Woke to clear blue skies & wonderful views of the surrounding mountains (again!). Morning routine completed, we set off south, following the shore of Lake Wakatipu, towards Queenstown. A coupe of brief pauses for scenic photos, before stopping for a 20 min walk to find 3 LotR locations in one lakeside area (oliphants, catching coneys & Rangers of the north).

Then through Queenstown, for the long & steep drive up a windy gravel road towards the Remarkables ski field. After 20 mins, both car and driver were feeling the strain, and when we came across a large boulder in the road, it was decided that enough was enough, & we turned the car around, & headed down! We had ascended about 2/3rds of the possible height at this point, & the views of the lakes & valleys were, well …. just remarkable!

Drove past Lake Hayes (very pretty) & into Arrowtown, to find the location of the Ford of Brunien, some ruined 19th century cottages, and gold! Well … lots of sparkly pebbles by the river's edge! Ate lunch whilst skimming stones & playing at being gold prospectors. Between the car park & the river there was an "Alice in Wonderland" tea party scene being photographed, which the kids' enjoyed watching for a while! Back in Arrowtown, we found a café with free wifi, so checked emails & uploaded a couple of days diary to the blog, while the kids played at the river's edge for 30 mins.

Drove a few km southeast to the (now) world famous Kawarau River, gorge & bridge, the site of AJ Hackett's first Bungee jumping business, & site of the Argonath in LotR! Watched a couple of people bungee off the bridge - J shot video, M wanted to join in! (especially the bungee trampoline!)

Then drove over the Cardrona Pass for more great views of the valleys below, & the inevitable photo in front of the famous hotel! The road was in the process of being sealed in 1999, when D&L drove this way last time, so the journey was twice as quick, this time! An amazing amount of development has sprung up all around the hotel, since the road has been improved - mostly holiday chalets (presumably for skiers).

Then into Wanaka, & to the Lake Outlet Motor Camp - as recommended by the Swiss couple that L&D were chatting to in Glenorchy. Fantastic, large, wooden cabin - really warm & comfy! Good sized, functional, shared kitchen - nice couple running the place - great views of the lake & mountains ($71)