Monday 29th
Wanaka – Invercargill

Much new snow around on the hills. 3 degrees when we woke up. Drove down past Cromwell, Clyde and through Alexandra, Roxburgh, Raes Junction and lunch at Tapanui (the best toasted sandwich I have ever had). South of Alexandra we passed through the foothills of Old Man Range and it was in this area that Jackson filmed some sequences for The Two Towers. As we were driving through I wanted to get some photos of the distinctive landscape, but there always seemed to be power pylons in the way and in the end I didn't get any decent shots

Looking out over the flooded Cromwell Gorge to the New Cromwell town

Just past Clyde we stopped for an early morning cup of coffee beside the lake


Somewhere near Roxbough I just had to photograph these early settler cottages.




Roxbough Hydro Dam

Turn right at Raes Junction and head for Invercargill

At Gore we decided to press on to Invercargill so we could make an early start the following day and maximise the time on the Catlins Coast. After checking in at a motel near Queens Park we took a leisurely stroll through the park before buying our dinner of salads at the local Woolworths. The weather in Invercargill was cool, but fine. News that heavy snow fell in Central Otago and Canterbury. Also severe gales in Auckland. The Garden Court Motel $80. Rating 9/10.   Travelled 313Km today

Queen Elizabeth Park

Queen Elizabeth Park	A formal Japanese Garden