2020 - South Island, NZ (Part 2 - Mt Cook, Wanaka, Cromwell)

Carrying on through the mountains.

Sunday 19 July 2020 - Tuesday 21 July 2020
View 2020 South Island NZ on nzhamsta's travel map.

Sunday 19 July

We left Tekapo and headed through the mist towards Mt Cook. The mist was quite low until we hit the northern end of Lake Pukaki and, as if by magic, it lifted and the sun came out, highlighting the beautiful mountains. We stopped in the village, had a walk, and found the cafe.

The road to Mt Cook.

Mt Cook Village.

Mt Cook.

Coming back, the mist was still there once we got back to lake. There was a lot of traffic coming the other way as we headed south. We found out later that it was a protest by local hunters against a government initiative to cull the that population. These animals are an introduced goat with big horns and shaggy coats. They are very popular with the local hunters.

From there it was over Lindis Pass to Wanaka.

The top of Lindis Pass.

Going over Lindis Pass.

Wanaka is another lake side town and we had an afternoon walk along the lake front.

Wanaka lake front.

Monday 20 July

We spent the day in and around Wanaka. The weather was not very good so did not go far.

We did however go and look at "The Tree". This is a willow tree that grows just offshore and is world famous in NZ.

A moody Wanaka.

The Wanaka lake front.

The tree.

Tuesday 21 July

We left our comfortable motel and headed towards Cromwell, an old gold mining town and is very close to the spot that is furtherest from the sea in NZ. Much of the town was rebuilt after the Clyde Dam was built in the early 90s, creating a new lake, Lake Dunstan. Many of the historic buildings were moved up the river bank and are now part of the "Old Cromwell Town" site.

Lake Dunstan.