Wanaka The Off Road For Adventurer

In our journey from Queenstown towards Christchurch, we took the route of SH89 passing through Wanaka and then passing SH8 and Lake Tekapo, and then get into the 'north side' of the New Zealand i.e. SH1 to Christchurch.

Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

For this long route and quite tired, we decide to take a rest for one night stay in Wanaka. Actually The distance from Queenstown to Wanaka was not too far, it’s only 71 km and takes an hour by car. Apparently it was very challenging and wonderful.

When we exit from queenstown, we will pass the wide of low lands which the area planted with only grass and sheep-farming. After that it will start to climb and crossed the mountains. The road will continue uphill and meandering, it will make small car get trouble so don't try rent car like city car, it's quite fun for us with driving a cruiser car. Overtaking another car while on this route seems quite difficult, because in addition the maximum speed only allowed 100km per hour, there is not many straight way to overtake.

Wanaka City

So after we passing through from the mountains, the road will be relatively straight, although it was still up and down to arrive at the wanaka town. We use GPS looking for the motel. We didn’t booked online, so we get walk-in price at $90 per night. The rooms was big and equipped with kitchen set as well as a balcony with direction to the beautiful of Lake Wanaka.

Lake Wanaka, New Zealand

After we finished check-in at motel, we directly towards a museum of famous tourist attractions were here Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World. The location is just 2km from the downtown, it was easy to find it by looking at a map of the GPS. The entry ticket was $13 per person includes ticket maze. A collection of stuff and the room that gives the illusion optics, also for example, a row of prints faces that give the impression of a 3 dimensional protruding out, when in fact the mold on the wall is a prominent backward. And if you standing in the middle of the room it will have effect as if the eyes of the figures follows the movement of our bodies, it was so horror.

Roman Toilets Wanaka

Then there are the Roman toilets, if it photographed from a certain distance it will look as if I was sitting on the toilet with the other Roman, but this is a painting on the wall.

Puzzling World, Wanaka

On the front page there was a 'landmark' of the Puzzling World and it shaped Leaning Tower, well the photos people here generally attach to the same as the standard style at the leaning tower of Pisa in Italy, tried to hold by hand.

Learning Tower, Wanaka

In the courtyard behind it there are 3 dimensional maze. The maze that we visited in the Hampton Court at United Kingdom was nothing compared to this. The usual maze just a road full of trap and an impasse, but this was add the over-bridge which make more complex. The total length of this wood-walled maze if traversed all is 1.5 km. There are 4 pieces of the post in the corner marked with different colors. There are 2 challenge that we can choose, which easily we have to get to the road and reach the fourth post this at any order, and the more difficult challenge is we have to reach into the post-four with the specified colour sequence. That surely  we could only reach 3 post by order of random, and give up.

Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World

Actually the Wanaka can be a base to reach Mt. Aspiring National Park for those who want to do the tramping or glacier walk, you could also take day trip to Lake Hawea to enjoy beautiful lake, so plan it previously and having much time if you want satisfied playing in the south.

The downtown itself arguably very small, and in the area along the edge of the lake are available lot of car parking (free 120 minutes) so enjoy this quiet lake.

If you want shopping for daily necessities, there are supermarkets such as New World so we can buy a snack or breakfast.

New World Shop Wanaka

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Amazing Adventure To Milford Sound

Many people say if you visit to New Zealand that’s not complete if you not go to the South Island. But there is another term, to the South Island is incomplete if you not see the Milford Sound.

Milford Sound

What kind of "Sound" is that? Sound is a mountain valley due to the pressure of the galcier melting thousands years ago resulted in a rise in sea water and inundate the valley. Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound is an example the result of this process, and the entire area was named in fiordland.
Milford Sound itself is already pretty amazing, but the route to get there was more spectacular. So you should try to drive a car alone to Milford Sound instead of using bus tour package.

If you noticed that the journey from Queenstown to Milford Sound takes 5 hours by car, you’ll imagine how tired drive a car so far. But you wrong because we can say this is one of the amazing street to drive in the world.

Generally the trip is split become two, Queenstown to Te Anau (3 hours) and the Te Anau to Milford Sound (2 hours). Most of tourists indeed base in Queenstown or Dunedin to Milford, however we can also stay in Te Anau which beautiful and quiet if you want to save time.

From Queenstown just follow the highway number 6 to Lumsden, then turn right take the highway number 94 to Te Anau. Don't be afraid to stray, all instructions and directions the way plastered very clear, even without GPS.

Once out of the city along Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown Road will be winding down the mountain, on the left side, and on the right side are the abyss, due to a very beautiful view of this we must drive slowly.

Lake Wakatipu

After Kingston, then switch views into the expanse of hills and sheep. Well, the sheep are remarkable. See photo below, each point is the white sheep (sheep) and the black dots is a cow.

Sheeps Field, Milford Sound

Once arriving in Te Anau, this is your time to fill gasoline and buy some drinking. Make sure the fuel is loaded enough to return Te Anau-Milford Sound, because no service station anymore on this route.

