NZ South Island - Wanaka, Queenstown, Te Anau, Milford Sound

[PaulST]

Hi all,
Earlier this year I visited New Zealand's south island for the second time having been massively impressed when I visited 2 years ago. Last time, the weather at Milford Sound was horrible and I didn't have time to see Wanaka so I thought I'd do those two properly this time.

The trip started with an early arrival at SYD. Other times I've flown out of SYD on a Saturday morning, I've found it to be incredibly busy so I got to the airport quite early and hung out in the Amex Lounge. After breaky/coffee, I boarded the QF 737 for the direct flight to Queenstown

The flight itself was fine, mostly smooth and the FAs were fine. I was travelling in Y so I won't talk about that in any further details.

We arrived in Queenstown on time and I went straight to the AVIS counter to pick up my rental Corolla I'd have for 1 week. I must admit that I did bond with it and it's a far better car than previous Corollas (I drive a new Focus normally so my expectations for ride/handling are pretty high).
I then headed north to Wanaka were I was to spend two night. The drive is only around 1.5hrs and is quite spectacular hence I stopped a long the way and took quite a few photos.

Wanaka is a beautiful town on the shore of Lake Wanaka and has quite a few options for accommodation and eateries.

The next day I drove 1.5ish hrs north to the Rob Roy Track (and Rob Roy Glacier) which was fantastic. I can't recall how long it took but, including stoping to eat and take photos, 4 or so hours. Including the drive and getting lost, it took most of the day.

And on the way back to Wanaka, I stopped at this beautiful lake (unsure of the name sorry) just north of the town.

 

[eastwest101]

Very nice photos - are they from a camera phone or a 'proper' camera?

Can't believe I missed Rob Roy Glacier when I was there. Are you flying into Milford Sound from Queenstown or going by road?

 

[PaulST]

The following day I drove down to Te Anau, through Queenstown (which I'll talk about later). It's a 3hr drive, although a bit longer if you stop and take photos.
Unfortunately the weather was a bit average this day, but I couldn't complain as it was fine all of the other days. Here's a photo of the road just above Queenstown.

After grabbing a quick bite in Te Anau (the closest town to Milford Sound as the accommodation at the sound itself was all booked out), I went to bed and woke up early the following morning. It's a 1.5hr drive to Milford Sound, although I stopped off early to walk part of the Key Summit Track which was part of the Routeburn track. There was a bit of drizzle and cloud so I was worried that Milford Sound may again be wreaked by poor weather, but I was hoping for the best.
The Key Summit Track was a reasonably tough walk as it was quite a steep climb but it was beautiful nonetheless.

Then I was back down to the car to continue the drive to Milford Sound. The view along the road is beautiful, and again, I was stopping frequently and taking photos.

As I got closer to the sound, the weather gradually cleared and turned into an amazing day!!

 

[PaulST]

And one more Milford Sound photo.

Then back to Te Anau for the night. The following morning I was up early and drove back up to Queenstown where I'd spend the rest of my trip.
Here's a photo from a bridge as you're entering Queenstown (I think).

The view from Queenstown harbor:

Again, a fairly early night and up the following morning for a few hr drive north up past Glenorchy to the start of the Routeburn track. The full trek takes 2-3 days and there's well maintained cabins along the route, although I only wanted to do a day walk so I stopped after around 8kms and returned back down. The view was fantastic and the weather perfect (sunny, no wind, but around 16 degrees so you don't cook yourself with the tough walk).

It's a beautiful walk with a lot of varying terrains.

Up to the Falls Hut for a late lunch, and then back down the same route.

 

[zainman]

Stunning photos. One of my favourite places on the planet!

 

[PaulST]

LOTR fans may be interested to know that the above photo is of the site where Isengard was based. Obviously the weather was far nicer when I visited! If you google some Isengard photos, you'll note that he mountains in the background are the same as in the photo below. Article: Isengard Lord of the Rings scenery near Glenorchy - New Zealand Travel Insider

And back to Queesntown. Along the way I stopped for more photos.

And now to spend a few days relaxing in Queenstown.

Now for a ride on the TSS Ernslaw, which is an old coal steamer. It crosses the lake several times a day to an old farm on the opposite side. The engine room is open to the public so the engineers out there will find it fascinating.

