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Karen, yes, that is the Earnslaw. I read your report (several times) and thought we might include it, but somehow never did get around to it.
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Did your husband enjoy the Shotover boat ride? Is that the jet boat? I know we considered a jet boat ride somewhere near Queenstown but then thought it might be too adventurous for us!
It's nice to see the photos of Arrowtown because we didn't go there. We thought about it but there never is enough time. The food from Finz Seafood and Grill looks delicious! The photo of the Queenstown Pier with the umbrella tables - I think we had a drink there when we were waiting for the TSS Earnslaw. |
Adelaidean a wonderful trip report bringing back many memories of our past trips down South. You did miss out the Nelson area though and the Abel Tasman National Park, maybe next time.
We are heading down to Stewart Island in a couple of weeks with the caravan, still debating whetner we go down via the West Coast or not. I loved the scenery on that route. Arrowtown will be a picture by the time we are there. Looking forward to the rest of your report. |
Arrowtown looks wonderful, such an interesting place, and our itinerary does not include it (nor Queenstown). The current plan is to stay for several days each in Wanaka and Te Anau, with a 1-night only in Glenorchy in between. I wonder if we should change that?
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Day 20: Queenstown
Today’s plan was to head to Gibbston valley winery area and the Kawarau bridge/ gorge area, but, instead we walked around Queenstown lakefront, lunched at Bombay Palace, wandered the Botanic Gardens (I am needing some ‘time out’ as back to hectic work soon and increasing elder care on my return) Some photos of the changing light / cloud from our balcony: https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3ed1d3cbf.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bf8d6471d.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...69fe5b566.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...443d24f33.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9f36fdc63.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...84194713d.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...36a6366d5.jpeg final day: https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...36579b581.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e04a19646.jpeg Love this cottage https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3df1618ca.jpeg Karen, yes, DH did the Shotover jet boat ride, he loved it. xyz99, it’s such a hard call, what to include, what to skip. I happen to like Queenstown, it’s small, it’s very attractive - for me a buzzing waterfront yet laidback vibe and slightly more urban spot was a good fit, even though I’m not interested in shopping, or adrenaline type activities. You will be passing through, going to Glenorchy, a quick visit to the lakefront/ wharf in or out would make for a nice hour or 2. It’s all you need, it’s quite small. You are heading south if I recall, I would like to visit further south, and further north, one day. nelsonian, enjoy your trip south to Stewart Island, hope you tell us about it. We skipped Abel Tasman, in favour of a slower trip, but I think it’d be on the list in future. As I’m getting older, I’m preferring to set up base for a bit longer and go a bit slower. Melnq8, I’m not a hiker, so ‘old and feeble’ Is relative.. my walks might be considered feeble, lol |
Day 21: Queenstown to Aoraki Mt. Cook travel day
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0f0297572.jpeg Picked up our essentials at Frankton New World and the French bakery, and headed for Mt Cook village. An interesting drive, through a diverse landscape. And interesting clouds all day. Stopped at a few viewpoints and did turn off the bitumen and drive the gravel road to the Omarama Clay Cliffs entrance (unmanned) but sign stated to leave $10 cash for entry (we had no cash) so we skipped it. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8ef7ecc2c.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8590b6ece.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1ad1b3ea8.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c2df2580f.jpeg Interesting clouds all day https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7c6d2593c.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6bb450613.jpeg Lindis pass lookout https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...dff5a5f43.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b375c75f3.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9dbe3c5ae.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4e9866a60.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d26b4f0c5.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...dbcc65726.jpeg After Twizel the road follows Lake Pukaki - stunning views of the mountains as you approach. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...459c0b753.jpeg Lake Pukaki https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f364b5a3a.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fad33d7a6.jpeg Mt Cook ‘village’ - this is a national park, no town, but a motel, hotel, hostel, cafe, no shops. Accommodation is limited, so book early. A few shots from after arrival, it’s a clear day and the next few are forecast cloudy/ rainy https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...66843b505.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...326738460.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e629d7526.jpeg Alpine memorial, so many young climbers https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8f4151f2e.jpeg The carpark at Hooker Valley Track! https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c36a4c4a7.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0315582ae.jpeg some useful stuff: Walks Mt Cook : https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets...ki-mt-cook.pdf Glacier boat tour https://www.hermitage.co.nz/experien...ier-explorers/ |
So awesome. Glad you are having largely good weather on your trip. Please continue to enjoy your last few days. It's been fun reliving some of my own memories through you.
