15 Days New Zealand South Island Itinerary Series
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10 am: Morning Ritual and Campervan Toilet Secrets
Woke up around 10 am with the usual zzzz feeling after day one’s adventure.
First thing I try to do every morning is check and discharge the campervan’s wastewater.
Cannot let the smell build up, confirm stress one.
Usually empty the toilet container every two days. So only “pang sai” on day two onwards so no angry nose from the family.
The rental came with 3 little toilet cleaner tablets. These help to mask the smell, like the blue water you see in portable toilets at song kar. Three tablets for 10 days means must ration carefully.
Sometimes skip one to save. Can buy more easily in supermarkets if need.
Emptying the wastewater is not so hard. Connect the hose, open drain, and let it flow. Most waste comes from hand washing or brushing teeth, not so smelly one lah.
11 am: First Long Drive To Kaikoura
Today is our first big drive to Kaikoura. Around 235 km, a good 3 hours. Our main stop is Ohau Lookout to see wild seals. If got time, drop by Kaikoura lookout.
12 pm: Break At Pegasus Playground
About 30 minutes from Spencer Beach Holiday Park is Pegasus Playground. Perfect for the kids to run around and blow off some steam. While they play, I whip up a simple lunch: Maggi noodles with a runny onsen egg on top.
We overstayed lah, kids having too much fun and I also enjoyed chilling. Left around 1pm++ already.
3.30 pm: Ohau Lookout Point – Seal Central
The drive from the playground to the lookout point was like 2.5 hours. Another 180km to go!
We reached at 3.30pm.
Lookout points usually got parking, and this one easy to find.
As soon as we got down from the campervan, damn chio lah!
Seals everywhere. Like the whole coast was full of them. Some lazing on rocks, some chilling in the water, some doing playful flips.
Really like find a secret seal party.
Still amazed by this view now. Best part?
Free entry!
No need to pay to see this nature show.
We stayed for about 30 minutes, took plenty of videos and photos till phone full memory liao.
4 pm: Missed The Famous Food Truck
It's the Kaikoura Seafood BBQ Kiosk.
Wanted to try famous food truck at Kaikoura wharf but missed it because we been taking fotos and lazing too much. Next time must come early and makan there. They close early especially on Saturday. 3pm. so timing confirm miss lah.
But the review photos looks so delicious lah. If not the next easy food is fish and chips already. 🙁
5 pm: Fish and Chips Dabao Mode
Still hungry after this wildlife feast, we headed to a well-reviewed fish and chips place on the way to Hanmer Springs.
Dabao balik, then eat in the campervan at own pace. Hot food, own favourite sauces, plus no rush.
Confirm more relax than makan crowded hawker centre.
6.30 pm: Grocery Stop at New World Kaikoura
Next stop was supermarket to top up groceries for a few days. Bought bread, breakfast goodies, drinks, all the kids’ favourite snacks to survive this road trip.
7 pm: Battery Drama Strikes!
But hor, when we came back to the campervan, battery flat.
Sian sia.
Called emergency assistance hotline, they say 1 to 2 hours wait lah.
So i recalled what i did. While having our fish and chips dinner. I reckon don't want to waste the diesel. I turn off the engine which having the lights and water pump on.
While parking at the supermarket, I probably had them on too and also the hazard light. Probably that is why the battery went flat.
8 pm: Emergency Rescue
After about an hour, emergency team arrives and jump-started our campervan.
I thought emergency was part of package. Actually not lor. Got charge close to NZ$300 for service. Wah, back side pain.
The extra insurance cover costs like $6 a day or $60 for the whole trip, quite worth the peace of mind. Lesson learnt lah.
The team also ask about next destination. I say Hanmer Springs. They advise better stay put at Kaikoura because windy and dark driving with campervan not safe at all.
Their advice like angel whispering lah.
8.30 pm: Last-Minute Accommodation Booking
Spent about 20 minutes trying to get bookings at holiday parks. Booked Alpine Holiday Park but no immediate reply.
Meanwhile, we arrive Top 10 Kaikoura Holiday Park, and they so kind let us stay first and pay next day. Quite freedom style and relax.
They just 10 minutes away from Alpine Holiday Park. But as soon as we enquired, we received a confirmation from Alpine Holiday Park.
9.30 pm: Alpine Holiday Park Check-in
Finally checked in Alpine Holiday Park.
Took out our simple dinner ingredients and cooked supper in the campervan. Kids still hungry despite early fish and chips.
Wah, family road trip really power ah.
Dinner was udon soup with grilled meatballs. Warm and comforting after the long day filled with unexpected events.
Midnight: Lights Out and Rest
After washing dishes, everyone crashed into bed around midnight. Whole day so full of activity, from seal watching to battery drama and last minute bookings, we all dead tired.