overnight in arthur’s pass
We were towards the end of our New Zealand South Island driving holiday. After several stops along the way, we finally made it to Arthur’s Pass National Park from Hokitika. It was late afternoon by this time and we still had to find where we were staying but at the same time, we didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity for at least a walk in the National Park.
So we settled on seeing the Devil’s Punchbowl Falls. After parking the car, we could hear the water before we caught a glimpse. 
After weaving through some trees, we crossed a suspension bridge before climbing gradually to the viewing platform. The views around were so spectacular. 
It was an easy-moderate 1-hour return walk to the platform and we were not disappointed. 
Gosh, we love waterfalls, no matter how big or small – though the teeny trickly ones are disappointing. (We should probably add that we are yet to see the likes of Niagara, Iguazu or Victoria, so if we are blown away by any waterfalls… imagine what will happen when we see the real BIG names in waterfalls).
So after returning to the car following the bush walk, we made our way through the winding road to our accommodation for the night. We chose to stay in the heart of the National Park in a little roadside motel. And surrounding us were mountains as far as the eye could see! It was isolated, peaceful and with no wi-fi. We made good use of their foosball table 😉 
Open up our curtains and the view was a wee bit surreal for us…We had to go for a walk in the evening to see that it was for real.
And it was a full moon that night.
Have you visited Arthur’s Pass National Park?
Drop us a comment.
wise monkeys abroad 
July 31, 2017 at 10:10 pm
Just stunning.Such an amazing post
August 3, 2017 at 10:01 am
Thanks for the comment 🙂 New Zealand is a very lovely place to visit!
February 20, 2017 at 9:19 pm
Thanks for this wonderful post.. Really enjoyed it.. I’ loosing my patience after seeing these pictures…I immediately want to go there….
July 12, 2017 at 8:51 am
New Zealand is definitely worth a visit! Hope you manage to get there one day 🙂
March 24, 2016 at 12:17 am
Beautiful nature and great waterfall m also planning to visit this place.
April 4, 2016 at 8:08 am
NZ has so much to offer. We are thinking of going back as there is so much to see 🙂
March 17, 2016 at 7:19 am
Fantastic virtual tour! Beautiful nature and great shot. Bye. Kamila
March 19, 2016 at 7:55 am
Thanks Kamila 🙂
February 24, 2016 at 9:53 pm
I keep seeing photos like these of NZ, and it makes me want to pack my bag!! Love the one with golden alpenglow on the mountain tops
March 7, 2016 at 9:28 am
Well badfish… Maybe you need to pack your bags and swim yourself to NZ 🙂
Thanks for your comment!
March 7, 2016 at 8:17 pm
been thinking about it, guys
February 23, 2016 at 4:00 am
What great views! I have always wanted to visit New Zealand
March 7, 2016 at 9:29 am
We do hope you get to see NZ some day. It really is so spectacular 🙂
March 11, 2016 at 3:46 pm
I definitely will! I must
February 21, 2016 at 12:46 pm
mighty yet beautiful. thanks for sharing awesome photos!
March 7, 2016 at 9:29 am
Thanks Andy! Appreciate the comment. 🙂
February 20, 2016 at 8:55 am
Hi… Seems like forever since we last chatted. Your photos are breath taking… This park is stunningly beautiful… Both day and night from the looks of your captures. I haven’t been here, but sure would like to visit!
~Jane
February 20, 2016 at 9:17 am
Jane!!! How are you? It does feel like ages. We have been MIA because we have had so much else going on in life that we have neglected blogging and all that goes with it. We are trying to get back into it a little bit more regularly. But time is such a factor, huh?
So glad to hear from you. Thank you for leaving us such a lovely comment.
We are still following your posts on Facebook 🙂 (Finger on pulse a little bit).
February 20, 2016 at 7:52 am
What I loved most about New Zealand was having a view of snow covered mountains each day. It was such a novelty for us. We drove through Arthur’s Pass but didn’t have time to stop. We decided then that we would return and stay a while.
February 20, 2016 at 7:53 am
Stay a while is a great idea!! We were there overnight and really didn’t hike as much as we would’ve liked.
We haven’t visited any blogs for a while so will duck over to yours now to see what you have been up to! Hope you are well 🙂
February 20, 2016 at 11:16 am
Welcome back! When we passed through we had a date with the inter-island ferry so we couldn’t stop for long, but I would love to go back. All is well here, looking forward to the next trip. How about you?
March 7, 2016 at 9:30 am
Not sure how we missed this comment… sorry!!
We are too counting down to our next big trip but we hope to schedule a few smaller ones in the meantime 🙂
Life is so crazy busy now… we just need a break!
February 19, 2016 at 7:49 pm
Spectacular part of the world. We did the train to Arthurs Pass, then coach to Hokitika. Never as adventurous as you guys, but thank you for the reminder.
February 20, 2016 at 7:40 am
Thanks K, but you know we are really not that adventurous…. 🙂 It is so scenic and magical. That really is NZ, huh?
February 19, 2016 at 7:35 pm
Have never visited New Zealand. The waterfall does look huge and magnificent. Brilliant captures all round. Lovely that the sun was out when you two were on your walk. It must have been quite warm 😀 Hope you two are well and enjoying the last of summer 🙂
February 20, 2016 at 7:42 am
Mabel, for your next getaway, you must go to NZ. It is so pretty and so close to home. We should try and get there more often if we can too 🙂 It has been so muggy in Sydney… At least we are not getting random thunder storms at the moment! Hope you are well too…busy writing and editing and living 🙂
February 19, 2016 at 6:48 am
Stunning pictures once again! Really wants to make me go travel somewhere again especially as my health is improving more and more since the beginning of this year 🙂
February 20, 2016 at 7:43 am
Thanks so much Timo!!! Soooo glad to hear that your health is improving. We have been thinking about you especially every time you’ve shared a pic of your little guy 🙂
So, where to next for you and the family? Is MIL coming this year?
February 20, 2016 at 8:50 am
We will be going to China in April for two weeks and my father will join us (my mom says once in China is enough…) and MIL will be coming in the beginning of June for once again three months.
It is really exciting to be able to do stuff again and in my case start sports again which just feels great.
February 20, 2016 at 9:18 am
That’s great! A trip is coming up very soon for you 🙂
Make sure you take care of yourself and stay on the mend!
February 18, 2016 at 11:43 pm
I enjoyed this! The photos are stunning too.
February 20, 2016 at 7:43 am
Thank you very much! We appreciate your words 🙂