As we drove to the head of the Rob Roy hike, we started to understand why this wasn't a main stop for everyone. The roads were bumpy dirt, and they were covered with roaming cows. Also, we found out we had to 'Ford' 9 streams with our car. And since we had an early 2000s Nissan for a rental car, you can understand why we were a little nervous!! But we made it to the trail head before 9am, and the rain from the previous night had past, we were blue skies again!
The trail started along a river, then across a swingbridge, and then ducked back into the woods. After ~1 hr we got a small peak at what would be a amazing place. When we got the end...our jaws dropped. The Rob Roy Glacier sat up on the mountain, and with all the melting water, there were waterfalls everywhere. One was ~1000 ft high, while others were massive and loud. This place looked like it was out of a movie. We just kept saying "wow", and wished we could stay there all day.
But we headed back, then crossed the 9 streams again in our little Nissan, and made it back to Wanaka ~2pm. We then headed to a local place called Puzzling World. Nadine had spotted it the day before, and we spent ~1 hr being little kids again, trying to solve tabletop puzzles and looking at illusions. An odd spot for an awesome place!
We then hit the road, as we again needed to put miles behind us. We whisked through the mountains again, and traveled up along the West Coast. We stopped at a small town cafe for some "whitebait" cuisine, then ate it while overlooking Knights Point. As the sun went down, we cruised all the way to just outside of Fox Glacier. In fact, we camped at a spot that was covered by the glacier in the 1750s!
View from the swingbriddge along Rob Roy hike
Sneak Peak (reminds Dave of Yosemite Valley!)
Rob Roy Panorama
Puzzling World in Wanaka
Sunset Dinner at Knight's Point
Wed April 8 (Fox Glacier, Arthurs Pass, Fly back to Mel)
We were up early for our final day in NZ. We drove to Fox Glacier hike, and after a short walk, were greeted with an up close view! Nadine was seeing glaciers from every angle!
We then started over drive up the West Coast, with supposed scenic views along the coast & mountains. However, the rain rolled in, and all we really saw was a blanket of white clouds. We did stop for lunch in Hokitika & had maybe the best seafood pizza ever (or we were just that tired of Peanut Butter & bread for the whole trip)
We then headed due East into the mountains. The clouds eventually parted at Arthurs Pass, which was a crazy drive! The road was super steep & twisty. We also saw the world's only alpine Parrot (who likes to welcome travelers!), and then ventured onto Devils Punchbowl Falls.
As we left Arthurs Pass, heading towards Christchurch, the skies cleared, and the scenery opened up for one final appreciation of the unbelievable beauty. We stayed a bit quieter in the car, and just soaked it all in. Our NZ trip was coming to a close, but we had no complaints. Our only regret was that we only had 7 days!
We rolled into Christchurch tired, stinky, but happy. We browsed through the Duty Free...and the ridiculous prices on alcohol! We flew out at 830pm, arrived into Mel at 1030p, and then each got back to our houses that night. Another great NaDave trip. Wow, we are blessed to have our trips go so well, and the hiccups we have are minor & solvable. We certainly prep with lots of planning, but we also fortunate to avoid major setbacks.
Fox Glacier - up close!
Luckily she survived!
The most amazing seafood pizza
Epic alpine parrot picture at Arthur's Pass
Steep Arthur's Pass
Not to be confused with any old John Walker
The next time we're on a plane, it'll be headed for the States. Less than one month to go in Australia....but of course there's still plenty to do around Melbourne :-)!!
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