Blue Pools, Glaciers & Goodbye Queenie: The Final Miles of Our New Zealand RV Adventure
- Jun 16
- 5 min read
Twelve days. 1,200 miles. One very beloved camper van named Queenie. After two incredible chapters of our South Island road trip, the time had come for the grand finale — and we were determined to make every last mile count. Would the final leg live up to everything that came before it? We think you already know the answer.
Check Out Video Here - https://youtu.be/B7g9gKkdyZ4?si=nTPZ4Gj8W_iQMKz6
One Last Goodbye to Lake Wanaka
Before pointing Queenie north on Highway 6, we couldn't leave without one final moment with Lake Wanaka. If you've followed our journey from the beginning, you know this lake has held a special place in our hearts. Saying goodbye felt a little like leaving an old friend — and in a way, it was. But we always promise ourselves that one day we’ll be back.
As we headed north toward Mount Aspiring National Park, the landscape didn't let us down for a single second. Lake Hawera appeared on our right, and then the uppermost stretch of Lake Wanaka shimmered on our left. Lake Wanaka is a very long lake! New Zealand has a way of making even the drive between destinations feel like a destination of its own.
The Blue Pools — Where Glaciers Meet Turquoise Water
Deep inside lies one of New Zealand's most breathtaking secrets: the Blue Pools. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the pools are fed directly by glaciers, which gives them their jaw-dropping color — light turquoise fading into aqua, and aqua melting into the most incredible shade of green.
And yes, the water is every bit as cold as you'd imagine glacier-fed water to be. Grandpas Bobby learned that firsthand. Grandpa Scott was lucky he didn’t end up in the water!
We were amazed by all the different shades of blue and green and how crystal clear the water was. We could have stayed for hours. If you've ever stood somewhere so beautiful it almost doesn't feel real, you know exactly what we mean.
Have you ever seen water this blue and clear in person? Tell us in the comments — we' d love to know.
Waterfalls on Demand — The Best Kind of Pit Stop
One of our favorite things about driving through Mount Aspiring National Park? The waterfalls that appear just steps from the roadside parking areas. No long hikes required - which was a welcomed change for us — just pull over, step out, and stand in front of something magnificent. We enjoyed seeing both Thunder Creek Falls and Fantail Falls. Both were so different from one another, but each were beautiful in their own way.
After a long driving day, we made our way to our campsite in the town of Haast, where the universe apparently decided we needed a little drama: it rained for nearly seven straight hours. Hard. We genuinely thought we might be swept away. Nothing like hearing pounding rain on the roof of your RV only inches above your head!
Luckily, we were not.
The Great Coast Road — One of the World's Most Beautiful Drives
Good morning indeed! We woke up on the Great Coast Road along the west side of the South Island, and the views were nothing short of magical. This stretch is widely touted as one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world — and after experiencing it firsthand, we understand why completely.
The mist hanging over the rock formations gave the morning an almost otherworldly quality. When we finally found access to a beach, we had the whole stretch entirely to ourselves. There is something deeply special about sharing a wild, rugged coastline with no one but each other.
This coastline reminded us of our Australia drive in some ways — both share that raw, untamed beauty — though the character here is entirely its own. Wild waves. Ancient rock. A beauty that stays with you long after you’ve driven through.
Farewell, Queenie
It was somewhere along the Great Coast Road that it truly hit us: our time with Queenie was almost over.
For those new to our journey, Queenie was our faithful RV for the entirety of this South Island adventure — 12 days, 1,200 miles, countless pullover moments, waterfalls, lakes, and one very memorable rainstorm. Saying goodbye to her felt surprisingly emotional. She had been our home, our transport, and in some ways, our travel companion.
We know. We know. She's a van. But if you've ever done an RV trip, you understand
completely.
Fox Glacier & Franz Josef — Ice in Summer
After surviving the rainstorm in Haast, we pointed Queenie toward one of the most dramatic sections of the entire trip: the Glacier Road on the west coast of the South Island.
Our first stop was Fox Glacier. Due to retreating ice — it's no longer safe to hike up from the valley floor — most visitors now access it via helicopter tours or heli-hikes. Those were a little outside our budget, but we got a remarkable view of Fox from the valley, tucked into a canyon that framed it perfectly.
From there, we continued to Franz Josef Glacier. We found parking (no small miracle in peak season), laced up our shoes, and made the roughly two-mile round trip to the glacier observation point. Even with Scott nursing a cold, we made it.
Standing at the observation point, Scott explained something remarkable: the ground directly beneath our feet — where we were standing — was where the glacier extended all the way back in 1908. It has been retreating ever since. Looking up at where the ice sits today versus where it once reached is a powerful, humbling reminder of what's at stake in our world.
Castle Hill — Grandpa Bobby's Solo Climb
Our final major stop before Christchurch was Castle Hill, and it did not disappoint. The massive limestone boulders rise from the valley floor in a way that feels almost intentional — sculpted by something far older and larger than any of us.
Grandpa Scott sat this one out (cold: still winning), so Grandpa Bobby tackled the loop trail solo, boulder by boulder, step by step. The views from the top were worth every breath. Grandpa Bobby described the rock formations as looking almost like human bones or a Henry Moore sculpture — and once you see them, it's impossible to unsee it.
At the bottom, Grandpa Bobby confirmed: there was indeed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich waiting. Priorities.
Closing the Loop — Christchurch & What Comes Next
With Castle Hill behind us, it was time to close the loop and return to Christchurch — the city where our South Island RV adventure had begun.
Twelve days. 1,200 miles. Blue Pools, glaciers, wild coastlines, hairpin turns, waterfalls, and
one very memorable rainstorm. And one beloved van named Queenie, who carried us through every single mile of it.
But here's the thing: returning Queenie didn't mean the adventure was over. Not even close. The South Island road trip was done — but New Zealand's urban adventures were just beginning. Aukland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown – all waiting to be shared Stay tuned.
Ready to Plan Your New Zealand RV Adventure?
New Zealand's South Island is one of the most extraordinary road trip destinations in the world — and we'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. Whether you're dreaming of the Blue Pools, the glaciers, or the Great Coast Road, we hope our journey has given you a little inspiration (and maybe a few insider tips along the way).
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Grandpa Bobby &
Grandpa Scott
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