Day 3

So today we leave the Canterbury Plains behind and head up through the mountains and down to Queenstown.  We are taking Route 79 over to pick up Route 8 then heading up to the Southern Lakes Region.  Some of the most spectacular scenery in all of New Zealand is located here.  This area will also provided us with our first real glimpses of the Southern Alps.   We come up over a small rise and there they are, The Southern Alps.

We continue on to lake Tekapo.  The aqua blue color of the lake is caused by the glacier runoff that feeds the lake.

 

We were taken with how the clouds appeared to be coming over some hidden spillway high up in the mountains.

Heading on south and west we pass Lake Pukaki with our first look at Mt. Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand reaching 3,754 metres (12,316 ft). 

From here we continue into the Otago region.  Some of you may recognize this area for its many fine vineyards featuring award winning Pinot Noir, Riesling and Pinot Gris varieties .  This is also the home district to Queenstown.  The scenery is mostly rugged mountains and fast moving rivers and streams.

New Zealand has had its share of troubles with non-native species of plants and animals.  As you can see here a project is underway in Central Otago  to eradicate some very invasive trees and restore the landscape to its original condition.  Other unwanted immigrants include rats, possums, and goats, all which were introduced by outside influences and whose populations have exploded because there are no natural predators to keep then in check.

Finally after a long day, we arrive at our villa overlooking lake Wakatipu with The Remarkables mountain range in the background.

Tomorrow we intend to play golf (the Queenstowns Golf Club is off Hal's right shoulder across the lake) and then on Tuesday we will head to Milford Sound.  So for today,

Haere rā, goodbye in Maori.