Christchurch to Wānaka

It's been a long time since I made this wonderful trip to Wānaka. It'll be a long time to the next, so I've really made the most of it.

What strange yet ever changing weather conditions I encountered. There was fairly thick fog for the first hour or so, then at Pukaki the clouds were ominously dark and heavy looking, but no rain.

I met up with my friend Jayne at the pie shop in Fairlie, where we both enjoyed their famous pork and apple pies.

 

Oh how lovely to stand at the top of the Lindis Pass after a brief but heavy rain shower had passed, and to see those fabulous rolling hills with their golden tussock.

         What a marvelous sight, Lake Wānaka in the early evening light, with the mountains in the distance shrouded in dark clouds.                     

It's so good to be back.

The evening sunlight on the water was a sharp contrast to the stormy clouds hanging over the distant mountains.

How wonderful it was to sit in silence overlooking the little Edgewater  pond with the lake behind it. The peace and serenity of this gorgeous place immediately revitalizes you.  

We enjoyed the new attraction by the lake.

And just meters away the unbelievably popular Wānaka Tree, never left alone at any time of day. It's extremely vulnerable this autumn, as the lake is so low that the tree no longer has the protection of the water around it!

A lazy day was needed after the long drive, so we had a day by the lake, heading first to the town in the morning,  and then in the afternoon towards the mountains 

There's a great information wall now by the lakeside naming all the peaks. It's been beautifully done.

In the evening we returned to town for a delicious Indian meal at a tiny wee restaurant we'd never been to before, Restaurant Sagun.

The clouds had gone and the view was magical! What a phenomenal place this is.

Our next day was brilliant, with a trip to Bannockburn and Cromwell. 

I just love The Sluicings walkway at Bannockburn. Those extensive views over the massive wine region, The Clutha river and Lake Dunstan are sensational. Fortunately, this area isn't so well known to tourist visitors and so we had it almost to ourselves.

Its landscape is so different from any other place I've visited in NZ

It seems more like some of the rugged landscapes in America, The Grand Canyon, for example.

Thank goodness we have no snakes! I certainly wouldn't have been so relaxed (actually, I wouldn't have done the walk!)

Cromwell was lovely too, such a tranquil place with such beautiful views over the pristine blue waters, plus a hint of autumn colors in the trees. 

 The day had a perfect ending too, with a visit to Hook Salmon farm for a truly authentic Italian pizza!

e perfect day followed by yet another! 

An easy but fantastic walk along the Clutha River track with cloudless skies and unbelievable colors in trees and the water.

Jayne left , and as I waited for David to arrive, I headed out to Beacon Point and was truly shocked at how low the lake was. I've never ever seen the water so far from shore.

 

It was like a moonscape in places.

I disturbed a group of young cormorants sunning themselves on a rock 

Another day in paradise. My favorite walk from Glendhu Bay towards Waterfall Creek. It never fails to amaze me as to how brilliant the colors are and the contrast between the sky, oh so blue, the hills so golden and the dark blue waters of the huge Lake Wānaka.

It was so clear looking towards Mount Aspiring and Treble Cone. Strange to think they will be skiing there in three months!

I was wonderful to do the walk once again with David.

We do it every time we meet in Wānaka, but always love everything about it. 

It was pretty hot today and very little shade. Typical weather for Otago.

 

Our lunch stop at Damper Bay was glorious. 

It would have been challenging to swim with the water being so far out. 

So, that's it for now. A restful afternoon ahead watching rugby and visiting friends. What a fabulous holiday it has been.

I'm trying to get to grips with my new Ipad, so things are a bit all over the place!! Pity, but better than nothing.