10 Feb - Milford Sound to Queenstown

Anxious to see what Queenstown had to offer, we reviewed our itinerary and decided to press all the way to Queenstown instead of breaking up the trip with another night in Te Anau. It would turn out to be a day of mostly driving, but we figured it was worth it.

We were also looking forward to taking a bit more time to see the sites on the route back into Te Anau, where we would have lunch and then around to Queenstown.

The weather had changed for the worse which made us realize how lucky we were to have been on the cruise yesterday. The upside was waterfalls everywhere and a new look to the views we had the day before.

Many more waterfalls on the cliff outside our RV spot

We were really looking forward to playing in Eglinton Valley on the way back out. Luckily by the time we were on the other side of the Homer Tunnel and headed out of the mountains the rain let up. We played 'rugby' and explored the valley

There were moths everywhere and the boys ventured out to chase

Obviously have something super important they need to tell us

And boys decide we're done and on the way

Beautiful countryside on the 2 1/2 hour drive from Te Anua up to Queenstown

We stopped on the southern end of Lake Wakatipu to take a stretch and enjoy the view. Queenstown sits on the shores of this lake further north.

He can never resist

Queenstown is considered an alpine resort town and is home to southern New Zealand's action adventure industry. There were two main commercial streets downtown. One street was all shops and restaurants and the other was all outfitters and activity guides - mountain bikes, whitewater rafting, bungy jumping, paragliding, jet boats, backpacking - it's all there.

Nice little waterfront district

By South Island standards the place was mobbed and everyone was really young. I think this is the place you hang on your work visa or your after college globe trekking.