NEW ZEALAND #3 Wanaka to Akaroa via Aoraki

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Our time in New Zealand was spectacular - 18 days and not one without sunshine!

"Aoraki" = 'the cloud piercer' (Mt Cook) We saw many distant views of this peak, towering above the cloud layers - well named by the Maoris.

Hope you enjoy the final selection of photos.

The panorama above is Lake Wanaka from Roy's Peak, featured in the following photos.

Double click on the first slide to view the show at full size.

Cheers from Jan & Garry

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Photos

Milford Walk
Day 3 at Te Anau was our Milford Track walk. A 1 hour boat trip took us to the start of the 'Track'. After lunch our group completed the shorter day 1 leg of the 4 day trek. This swing bridge marks the starting point.

Roy's Peak - Wanaka
Our greatest walking achievement in NZ. Roy's Peak. It took us 3.5hrs to reach the summit - just found out the ascent was 1233 vertical metres!! Magnificent views of Wanaka & the Alps. The descent took only 2 hours.

Mt Roy 'Walk'
With pounding hearts, lead-like legs & excessively heavy breathing now behind us, we could enjoy the beautiful scenery during our 2 hour descent.

Yesterday's Peak
From the top of Mt Iron, just behind Wanaka township, Jan points out Roy's Peak, the reason for today's aching legs & stiff joints.

Beautiful Wanaka
While still in recovery mode we chose a 2 hour, fairly level, lakeside walk for our final afternoon at Wanaka.

Land of Sheep
It had to happen at some point - road blocked by sheep being moved between paddocks. Notice one impatient oncoming driver has gone to the right hand verge to get around the flock.

Hooker Valley Walk
Stunning - towering, snow-capped peaks, rocky gorges, ragging streams, blue skies. Here Jan is about to cross a swing bridge on our walk to Hooker Lake in Mt Cook Nat. Park.

Mt Cook / Aoraki
Below Mt Cook the Hooker Glacier releases chunks of ice to decorate its terminal lake.

Ancient Ice
I couln't help but ponder the question - 'How old is this chunk of ice?' The glaciers here have been receding for thousands of years, so this little piece must have been created long, long ago.

Time Out
During the ascent of Mt John at Lake Tekapo, I felt the need to stop and smell the roses. There weren't any so I just enjoyed the view. This was our final 'climb' for the trip.

Final Summit
Made it! Another great walk and 360 degree panoramic views. Better still, lunch at the top in a warm little cafe that served great lattes.

Lake Tekapo
'Church of the Good Shepherd' - dating from the 1840's this stone church is an icon of Tekapo. We managed this shot just before 2 buses opened their doors and unleashed a crowd of noisy, pushy tourists. Maybe that's why we love wilderness walks?

Sunny Akaroa
Our final afternoon was spent exploring the shoreline around Akaroa - a beautiful 'coastal' town only 90 min. from Christchurch. Back to Sydney tomorrow.

Comments

[Ian]

wrap up
I remember the road into Akaroa being hairy but the town was very peaceful - like most of New Zealand...have you estimated the sum of you vertical climbs? Everest next?