Our original plan was to only spend one day in Wanaka, but due to the issues with the SH6 being closed we decided to forego the west coast and the glaciers, spend two days (24/11 and 25/11) in Wanaka and go up the east of the alps.
The road from Queenstown to Wanaka is considered one of the best and has a lot to see in a relatively short distance.
The first landmark is crossing the Shotover River
First Stop Hays Lake was a lot more scenic and reflective.
Then it was onto the Crown Ridge Road.
After an impressive climb, the view unfolded behind us from the first stopping point on the road.
We stopped at a second viewpoint near the summit.
Walking a few hundred yards up the track from the car park opened up more views down the valley.
Then it was time for a coffee.
The cliffs beyond the car park are pretty striking.
Wanaka itself is basically a really nice place to chill, and a great base. It is very different to Queenstown, as it feels like there is a much better balance between tourist and locals. The main feature is the lake and its most famous feature is a tree in the lake. We chose to stay here so there was only a relatively short day for the first day travelling, to get used to the car.
We didn’t spend too much time in Wanaka itself, but the walk back to the motel was pretty special
We had booked to go on a jet boat with wilderness walk with https://www.wanakariverjourneys.co.nz/ It was a truly amazing trip going around 25km up the Matukituki River towards Mount Aspiring, then a walk in ancient forest. It was a definite 5/5 experience and highly recommendedOn our previous trip we had taken a jetboat up the Dart River from Glenorchy. This had given a taste for how the jet boats could be used to get to remote areas, not accessible by car, with some fun for good measure!
Taking photos on the boat was not the easiest, the weather was overcast and windy, the wind was whipping up dust, but the views were spectacular.
