1,200 km in Three Days

Jenna:  We're officially done with work at the Bay of Many Coves... left on 2/2 after a few days in style.  Our room was needed for new staff so we got to stay in a guest room our last five nights, plus have dinner in the restaurant.  Awesome way to end our term!

Entering Arthur's Pass

Castle Hill Rocks in Arthur's Pass

We have a few days of traveling before we have to end up at the start of the Milford Track on 2/6.  We drove south from Picton and spent our first night in Amberly, north of Christchurch.  On 2/3 we ran some errands in the city before heading west via Arthur's Pass to the West Coast.  Supposed to be one of the most scenic drives in NZ, and definitely lived up to its reputation.  Stopped for a short walk to Devil's Punchbowl Falls and ended a long day of driving at the DOC campground at Lake Ianthe.  Rob was brave (and smelly) enough to go for a swim that night and I waited til morning for a dip.  The water was actually pretty warm!

Devil's Punchbowl Falls - Arthur's Pass

Rob taking a dip in Lake Ianthe - West Coast

We continued south down the West Coast through Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers (we were here before to do the ice climbing) and stopped at beautiful Lake Matheson for a walk.  Skipped the lake last time we were in the area, but definitely glad we made time this time.  Gorgeous glassy water, and Mt. Cook (highest peak in NZ) made a brief appearance through the clouds.  No wonder it's the most photographed lake in NZ.

Lake Matheson - West Coast

Lake Matheson - West Coast

Haast River - Haast Pass

Turned east at Haast and followed the Haast Pass inland.  Stopped for another dip at the Blue Pools.  Glacial water... much colder than the lake we swam in the night before!  Only made it up to my knees.  Continued on past Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea and finally ended the night at Twelve Mile Delta Campground outside Queenstown.  We've driven almost 1,200 kilometeres in 3 days!  And we've really seen some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.  Just amazing. 

Wading in the Blue Pools - Haast Pass

Lake Hawea

Firey sunset in Queenstown

Breakfast at the campground at Twelve Mile Delta - not a bad place to wake up!

Now we're in Queenstown stocking up on food and supplies before we head further south to Te Anau in Fiordland for the start of the Milford Track.  We've been planning this for so long... can't believe it's finally time to go!