Today was another great day, and another day during which we were fortunate with weather!!
The sun was shining all day. The next few days it’s meant to be a top of 4 and possibly snow, so we enjoyed it while we could. We started off walking down around Queenstown to sit it in the daylight. The wharf/harbour area is so beautiful. We walked up towards the gondola and were disapppointed to see a few “luxury apartments” boards. I hope they don’t over develop like we are in a lot of areas in Melbourne now :( Will really ruin the atmosphere of the place.
Then we headed off in the car to Arrowtown. During the 1860s and 1870s this was a gold rush town. Many of the beautiful buildings we saw today were built during that time (or at least they were and then were restored). At the height of the gold rush between 1862 and 1865, Arrowtown had a population of 6000 people. After WWII, the population declined to just 100 people and it was feared it would become a ghost town. But a revival as a summer holiday spot in the 1960s saved the town.
We walked around and enjoyed the beautiful Main Street and old buildings. Then we checked out the Chinese settlement. After the first gold rush ended here in 1865 and many Europeans left, the NZ government invited poor Chinese farmers to come and pan for gold as they feared the economy would crash with the sudden European departure. The Chinese had their own settlement and we saw some reconstructions of houses and shops.
Then we had a hot chocolate at a local cafe and something hilarious happened - Rob ran into his bus driver from the Contiki tour he did in 2016! What a coincidence!!
Next we went to the Kawarau Bridge, where since November 1988, people have been jumping off the 43m bridge above the gorge. This was the first commercially operated Bungy jump in the world. We saw confident people and we saw terrified people. I remember watching a woman in 2001 absolutely freak out. Watching them made my stomach drop!!
We continued on to our final destination for the day - Wanaka. It was absolutely stunning up there today due to the sunshine! We checked out the lone Wanaka Tree in the lake and then went on a 1.5 hour loop walk up Mount Iron for a beautiful view over the town. The views we were treated to looked like a painting!!
Before we headed back, Rob went for a swim in the lake!! He said it was cold but refreshing. I dipped my feet in. Then after a quick look around the shops we drove the one hour back to Queenstown.
Tonight we had dinner at a woodfired pizza house which was cosy and lovely. On the way, Rob and I went to the activity centre where you book Bungy jumps etc. We picked up our shotover jet and Nevis swing tickets for Tuesday, and Rob ended up booking the Kawarau Bridge Bungy because with a combination deal it cost $120 instead of $210. It’s always been something that’s really freaked me out, so I didn’t join in!
Up early tomorrow for Milford Sound. Hopefully we don’t wash away - sounds like a wet day!
Love to all
Claire
Xoxox
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