Day 3 and 4: Queenstown to Wanaka

Day 3:

We woke up to a rainy day in Queenstown. We had breakfast on the lake where we watched the mountains come in and out of the clouds. 

We took the Skyline Gondola up the Ben Lomond Scenic Reserve, where you are normally promised fantastic views.


What do you think of our views? Guess you can’t get mad at the weather...


We drove through Queenstown a bit. But since it was pouring so hard, we decided to just hit the road for Wanaka. On the way, we stopped at an old mining town called Arrowtown. We had lunch and checked out the little shops.




The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. So from there, we grabbed the shortest route and headed through the Crown Range. The road was anything but straight. If you can distract yourself from those gorgeous snow capped mountains, you can see several of our hair pin turns. But we made it safe and sound to our new home for the week.


First order of business was a nice little soak in a hot tub and then we settled in for the night.

Day 4:

We woke up to a blue bird day in Wanaka. Here is the money shot from our condo balcony.


We decided to take advantage of the clear skies and take a bike ride from Lake Hawea, along the Cluthe River, back to Lake Wanaka. Wanaka Bike Tours dropped us off and gave us all the tools and information we would need to make our way back.


Every turn on the ride had breathtaking views. We stopped to admire what MO would have called his “feather” house.

Every chance we could get, we tried to capture the color blue of the river.


And the Swede had to taunt some cows


More river shots, I swear I didn’t do any filters or changes to this photo. That is the color... pure aqua.


We cheered on some locals trying to surf the river rapids.


We enjoyed snow capped mountains on every turn.


We crossed suspension bridges..:




More gorgeous views...




And finally after 16 miles, we surrendered our bikes and took in some brews.


It was an epic day and an epic adventure.


Stay tuned...