After you out of Te Anau prepare the camera and the battery to the breathtaking views towards Milford Sound. Milford Road along the 120 km is already recognized as a World Heritage Highway, so no need to use sms voting like the Komodo dragon. Views will be alternated from the land of snowy mountain backdrop with ramps (imagine the movie The Lord of The Ring), a beautiful forest (green or yellow depending on the season), as well as lakes and rivers.

A lot of scenery along this road that allows tourists to do trail walk, hiking or camping, which unfortunately didn't get me to do because we have limited time.

On the way, there is a small lake called Mirror Lake, which is in the morning or in the afternoon when the wind is not blowing, the water of the lake “become” a mirror over the mountains. Unfortunately when I arrive the wind blows pretty fast, but the surface water was still looks good.

Mirror Lake

If the way we've started uphill and winding, this means we have closer to the Homer Tunnel. This is a small tunnel penetrating the mountain along the 1, 2 km. The car shall comply with the instructions of the lamp in front of the tunnel because only one direction for one period. So if the red light, it means that we have to wait (approx. 15 minutes) for alternating directions.

While waiting for this we can be pulled over and a short break while the Kea bird accompanied special seems to play at the mouth of the tunnel. Well, it should be noted this birds 'activity', because according to wikipedia this Kea bird eats rubber, especially here is the car rubber seal and the rubber of wiper. Also because it is perched on a car, the car's scratches risk could make the cost of rental swelled due to pay scratch damage.

Kea Bird

The tunnel is nothing special. The road is quite dark and decreased steadily (if towards Milford), slippery when winter/spring (due to melting snow that drip), so it is definitely not to be speeding.

The Next was 19 km trip down the slopes of the mountain, winding model horseshoe will be flat when entering the Fiordland. At the end of this journey is Milford Sound. A definite view on the way at the beginning of this spring for me is truly amazing.

In fact we could only buy tickets online at Milford Sound cruise, sometimes there are discounts up to 50%, but of course we will be hunted down time while driving a car in order to arrive at a specified time. So be safe is to buy upon arrival only.

There are some operator cruise tour here that we can choose. There is a Real Discovery, Southern Band, Jucy and Cruise. There is an hour, forty five minutes cruise, there are two hours fifteen minutes, for the longer time usual there will be a detour to animal life and underwater observatory option. Ticket prices are more or less equally among operators, ranging from NZD 60-85 per person. The price is dependent departs (the peak time 11am-1pm is the most expensive) and there are overnight cruise.

Milford Sound Cruise

The key of this cruise is the surround sound up to approach the mouth of the Tasman Sea and then turning back. The primary icon photo postcard is Mitre Peak, mount 1492m which resemble tall mitre (Bishop's hat). Then there are 2 waterfalls on the right side, Stirling Falls (146 m) and Bowen Falls (160 m). And you can also watching sea lion habitat basking in the sun.

Stirling Falls New Zealand

Bowen Falls New Zealand

The weather play a role to the comfort of the cruise, so be sure not to come if the weather forecast says rain or snow. That is sure a cool breeze (though it's been spring) will hit us in the face, make your hands and feet be frozen. Be sure to bring a jacket and gloves here and we can get some coffee or tea arrangements provided in the ship.

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Try Your Adrenaline at Queenstown Newzealand

If you desire of naturally green atmosphere environment then Queenstown could be one of the “heaven” that you should visit, surrounding by valley and smooth wind will make your mind feel very fresh and relax in this place.

Queenstown is a small town, located on the edge of Wakatipu lake, the type of leisure and calm city. Car traffic like most of small towns in New Zealand was a little bit, very orderly and not rush due to maximum speed on the road only allow 50km per hour in the city.

Queenstown New Zealand

Queenstown is a base for tourists who are fond of nature or activity that requires a high-adrenaline. There are many walking trail outside the city, tramping and climbing is also available, you can select the length time you want it’s from 2 hours or up to 8 hours. Activities such as bungy jumping, rafting (white water rafting), kanoe, jet-boating, hang-gliding all available not far from the downtown.

The Queenstown downtown is not so big, just a few blocks. Most of the stores will be closed above 6pm to 7pm except the bar. You will find a special pedestrian strip called The Mall which many clothing store and souvenir there and also became a place for dinner.

The Mall Queenstown

There is no public transport which meaning just three lines to the Connectabus Fernhill, Frankton, and Arrowtown. Ticket prices start at $5.50. Day pass was $13.50 for unlimited ride. Generally we use car rental to get around town or out of town.

Parking in the middle of town (street parking) belongs to the expensive, i.e. $2/hour but start from 6pm this parking area become free.

If you have a chance, please take the time to ride the Skyline Gondola headed to Bob's Peak. The view from the top of the hill is very spectacular with the city, the lake, and flanked by mountains. It is very perfect natural view.

This skyline gondola tickets charge at $21, you can buy along with luge package. We can ride the luge (2 tracks), a small car/train controlled by hand, down the hill at speeds high enough (but it safe). You can also drink and eat a snack in the cafe at the top while looking at this beautiful view of the city. We can even take the gondola package along with the bicycle (rental separately), so you can careening by bike.

Skyline Gondola, Queenstown

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