After almost 7 weeks in Western Australia, our journey continues to the east. We fly from Perth to Sydney, where we meet Jens' parents.
29.12.2022 ● Sydney
We start early at 3am.
Our flight lasts 4 hours and was very entertaining. We go to the hotel by taxi, where we enjoy a long hot shower.
After that, we explore the surroundings and end up at the nearest playground. It doesn't take much to make the kids happy. After dinner, we take the train to the airport to pick up the grandparents. But they keep us waiting, they finally come after a good hour in the waiting hall.
The journey was long for them, so today we just go to bed.
30.12.2022 ● Sydney
The night at Jens' parents' house was a bit short and they still need to recover from the jet lag.
Nevertheless, we start the day together and make our way to the center. Today, we want to visit the Natural History Museum. It is located right next to Hyde Park and the Saint Mary's Cathedral.
Like some other museums here in Sydney, this one is also free. Therefore, there is a lot of crowd. We start with the animal world and see lions, giraffes, and more. There is also a section with native animals such as kangaroos, wallabies, and cockatoos.
The museum is so big that we cannot see everything in one day. So we decide to visit the dinosaur exhibition as well. Here, we can discover big and small dinosaurs. Benedikt is excited to explain what we see.
After the informative excursion, we go back to the hotel. Thanks to the subway, we can quickly and cheaply get from one place to another.
31.12.2022 ● Sydney
Today, New Year's Eve is approaching and we have chosen something very special. We will watch the legendary fireworks on the Harbour Bridge, with a view of the Opera House, from the Botanic Gardens.
But before that, we spend a peaceful morning with a walk to the playground. A long nap hopefully helps the kids to stay awake tonight.
And then it's time, around 5 p.m. we make our way to the Botanic Gardens. We can already feel the crowds in the subway. All compartments are filled with passengers and extra trains are running. It gives us an idea of what's still to come. When we get off, we simply follow the crowds, as everyone wants to go to the Botanic Gardens. At the entrance, we have to bring some extra time, as the tickets are scanned and bags are searched. Then there is a festive atmosphere, as everyone is having their own picnic. We also find a spot among the masses and let the evening unfold.
At 9 p.m. there is a fireworks display for the children, which is already so impressive for us that we can't imagine it getting any better.
We pass the time by walking around and suddenly a handball friend stands in front of me. How small can the world be to enable such a coincidence. We have a lot to talk about and time flies by.
Best wishes to you, Laura!
Then the countdown begins and everyone counts along. After the silence, there is loud popping everywhere. We are overwhelmed by the spectacular fireworks. When the last bang sounds, silence ensues.... and then loud cheering and applause from the crowd.
☆ Welcome to 2023! ☆
We are thankful for the moments and the time we have as a family on our journey.
01.01.2023 ● Sydney
We start the New Year slowly and relaxed. Only around noon, we make our way back to the city center. Today, we are going to the Tower of Sydney. From up here, we have a beautiful view of the city.
Afterwards, we walk towards Darling Harbour. Here, at Pyrmont Bay, we take a ferry and speed through the Harbour Bridge and past the Opera House.
We have a beautiful sunny first day of the new year.
02.01.2023 ● Auckland
We don't stay in Sydney for long, as we continue to New Zealand. Our flight departs at 11 a.m. from Sydney to Auckland and takes 3 hours. The movie program offers something for everyone, no wonder the flight goes by so quickly.
With an additional two hours of time difference, the day is already over. We grab a snack and return to the Ibis Hotel.
03.01.2023 ● Auckland
Today, we pick up our camper van for the next three months. The highlight for Benedikt is the bicycle that comes with it.
After we have stored our things, we drive to Mount Eden. This is the highest natural point in Auckland. It is one of 45 volcanic craters in the region.
The short hike to the small crater is steep and windy. From up here, we have a great view of the city.
We spend the night directly by the water in a small bay. There is also a playground where Benedikt immediately rides his bicycle to.
We are curious how the first night with six people will be in the camper van.
04.01.2023 ● Matakana
The sleeping areas are spacious, so everyone can sleep well.
The new day starts with rain and unfortunately there is no improvement in the next few days. As always, we make the best of the situation, but after being spoiled by the sun for the past months, it is a bit difficult.
We go to Matakana, a place that has become a gourmet meeting place. Here, there are bakeries, chocolate factories, many cafes, and galleries. In the midst of the small shops, a river meanders through, surrounded by a variety of plants.
A playground invites us to climb and play pirates. In the river, we discover eels watching us from the shore.
In a well-visited brewery, we taste beer and cider. Very fresh and delicious! The location consists of a warehouse with wooden barrels that spread a pleasant scent. In addition to various seating furniture, there is also a food stall with fish & chips, and more.
We continue north and the roads become curvy. Some people are even starting to feel sick.
In Whangarei, we stop for the day. We sleep right by the sea and are shaken up by the wind. The rain is lashing against the windows and the seagulls are hiding in the grass.
Actually, we want to explore the beautiful nature here, but it's a bit more difficult in heavy continuous rain.
05.01.2023 ● Whangarei
The night was a bit short because the rain is continuously pouring down on the camper van and the wind from the sea is shaking us up.
Unfortunately, our plan to hike to the Whangārei Heads falls through. We can't see very far either, as the rain and fog blur the view.
The weather forecast says that the continuous rain will last for the next 2 weeks. Although we always make the best of the circumstances, after 15 minutes in the rain, we are wet to the bone and our clothes won't dry in this weather. Plan B does not offer any alternatives, as it is raining all over New Zealand. This weather is very atypical for this time of year and has never happened here in recent years.
