My New Zealand Road Trip: Part Two

My three weeks traveling throughout New Zealand have come to an end, and my trip has left me in awe of the spectacular scenery and natural wonder of this amazing country. I spent two weeks driving through the South Island in a rental car, and then explored the North Island for the third week in a minivan modified to include a refrigerator, cookware and a small bed. My campervan journey through New Zealand was incredible, and because my words can’t come close to doing the experience the justice it deserves, I invite you to take a look at the best pictures I took over the second part of my trip.

The beautiful Wanaka tree, standing alone lakeside next to Lake Wanaka.

This river valley in Glenorchy is where the filming of Isengard in the Lord of the Rings took place.

Looking out over Lake Wakatipu to downtown Queenstown.

A spectacular rock face at Milford Sound, which many call the eighth wonder of the world.

We were lucky to avoid rain on our cruise through the sound; This place gets the most rain of any region in New Zealand and is also one of the wettest spots in the world.

The fog made for excellent, almost eerie backdrops; I learned that it’s nearly impossible to take a bad picture here.

My favorite of the many waterfalls in Milford Sound; This valley area between the towering mountains was truly breathtaking.

Ridiculous fog on the road back to Te Anau, the closest town to Milford Sound.

The Purakaunui Falls in The Catlins region, one of the southernmost points on the South Island of New Zealand.

Standing next to Lake Pukaki, looking out towards Mt. Cook, the tallest mountain in New Zealand, in the distance.

The Church of the Good Shepherd next to Lake Tekapo, a world-renowned dark sky reserve in which you can see stars and the night sky with incredible clarity.

One of the many picturesque views along the Hooker Valley Track in Mt. Cook/Aoraki National Park.

Me braving the strong gusts of wind in front of Mt. Cook.

The end of the Hooker Valley Track, where runoff from the mountains creates a glacial lake complete with icebergs.

Cathedral Cove in the Coromandel Peninsula in the North Island of New Zealand, one of the coolest beaches I’ve ever been to.

Another view of Cathedral Cove; the cave from which I took the last picture is visible on the lower right hand side of this photo.

Building a natural hot tub at Hot Water Beach, a place where thermal activity underground heats up the water at the surface to temperatures up to 147 degrees Fahrenheit.

I slept in this campervan during the week travelling through the North Island; here it is during our stop at Reid’s Farm in Taupo.

The powerful Huka Falls in Taupo, where approximately 200,000 liters of water flow over some rocks every second.

Beginning the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a hike of about 12 miles that is considered by many to be the best day hike in all of New Zealand.

Taking a rest to see Mt. Ngauruhoe on the crossing, better known as Mt. Doom from the Lord of the Rings.

The Emerald Lakes near the apex of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing; the snow provided for excellent scenery and a worthy complement to the incredible green color of the lakes.

The view from the top of the skyline gondola, taking in the views of the unique landscapes of the mountains, Lake Wakatipu, and Queenstown.

Jumping off a nearly 150-foot tall bridge at the first commercial bungy jumping site in the world — one of the most frightening yet exhilarating experiences of my life.

An abandoned shed on the south coast of New Zealand.

Nugget Point, a collection of large rocks in the sea on the south coast next to a lighthouse.

View from the dorm room in my hostel in Dunedin.

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Jack Barney is a junior studying business management. He is studying at Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand for Spring semester 2017.