Enjoying Wanaka and Puzzling World before Heading to Mt. Cook (Day 9)

Situated in the picturesque region of Otago, Wanaka has beautiful lake and mountain panoramas. As if Queenstown, tourism is the primary activity that contributes to the local culture and economy of Wanaka. However, it’s less commercialized than Queenstown.

Retails shops in downtown

Cafes that offer great sights of Lake Wanaka

I was somewhat frustrated while uploading photos to this post because I’m hardly chose the only best photos since all of the pictures taken in Wanaka seems amazing to me (I didn’t mean my photography skill is good but the place is really gorgeous). Sorry that I’m too desperate to share all these photos…:P  

Lake Wanaka and the surrounded mountains offer adventure activities for travellers who love kayaking, sailing, walking or hiking.

My friend and I visited the Stuart Landsborough’s Puzzling World located just 2km away from Lake Wanaka.

Hey! The puzzling world is interesting! In fact, it’s a must-see attraction and it should be part of your itinerary in South Island. There’s a few dollars charge if you intend to visit parts in the building such as The Great Maze and Illusion rooms. But some people were just like us, focused on the artworks viewing or photographing of outdoor funny structures which charged nothing. There's an indoor area we visited where we could get some models and played free. We also took some hilarious pictures especially with the leaning clock tower in the garden.

 

An indoor area for games playing

Leaning Tower built in front of the building

Puzzling World

Location: 188 Wanaka Luggate Highway 84 Wanaka 9382.
Tel: (03) 443 7489
Opening hours: 8.30am daily, last admission 5.30pm (summer) & 5.00pm (winter), (10-3pm on Christmas Day)

Our itinerary in Wanaka seemed more to enjoy the landscapes than participating in the adventurous activities. Therefore, we only spent the previous night in Wanaka and carry on our journey to Mt. Cook after exploring the puzzling world in the afternoon.  

Continue the Journey to Arrowtown and Wanaka from Queenstown (Day 8)

In the morning, I drove the car to Queenstown inner city and around Lake Wakatipu.

I parked the car at lakeside, so that Yen and I could take more photos of the picturesque Lake Wakatipu and surrounded area. The sceneries were so marvellous!

The sky was clear and the air was so fresh. In addition, we appreciated the calming and relaxing atmosphere…

There’re more scenic landscapes along the way driving from Queenstown to Arrowtown.

It took less than half an hour before we stopped off Arrowtown on the journey to Wanaka. Set in the region of Otago, Arrowtown in the past is popular as gold mining town that attracted the European and Chinese miners.

Today, this little town becomes a holiday attraction and recreational destination for locals and international visitors. It’s a prestige to the locals when some series of the movie ‘Lord of the Rings’ were taken in and around Arrowtown.

Simply take a relaxing walk and you’ll be amazed by the unique ambiance in Arrowtown. My friend loved the surroundings especially those 2 rows of tall trees along the street.

We visited the fascinating history of early settlement - Arrowtown Chinese Settlement. We entered the preserved old structure Ah Lum’s Store and reflected their living in the past.

Chinese settlement in Arrowtown

The outlook of Ah Lum's Store

Walking along the main street, Buckingham Street, I found the attractive Remarkable Sweet Shop. We continued our journey after I bought some sweets from the shop.

Sweet Remarkable Shop

We stopped off again and wanted a sightseeing of bungy jumping from the bridge over Kawarau River.  This Kawarau Bridge Bungy is distinguished as first commercial bungy site in the world.

In truth, bungy jumping was the thing I wish to do all along while in New Zealand. However, the cold weather depressed me and held me back at that moment. Be honest, it's quite scary seeing the people jumping from 43m high. Anyway, I did it later in Taupo, North Island.

Took a deep breath, we got back to the car and I continued to drive to Wanaka.

Discovering Queenstown, A Real Queens Town (Day 7)

Before I came to New Zealand, I had ever heard my friend told that Queenstown is the most beautiful town in New Zealand. I’m not going to comment about it but one thing for sure, I couldn't help myself from taking photos like crazy while I was there :D

In Queenstown, I stayed with Yen in the Alpine Lodge Backpackers. Alpine Lodge Backpackers is one of the BBH hostels in New Zealand and it provided a Very cozy and comfortable accommodation with clean and friendly environment. Furthermore, the hostel was a good value to us as it's located almost opposite the Skyline Gondola cable car station.

Living room(upstair)

Kitchen(upstair)

Alpine Lodge Backpackers

Add: 13, Gorge Rd, Queenstown.

Tel: (03) 442 7220

It’s end of autumn. Outside of the hostel, I could see the hills were topped with snows.

On Saturday 24^th May, with Yen, I did ride the Skyline Gondola and went to the Bob's Peak. Along the ride, we enjoyed the views although it’s raining slightly.

View from the window of the cable car

When we reached the peak...OMG! It's so stunning looking from 450m high above the Queenstown township!

It's really the beauty of nature!

We’re extremely thrilled to spend time taking the most beautiful pictures of Queenstown and playing the snows at the peak.

Frankly speaking, perhaps this was nothing to you but this is the very first time both of us saw the real snows in our life. Of course, we wanted to make the most of it and therefore we only willing to leave when it's almost sunset :P

The dessert I had at the Skyline Cafe before leaving

Unlike other places, Queenstown is still happening at night. You may have a walk in the hub and shop for food or souvenirs during night. Queenstown has quite a few souvenir shops, boutique, cafes and restaurants well worth your visit. I actually did a well shopping and tried the good foods there like ice cream, big burger...

Queenstown centre at night

Queenstown is well known for adventurous activities, for example bungy jumping, rafting, skydiving and mountain biking. I was unlucky as failed to participate the white water rafting as intended. The failing was due to the season closed to winter, the snows had blocked the access for road trip to the river. Well, I promised that I’ll definitely come back for the game on spring as long as I’m still in South Island.

All in all, a suitable word to describe this lovely town is... beau-ti-ful! It’s a town that queens will love to live forever. Thus, not to miss a visit to Queenstown!