Getting off to a good start in Springfield. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

I got the chance to hang out in Christchurch during my filming. Unfortunately looking back, I didn’t get to see the city. But, my time there was enjoyable. My purpose was to use Christchurch as my jumping off point to bike around the area. I rented a bike and gear from Natural High. One of the reasons I chose them was that they allow you to drop your bike off most anywhere in the country…not that I was going to take on biking all over New Zealand.

I took the train with my bike from Christchurch to Springfield. I made my way to around the rural areas and had a great time. Here are a few shots from my time on the road.  See if you can guess what my favorite part was.

If you notice that the photos are a little fuzzy, keep in mind that these were grabbed from film, not from camera.

Enjoy this photo essay of my time Biking around the Christchurch area supporting Blog 4 New Zealand.

Gorgeous mountains to the west. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

The famous New Zealand sheep. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

A pie shop caught my eye in Sheffield. I had to investigate. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Lots of savory flavors to choose from. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

And sweet pie choices. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Nom. Nom. Nom. You didn't think I was going to leave without trying the pies, did you? Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Passed by some beautiful rivers. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Kayakers taking advantage of the rivers. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Some of the beautiful gardens at Ribblesdale Farms in Oxford. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

More Blog 4 New Zealand (Blog4NZ) Goodness!

Check Out Part 1: Sailing in Auckland

Check out Part 2: Abel Tasman Park

Check Out Part 3: Trains and Ferries

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Train stop with a beautiful view of the snow capped mountains in the distance. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

There are so many cool ways to see New Zealand: hiking, biking, spelunking. But, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that you can also check things out by train and by ferry. There are 2 lines on the south island: The TranzAlpine going east-west between Christchurch and Greymouth, and The TranzCoastal going north-south between Christchurch and Picton. And, there is one line on the north island, the Overlander, taking you between Wellington and Auckland. And, to get you between the north and south island, you can grab the 3 hour mega-ferry, the Interislander.

I reached out to folks at TransScenic Rail which runs it all. They were kind enough to offer me free passes while I filmed. I had the chance to ride with the conductor on the TranzAlpine rail to Greymouth, get to know the staff on all the trains and go behind the scenes on the Interislander ferry.

For this photo essay I pulled a few pics from the film I shot for our Trains and Ferries episode.  If you notice that the photos are a little fuzzy, keep in mind that these were grabbed from film, not from camera.

Enjoy this photo essay of our time on the trains and ferries of New Zealand supporting Blog 4 New Zealand (Blog4NZ).

The Birdseye Seat. I got to sit up front with the conductor for a bit. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Arthur's Pass is a popular stop on the TranzAlpine line. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Mural in Greymouth, New Zealand. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

View of the eastern coast on the TranzCoastal route. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Interislander coming into port in Picton. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Loved this Maori statue in the Picton station. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Leaving Picton on the South Island. Next stop, Wellington. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

First views on arrival to Wellington. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

More Blog 4 New Zealand Goodness!

Check out Part 1: Sailing in Auckland

Check Out Part 2: Abel Tasman Park

Check Out Part 4: Biking Around Christchurch

If you like this post, sign up for our newsletter or subscribe to our RSS feed to keep up with Career Break Secrets’ career break and travel advice.

The first beach you see at the entrance of Abel Tasman Park. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Abel Tasman is the smallest national park in New Zealand. It’s tucked away on the northwest corner of the south island. I have a feeling that it doesn’t get as much love as it should. Not located near other major traveler hotspots on the south island (like the famous glaciers to the south), it’s easy to overlook the park. Keep in mind that New Zealand is a country where the landscape starts at beautiful and only gets better from there. So, Abel Tasman has a lot of competition.

But, just a couple of hours to the west of Picton (the landing point of the Interislander Ferry), lies Motueka, the small town that is the gateway to Abel Tasman. You can easily do this park in a day if pressed for time, or a couple if you want to explore the entirety of its beautiful smallness. You can hike, kayak, camp, swim, or simply take a boat cruise to enjoy the park.

For this photo essay I pulled a few pics from the film I shot for our Hiking the Abel Tasman Park episode.  If you notice that the photos are a little fuzzy, keep in mind that these were grabbed from film, not from camera.

Enjoy this photo essay of our time at Abel Tasman supporting Blog 4 New Zealand.

Some of the best views of the park are from the water. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Love those beaches inside the park. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Kayaking is very popular around the park. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

One of the suspension bridges inside the park. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

I never got tired of checking out the seaside views from the footpath. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

More Blog 4 New Zealand Goodness!

Check out Part 1: Sailing in Auckland

Check Out Part 3: Trains and Ferries

Check Out Part 4: Biking Around Christchurch

If you like this post, sign up for our newsletter or subscribe to our RSS feed to keep up with Career Break Secrets’ career break and travel advice.

Penny with her grandsons keeping the family's sailing tradition alive. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

While in Auckland, I spent a few days with local celeb Penny Whiting who runs her own sailing school from Waitemata Harbour. I pulled a few pics from the film I shot for our Sailing in Auckland episode. If you notice that the photos are a little fuzzy, keep in mind that these were grabbed from film, not from camera.

I started off with a cruise with Penny and her son, Carl’s family. Carl is a sailing professional in his own right having sailed in several America’s Cup tournaments. And, it’s clear that her grandsons will be future sailors themselves. I then got to spend time with Penny and a couple of her classes including going out into the harbour on her boat Endless Summer. Penny, her family and her students were very gracious with me allowing me to film them all.

I didn’t have the time to take the lesson myself, only be a fly on the while during Penny’s classes. But, if I ever get the chance, I would definitely like to head back to Auckland and have Penny teach me her tricks.

Enjoy this photo essay of our time Sailing in Auckland supporting Blog 4 New Zealand.

View of Auckland from the boat deck. CareerBreakSecrets.com

Auckland's Skyline from the Harbour. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

View of the Waitemata Harbour from the nose of the boat, Endless Summer. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Penny's Students Prepping the Boat to Leave Harbour. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Endless Summer Leaving Its Spot in the Harbour. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

View of Auckland from Waitemata Harbour. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Endless Summer in the Harbour Getting Ready to Set Sail. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Endless Summer Against the Backdrop of the Auckland Bridge. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Wouldn't Want to Take on This Sail! Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Endless Summer About to Pass Under the Famous Auckland Harbour Bridge. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Shot of Endless Summer Passing Under the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

More Blog 4 New Zealand (Blog4NZ) Goodness!

Check out Part 2: Abel Tasman Park

Check Out Part 3: Trains and Ferries

Check Out Part 4: Biking Around Christchurch

If you like this post, sign up for our newsletter or subscribe to our RSS feed to keep up with Career Break Secrets’ career break and travel advice.