Queenstown

Queenstown - what can I say? It's popular for a reason! We were so lucky with the weather and had three beautiful, sunny days while exploring Queenstown. The only down side to Queenstown is that it is super touristy and crowded. Our airbnb was in an area just next to Queenstown called Fernhill. It literally was a neighborhood on a hill covered with ferns :). We were walking distance into Queenstown and down to the beach area, or only a short four minute drive to get there. 

View from the Airbnb in Q-town - I could get used to this

Day 1

After a 3 hour drive, we pulled up to Queenstown around 3:30pm. On the way, we drove around a lake with an awe inspiring view of Mt. Cook (Our final destination of our road trip). 

fainting from the beauty of it all

first glimpses of Mt. Cook

Once settled in Q-town, we spent the rest of the afternoon at the Gondola doing laps on the Luge at the top of the mountain...

riding up the chairlift at the top of the Gondola to Luge down

On your marks, get set, go!

Views from the ride down overlooking Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu

Coming in for landing 


Dinner was at a place up the road in Fernhill called Lokal Kitchen. It was delicious and just a five minute walk from our condo. 

Fun plant at the top of our street that Finn would like to point out to everyone

Day 2

Jay and I started the morning with a run down to the harbor via the connector track that goes through the forest and down to the lake. The path then continued along the lake to the harbor past boats, shops, and restaurants. At the end we found a cute beach and playground to bring the kids to later that day. Going through the forest on the trail, we went right past an extreme mountain bike park - pictures of the trail map and jumps below! 

Harbor in Queenstown

Great park that we returned to later that day-right on the beach

Such a perfect morning!

Views from the running trail as we made our way back up hill to home

Zoom in to see the terrain at this bike park! There's an 8m+ jump!

Dean, this is your new goal! 

Next activity: a family hike on the Mt. Crichton Loop Trail

About 10 min. drive and were at the trail head for the Mt. Crichton Loop Trail. The trail was 5 miles and gained about 1,300 ft. in elevation. We hiked along and above a river, up to an abandoned hut, through sluicing tunnels, surrounded by mountain peaks in the distance, then back down the other side with views of Lake Wakapitu. 

First part of the trail across the stream

Sluicing tunnel from the old mining days

roaring stream below

staggering mountains above

It's hard to tell, but this moss was covered in dripping water (almost like mini waterfalls all over) - we couldn't stop staring at it! 

River crossing

sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy...

The washed out bridge

Jay and Finn climbed up and ran down this hill - A missed opportunity of a video of Finn running down this. You'll have to use your imagination and picture him screaming and flailing down hill with no control of his limbs and Jay catching him at the bottom

A side trip to a narrow sluicing tunnel - cold, dark, and dripping 

Time to explore 

On the other side 

Stop making fun of me - it's scary in here! 

Hope no one's claustrophobic

 

Sam's hut

Interesting story behind the hut...

We could actually go inside and explore! Something that never happens in the states - we hike past tons of these old cabins/huts in the US and they're always boarded up. Fun to look BTS for once! 

Final descent back to the carpark - views of Lake Wakapitu

After the hike, we all needed some down time back at the condo. The weather was too perfect to stay inside for too long, though! We took the kids back down to the harbor and park to play, while Jay and I enjoyed a cocktail at the beach side cafe. There were lots of locals lounging about on the shore in big groups with food and drink - a fantastic way to spend a warm Sunday afternoon. 

Park at the lake! 

The iconic Queenstown steamship

Nature's playground 

How Big is the tree?? SO big! 

Fish and chips for dinner from Chur Bros - The BEST we've had! They had all sorts of flavors and seasonings to choose from. I had salt and vinegar, Finn got salt, and Jay ordered chur seasoning. Maggie stuck with her standby, the cheeseburger. YUM AS! 

Day 3

Monday morning was a working morning for everyone to start their school and work load for the week. The hosts of the Airbnb were kind enough to let us have an extended check-out time at 11:30, which gave everyone a nice solid few hours to work. Monday night would be spent in Te Anau (The Gateway to Milford Sound), but before we headed that way we had some unfinished business in Queenstown: The A.J. Hackett Bungy Jumping Bridge and a Jet Boat ride.  

A.J. Hackett Bungy Center and Bridge - No dare devils in this family, but we had LOTS of fun watching others jump! My Adrenalin was going just watching; it was crazy! 

LOL

 

So fun walking on the actual bridge and watching the jumpers from the bridge - we were RIGHT there! 

Shotover Jet Boat Ride - The jet boat was invented in New Zealand in the 1950's by William Hamilton as a way to ride up New Zealand's fast flowing rivers that were too shallow for propeller boats. The guide told us they can run in rivers that are as shallow as 10cm! The boat goes up to 90 KPH and does 360 degree turn on the river during the course of your 30 minute ride. We had a BLAST experiencing this; it was thrilling, informative, and a great way to explore The Shotover River and Canyon! 

Where's Wally (as they'd say in NZ). Can you spot Maggie and Finn?

Speeding down the river into the canyon

The boat

 

Post ride - you can't make this stuff up! HAHAHA