After our rainy experience on the west coast with the glaciers, we ventured inland and headed to a town called Wanaka. As we made our way, we began to have great views of the snow-capped alps, and for the last hour or so, we were driving along a couple of scenic lakes (Hawea and Wanaka).
Upon arriving in Wanaka, we decided it was time for coffee and sweet treats, so we found our way to Cafe Gusto where one can sit on the patio and look out at the lake and surrounding mountains. After some caffeination and wi-fi-eration, we checked into our holiday park for the evening, and then came back to the small downtown area to check out happy hour at a local pub that features beers made just outside Wanaka.
With more cooperative weather, the next morning, we set our for a walk along the lakefront, then back to Cafe Gusto for some lunch. The barista from the day before recognized us and welcomed us back. Yes, we became regulars in one day. In the afternoon, we set out for Bannockburn, a wine area about 30 minutes from Wanaka featuring at least 30 wineries, with a number of them offering Cellar Doors. We tasted wine at Mount Difficulty, Felton Road, Carrick, and Bald Hills. At the last winery we visited, we were greeted by a friendly man who told us he lived in southern California before we were born (true for one of us). After tasting one wine, he let his sweet dog, Bella, out to greet us. She was part beagle, part blue heeler, and was very loving. Alan enjoyed our time there the most, even though it was the simplest "cellar door" as our host was plain spoken and made a point of saying that one should enjoy wine, and if not, you might as well spit it out.
On our final full day in Wanaka, we got up and hit the road for the Mount Aspiring National Park, which featured a five kilometer hike to the foot of the Rob Roy Glacier. Lonely Planet should give this hike more credit. Granted it was a more beautiful day outside, but we enjoyed this much more than Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. While the drive is kind of rough with gravel roads and some small stream crossings, the overall experience is great. The walk is well-maintained, only mildly challenging, and the payoff is way better. When you get there, you are staring the glacier in the face, as the pictures below attest to. This might end up on the ultimate highlight reel for both of us.
Our last afternoon featured a final trip to Cafe Gusto (different woman behind the counter this time) and happy hour beverages at Urban Grind. Our next stop will be Milford Sound for a kayaking tour.
Upon arriving in Wanaka, we decided it was time for coffee and sweet treats, so we found our way to Cafe Gusto where one can sit on the patio and look out at the lake and surrounding mountains. After some caffeination and wi-fi-eration, we checked into our holiday park for the evening, and then came back to the small downtown area to check out happy hour at a local pub that features beers made just outside Wanaka.
With more cooperative weather, the next morning, we set our for a walk along the lakefront, then back to Cafe Gusto for some lunch. The barista from the day before recognized us and welcomed us back. Yes, we became regulars in one day. In the afternoon, we set out for Bannockburn, a wine area about 30 minutes from Wanaka featuring at least 30 wineries, with a number of them offering Cellar Doors. We tasted wine at Mount Difficulty, Felton Road, Carrick, and Bald Hills. At the last winery we visited, we were greeted by a friendly man who told us he lived in southern California before we were born (true for one of us). After tasting one wine, he let his sweet dog, Bella, out to greet us. She was part beagle, part blue heeler, and was very loving. Alan enjoyed our time there the most, even though it was the simplest "cellar door" as our host was plain spoken and made a point of saying that one should enjoy wine, and if not, you might as well spit it out.
On our final full day in Wanaka, we got up and hit the road for the Mount Aspiring National Park, which featured a five kilometer hike to the foot of the Rob Roy Glacier. Lonely Planet should give this hike more credit. Granted it was a more beautiful day outside, but we enjoyed this much more than Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. While the drive is kind of rough with gravel roads and some small stream crossings, the overall experience is great. The walk is well-maintained, only mildly challenging, and the payoff is way better. When you get there, you are staring the glacier in the face, as the pictures below attest to. This might end up on the ultimate highlight reel for both of us.
