2648 - 2676 Queenstown
Yet another late start but this time due to breakfast at a cafe.
The walk out of Arrowtown was good. The day was bright and beautiful. It wasn't until later when I crossed paths with the Belgians that I realised I had missed a sign and begun circumnavigating Lake Hayes.
That was pretty much it for walking. The point of the day was to go to Queenstown, buy a Kindle, and then go onto to Glenorcy to do the Routeburn before rejoining Te Araroa.
Hitching was easy. I walked past a ute pulling out of a sideboard and he asked me if I wanted a lift.
The Kindle mission failed. I had been told in Wanaka that Whitcolls in Queenstown sold them. Whitcolls said Noel Lemmings in Franktown sold them.....bugger.
Queenstown has changed a fair bit since I was last here 30 years ago. Development is everywhere, jets land and take off constantly, roads are packed with traffic, there is nearly always a helicopter in the sky, and people throng the streets. All in all, it's a frigging nightmare. Couldn't wait to escape.
We have decided to do the Routeburn and then rejoin Te Araroa so we are leaving Queenstown and continuing to Glenorcy. Glenorcy, however, is far nicer. Although I could be biased as I stayed in a pub. 'nuff said really.
Hindsight
- Queenstown is very busy in peak season. Book ahead.
- You have to go through Glenorcy anyway so you may as well just go there.
- Don't break your Kindle.
Queenstown Map
