Wānaka in October 2025

 

                    Sorry Mike, but time to hit the road again after a phenomenal spring in Christchurch .
Hagley Park , and Little Hagley , with carpets of bluebells and lush new growth on the majestic trees!
Time to say a short farewell to my cherry blossom in the garden and to head south.
Lake Pukaki - so unbelievably beautiful and so blue.
How gorgeous to drive over my favorite pass, The Lindis , with no other car in sight. Perfect opportunity to drive more slowly to appreciate this gently undulating pass.
We were treated to a fabulous supermoon , reflecting in both Lake Wānaka and the little pond at Edgewater Hotel.
What a lovely day we, Janice, Gary and I, spent in Arrowtown and Ayrburn . 
Ayrburn is a newish resort, with beautifully manicured gardens, banks of native plantings , waterfall and creek and many restaurants to suit all tastes, although all relatively pricey but with excellent food.
Nothing is small scale, including these magnificent sculptures.
And the wonderful selection of tasty desserts!
Dark clouds loomed over Lake Wānaka and yet we were unbelievably fortunate to have dry, generally pleasant weather throughout the week and weekend. Chilly and windy at times, but great for walks.
Lke Hāwea and the Gladstone Trail were our first walks. Bracing wind blowing across the choppy waters of Hāwea, and storm clouds over the ranges. The West Coast is being soaked at the moment!
The colours are nothing short of spectacular!
W could be somewhere in the Caribbean when you look at the beaches, but certainly nobody would be venturing into the stormy waters today!
I can’t go to Hāwea without a stop at the Hook Salmon farm on the way back. Pizzas are always amazing, as is the cook’s memory for names! I think it’s because I am the only person who speaks to him in Italian!
The view from our accommodation is gorgeous and we enjoyed watching the staff doing their morning stretches. What a great idea!
As usual, David arrived after work Friday, with my friends leaving that day. It works out so well for us all.
Of course, my all time favorite walk from Glendhu Bay was a must.
Despite a fairly stiff breeze, the walk with views across to Mt Aspiring and the snow capped mountains was as marvelous as always. Treble Cone ski field has now closed for the season and the lake is once again high after a fair bit of rain and snow melt.
What a paradise we live in.
Thanks to David wanting to explore a new part of Wānaka shores, we ended up along a well maintained dirt road to Homestead Beach, with expansive views of Lake Wānaka and the mouth of the Matukituki River. It was even more stunning with the spring blossom contrasting against the mountains behind.
It is so perfect to share such happy moments with one of the two most important people in my life!
The jet boat trip up the valley towards Mount Aspiring leaves from here. It's a fabulous trip.
What a beautiful bridge over the Matukituki.
All good things have to come to an end. What better place than the Asian fusion restaurant town.
Another perfect stay in ‘my happy place’.










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