Day 2 Christchurch to Queenstown

Our objectives for this trip to New Zealand was to walk the Milford Track and the Routeburn track. Perhaps these are two of the most significant "Great Walks" in the country. Close by, we did them back to back.
It was quite a journey to the trail head we blew a couple of days in bus travel, with the benefit of hind sight I'd say one is better off paying the extra money to fly to Queenstown.
Not to say the bus trip was unpleasant - far from it, it's just that it adds fatigue to the journey - a good 7 -8 hours to Queenstown, then there is another day of bus and day boat trip before the walk commences.
On the way to Queenstown we stopped at lake Tekapo and Mount Hutt.  The scenery was stunning, but the drive long so much of it was spent dozing.

Queenstown is nestled by a lake in the mountain valley. It is has a very pretty setting.

Queenstown is a snow sports town with plenty to other recreational activities for the summer.  Some of our party enjoyed the Shotover river jet boat.
Whilst the others were jet boating, Ray and I walked up to the  Gondola and had fun on the Luge. The Luge was quite inexpensive and loads of fun. I was perhaps too gung-ho not wanting to use the brakes and nearly came a cropper a few times. (perhaps not sensible considering the jouney ahead !)
We stayed at the Lakeside YHA in Queenstown which offers a quieter setting away from the hubbub of town, yet still 10 minutes away from the centre - agreed, and glad of a good night of rest.
References to blog entries:
Location: Queenstown, New Zealand

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