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Wanaka Travel Blogs

Background: The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year, the British began the first organized colonial settlement. A series of land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native peoples. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. New Zealand's full participation in a number of defense alliances lapsed by the 1980s. In recent years, the government has sought to address longstanding Maori grievances.

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By colvinyeates
March 4th 2009

Petrol - one dollar suxty sux point sux sux cints a leetre. Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Central Otago » Wanaka

A bridge to Rob Roy Glacier

A cheap shot but who can resist taking the puss out of the keewee accint? It's not so easy, in fact well nigh impossible, to be cynical concerning the South Island's environmental backdrops. For a bloke normally averse to sitting behind the wheel, I've taken quite a shine to slowly cruising amongst New Zealand's majestic alpine scenery. Every bend in the road leads to the requisite oohs and aahs from the front seat. One easy hour out of Christchurch and the full roll call of scenic boxes are being ticked off: . precipitous mountains - tick. . waterfalls that hang like [View Full Entry]

By Carole and Lindsay
February 15th 2009

Wanaka Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Central Otago » Wanaka

Lake Wanaka

So we were in Wanaka from February 10-12th and had a fairly relaxing time. Wanaka is a gorgeous town because it's set in the valley next to a giant lake and it's surrounded by mountains. We didn't do too much while we were there because we were recuperating from all of our activities in Franz Josef. The night we arrived we walked around the town and then had a group bbq with the people on our bus. It gave us a chance to say goodbye to that group since most of them were leaving Wanaka a day earlier than us. Later [View Full Entry]

By Banburn
August 26th 2008

Day 4 - Lake Tekapo to Wanaka Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Central Otago » Wanaka

Crossing the MacKenzie Basin

With heater running all night, we awoke next morning to a warm comfortable motorhome. That was until I opened the door and stepped outside onto a layer of lovely white fresh snow, and the temperature touching around minus three degrees. Even though it was so cold, the sun was shining bright causing the snow to melt very quickly. With such a beautiful morning, we were anxious to get on the road early to take full advantage of the magnificent weather we were lucky to be experiencing. After a quick breakfast, we were on our way to Mt Cook. The road out [View Full Entry]

By JENAG
March 20th 2007

Country Life Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Central Otago » Wanaka

car

My brother asked to see a picture of the car Sophie and I bought for $800. Here it is. Last week we also went on an unbelievable 3 day kayak experience on the Doubtful Sound. I used a waterproof camera (nondigital). It rained every day we were there and there was even snow on the tops of the mountains (to 700m). Luckily, we didn't get snowed upon, but I will tell you it was very cold. Still, we had an incredible time. I'll try to put some pictures up soon. [View Full Entry]

By JENAG
February 27th 2007

Moving House to All Nations Road Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Central Otago » Wanaka

our new house in Cardrona

Yesterday I moved in to a house to live with Sophie (who I've been travelling with) and Bruce, the gardener at the hotel. We're looking forward to lots of barbecues and finally getting to cook in a real kitchen. That was the one thing we lacked when Sophie and I were living at the hotel. No kitchen. So we are going to bake lots and lots of delicious muffins. Bruce lives on All Nations Road, named after one of the only two hotels that have ever been in Cardrona. All Nations Hotel is no longer here, but it lives on at [View Full Entry]

By Emmalemma
December 2nd 2006

Rob Roy Glacier Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Central Otago » Wanaka

before fording river number one

My first real New Zealand hike is one of my favorites so far. This was the hike with the 5 fords on the dirt road to the trail head and my famous and inspiring friend Traci from Alaska and another girl Leah from Canada (a born again Christian engaged to be married upon her return to the states) described in a previous email. The weather was a bit cloudy and we missed a lot of the views on the way up but it made the way down that much more fun. Looking back at my diary, my anxiety about my health [View Full Entry]

By Team Handsome
June 26th 2006

Franz Josef to Queenstown Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Central Otago » Wanaka

Lake Matheson

Check out the views. No cotswolds but awesome nonetheless!!! [View Full Entry]

By Musky
March 17th 2006

To Wanaka and Beyond - Fun on the Road with Matt Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Central Otago » Wanaka

The Wanaka Agriculture & Pastoral Show

Finding Matt Marshall Matt came to New Zealand to "find himself". I love that. Now, although Matt hasn't directly said that out loud you just know it. What he did say was "I don't know what I want to do, or where I'm going.. blah...blah..blah..." at this point, most people including myself shut off. It's a defensive mechanism that saves everyone a lot of time and heartache. We get the idea Matt. But to really seal the deal, at the start of the trip whilst in Central Otago, Matt said "I fancy doing a WOOF." Working on an Organic Farm. As [View Full Entry]

By JLane
February 26th 2006

That's the test of all tests, count me in... Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Central Otago » Wanaka

The day i rolled out of Queenstown i was enlightened a bit. Talked that morning with this crazy, hard core eco-challenge guy, a local. He told me of crazy endurance challenge races the south island has to offer. I am out of luck on some but there is one he likes to do by himself that is an absolute challenge. With an early start, you have the way to yourself. At the turnaround spot you have one of the most beautiful and spiritual views in this country. On a clear day that is. Which is rare. So, this is the last [View Full Entry]

By Janoo
February 12th 2006

Otago Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Central Otago » Wanaka

Nad Queenstownom

Caute! Uz je tu februar, asi aj u vas:) Tu sa detom skoncili letne prazdniny a nastupuju do skoly tak vsade citame hesla Back to school a pod. :) My sme sa presunuli z Queenstownu do Glenorchy, kde je zaciatok vela znamych chodnikov, vela z nich vedie udolim a to nas nebavia tak sme si vybrali tie co vedu po kopcoch alebo aspon na nejaky kopec. Tak sme navstivili Mt. Alfred, z ktoreho je paradny vyhlad na okolite kopce a udolia siroke jak novozalandska krava :) Tych je tu plno a uz nam lezu na nervy lebo sa nechcu uhnut z [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Central Otago » Wanaka