New Zealand - Christchurch to Queenstown

We set off from Christchurch with the previous nights rain still continuing. Sidney had to circumnavigate the periphery of the car park on the raised borders to avoid the lake that had appeared where previously only a car park had existed. After, the now customery process of getting a little lost and stopping to get air into the back tyre we were on the highway.

It's initially flat agricultural land again but in the distance were snow topped mountains.

After about 100km we were in what I'd call Carling territory. Carling don't do scenic drives but if they did - this may well be the one they'd use. It's amazing scenery once again. The highlights were the lakes such as Lake Tekapo (spelling to check) which, due to glacial run off and the suspended minerals, (yep GOTD time) were an amazing aquamrine/turquoise colour. There we were just gawking at snow covered mountains then over a rise we were met by this jewel glistening before us. It's so cool. Obviously, by now the sun had come out and we were having an amazing drive.

What's also amazing is the constructed canal which drains huge volumes of waters away to provide drinking water, irrigation water and hydroelectric power for large ranges along route 79. It basically meant there were parched upland areas with aturquise snake through the landscape. Awesome.

After another short drive we were at Mt. Cook lookout - with Mrs. Macs pie in hand - possibly the best picnic site in the world (interesting - and no joke - fact is the Mrs Macs pies are made in Sparrow Fart).


We arrived in Queenstown around 5pm - so roughly 7.5 hours on the road - tiring but such a great journey we didn't mind. We ended in Dux De Lux (brew their own) and had a tasty pizza and entered the quiz...we were one spot out of the prizes finishing fourth. Just the two of us though so we did well!

So we retired to the 'flashpackers' accommodation as Tony has dubbed it and prepared for another fun day.