NZ2020: Days 7 and 8, Queenstown

January 31, 2020

After our morning hike near Lake Wanaka, and then our drive over the Crown Range Road, our guide dropped us off at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Queenstown, at about 3 pm. We were directly across from the waterfront, in a walking friendly area of restaurants, shops, and booking agents for any amazing outdoor activities one could wish. My husband was able to schedule a quick dental appointment for a tooth that was acting up. We did our laundry, had a delicious dinner at Bombay Palace, and walked around the harbor area.

Queenstown Harbor and the Remarkable Mountains from our hotel lobby.

Choose your adventure here!

Lots of people enjoying buskers along the waterfront.

Pier walk.

The Wakatipu Vessel by Virginia King depicts a waka (Maori canoe). This is just across the street from our hotel.

February 1, 2020

The next day we wandered around, and explored this beautiful setting. We were surrounded by views of Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkable Mountains, and Ben Lomand. Dan was able to get a haircut, and we did a little shopping in a craft fair that was set up in the park.

The poem Waipounamu by David Eggleton is inscribed in a long ribbon along the harbor wall.

Each phrase evokes an image or a moment in history of this place.

Local geology is highlighted in this plaza.

Kiwi imagery.

A giant Kiwi sculpture.

After lunch we walked through the arboretum.

Fern sculpture.

Lily pond

Carved support for a huge tree.

Another view…

We looked back to see the Skyline Gondola going up Bob’s Peak, gateway to the Ben Lomand Trail, which was on our agenda for later in the week.

My google map showed me a “Bench with a beautiful view” at the far end of the peninsula. That seemed a worthy goal for our wanderings.

It was a bit windy, but felt good to sit for a bit.

Looking east from the bench.

Looking west from the bench.

Later, we ate dinner at a Thai restaurant with a window overlooking the harbor and mountains, and then took an evening stroll westward along the shore of Lake Wakatipu. It had been a relaxing day filled with beautiful views and about 5 miles of walking.