We left Queenstown heading for the Mount Cook region with the first major stop in Wanaka. To reach Wanaka, we have to drive pass the Crown Range in a zig zag manner before descending towards Wanaka. The Crown Range Road is the highest main road in New Zealand and offers some fascinating views. It is a shorter trip - 70km (44 miles) - than going through Cromwell, but don't allow less time as the travelling will be slower and you will want to stop to look at the views and take photographs.
The road zigzags up to the Crown Terrace and from there you can look down to Arrowtown in the Arrow Valley, and across at the end of the Remarkables and the road to the Remarkables skifield. The road then climbs steeply to the summit - 1119,7 metres above sea level. From there you can see Frankton, part of Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown. For another impressive view walk up the track to the viewing point which opens up the view of the end of the Carrick Range sloping steeply down to the Kawarau Gorge
This was taken on top from the Crown Range
We finally hit Wanaka in time to visit the famous Puzzling World. Stuart Landsborough’s Puzzling World is a world unique attraction specialising in puzzling eccentricity. For over 35 years this remarkable business has entertained and amazed visitors of all ages attracted to this beautiful part of the world. Puzzling World offers the world’s first "3-D" Great Maze, incredible Illusion Rooms, a Puzzle Centre/Café, large Gift Shop, eccentric architecture and the intriguing Psychic Challenge. We went along the maze but gave up half way as everyone got hungry in time for lunch
For lunch. We went to a place called Relish Cafe which is situated opposite the lake. Food for so so representing truly New Zealand deli food. Nevertheless, Wanaka is a refreshing scene after leaving Queenstown as it represents an unspoilt, tranquil small town of New Zealand whereas the latter is a bit too commercialised for our liking.
After lunch, we drove straight to Omarama where we decide to make a pit stop. At first, we were apprehensive as its literally a one horse town. 2006 census shows only a population of 236!. Nevertheless, we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the motel
The scene of the one horse town - Omarama
The motel we stayed in. Very cosy and nice
No comments:
Post a Comment