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Published: December 7th 2006
Day 8 - Te Anau - Queenstown (185km)
We head north to Queenstown expecting a nice scenic drive along the shore of Lake Wakatipu but unfortunately the weather has other ideas and we are treated to mist, rain and a lake that looks like the North Sea! We grudgingly pass all the scenic lookouts without stopping but manage a lunch stop next to the Kingston Flyer, an old steam locomotive, on the banks of the lake. We make it to Queenstown and it is absolutely dinging it down (more rain in one day than they normally have in a month!) so we stock up at the supermarket and hole up in our van for the rest of the day (some blog/washing catch-up time).
Day 9 - Queenstown - Glenorchy - Queenstown (110km)
Thankfully the following day the rain had subsided to a light(ish) drizzle so we venture into town for a wander around before finding an internet café to post our first NZ blog (hope you enjoyed it!). We had planned to go river surfing but the swollen rivers and chilly weather led to a change of heart and we instead took the scenic drive along the shore
of the lake to Glenorchy for a spot of horse trekking in Lord of the Rings country! We ride along river banks with spectacular mountain views whilst struggling to keep our mischievous horses in check - HF had the bully of the pack who could have started a fight in an empty paddock! All in all though we did ok for our first time and earned our spurs when we took the plunge into the raging river (without falling off) and got well and truly soaked.
Managed to negotiate the drive back to Queenstown with sore legs/buttocks (!) for quick change and tea before heading out for the evening. Had arranged to meet up with Jules and Will (from kayaking), who had arrived in Queenstown about the same time as us, and go on a mini pub crawl of some of the best and worst pubs the town has to offer!
Day 10 - Queenstown - Franz Josef (390km)
Despite our late night we awake early and are rewarded with blue skies and so take the opportunity to journey up the Skyline Gondola for panoramic views of the town, lake and Remarkables (mountain range). After enjoying the
views we well and truly blast the cobwebs away with a shot on the downhill luge which involves hurtling down a track in a little go kart type thing - v good fun! Suitably refreshed we hit the road heading west toward Franz Josef and are treated to another beautiful drive through the finest countryside NZ has to offer.
We have great weather all the way and stop at numerous points to soak up the atmosphere and views and stretch our legs (which are still sore from horse riding!) Despite the amount of driving it was a very enjoyable journey and our most notable stops included:
• Arrowtown (for brunch at Mondo Café)
• Lake Wanaka
• Lake Hawea
• Haast Pass (through Mt Aspiring National Park)
• Blue Pools
• Cameron Flats
• Fantail Falls
• Pleasant Flat
• Ship Creek / Waita beach (for cuppa)
• Knights Point coastal lookout
We finally arrive at Fox Glacier around 6pm and head to Lake Matheson for a walk around the lake with great views of Mt Cook and Mt Tasman before heading on to Franz Josef for the night and a well earned sleep!
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Graeme
non-member comment
Horsing Galore
Hi Great pictures again the lake especially. Glad you enjoyed the horse ride. Just seems to be one adventure after another that you conquer. Hope the weater improves more like Scottish weather. Graeme