Thai travellers journey around the South Island of New Zealand
Part 3 Queenstown, Te Anau and Milford Sound.
Cholatis Sanchaypiengpen - 29/02/08
Fifth day (Tuesday 8 May): Queenstown
On this day, we had booked to go to the Walter Peak High Country Farm on a TSS Earnslaw cruise and have a buffet dinner at the Skyline Restaurant.
Early in the morning we explored Queenstown, the town famous as a tourist attraction.
Contrast in weather
In Queenstown we experienced winter, only we had no snow. At Walter Peak High Country Farm the day was excellent; and the weather was so pleasant that it was really relaxing and enjoyable. It was amazing how the temperature changed when we crossed to the other side of the lake. It was nice and warm at the farm but was very cold on the Queenstown side where it was probably around 8 degrees Celsius and dropped lower at dawn and dusk but not low enough for a frost.
Trip to Walter Peak High Country Farm
There was much to see at the farm the homestead, the mainland cattle and the sheep shearing show.
It was time to get back to Queenstown after the show and afternoon tea at the farm
We spent the rest of the afternoon on the Skyline Gondola.
From the top of the Gondola there was a beautiful view of Queenstown.
For the buffet dinner at the Skyline Restaurant, the menu included seafood, steaks, stews, salads, soups, Asian dishes, puddings, ice cream, beverages, etc. a satisfying finish to the day.
Sixth day (Wednesday 9 May): Queenstown to Te Anau
Two more attractions on the last morning jetboating on the Shotover River and viewing Bungy Jumping
We were the first group of the day for jet boating at the Shotover river canyon. It was really cold, that hurt my face and ears a lot. We should have come when it was warmer or waited till mid-day.
Then driving a bit further up, we stopped to look over the Kawarau bridge for bungy jumping. None of us were into jumping so we watched a young man jump instead.
Then off to Te Anau and Milford
We went to Arrowtown for a little look. It was an old mining town founded in 1862 during the gold rush. Many of the old buildings remain, which makes the town more interesting.
Also the nearby areas were used to film the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It was a shame that we did not know the filming location.
We stayed in Te Anau for the night. It was raining when we got there.
Seventh day (Thursday 10 May): Te Anau Milford Sound Te Anau
We left the motel about 7.00 in the morning to drive to the Milford Sound cruise. The guide book said that it might take up to three hours to drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound.
It was still raining early in the morning. We hoped that it would clear up soon so we could enjoy the scenery on the cruise.
We stopped by the Mirror Lake to take some photos but it was showering and windy so we did not get still water for the photos.
By the time we reached Milford Sound, it was raining again. There were marvellous waterfalls to see on the cruise, but poor visibility due to the rain.
A Kea was picking on a camper vans radio wire. This area has been known for Keas attack (on vehicles).
On the way back from the Milford Sound Cruise, the day was clearing. We came back to the Mirror Lake again. This time we managed to get a nicer photo but the ducks would not allow us to have a great photo as they kept the water rippling.
After a cold wet day, we came back for sight seeing at Lake Te Anau and did some souvenirs shopping before going back to the motel.
