and adventures. We will definitely be heading to NZ in the near future. Happy Travels!
Hi Julie, Thanks and great to hear from you. NZ is amazing and we hope you guys get to go soon! Safe travels.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
So thrilled for you both that you had a great time in Aotearoa ❤
Thanks and yes we had a wonderful time in this amazing and beautiful country, with very friendly people. We are already planning trip #2 in a couple of years! Thanks for following along.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I just love how you hype up one another! ❤
Thanks so much for following along and thanks for the kind words. We enjoy this life of adventure for sure!
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Such an inspiration.
Thanks so much and very glad you find our content inspiring. Thanks for following along on our journey.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Love all the different means of transportation! The train ride seemed so relaxing! Congratulations on the 1/2 marathon!!! And John you are a brave adventurous soul! Great job! What a beautiful trip thank you so much for taking us along! ~Cara 😊
Thanks. So many firsts in New Zealand. We hope you get to visit here, because it is a special place!
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Congrats on your first half marathon! Not an easy feat. Look at the color of that water. Incredible. Wow, look at those mountains and fjords. I don't think you would catch me bungee jumping. That's why I don't pick up hitchhikers - people don't like riding with Axe Murderers :p
Thanks! There are many places with the turquoise water from the glacier runoff. It is incredibly beautiful. I think if you came and saw Kawarau, you might consider bungee. 🤣Thanks for following along.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Amazing video. You two look so happy even talking about the adventures in NZ. Would be good to know some of the costs to expect in NZ. Love your life😀
Thanks. New Zealand is on the high side of costs, but so worth it. We loved it, especially the south island.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Fantastic vlog, so glad you two are back on TH-cam. Thank you for showing us this lovely country, one we wish to visit with our motorhome.
Thanks. We had an amazing trip in New Zealand. The South Island is just stunning. Yo and your motorhome will love it!
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
You guys are great & so inspiring! If you’re looking for firsts I hope you caught Mardi Gras in Sydney!
Thanks so much. We walked around Sydney during the preparations for the Mardi Gras parade that night. It was "interesting" 🤣😳🫣 to say the least!!! Our Sydney video comes out this weekend, but it is about sailing the beautiful harbour.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Wow - what a great video! Have been taking notes and will go to the blogs as well! Bev - congrats on finishing the half marathon- that is an accomplishment! John - I couldn’t do it! Brave to do the bungee jump. Would you do it again or was once enough? Thanks for what you are doing the two of you - hope to follow in your footsteps!
Thanks so much, hope you enjoy our blogs and there is no doubt you will be following in our footsteps! 😊 Thanks on the half marathon and most definitely on the bungee jump, but it would have to be in a great place. Kawarau Bridge would be hard to top!
Thanks for following along.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Yes. Bravery is not a lack of fear, but doing something in spite of the fear.
Sold! Everything about this adventure appeals to me.
New Zealand is a beautiful country. You will love it. Check out some of our website blogs for more info and let us know if we can help.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I love to watch all of your adventures! Another great video.
Thanks so much for following along.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
What a beautiful place!
Thanks. New Zealand has probably been our favorite country so far. Amazing place!
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Wow! What a great adventure. New Zealand is on our bucket list and plan to do lots of hiking when we go. Do you need an International Driver's License to drive in New Zealand?
Thanks. It is an incredible place with SO much to do in the great outdoors. We went ahead and got our International Driver's license, but did not need it. In fact, the only country that has asked for it was Greece, when we were on the island of Crete.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Love this! Your 360 video is fantastic. We did a road trip with our boys in New Zealand in 2009 and loved it.
Thanks so much. New Zealand is just fabulous! We have certainly enjoyed our time here.
Thanks for following along.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
My favourite people! Come visit Kenya.
Thanks. We plan to visit Kenya next year!
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Oh wow! You are most welcome. What State do you come from in the US?
I lived in CA for several years.
I have a lot of interest in issues of the elderly.
I am the founder of The Kenya Pro-Ageing Organisation.
NZ sure looks unique.
Thanks Joe. New Zealand is an interesting mix of many of the US National Parks we visited, and with very friendly people.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Joe: Thanks for the referral. You should make plans to visit NZ. I was there in Jan 2020. Worth every penny, and the plane trip. Don't regret missing NZ.
Joe! Are you going to make a video about leaving Indiana to travel the world? This couple is so precious and they're inspiring us! Thank you for your videos too! 😀
May I ask how is the sandflies situation there? I read online that it's very bad near the coastal areas. How about the lakes? Thanks!
Most areas we visited weren’t too bad, except kayaking in Milford Sound. You MUST have bug repellent on there. Safe travels.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
@@RetirementTravelers thanks for replying. How about accomodations with a balcony that faces the lake? The view is nice but I'm contemplating whether or not to stay a few nights there. Thanks!
I love your attempts at pronouncing place name,your great. But i was stumped when you said " te r wan u "then realised where you meant it was Te anau phonetically it's =Te arn ow
Thanks for the help. We call ourselves the “language butchers” 🤣 We’ve been to so many places this year with different languages, accents, etc.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
I know you amazed me how well you attempts to get your mouth around these place names was. I'd be terrible at it, I have never been good with foreign languages
Ah, visitors don’t stand a chance of correct pronunciation, even Kiwi’s pronounce our place names incorrectly…The correct pronunciation is actually te (tear)- a (are)- nau (noo) 😂
@@eloisepersson939 Thanks 😊
Same I wondered till I figured it out too 🤣