15 Days New Zealand South Island Itinerary Series
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Woke up to a morning so cold I could see my breath.
Wah, the water pipe I left hanging outside by the campervan mirror froze solid already.
Like ice block sia!
I heard people talk about taps freezing in winter, but until today never kena before.
Still lucky lah, I had topped up the water tank last night. Tried all the other taps nearby, all frozen too.
No choice but to empty the waste water tank and continue on.
This moment really showed me how different winter campervan life is from summer. Or the hot weather in Singapore.
10.30 am – Rakaia's Iconic Salmon Stop
Stopped for breakfast here.
The kids had their noodles while running happily in the playground nearby.
Toilet was clean so it was a good pit stop for all of us. The iconic Salmon display is really just a huge Salmon icon out of nowhere. I would guess this place is famous for Salmon.
But me not a salmon fan. No difference for me lah.
12.30 pm – Public Dump Station Pit Stop
We found a Public Dumping Station nearby for fresh water top up and to empty the waste water tank.
The place looked like a carpark but was clean.
We sorted water and waste at one go. No need to worry about running out of water for the campervan trip.
So if you are out of the Holiday Park or camping ground and looking for water to top up. You can google for PDS or public dump station around.
4 pm – Caroline Bay Playground Adventure
Close to the penguin sighting area, we found this huge playground.
They said it’s the largest in New Zealand and the whole southern hemisphere.
First, we grabbed a quick meal at McDonald’s for the kids’ energy.
This playground was solid.
Over 40 play pieces including
- mahika kai areas
- a mound shaped like a tuna eel
- a whare playhouse
- a big 14.5-metre shipwreck
- a 10-metre lighthouse
- floor is lava challenge
- slides
- trampolines
- swings
- a mouse wheel
- and a super long 50-metre double flying fox.
Also, there was the nostalgic yellow horse from the 1960s. The kids did not stop playing, pure joy.
7 pm – Timaru Penguin Viewing
After groceries, we headed to the penguin area.
The penguins have different phases in the year from feeding and resting to nesting, raising young, then moulting.
Since it was June, it was nesting season, so volunteers said if we don’t see penguins, no worries, that’s normal.
While parked at the roadside to prepare dinner, a passerby excitedly knocked and said penguins were spotted!
We rushed over and saw two in the bushes making noises.
Wah, such a blessing!
This was a big money saver also. Watching penguins here is free. In Oamaru, it costs $155 for a family and $50 entry fee.
10 pm – Late Check-in at Timaru Top 10
Arrived at about 10 pm.
The family bathrooms here were a big plus. No timers on showers like Spencer Beach.
The park was quiet with only 5 campervans, so nice and peaceful for our winter stop.