Lake Wanaka

Our helicopter tour was cancelled again this morning so we set off for Lake Wanaka. This was a beautiful trip with the most gorgeous landscape scenery for nearly the whole 280km. We started with mountainous tropical woodlands with massive ferns and moss covered trees.

The dense tree, fern and moss forests on the road from Franz Josef

Then we hit the coast of the Tasman Sea and went to see the beach and the brakers.

Tauparikaka Marine Reserve on the Tasman Sea

After following the coast, we turned inland, again through mountains, which were now bear of trees but with dramatic outcrops of bare rocks. The colours had gone from bright vibrant greens to pale yellows, greys and patches of green.

We then followed the shore of Lake Wanaka, before passing through a mountain range to follow the shore of Lake Hawea shortly before arriving in Wanaka. Wanaka's weather was beautiful, in stark contrast to Franz Josef. We sat out and enjoyed a meal before strolling into town along the lake shore. To return back to camp, after some liquid refreshment, we hired the local Tuk Tuk Taxi. Yes, this is still New Zealand, where a recently retired gentleman decided Wanaka needed a Tuk Tuk Taxi firm!

Sue loves a Tuk Tuk

Wanaka Tuk Tuk!

Sue heading for Bangkok!

Sue on her way to Bangkok!

Moving on a day, we rose and headed to the marina to undertake a Water Taxi trip out onto Lake Wanaka to visit Mou Waho Island.

Wanaka Water Taxi

I'm just hoping the Tuk Tuk entrepreneur hasn't also started a water taxi company!

The weather was sunny and dry. On the trip out the water was like a mill pond, although we started to bounce across waves as we rounded the head land. We had 1 hour 45 minutes on the tiny Island, listening and watching the birds, taking in the scenery and walking/climbing up 150m to take in the lake on an Island, in a lake.

The lake in the foreground is 150m above Lake Wanaka behind.

This was a lovely experience.

On return we asked Brent our captain where was good for lunch and he recommended Paddons Paddock, a family run winery 8 minutes out side of town. We were the first there and it was absolutely idyllic. We ate pizza with wines and beer. You will see from the picture why I used the plural for "wine"!

Sue with her glass of wine!

And me, with four beers! I wish!!

And me, with 4 beers. I wish!!!

Tomorrow we are back on the road to Milford Sound. It will be a long drive down past Queenstown, then a big "U" shaped drive to get down and back up to Milford, about 380km.

See you all in Milford Sound. We are all booked on a Milford Sound Discovery Boat Tour. Whoopee!

Lots of love,

Sue and Trev xx