And the view from up on the Gondola.

 

[PaulST]

Sadly I was only there for a week so hopefully I'll return in the not-too-distant future.

Very nice photos - are they from a camera phone or a 'proper' camera?

Can't believe I missed Rob Roy Glacier when I was there. Are you flying into Milford Sound from Queenstown or going by road?

Canon 70D. The first photo of the 737 was on my iphone 6.

I drove down to Milford Sound. I was keen to stop along the way and take photos, and while the flying would also provide for an amazing view, everything would fly past too fast.

 

[JohnM]

Stunning photos. The weather gods smiled on you!

 

[Rugby]

Nice work on the scenery pics and the day walks. That's why NZ is the best place for status runs

 

[PaulST]

Nice work on the scenery pics and the day walks. That's why NZ is the best place for status runs

Exactly! I was just talking to a work colleague about this. Now that JQ are flying domestically I'm assuming you can get QF SCs with them flying internally too (currently there was is no way of earning QF SCs from AKL to other NZ locations, I'm assuming). I'm flying to AKL this weekend (LAN J, EK/QF F on return) and I'll earn a decent bundle of SCs. I expect that future status runs will include EK F to AKL, and then JQ down to Queenstown, and return.

 

[david1]

At the risk of repeating what others have already said, stunning photos, great scenery!!

I am doing a bit of a road trip out of Auckland in a few weeks time (Coromandel Peninsula etc.) but I was tossing up between that or going from Christchurch. I think next time I'll go from Queenstown instead!

 

[auriga]

Thanks for sharing!

Which time of the year was this?

 

[PaulST]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I must admit I'm missing the place having just looked through my photos.

Which time of the year was this?

March 2015. Apparently this time of the year has the least rain, although some of the scenery is a bit dryer. I visited in December a few years ago and things were a bit greener.

I am doing a bit of a road trip out of Auckland in a few weeks time (Coromandel Peninsula etc.) but I was tossing up between that or going from Christchurch. I think next time I'll go from Queenstown instead!

I've only been in the north island for a few hours (I'm in Hamilton for 5 days from this coming Saturday, though), but from all accounts, I'd go south. I'd skip Christchurch and fly into Queenstown. I was in Christchurch 2 years ago and it was all a bit sad (a lot of the damage from the earthquakes remained). It's also quite a few hours of driving before you get to the main scenic parts of the South Island too.

At risk of sounding like a NZ salesperson, there's so many reasons to visit this amazing place. The Aussie dollar is still stronger, the people are all nice (and not in that fake American being-nice-because-I-want-a-big-tip way) and it's well developed with good public services (I've just returned from the US and I honestly haven't seen such poor roads since I was in Bangladesh). Really, NZ has all of the comforts of Australia with absolutely amazing scenery. And it's only a 3hr flight!

 

[PaulST]

Actually, that depends on how much you're happy to drive. If you fly into Christchurch (as I did 2 years ago), spend the night there, and then get up the next morning and drive down to Mt Cook (via Lake Tekapo). Spend a day there, and then head down to Wanaka and then Queenstown. From there you could visit Te Anau (as a base for Milford Sound). That's essentially what I did 2 years ago (including a ~7hr drive from Queenstown to Christchurch).
If you still have time, then you could head back up towards Christchurch via the west (longer, but prettier apparently) or east coast (shorter and flatter).

 

[juddles]

Visited Wanaka a few years ago with family - my wife wants us to live there one day - awesome place

 

[cory]

Queenstown and the southern lakes region would have to be my fav place in the world!

 

[Radio8tiv]

beautiful pictures, I'm looking at heading to Queenstown for holidays next year and these have inspired me.
I really like the shot with the reflection of the mountains in the lake, good work

 

[PaulST]

beautiful pictures, I'm looking at heading to Queenstown for holidays next year and these have inspired me.
I really like the shot with the reflection of the mountains in the lake, good work

I'm happy to answer questions closer to your trip.

Thanks, that's my favourite photo too, and my computer's wallpaper.

 

[clazman]

I will be in Queenstown over the Xmas break, so this thread has been good for planning

 

[GarrettM]

I will be in Queenstown over the Xmas break, so this thread has been good for planning

Awesome pictures and a great report of that part of the world. We were there late last year. The big question... did you eat at Fergberger??