We left the gorgeous Hawk House yesterday morning and drove into Wanaka for breakfast before starting our trip over to Cardrona and across to Queenstown before checking into our new accomodation. I wanted to stop into Arrowtown as well for a look around along the way. When we were driving through Cardrona we saw that the mountain was open (and busy) so Rob took us up for a look at a proper resort with skiing and everything! We were completely underdressed but we certainly had fun having a look around and the girls are keen to try skiing out sometime. Can you believe at the age of 42 it was the first time I had ever seen people skiing and snowboarding in real life?
We headed back down the mountain through Cardrona to stop off at the historic hotel which was an absolute delight and must see if you are in the area. I could have spent all afternoon there drinking beer by the fire under the spring blossoms – so gorgeous!
Between the lambs, the spring blossom and the daffs I am in absolute heaven here! We drove back over the mountains to Arrowtown which is a fabulous drive with lots of places to stop off and admire the view if you can handle the cold wind. I stopped here a few years ago when we were here for Olympus and I was excited to be back with the kids.
We arrived down in Arrowtown around lunch time and it was JAM PACKED with buses of tourists so it wasn’t the best time to take in it’s quaint beauty. I love the shops and historic feel of this place and would definitely love to come back and explore the food and wine and pubs and shops without kids who were a bit tired. We grabbed some food from the bakery and sat in the park for lunch, grabbed some coffee and famous sticky buns before heading back to Queenstown.
Our new accomodation in Queenstown is also fabulous and gorgeous and beyond my expectations – we settled in for the afternoon and evening with a BBQ and an early night soaking up the views out every single window. Truly magnificent to sit and look at the Remarkables from your couch or bed!
This morning we were up and out the door for a bit of adventure at the Luge & Gondola at the end of town. I had no real idea about what this entailed – a gondola ride to the top, then onto a chair lift for a ride on the luge. We did 5 rides each and had the BEST fun. Rob and I took turns taking Mags for a ride and the other two were fine going by themselves. Finished with a coffee looking out at that view it was so much fun – we absolutely loved it.
We had a bot of a wander down through Queenstown – crazy and jam packed with tourists it really is completely different to what we have been used to the last few days. A lunch out and then home for a nap we are heading out again for dinner tonight (no cooking!)
Tonight it looks like another cold snap will hot with some rain forecast so not sure what we will be up to. I have had the BEST family holiday I can’t tell you. Outdoor adventures – fun for everyone – beautiful scenery it’s such a great family trip.
Amazing photos!
Thanks Judy x
Isn’t it just beautiful!! We did this exact holiday last year with our two boys, and had the most AMAZING time! Your pics brought back memories as we too stayed at Wanaka, ski’d at Cardona, stayed at Queenstown and did the luge and chair lifts etc. My husband bungy jumped there for the first time so that was exciting (and scarey) to watch 😉
Did you see the fence full of bra’s near Cardona? I made hubby drive alongside it slowly so I could film it, haha. Oh and that drive up the Cardona hill to the ski resort – I was petrified to say the least that we would slide off the edge!! 😮
We did a road trip across both islands and it was more beautiful than I’d ever imagined!! I was utterly in awe! 😮
New Zealand is an amazing holiday destination for families – I would thoroughly recommend it as well!! xx
Can’t wait to head to the north island next time – we have never been!