Queenstown and Beyond ...

We decided to just drive through Queenstown as apparently it's NZ's 'adventure capital' which for pensioners is probably a bungy jump too far, particularly as the elder pensioner was still feeling frail. We travelled on to Glenorchy as the guide book pics looked good, then further to Kinloch, at the head of NZ's longest lake and which has a tiny gem of a campsite, all in the middle of nowhere.

View from the van

 




Even better, the only other habitation opposite the campsite is a lodge with a restaurant - the chef was again spared cooking duties for the 2nd night running. The Editor hopes that he won't forget what few culinary skills he's acquired...tomorrow will tell (take away Pot Noodle tomorrow, S.).

In the restaurant

 

Another Alien Pod for J.

CC in tree house ... Why not?

Next day, after a leisurely breakfast, we drove round to the start of the Routeburn Track, a 30k multi-day hike. We had decided not to do this hike in its entirety due to the logistical difficulties of getting from either end back to our campervan. Instead we ran to the first hut, a 14k return trip. The going was fairly easy (the route is here), very scenic and pleasantly cooler than recent days.

Wire bridge

Furthest point: Routeburn Flats

Camping tonight near Lake Sylvan ... An out-of-the-way, tiny campsite which turns out to be absolutely thronging ... (it is out-of-the-way and tiny but we've managed to pick the weekend when the whole of NZ's tertiary student population is on its summer camp; Steve thinks he's back at The Ridge College!) We were worried about getting the van down the narrow unsurfaced road but this seems not to have been a concern for everyone else (including the coach for the aforementioned youngsters). Despite this bizarre concentration of population it is exceedingly scenic.

View from the van

Another vftv...

 

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