South Island, New Zealand Day 2 (Christchurch to Punakaiki)

Day 2: Christchurch to Punakaiki

I made buttermilk pancakes for breakfast this morning.  I had bought a bottle of shaker pancake mix the day before.  It was easy to use and tasted good.  Then packed sandwiches for our lunch. We had brought along 2 soft cooler  bags and cooler packs for this trip to keep our sandwiches fresh and juices/ milk cold while on the road.

After breakfast, we set off for Punakaiki via Arthur’s Pass. We were wowed by the scenery along the way and made photostops!  The day was cloudy and wind was super strong.  Very cold!

Arthur’s Pass National Park

Arthur’s Pass National Park

Stopped at Arthur’s Pass visitor’s centre for our picnic lunch. After lunch we took the Devil’s Punchbowl Falls Walk. It was our first walk and it was more tiring then we expected. But we made it and what a beautiful view it was that greeted us!

Devil’s Punchbowl Falls, Arthur’s Pass National Park

We drove to Punakaiki via the Coastal Road, making photoshops all night the way.

Along the Coastal Road

Upon arrival at Punakaiki, we decided to take a walk at the Pancake rocks before checking into our hotel at the Punakaiki Resort. Pancake rocks was beautiful but tide was low and so we decided to check it out again the next morning.

Pancake Rocks @ Punakaiki

Pancake Rocks @ Punakaiki

Checked into our hotel, the Punakaiki resort.  We stayed in 2 interconnecting seaview rooms at Punakaiki Resort.  The rooms were of decent size and clean, but not luxurious. However, the location and view were excellent. We watched a beautiful sunset right outside our balcony.   Btw, sunset was close to 9pm!

Sunset @ Punakaiki Resort

Sunset at Punakaiki Resort – view from the balcony in our room

Incidentally, for connecting rooms, only one comes with a balcony, which is fine with us. We were given rooms 213 and 214 which were fantastic because we were on the upper floor and so had a good view of the sea and sunset, yet could drive and park right at our door steps!

Punakaiki Resort

We had originally booked the rooms many months ago and we quotes NZD260 per room, A week or so before our trip, I just checked the hotel website again and found out that the room rates were quoted at NZD155 each! I wrote to the hotel to request for reduction of rates, so as to save me the trouble of canceling and rebooking. They obliged and explained that the room rates dropped because occupancy is low the night we were going to be there. It does pay to check the hotel website again even after you have booked.

We saved NZD210 for that one night stay, and it helped pay for our dinner at the Waterline Restaurant that night! We had a good dinner and service was excellent.  Reservations recommended.  If you don’t plan to stay at the hotel, the restaurant has a great sunset view too.

Dinner @ Waterline Restaurant, Punakaiki Resort

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