Dart River Safari and Paddle Steamer to Walter Peak
The day started with a Dart River Safari. The tour was split into 3 parts: A drive in a 4X4 coach with stops to hear about the scenery (used in Lord of the Rings), a walk through an ancient native beech forest and a jet boat ride on the Dart River. The latter was a really scary adventure. We then had time to look round the small town of Glenorchy.
On our return to Queenstown we had a look round the quay area of Queenstown and saw how the locals relaxed along the shore of Lake Wakatipu. We were booked on the vintage steamship, TSS Earnslaw for an excursion on Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm, an old Scottish farmstead.
Lake Wakatipu
Mount Aspiring National Park: A 19th century Scottish manor house.
Paradise, within Mount Aspiring National Park.
Paradise
The author in Paradise
Possum traps
A walk through a beech wood on the Dart Track; here are some fallen beech trees
First glimpse of the Dart River with a jet boat
We make our way through the wood.
Here we are starting off on our jet boat adventure (official photo).
Sometimes there were very narrow channels to negotiate …
… at other times the river was a raging torrent.
Sometimes the pilot would stop and give information about the surroundings. This is a jet boat that pulled up alongside us.
Finally the river became a wider expanse of water.
The author at the end of the journey, a little wet but still kitted out in splash jacket and life vest
Glenorchy: The church
Glenorchy: Church interior
Glenorchy: An old English car
Queenstown street
The locals take a lunch break.
Queenstown jetty
Family day out
Artist at work
Lake Wakatipu beach
TSS Earnslaw arriving at Queenstown
Approaching Walter Peak High Country Farm
Walter Peak
Walter Peak house and garden
A welcoming bubbly
TSS Earnslaw departs.
Admiring the garden at Walter Peak
Wool is spread among the busy lizzies to keep the rabbits away.
The garden with the hills beyond
The old house
Walter peak house and garden
One of the roses in close-up
Wine tasting and nibbles on the terrace
A sunflower on the terrace
View from terrace, with cat, over Lake Wakatipu
The Earnslaw has arrived to take us back to Queenstown
A last look at the house and garden
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ron Goodwin – The Earnslaw Steam Theme