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Day 22: Aoraki Mt Cook
Cloudy, drizzly, 19C We walked the Kea Point track from our accommodation (Mt Cook Lodge) so a 2 hour walk (it’s an hour from the campground carpark) A very pleasant walk, mostly flat, and on a clear day there are views of Mt Cook, but even in the mist, the view over Lake Mueller, the glacial moraine, the Huddleston glacier was impressive. And confronting. Glacial retreat : https://glacierchange.blog/2018/02/2...inus-collapse/ https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6afc1a577.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b920caecd.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...40680c983.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6b1c77853.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fd30d8afd.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...47dee19f6.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4c2648c04.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e85deb2ee.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e3b03a303.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d8146db1b.jpeg Raining in the afternoon, so just went to the nearby Governors Bushwalk for a forest canopy walk. |
Day 23: Aoraki Mt Cook
(The Hooker Valley Track is undergoing maintenance and closed weekday mornings until 10:30 am. Wise to check DOC websites for any closures, changes, dangers before heading out) Woke to thick cloud and rain. Slow start to the day seems sensible. Checked the hourly forecast and it was clearing after lunch, so ate at the Edmund Hillary Cafe at the Hermitage, and then headed to the Tasman Glacier carpark. Still low cloud but already improving. Started with the short, uphill (lots of steps) track to the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint. Wow. The Tasman glacier is the longest glacier in NZ. The glacial lake with surrounding moraines, and glacier, the mountains, the icebergs. Just extraordinary. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2589a906c.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...41df7ad1b.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...702dcfcf9.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ffafca4ff.jpeg Then walked the Tasman Jetty track, and to a lookout, the clouds slowly dispersing, and the boats heading out. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...13f5c2dbe.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...715d2eb62.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...04f74ed95.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...feb7ea321.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fae77bb12.jpeg |
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Iceberg and moraine https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e6b2fd4e2.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a1d5382f8.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f47ccf009.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c686cb3bd.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e19bc155f.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a1054f8ae.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3b84f4f84.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...524d6d7fe.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ee63492b4.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...260a893ee.jpeg Clearing clouds https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2b90b1c4e.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5266d69b5.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3ac9e3e1a.jpeg So many fascinating cloud formations https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...20306794c.jpeg This morning was just grey cloud from our mountain view room, now this |
Just playing "catch up" and loving all the photos... The "Wanaka Tree" reminds me of the tree at the lake in Sils Maria. You were there - what do you think?
from the photos NZ looks so green and lush and I have to keep reminding myself it is the end of summer there !!! (now back to more photos!!) |
Awesome photos! I love seeing the photos of your Kea Point hike and Tasman Glacier View. We planned on hiking those tracks but because we had a full day of pouring rain, we didn't have the time. And at our ages, with our aging bodies, it took us longer than the norm to hike the Hooker Valley Track, so by the time we finished, we were exhausted. Happy for you that you are having good weather for the most part.
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Hi Hambagahle, I don’t recall the tree at Sils Maria lake, and I walked it a few times on several trips, too much beauty to absorb!
Karen, the weather really can be unpleasant. We are not the ‘throw on a raincoat and trudge through a storm’ types. We have the luxury of time and chose our outings when it cleared, mostly. |
Day 24: Aoraki Mt Cook
Cool and cloudy 5-18C DH visited the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre NZ$25 https://www.hermitage.co.nz/experien...alpine-centre/ It warrants a few hours, displays, equipment, movie. In the afternoon we tackled the Hooker Valley Track (closed until mid morning and weather clearing in afternoon so that shaped our timing, afternoons have been very pleasant) This is a very popular walk, 10 km return (same way) to the Hooker Lake and crosses 3 suspension bridges. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...aa75c8f23.jpeg The beginning of the track https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5689d7038.jpeg The Mueller lake https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5a7593188.jpeg Mueller lake https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e706ed313.jpeg Mueller lake, first suspension bridge https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4cbc4cebb.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...999007369.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...108d3d6f4.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...20212c88c.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1414cda4e.jpeg Still some ice in the Hooker lake https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fc69aef6f.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...215dc0e35.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ec0cf2896.jpeg The glacier https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...02c3c0651.jpeg The ‘beach’ https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ba97d425c.jpeg Swimming! https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...970bc9968.jpeg Return same way https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2ffa0a731.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a35dc7b7c.jpeg Helicopter delivering maintenance equipment https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c57a2f2e3.jpeg Morning was cloudy, look at it now |
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The "swimming" photo is great for scale. I can't imagine swimming in that cold water, those are some brave souls.
Which app (or apps) did you use to get current/up to date info on the hikes' opening times? For example, how did you know that Hooker Valley Track was closed until mid morning? |
Wot XYZ said, Ade.
I am done. The call of the wild |
A Sils tree? Who knew? Will have to look at my photos to see if I can spot it.
This one? https://www.locationscout.net/switze...see-sils-maria |
Originally Posted by Adelaidean
(Post 17642496)
Hi Hambagahle, I don’t recall the tree at Sils Maria lake, and I walked it a few times on several trips, too much beauty to absorb!
Karen, the weather really can be unpleasant. We are not the ‘throw on a raincoat and trudge through a storm’ types. We have the luxury of time and chose our outings when it cleared, mostly. |
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