thanks for topping this, songdoc.

just the sort of info we need.

now, what may seem to you to be a silly question, but such are the depths of my ignorance, I'll ask it anyway:

how does Abel Tasman compare with the Queen Charlotte trail?

Quite a coincidence ... This report is almost eighteen months old--and I'm back in NZ as I write this! As I write I'm watching the most beautiful sunrise over Lake Tekapo.

We've been taking several days to drive from gorgeous Queenstown to Christchurch, with stops in Mt. Cook and Lake Tekapo, and the weather and scenery has been SPECTACULAR!!! It's sunny and the sky is a brilliant blue--but it's been freezing. Still, I wouldn't have missed the snow covered mountains or yesterday's snow hike for anything!

I haven't done the Queen Charlotte Trail -- so can't comment.

Will do a trip report--but first, have to catch up on Australia!!! This is the last part of a six-week trip, and that's a lot of report!

songdoc - sounds like a terrific trip and I'll look forward to reading your TR, though please don't take too long about it - our trip starts in mid November!

I'm working on it ...

Hi! Great trip report. My husband and I will be going to NZ in 2 weeks and staying at the Abel Tasman Stables as well! Would you mind relinking your photos as kodak gallery no longer exists? I would love to view them!

Here's a link to my most recent NZ photos--taken earlier this year--but we didn't return to Abel Tasman this time. I'll keep looking for the other photos.

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=2QctG7hu0ZMVK

I'm sure you'll love NZ and Abel Tasman. Hope you have a great trip.

I found the 2011 pix. Here's the link.

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=2QctG7hu0ZMVo

I've just begun planning next year's trip. What a gorgeous country!

Stunning photos!! Thank you for taking the time to find them and for sharing again!! This makes me even more excited for our trip =)