20/03/2026
Palm trees… glaciers… and a sky so blue it hardly seemed real. Today we set our sights on Franz Josef Glacier.
Snow-capped peaks ahead, rainforest all around us. We drove the Franz Josef Highway singing our way to the Roberts Point Track, stopping for a quick healthy breakfast before the climb.
Soon the trail pulled us deep into ancient rainforest—clear lakes, mossy rock, waterfalls slipping through the trees.
The Roberts Point Track is steep and rugged, 7 miles there and back for a front-row seat of the glacier.
But the real thrill?
The swing bridges.
Long and narrow, swaying gently high above rushing glacial rivers. One of them—Rope Creek Bridge is the length of Lambeau Field.
About two hours up…the trail turned slick and steep, and Ann’s wrist had had enough. So we turned back while Kevin and Carleen pushed on toward the glacier.
Our walk down was slower… quieter… even a little romantic.
We regrouped at the Alice May Café—Monteith’s Ginger Beer for me, Sauvignon Blanc experiments for the others.
Another beautiful day in New Zealand.
For love.
For health.
For adventure.