We go to the center of Whangarei and are totally surprised by the clock museum. A kind of ball track is set up on a large scale, showing the time precisely using the balls in seconds, minutes, and hours. It's fascinating how it all works.
Right next to it is a building by Hundertwasser. It is beautiful to look at with its colorful colors, curves, and many details.
On the outskirts of the city, there is a 26m high waterfall that we visit. We start with hoods and umbrellas. From above, we see the water falling into the depths.
Then we walk down a forest path to the waterfall. We discover giant tree ferns growing here as trees.
Everything is densely overgrown, so that hardly any light can penetrate. The spray from the waterfall hits us hard. Fortunately, it's not cold, but the moisture seeps into every crevice.
We continue driving north and discover more kauri trees in the dense dark forest.
09.01.2023 ● Auckland
We spent the night directly by the Wairoa River. So we were able to fully enjoy the sunset.
This morning, we take a short hike around the 'Rock'. We traverse deep forest with kauri trees, palms, ferns, and a lot more. In between, we have an unobstructed view of the lush green meadows where the cattle graze. On the backside of the rock, we can climb up briefly using stairs and rocks to an observation point.
Back in the camper van, we continue to Wellsford. We enjoy the drive with the great views of meadows, mountains, bays, and the sea. The town itself is small and has many second-hand shops. We have a lunch break at a playground, where Benedikt can ride his bike in the parking lot.
Our final destination for today is Auckland. We have laundry day and can use the library's free warm showers. This is much better than the cramped shower in the camper van. After that, we do the laundry in the laundromat and then the day is already over.
To celebrate the day, we treat ourselves to a glass of wine, as Jens' cousin has had a baby. Warm greetings to the little family at this point.
`10.01.2023 ● Hamilton
The rain has caught up with us again, so we decide spontaneously to go to the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland. Here, the technological development of the telephone, television, and radio, video game consoles, and mobile phones is demonstrated. We can interactively operate the dial on the phone and make calls to the next devices.
Then we head to the pumping station. Until 1920, more than 6 million liters of water were pumped through here every day for the city of Auckland. Besides, old diesel pumps generate electricity, now only for the museum's wooden tram.
This tram takes us to the next remote hall, where fighter jets are exhibited. And not only that, we also see large seaplanes for the first time. These existed as both fighter planes and luxury passenger planes.
The museum complex is so large and diverse that we cannot see everything. We take a look at an interactive hall, where you can participate in recycling or test your strength with nautical laws. It's fun for young and old.
The rain continues, and we drive south to Hamilton.
11.01.2023 ● Waitomo Caves
We spend the morning at the Hamilton Gardens. Here, there are seventeen different themed gardens. The Wonderland Garden of Alice in Wonderland has enchanted us in particular. Here, we felt particularly small with oversized garden gate, spade, and wheelbarrow. The trees were brought to life and moved above our heads.
All the other gardens are beautifully designed and there is a lot to discover.
In the afternoon, we go to the Waitomo Caves, which is a limestone cave where glowworms hang from the ceiling. We are supposed to go into the cave by boat. For that, the children have to put on the appropriate clothing. Equipped with life jackets, the adventure begins.
But due to the rain in recent weeks, the water level is so high that we cannot go into the cave by boat. So we walk into the cave and quickly become amazed at how large it is. Our guide tells us a lot about the structure of the cave. And then it gets quiet. The lights go out and countless glowing points are visible on the ceiling in a crack.
But that's not all, we are guided to the water and allowed to board the boat. Only a small flashlight shows us the step. Then it starts in complete darkness and silence. Over ropes, our guide pulls the boat over the water.
We turn and the glowworms on the ceiling enchant us. It's such a beautiful moment that will be remembered.
Today we sleep with a view of the Waituhi Lookout. The view extends over Lake Taupō and the surrounding hilly landscape.
12.01.2023 ● Lake Taupo
From the lookout point, we go downhill directly to Lake Taupō. This is the central focal point of the North Island and has an area of 616 km².
At the shore, we can take photos with the signage as a memory and watch golf swings. The goal is a small floating island in the lake. The turnout is surprisingly large, as there is a prize of 10,000 NZ dollars for a hole-in-one. Around the island, we see divers in the water bringing back the golf balls.
We explore the tourist town and stroll through the shops.
Before we continue, we visit the Huka Falls. These are waterfalls of the Waikato River. 220,000 liters of water are pressed through the narrow rock gap per second.
Our plan is to stay in Rotorua tonight. The city is known for its natural hot springs. Steam is rising everywhere and it smells terrible of rotten eggs. But it's like with everything, you get used to it over time.
13.01.2023 ● Rotorua
We start the last day with six people in a relaxed manner. In search of the hot springs, we find a riverbed to relax. Thanks to the rain, it is a pleasant 38 degrees. Otherwise, it would have been unbearable for the children at 42 degrees. So we sit and lie relaxed in the riverbed and enjoy the warm water.
14.01.2023 ● Goodbye Grandma & Grandpa
The time has come and Jens' parents are leaving. The last 17 days have flown by.
Together, we celebrated the new year in Sydney and explored the northern part of the North Island of New Zealand. Unfortunately, the bad weather contributed to limited views of the landscape.
After dropping them off at Auckland airport, we stay in the city for the weekend. On Monday, we have to go back to the car rental company, as the camper van needs new brake pads and has to go to the workshop.
