One of the things we wanted to do while we were in Queenstown was to make the drive out to Glenorchy, a small settlement nestled in spectacular scenery at the northern end of Lake Wakaitpu. The drive was 45 kilometers of visual orgasms, with view after view of just phenomenal scenery.
We followed Lake Wakaitpu until we reached the village of Glenorchy. Glenorchy is a popular tourist spot, close to may tramping tracks. It lies near the borders of Mount Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park. The local scenery received worldwide attention when it was used as one of the settings in the first of the Lord of the Rings films. The scene where Boromir was slain and lent near a tree. X-Men Origins: Wolverine and the Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian were also filmed in the area.
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| Glenorchy |
After having lunch in Glenorchy we decided to see how far the road went into the mountains. We never did find out as we turned around when we ran out of pavement. What we did find was more astonishing views.
Once we ran out of pavement we turned around and make a leisurely drive back to Queenstown. It was a nice slow drive with little traffic which gave us time to enjoy everything a second time. It was certainly one of, if not the most spectacular stretches of highway we have had the pleasure of seeing. We were overawed.
When we got back to town we stopped at the grocery store and stocked up. We are leaving Queenstown tomorrow and heading for Te Anua and then into Milford Sound which is quite isolated. There won’t be many grocery stores and probably no internet service.
The place is simply awe-inspiring. I believe that New Zealand is one of the world's most amazing places.
ReplyDelete"Visual Orgasms" Rod is the scenery rejuvenating you back to a more youthful time? Keep this up and they will be giving your Blog an 'R' rating. Though I have to agree with everyone that this country has an abundance of beautiful and varied scenery packed into a small country.
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