Queenstown Area
Day 5 - Thursday, 9-Feb-2012
A relaxing day shopping and looking around Queenstown.
As the weather forecast was so good for Friday, Mikey bought us tickets to the fly-cruise-fly to Milford Sound. I managed to get us 50% off the entry to the wildlife bird park, so we went there for a couple of hours and saw some Kiwi's and other native New Zealand animals, we and saw the conservation show.
Day 6 - Friday, 10-Feb-2012
Packed our lunch and got picked up at 9 for the 10am flight to Milford. Jumped in a 8 seater plane and headed west in the glorious sunshine.
We had a very scenic flight.
Jumped on a boat (smaller than last time) and headed out into the bay - got to see over 50 seals basking in the sun on the rocks along side the boat.
The longer the trip went the better the weather and views became.
Back at Queenstown, we looked at more shops, then went to the "Below Zero Ice bar" and had a vodka cocktail before heading to a local pub/cafe for dinner.
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| Queenstown Beach, yes people do swin in that Ice Cold water |
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| Below Zero Ice Bar |
Day 7 Saturday, 11-Feb-2012
We had a reasonably quite day today, in the morning we headed off to Arrowtown. We looked at a few shops, had a nice lunch the a walk along the creek.
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| Arrowtown creek |
On the way back to Queenstown we stopped for a quick look at the Shotover Jet.
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| Shotover Jet |
Then off to the botanical gardens.
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| Sunset, The Remarkables |
Day 8 Sunday -12-Feb-2012
On the recommendation of a follow passenger on the flight to Christchurch we decided to do a drive down to the Catlins which located at the bottom end of the South Island. We where told that it is very scenic with good beaches and possible wildlife sightings.
We headed off around 7:30am for a long drive to Invercargill we we had an early lunch. we then headed to Fortrose but ended up getting lost and spent an hour driving in a circle before ending up back in Invercargill.
We Finally found the correct road and our first stop was at the Waipapa Lighthouse.
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| Waipapa Lighthouse |
The first thing I noticed was that the sea seemed to have a lot of black objects moving about. I thought they were seals but when we got closer it was obvious that it was just a lot of Kelp. I have never seen Kelp before so it was quite amazing and I am so glad we don't get it back home is it wasn't pretty.
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| Kelp |
Next stop was Curio Bay where the highlight according to the map was the Petrified Forest. I thought it was great but I don't think Maria really cared about it.
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| Pertified Tree stump |
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| Maria on Petrified log |
One of the notices mentioned that there were Yellow Eye Penguins in the area and that you could see them at dusk and Dawn. I didn't really expect to see any but I thought I would ask someone on the beach if they had seen any when I was told " yes there is one just over there" I rushed over only to see two penguins resting at the base of a small cliff and a small shrub.
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| Yellow Eyed Penguin |
Things got better when Maria said turn around, one is coming up from the beach. We are not allowed to get closer than 10 meters to the penguins but I couldn't believe it when I sat down and one walked up to me around 3 meters away before walking up to the cliff nesting area.
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| Penguin walking past me :) |
Next stop was just around the corner and headland to Curio Bay were we had refreshing ice cream and enjoyed the views of the beach and dolphins.
Next stop was Purakaunui Falls, which was a hort walk to a great little waterfall.
Then off to New Haven (Surat Bay) were we saw two Sea Lions.
Lastly off to the Nuggets, then to Kaka Point for Dinner.
After a 3.5 hr drive home we made it back to Queenstown just before Midnight. It was a big tiring day of close to 700Km but it was well worth it. Probably the best day of the holiday.
Day 9, Monday, 13-Feb-2012
The weather was a bit ordinary today, we headed to Glenorchy to have a look around and too have lunch.
We then decided to head to a couple of local wineries in the Gibston Valley. Both were good but Chard's Farm was very good. The vineyard is located on the edge of a cliff and made the drive in and out scary as it was on along a one lane dirt track with 30-50m drop to the river.
On the way back the skies cleared a bit so I thought now was the time to try paragliding. I made a booking at the hotel and headed to the gondola. I have always wanted to try paragliding but the weather didn't cooperate on previous visits.
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| On the way up to the launch location |
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| Not nervous at all |
The paraglide flight was great with great views over Queenstown.
Day 10, Tuesday, 14-Feb-2012
Again the weather was great so we did some more shopping and when it improved it was Maria's turn for an activity, a Hang Gliding flight from Coronet Peak.
Maria had a great time and crossed an item from her bucket list.
We then enjoyed a great dinner (10/10) at Flames for Valentines day .
Day 11, Wedesday, 15-Feb-2012
I purchased a Disc and headed off to the Disc Golf course (botanital gardens). All I can say is that the disc flies like a kiwi (not very well). I am sure it was the disc's fault not mine :)
We then headed to Wanaka stopping at a few fruit stalls and had a nice lunch at a wine tasting center just outside Wanaka.
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| Anna the rabbit hunting cat. |
Gallery, Slideshow
