Dunedin and Tekapo, NZ

Wed 25 Feb, 2009 - Queenstown to Dunedin
Headed off out of Queenstown on the old gold mining route and got to see the scenery of Central Otago. It slowly transformed from the huge mountain ranges to smaller hills. Finally making it to Dunedin, known as the Edinburgh of the South (can’t comment fully as never been to Edinburgh- later in the year!?). The city is very much a university town with a busy café and bar strip. The university year was just kicking off so a little quiet still. Stayed at On Top Hostel which was situated on top of a bar.

Wandered around a looked at all the old buildings. Also say the Cadbury Factory. Looks quite small from a distance however when near it takes up a whole block of town. Jen went to the movies in the late afternoon. I spent time on the internet trying to organise the next part of my travels! Otherwise a quietish night.



Thur 26 Feb, 2009 - Dunedin to Tekapo

Started the morning walking up Baldwin Street, know as the World’s steepest. Didn’t look that bad until you were at the base! Left Dunedin and stopped at the Moeraki Boulders. Large spherically shaped rocks looking somewhat like a tortoise shell where little cracks emerged in the surface. Some of the rocks had split completely and there were odd shapes spread across the sand.

Then it was on to Oamaru, stone town followed by driving through Mackenzie country. Saw Benmore dam, the largest in southern hemisphere. A hazy view of Aoraki, Mt Cook before making our way into Lake Tekapo and the Lakeside Hostel, an extremely small town but a beautiful location. Jen went to the Alpine spa to relax before heading to Christchurch tomorrow. I went for a walk around the foreshores and into town. Maybe I‘ll do the spa after the hiking near Mt Cook tomorrow. Really nothing else to do than stay in and read. So that’s what I did. Have an early start and a day of walking tomorrow so an earlyish night.