Many people said The Cook Strait ferry crossing between Wellington and Picton is known as one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world. On the first day of my arrival in NZ, I had thought of crossing the ferry as I bought some bus tickets and got a one-way free ferry ride. I promised myself to use that ticket for a well-deserved break after working on a blueberry farm for a couple of months. Unfortunately, I am not able to do so until 3 years later.
Ferry enters the Marlborough Sounds
We left on Friday dawn to catch the Bluebridge ferry from Wellington to Picton on the South Island. This was a three-and-a-half hours ride. From Wellington, the ferry went around Wellington Harbour before crossing the narrow route between New Zealand's north and south islands, which is named the Cook Strait after Captain Cook, the English explorer who first mapped it.
We boarded the ferry later than others so all the seats with the best views were taken. Together with the practice of social distancing during that time, we ended up sitting in a cafeteria area near the ferry restaurant.
Unfortunately, the wind came after we went out of the Wellington harbour which created a lot of small waves on the sea surface. I started to feel a bit dizzy and it got worse when I tried to go to the toilet. Even moving inside the hallway to go back to my seat was almost impossible so I had to stop in the movie theatre.
As we slowly moved into the magnificent Marlborough Sounds, the choppy sea was almost gone. I remember my friend's suggestion to go up to the deck of the ferry to enjoy the spectacular view of the beautiful Marlborough. And she is so right. It is this hour-long cruise through the Marlborough Sounds that makes the Cook Strait ferry a must-do experience.
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We disembarked around noon and proceeded to the car rental agency. From there we set off along the north coast of the South Island, along the path that overlooks the Queen Charlotte Channel. After a short lunch at a stop on the route, our first destination was Cullen Point, a bluff overlooking the town of Havelock. It was beautiful to stop there a bit and take pictures but we wasted an hour on a walk around it that was not remarkable. So if you are in a hurry, there is no need to do this walk as we will find many better ones on the way.
The first leg of the trip: Picton to Richmond
Our second stop for the day was at the Pelorus Bridge Reserve, which crosses the river of the same name. We sat down to rest by the shore and enjoy the calm of a beautiful and natural place outside of the tourist season. It was almost empty so we had the whole place for ourselves.
I asked my partner to spend more time there because I had an awe moment at this place. It is not absolutely stunning when you look at the photos but the sun came out after the rain lit up a warm and peaceful moment for my soul and my body. Everything around me seems to slow down, the water flowing gently in this river, there was no wind compared to my windy welly.
Finally, we ended the day by driving to Richmond, adjacent to the city of Nelson, the largest in this region. We just transit there one night before driving up to see the beautiful crystal clear springs the next day.
Visiting The world's clearest fresh water in Te Waikoropupu Springs
On the morning of our second day, we headed to the lively little town of Takaka, to visit one of the wonders of nature there - the Te Waikoropupu Springs, a sacred site for the Maori with crystal clear water. Yes, you heard me right - the term “crystal clear” is actual, not in imaginary.
At the entrance
A short walk to the Springs
Here we are...
The Te Waikoropupu Springs are the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand and the largest cold water springs in the Southern Hemisphere. Imagine the size of an underground reservoir large enough to have its own tides. And that's where the pure water come from
As a result of filtering through the surrounding rock for up to 10 years, the water that comes up out of the springs feeding the pools is so pure and clear that the only thing obscuring views of the variety of plant species carpeting the bottom, which is more than ten meters below, is the fabulous blue tint of the water. Src
As these springs are a sacred site for the Maori, the waters of Te Waikoropupū Springs are closed to all forms of contact. Contact includes fishing, swimming, diving, wading, boating and the filling of drinking water containers, or any other activity where parts of the body or equipment contact the water. Read more about it here
I had to admit that I was so tempted to touch the water and really like to fill my water bottle with the water from this Spring. I know I shouldn't have had that thought but you will understand me when you stand in front of these springs. I was obsessed with its beauty. The more you look at it, the clearer and purer it is.
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