Queenstown 27th March - 1st April 2009
Trip Start
Dec 28, 2008
1
38
90
Trip End
Jul 25, 2009
Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand
Saturday, March 28, 2009
A little lie in and we got on the bus at 9.15am and head to Queenstown for an action packed day, first stop being Puzzling World. Here we had fun in the maze and illusion house along with the highly entertaining toilets.
From Puzzling World we headed around the edge of Lake Dunstan towards Kawarau Gorge. Upon entering the Kawarau Gorge the scenery transformed into rugged rocky terrain, stopping at the bungy centre to watch a video on the 'Secrets behind bungy' and allowing those who wished, the chance to bungy jump before heading to our hostel.
After checking in and doing some washing we grab something to eat before celebrating our arrival into the adventure capital of the world, by hitting the town. We experienced the infamous Teapot cocktails and pumping dance floor at 'The World Bar'.
28th March 2009
We had a nice lie in until about 11am, Daniel and Laura prepared for their Nevis swing and Phil for his Nevis bungy and then off they went at 12.30pm full of nerves. The bus journey to Nevis was 45 minutes during which time they played death music over the speakers which really helped everyone relax!!!!
Once they arrived Laura and Daniel were kitted up and went 1st which then meant they could watch Phil do his bungy after. Both were really nervous but it showed more in Daniel however once they had completed the swing they were relieved, same with Phil.
Meanwhile Sherri and Zoe were spending money in the few shops in the small town of Queenstown and taking a stroll around the lake, before heading back for an afternoon kip. Once back at the hostel the thrill seekers returned and were just as tired so joined Zoe and Sherri for a kip.
After falling asleep for a couple of hours we all got ready for another night on the town, this time the boys went on an organised bar crawl whilst the girls met up with some friends and did their own bar crawl. The girls finished their night with an almighty Fergburger.
29th March 2009
Another nice lie in, followed by breakfast before heading up the scenic gondola to enjoy Queenstown's most spectacular views. Panoramic views from Coronet Peak in the north, The Remarkables mountain range in the east and across the deep blue waters of Lake Wakatipu to Cecil and Walter Peaks in the south west. Once at the top we raced each other on the Skyline Luge, first on the scenic route and then on the advanced route - both were real good fun, slightly scary but fun.
After our races we took the gondola back down, the boys then went for a walk by the lake and the girls went to do some shopping again before heading to the cinema. To finish the night the boys went to the pub to watch the Grad Prix whilst the girls chilled out around the hostel.
30th March 2009
Today was an earlier start than we had been used to whilst in Queenstown as we were heading to Milford Sound. We were picked up at 7.50am and set on our long drive stopping for various breaks along the way to take some pictures of the scenery - 'The Remarkables', 'Homer Bridge' and the section of the road where an Audi advert was filmed.
We arrived at the Milford Wharf Visitor Centre, situated in the Freshwater Basin, at 1.20pm where we boarded the boat straight away and sat down for a buffet lunch. After lunch we enjoyed a 2 hour cruise through Milford Sound to the entrance of the Tasman Sea.
During the cruise we visited Bowen Falls, the higher of the two permanent waterfalls in Milford Sound and Cemetery Point which are mounds formed by debris from the falls. Sinbad Gully a hanging valley enclosed by the steep slopes of Mt Phillips, Mitre Peak, one of the highest mountains in the world to rise directly from the ocean floor and Lion Mountain correctly known as Mt Kimberly but due to its shape of a crouching lion this more descriptive name has been retained.
Their was The Elephant, a mountain in the shape of an elephants head and the trunk forming part of the hanging valley. Copper Point, the narrowest section of the Fiord with very high deposits of copper found through this area. Fairy Falls was the prettiest corner of Milford Sound and named after the rainbows in the falls. We then turned around in Anita Bay, past St Anne's Point, an automatic lighthouse standing 27 meters above sea level and headed back towards Milford Wharf through Dale Point, the entrance to Milford Sound at 548 meters wide.
On the way back we passed Seal Rock stopping to admire the Southern Fur Seals before getting up close to Stirling Falls which drops 155 meters, the 2nd permanent waterfall in the Fiord. In to Harrison Cove to the Underwater Observatory where we stopped for 45 minutes. After visiting the Observatory we finished the trip by cruising past Mount Pembroke and back to the Wharf, returning to the bus for the long ride back.
After a long and tiring day we grabbed a bite to eat before hitting the sack.
31st March 2009
Today we had to check out by 10am and then check back in at 1pm - we could not see the logic in this but didn't have much choice. So after we checked out and with nowhere to go, we just hung around the computer room until 12.20pm when Sherri went for her Skydive and Zoe and Laura went shopping.
We checked back into our new room at 1pm and dumped our stuff before the boys went off River Boarding and the girls went shopping for food. Once Sherri returned from her Skydive we cooked tea and then had a kip until the boys got back at 6.30pm, we then all got ready for a night out on the town. Tonight was a PJ party so the girls dressed up whilst the boys gave it a miss.
1st April 2009
After a very late night and rather a lot to drink we all lied in until the desire for food became too much. Laura and Sherri went to buy some lunch but unfortunately the kitchen was closed so we had to go out and get junk food. Needing some fresh air we played a game of mini golf, this was rather comical and somewhat competitive, it also passed a good few hours.
We had a short wander around town before having an afternoon kip. We then prepared ourselves for the quiz in the bar, unfortunately we didn't win but we gave it a good attempt. Leaving Queenstown in the morning we tore ourselves away from the bar for an early(ish) night.
