Glaciers through to Queenstown

Monday, October 26, 2015
Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand
Wake early and its a perfect blue sky, yahoo! Thanks Maggie xx

After the normal check ins and a free upgrade Blaire our chopper pilot from West Coast Helicopters gives us the safety drill, no waving hands in the air when boarding, der, but we are told that some tourists are particularly stupid, no further comment necessary . Buckeled in are we take off over Fox townsite then across to Frans Joseph which we attempted to walk to yesterday.

Although I knew ten years ago when last here that the glaciers are receeding due to global warming, to me they are now reduced by half, we didn't see Franz by foot. So we knew chopper was the only way to truly experience the brillant colour and appreciate the glaciers. Forty minutes for $320 was well worth it to us, we may never see them like this again.

So we fly over the Southern Alps, over to Franz Joseph and then a quick look at Mt. Cook before seeing the other two choppers and stick figures in the white snow. We land on the high point of Fox Glacier and Kel's first snow experience, snow fight!!!!

The pics and short video tells the story, but we totally recommend this experience.

Headed off to Haast, Wanaka, Arrowtown and Queenstown, all extremely scenic .

Along the way we see the creek names have become funnier 'Random Creek, Dizzy Creek, Dismal Creek, Imp Grotto' then we come across a creek with no paddles and kinda reminded me of work, for my housing work buddies we found SHIP Creek! Luckily we were just passing over the creek and not going up it.

Our first two days in Queenstown are spent exploring as its said to be the fun capital and we are now in planning mode again with more quad action, fear factory (hope this is as good as Spookers Moe), Shotover Jet, Luge, Kiwi pub crawl including Minus 5 and the normal hair dresser and barber coz Terry's beard is starting to look like a dwarfs.

Whilst i take on some shopping and hairdresser pampering, Kel and Terry do the Shotover Jet Boat and Fear Factory. Great restaurants here and we eat at Pub on Wharf, yep creative name there, the food was great though, Beef Wellington, Glazed Ribs and creamy rich baked Lasangne.

The magic weather continues to follow us and Wednesday is fantastic, the lakes look like glass and the views from atop where the Gondolas peak are stunning. There is so much happening here, luge rides, mountain bikers by the dozens, paragliding and more jet boats on the rivers. Totally recommend Queenstown.
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Comments

Bel
2015-10-29

Lucky buggers looks like you r having a great time playing in the snow

2025-02-10

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