Queenstown & the West Coast

     Queenstown is the tourist hub of the South Island. Fortunately, we arrived at the very beginning of the season, so it wasn’t teeming with tourists yet. It’s the type of getaway place for the active set – you know, jetboats, bungy jumping, mountain biking, etc. Our hotel was beautifully situated along Lake Wakatipu.



Lake Wakatipu


     On Thursday, November 1 I enjoyed a long, relaxing walk along the lake and a chance to do some laundry. While Steve opted for an excursion on an historic steamship, the TSS Earnslaw, then visit a homestead ranch for a BBQ lunch, sheep shearing, and a border collie herding demonstration.

    
We both enjoyed our respective days and capped it off with a gondola ride to the summit of Bob’s Peak and dinner with spectacular 360 degree views of Queenstown.

 

 

     After two perfect days of glorious weather in Queenstown we headed to the West Coast of the South Island, which is much wetter. Along the way we passed two lovely, large lakes – Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea – and a beautiful waterfall before heading up the winding road of Haast Pass.

 

Lake Wanaka

     Then the weather deteriorated to the point that we weren’t able to see the two well-known glaciers of the region – Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers.
     The wet weather of the West Coast followed us as we headed north. But fortunately we had a tiny break in the weather that allowed us just enough time to explore a remarkable geologic formation known as Pancake Rocks. Apparently, it’s still a mystery as to why the rock has formed into so many layers and stacks.

     At our hotel in the tiny town of Punakaiki along the coast it poured all night long. Hopefully as we head further north and inland again tomorrow towards Nelson, things will improve. Think sunshine!