🚗 South Island Road Trip : Te Anau → Invercargill

🧝🏻‍♂️ 9:00 AM - Started at Rainbow Reach (a LOTR filming spot 🎥), walked a short trail (saw cute but poisonous mushrooms! 🍄). 🐬 Manapouri - Stopped at the Doubtful Sound wharf (softer scenery vs. Milford’s grandeur). Just a quick break—didn’t book the cruise. ⛱️ Te Waewae - Hit the Southern Scenic Route at noon. Rolling hills of 🐑 & 🐄 = living postcards! 1️⃣ McCracken’s Rest - Coastal views begin here! 2️⃣ Gemstone Beach - Mom collected "water-planting stones" 💎😂. 🏙️ Invercargill (NZ’s southernmost city!) ☕ Starbucks - No longer the world’s southernmost 😢 (no souvenir cups either). 🚘 Classic Car Museum - *$40/person* (pricey but car lovers rave on Google!). 🌺 Queens Park - Underrated beauty! Chinese garden with blue hydrangeas + golden hour rays through trees 🌄. 🌅 Oreti Beach - Drove onto the sand at sunset—watched the sun dive into the sea from our car! 🦞 Dinner at Ocean Seafood No oysters (off-season 😭), but: $35/langoustine (ouch! 🤑), fish maw soup, seafood fried rice, salmon sashimi, steamed cod (fresh & sweet). Total: $294. 🏨 The Lodges at Transport World Stylish, modern, with snacks + toiletries. Funny pun posters on walls! Note: Reception closes at 4 PM—had to call to check in. But… AMAZING shower pressure! 🚿💦 #NZRoadTrip #SouthIslandNZ #Invercargill #TravelDiaries