THE SNOWY SOUTH
A short tour of New Zealand's South Island
Queenstown to Dunedin
Friday 9th May 2025
Saturday, 10th May, 2025
Sunday, 11th May, 2025
Friday 9th May 2025
Pretty Arrowtown
e started off this morning with a full-blown panic. We had to have bags out and breakfast at 0800 before leaving at 0900. Our alarm did not go off and we did not awake until 0730! No time for showers, the bags had to be packed ASAP and put out and then breakfast, which was very crowded with another tour group and a conference as well. Finally got off by 0900 but not a good start.
Frontier Arrowtown
t seemed the bad weather had lasted as it looked very dull and damp and
when we awoke the mountains were covered by mist, but when it lifted we could see new snow caps on the Remarkables as we headed for Arrowtown.
Display Arrowtown Museum
rrowtown is an old gold mining town, once very rich and bustling but now an historical gem. It is very atmospheric, looking like the old gold towns in Alaska, a wide street of flat facades like a western movie.
We spent some time in its wonderful museum. Funnily enough, I remember seeing it in "A Remarkable Place to Die", a NZ cop show, set in Queenstown. There are so many exhibits on two levels. Many of them are scenes of old time industries and workers,set among the artifacts that related to them. Really well done.
Arrowtown Shopping Street
e strolled around the shops, many of them (most of them) selling high end goods to well-heeled tourists. I bought Geoff some paua shell cufflinks and myself a little necklace there.
hen we headed off for Te Anau. We stay here for two nights, going to Milford Sound tomorrow. We were booked into the Glow Worm Caves this evening but it has been cancelled because of high water (shades of Waitomo Caves last time!) Maybe we will get it tomorrow after Milford Sound but it is going to be a very long day.
Local Population
t was an awesomely lovely trip, the sky cleared to mostly blue, with sheep-filled green fields and folded hills. The background of mountains wore a new cap of snow and the journey was idyllic. Don't know what it would be like to live here, however, there was very little habitation. But lovely.
e got our room in the Distinction Lakeside Hotel, which is under redecoration at the moment but we have a nice room with a view of the lake. Mind you, I think every room does, it is a very long frontage. Our room is nearly on the end and it is a long trek to Reception and the Restaurant.
Lake Te Anau
e then dispersed to find lunch, and many of us seemed to converge on a pie shop with lots of different fillings. They were out of satay chicken but I had creamy chicken and Mac had chicken and bacon We shared them with sparrows in the local park, remarkably demanding!
Then we strolled up the main street before returning home. We will shower tonight as we have an early start tomorrow.
Saturday 10th May 2025
Reflecting en route to Milford
ell, a rather disappointing day today. It was a glorious start with a crimson sunrise, but like the proverb, by the time we were halfway to Milford Sound it was grey, misty and raining.
Road to Milford
he trip to Milford Sound was, however, well worth the effort, the scenery was epic, much of it used in the "Lord of the Rings" films. There were rushing rivers, snowy peaks, reflecting lakes, the lot. Despite the weather, we enjoyed it and some of the photographs were very good.
Glacial River
Milford Waterfall
e had our cruise and included box lunch and tried to see what was outside. Much of it was obscured by misty rain, such a pity!
Many Waterfalls
here were lots and lots of waterfalls everywhere, both in the Sound and on the way. Craig says most of them only come up when it's wet. With the snow on the heights as well, it really seems as though "Winter is Coming" (to coin a phrase!) However, it is really picturesque and worth seeing in any weather.
Milford Waterfall
ost of us slept all the way back to Te Anau but Craig suggested trying a bird sanctuary, where some rare endangered species were breeding. Some went, we didn't. We saw some Keas today, not very interesting, but I believe they are very destructive.
Lake Te Anau
he Glow Worm Cave was still closed by high water so when we got back we went for a walk beside the lake. It seemed a completely different climate from Milford Sound. The sky was blue and the sun shone. We have not had enough walking lately, my legs are getting swollen. But it was quite sunny and pleasant beside the lake, large flocks of Canada geese bobbing up and down and several varieties of ducks.
Dinner is early tonight. We leave tomorrow. Bags and breakfast at 0700, hit the road 0800. To Dunedin. Mac and I have signed up for an Eco Wildlife Excursion since our last two optionals have been cancelled. I hope this one is OK. Time is getting short now, these tours don't last long!
Sunday 11th May,2025
Dunedin Station Facade
ff and away from Te Anau, heading for Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the South! Craig suggested that, since we were backtracking a bit and he had nothing particular to tell us, that he put on a DVD of a NZ film, "Hunt for the Wilderpeople", with Sam Neill. I watched and enjoyed this quirky little story, which I had heard of but not seen. Glad to have had the chance.
Mac inside Dunedin Rail Station
ust before lunch time we arrived in Dunedin, New Zealand's third largest city. It is a very attractive port city, with many old buildings left over from the riches of the gold rush. Craig parked the coach by the spectacular Edwardian Art Deco Dunedin Railway Station, no longer used for passenger trains, unfortunately, apart from a couple of tourist expedition trains. We actually went on one of these, to Taieri Gorge back in 2002 and it was an amazing run.
Dunedin Stained Glass Window
Dunedin Station Facade
he building is beautiful and enormous. The main waiting room is tiled in Art Deco style and has a gallery above it, decorated with stained glass. A cathedral to progress in its day, it has been converted to a Museum and Art Gallery.
We dispersed to find lunch, which on a Sunday was not so easy, but Mac and I found a little café called Perc. We had toasted ham, cheese and tomato sandwiches and coffee, very nice too. I noticed another couple from the tour also lunching here.
Robbie Burns at Dunedin
e strolled back to the coach, passing through the "Octagon", a town square facing the cathedral, with a statue of Robert Burns, the Scottish poet, who had his back turned to the Anglicans. Dunedin was founded by the Free Church of Scotland. Craig took us to our hotel, the Distinction, which used to be the GPO. A lovely room with all cons, including microwave and a washing machine and dryer. Then we were picked up for our Eco Wildlife tour.
Baby Seal at Wildlife Safari
his took us down the Otago Peninsula through lovely pastoral and ocean side scenery. We passed through Port Chalmers which is the ocean port of Dunedin, where the big ships come in. The bus took us to an amazing wild sanctuary,where the owner had succeeded in eradicating predators.
Little Penguins at Home
e saw many seals, both adult and juvenile all over the rocks and cliff head. Also little penguins in constructed nests, so cute. It was interesting and beautiful and the owner was so passionate about the work.
Port Chalmers (Dunedin) at Dusk
he property is mainly a farm, but it was obvious his interest lay in the sanctuary. It was getting dusk when we started back and both the harbour and the view back to the city were bathed in golden twilight.
Then back in time for a good and very filling dinner at the hotel. Tomorrow bags out by 0705 and leave at 0815. Oh boy!
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