New Zealand Summer Tour Hotspot #10 – Queenstown

On the road south from Akaroa you find a geological phenomenon known as the Moeraki boulders. These fascinating round rocks literally fall out of the surrounding hillside into the sea. Maori legend says that the large sailing canoe, Arai-te-uru was wrecked here on her journey south to find the precious greenstone. The boulders represent the eel baskets, calabashes and kumara containers washed ashore.

The boulders themselves resemble nothing to the surrounding land and are truly remarkable. This is a must stop!

We breezed through Dunedin, stopping to check out where I lived during my exchange term in University and seeing the campus as well. We also explored George Street but continued on the road to find ourselves a freedom camping spot.The next morning we headed inland toward Queenstown and on the drive you see a marked change in the lanscape. The mountains rise higher, the rivers run more blue and the valleys seem more spectacular. The Cromwell valley is filled with orchards and wine makers. We stopped for some fresh organic fruit at a local farmhouse along the road, the fruit was perfection, especially the cherries as we caught the tail end of cherry season.Andre decided it was perfect paddling weather so as we pulled over for a picnic he set off with Mia. Jasper and I made lunch and headed further down a few kilometres to pick them up.  

Once you enter the valley of Lake Wakatipu you see the Remarkable mountains, which really are remarkable! The Maori legend says that a terrible taniwha (water monster) named Matau was burned to death in his sleep because he had abducted the chief’s daughter. Matau’s burning body melted everything around him, the ice and snow off the mountains and left a gaping hole in the ground. The S shape of the lake marks the remains of the sleeping taniwha. Lake Wakatipu is New Zealand’s longest and deepest lake. The lake’s water level mysteriously rises and falls 20 cm every hour, legend says this is caused by the only remaining piece of the taniwha, his heart.

We are fortunate to have booked with the firefighter welfare society who has houses for rent at amazingly affordable rates. The house we stayed in had an amazing panoramic view of the lake below and the Remarkables in the distance and was a mere 2 km from downtown.

We paddled the lake, checked out the botanical gardens and downtown and headed up the gondola. At the top of the gondola there is a luge track and it is a must do. Young and old alike were there and having a great time! Kids can ride with their parents or if they are about 7 can try their luck on their own. We bought 8 rides and had such a great time racing each other.

 

Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand and from there the most popular activities are: bungy jumping, para-gliding, hang-gliding, river jet boating, mountain biking and many more. It is both a summer and winter hotspot and has plenty of places to see and a great restaurant scene.

Whatever your fancy you can get it in Queenstown, the vineyards are a short drive up the road, as are remote picnic sites. There is plenty of hiking near the city and in the city you can cool off at the beach, in the gardens or on a patio with a jug of beer!