After spending the night at Fox Glacier town and after our helicopter ride the next morning, we started our journey south to the Southern Lakes area and Queenstown.
Bruce Bay
After driving through a forested canyon, we unexpectedly came upon the beautiful coastline and Bruce Bay. Although not as well known as some of the other spots along the coastline, we found Bruce Bay to be spectacular and one of the prettiest beaches along the west coast. What also makes this beach so special, are all the creations along the beach - creations made by people from stones - absolutely stunning !
Knight's Point
We made a short stop at Knight's Point lookout and got a lovely view of the Tasman Sea. It was here that we had our first encounter with sandflies. Sandflies are tiny black flies that bite! They are apparently attracted to some people more than others (due to chemicals produced by some people's skin). We had a few fly into the car at this stop and had to literally swat them. Fortunately Sam had sprayed on insect repellent and they didn't seem to like David, so none of us got bitten, but they were indeed a nuisance.
We made a short stop at Knight's Point lookout and got a lovely view of the Tasman Sea. It was here that we had our first encounter with sandflies. Sandflies are tiny black flies that bite! They are apparently attracted to some people more than others (due to chemicals produced by some people's skin). We had a few fly into the car at this stop and had to literally swat them. Fortunately Sam had sprayed on insect repellent and they didn't seem to like David, so none of us got bitten, but they were indeed a nuisance.
Ship Creek
We took a stroll on the beach at Ship Creek and it felt as though we were the only ones there. We obviously weren't, but the beach here is so vast that it felt that way. Another spectacular beach !
We took a stroll on the beach at Ship Creek and it felt as though we were the only ones there. We obviously weren't, but the beach here is so vast that it felt that way. Another spectacular beach !
Confluence of Haast and Landsborough River
We made a short picture stop where the Haast and Landsborough rivers join.
We made a short picture stop where the Haast and Landsborough rivers join.
Thunder Creek Falls
On the way to Queenstown we stopped to look at a few waterfalls. One of these was Thunder Creek Falls, a single cascade of water dropping about 29 metres to the adjoining river.
On the way to Queenstown we stopped to look at a few waterfalls. One of these was Thunder Creek Falls, a single cascade of water dropping about 29 metres to the adjoining river.
Fan Tail Falls
We made a stop at another waterfall called Fan Tail Falls. When there is a lot of rain, this 15 metre waterfall resembles a fan as the water is spread amongst the rocks.
We made a stop at another waterfall called Fan Tail Falls. When there is a lot of rain, this 15 metre waterfall resembles a fan as the water is spread amongst the rocks.
The Blue Pools
The Blue Pools is where the Makarora and Blue Rivers meet. The name aptly describes the colour of the glacier water - a brilliant Azure blue. The water here is crystal clear and we could see the bottom. This spectacular sight and setting was another highlight of our trip to the South Island.
The Blue Pools is where the Makarora and Blue Rivers meet. The name aptly describes the colour of the glacier water - a brilliant Azure blue. The water here is crystal clear and we could see the bottom. This spectacular sight and setting was another highlight of our trip to the South Island.
Cameron Flat
This area is named after the Scotsman Charles Cameron, one of the early explorers to New Zealand. It is a site that is very popular for camping and offers more great scenery.
This area is named after the Scotsman Charles Cameron, one of the early explorers to New Zealand. It is a site that is very popular for camping and offers more great scenery.
Lake Wanaka
Lake Wanaka is New Zealand's 4th largest lake (covers an area of 192 square kilometres) and we passed it on our way to Queenstown. Another beautiful blue lake with picture perfect surroundings.
Lake Wanaka is New Zealand's 4th largest lake (covers an area of 192 square kilometres) and we passed it on our way to Queenstown. Another beautiful blue lake with picture perfect surroundings.
Lake Hawea
Shortly after we passed Lake Wanaka, we came across Lake Hawea. Smaller in size than Lake Wanaka, it was equally just as blue and beautiful.
The Crown Range
After passing Lake Hawea we came to the town of Wanaka. From Wanaka we traveled through the Cadrona valley before coming to the Crown Terrace and the Crown Range. The road over the range, known as Crown Range Road is the highest main road in New Zealand, reaching an altitude of 1121 metres. It was a steep winding road down to the bottom, where we decided to make a stop at Arrowtown.
After passing Lake Hawea we came to the town of Wanaka. From Wanaka we traveled through the Cadrona valley before coming to the Crown Terrace and the Crown Range. The road over the range, known as Crown Range Road is the highest main road in New Zealand, reaching an altitude of 1121 metres. It was a steep winding road down to the bottom, where we decided to make a stop at Arrowtown.
Arrowtown
Arrowtown came to into being in the 1860's when gold was discovered in the Arrow River. It is a quaint little town with restaurants, galleries and shops. Many of the original wooden and stone buildings have been retained which gives it a certain charm. We walked around the town that afternoon and decided to have an early dinner there before heading to Queenstown for the next two days.
Arrowtown came to into being in the 1860's when gold was discovered in the Arrow River. It is a quaint little town with restaurants, galleries and shops. Many of the original wooden and stone buildings have been retained which gives it a certain charm. We walked around the town that afternoon and decided to have an early dinner there before heading to Queenstown for the next two days.
Queenstown
After a long day of driving and stopping at the various sights on the way, we arrived at Queenstown. Queenstown is a gorgeous town situated around Lake Wakatipu (the 3rd largest lake in New Zealand). Queenstown is also known as the adventure capital of the world. People from all over come here to go bungy jumping, river rafting, river sledging, jetboating, skiing, ballooning, skydiving and hand-gliding. Queenstown has a resort-feel to it with hotels, and trendy shops and restaurants. We really enjoyed our time here and it was made even more pleasant by the Crowne Plaza Hotel where we stayed at - we got a free upgrade to a lovely suite with a spectacular view of Lake Wakatipu.
After a long day of driving and stopping at the various sights on the way, we arrived at Queenstown. Queenstown is a gorgeous town situated around Lake Wakatipu (the 3rd largest lake in New Zealand). Queenstown is also known as the adventure capital of the world. People from all over come here to go bungy jumping, river rafting, river sledging, jetboating, skiing, ballooning, skydiving and hand-gliding. Queenstown has a resort-feel to it with hotels, and trendy shops and restaurants. We really enjoyed our time here and it was made even more pleasant by the Crowne Plaza Hotel where we stayed at - we got a free upgrade to a lovely suite with a spectacular view of Lake Wakatipu.
nice post....sharing information related to site seens in Queenstown
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