Nelson to Otago

The south island of New Zealand is even more picturesque than the north Island, if that is possible. Here are a selection of views you will see if you travel from north to south down the west coast.

Nelson then Murchison

If you travel from the north by Ferry you land in Picton, then it is a short drive to Nelson, city of art and music. Driving from Nelson to the West Coast you pass the village of Murchison where the quaint wooden church stands out against a backdrop of wooded hills.

329 The Matai Valley near Nelson in Autumn
Watercolour 27 x 18 cm
332 Yachts in Nelson
Watercolour 27 x 18 cm
956 Church in Murchison
Watercolour 28 x 17 cm

Down the West Coast then crossing the Alps at Haast

The West Coast of New Zealand is a must-do drive. The Southern Alps to the East cause the clouds to rise and drop a lot of their moisture on the west. The west might be wet, but it has amazing forests with lichen dripping off the trees. It is a great place for bird watching. Then you drive over the Haast Pass to Queenstown.

959 Flowering Rata trees on the road to the West Coast
Watercolour 27 x 17 cm
963 The Haast Valley
Watercolour 27 x 18 cm
1072 The Shotover River near Queenstown
Watercolour 21 x 15 cm
Still some snow on Coronet Peak in summer.
2192 Coronet Peak in Summer
Watercolour 30 x 21 cm
2196 View towards Queenstown from the Arrowtown Road
Watercolour 30 x 21 cm
318 Lake Wakatipu from the Queenstown walkway
Watercolour 21 x 14 cm

Dunedin on the East Coast
From Queenstown you drive through the rugged landscape of Central Otago to Dunedin on the East Coast. Dunedin is a University city and has an art school and a vibrant music scene.

The still waters of Otago Harbour off Macandrew Bay
326 Otago Harbour from Macandrew Bay
Watercolour 28 x 19 cm
Turquoise Otago Harbour with Dunedin on the hills
988 Dunedin on Otago Harbour
Watercolour 27 x 18 cm
Clouds on Mount Cargill with blue sky above
2187 Mt Cargill with clouds in Dunedin
Watercolour 30 x 21 cm