A Last Minute Adventure

Kyle & Libby, newlyweds from the US, were honeymooning in Aotearoa when the weather interrupted their plans. It’s what none of us want, but have to understand that what makes Aotearoa one of the greatest places on Earth also makes it vulnerable to weather disruptions.

They made it as far as Hokitika on the West Coast, before the rain closed the road from Haast through to Wānaka, meaning their classic kiwi road trip wasn’t going to be possible. Thankfully, they managed to fly through to Christchurch and then onto Queenstown, to resume the rest of their itinerary.

They were left with a free afternoon and really wanted to see if they could somehow make up for the missing part of their adventure. The powers of the Internet led them to us, the night before they arrived in Queenstown and we were able to act quickly and put something together for them to experience the very next afternoon.

Mountains, lakes and forests was our brief and if we could tie those in with a classic Kiwi drive, then that would be the icing on the cake.

We knew that timing would be reasonably tight in order to get them back in time to venture across the Lake on the Earnslaw for the evening BBQ Buffet, but, we know the place we call home very well, so were more than confident that our flexible style would work perfectly.

After collecting them from their hotel and a very quick check in with our intended plan, and current weather situation, we headed up the slopes of Pā Hā Raki (Coronet Peak). This is the perfect place to view the Whakatipu Basin. The views are incredible, and when you add in a very quick side trip on the Skipper Road to step over the saddle into the back country, the bar is set for an incredible afternoon.

There’s nothing more classic Kiwi road trip vibes than the world famous Glenorchy Road. It was finished in 1962, and it wasn’t until 1997 that it was fully sealed. The road ventures North of Wai Tāhuna (Queenstown) to the small town ship of Tāhuna (Glenorchy). Following the Eastern shore of Whakatipu Wai Māori (Lake Wakatipu), every one of the hundreds of bends gives rise to yet another mind blowing view.

With plenty of quick roadside pullovers, you’re spoilt for choices of safe places to stop and admire the view. You also get to witness first hand the incredible nature of micro climates that exist here in Aotearoa. Even though Kyle & Libbby’s plans had been disrupted by the rain, they were fully up for venturing into the storm we could see at the head of the lake.

We decided to skip the township itself and head to the Beech Forest at the beginning of the Routeburn Track. Leaving the sealed road behind, the gravel road meanders through beautiful farm land, the young lambs frolicking in the rain, and there was a lot of rain.

There’s something about Aotearoa in the rain though, it makes everything glow in the most beautiful way. All you have to do is remember to bring a jacket, and wear some good shoes - we always carry an umbrella too.

As the road enters the forest you cross the most incredible streams. Standing looking up at them, seeing tthe gaps between the trees and the boulders brought down from the mountains above, you get to witness the power of what surrounds you. The sound of the water rushing down dominates your hearing, immersing you further into this magical place.

Most of you will know that the Routeburn is one of Aotearoa’s great walks. However, there’s nothing stopping you walking only a short distance over the swing bridge and into the forest. Standing under the canopy, hearing the rain above, all whilst feeling sheltered by these majestic giants, you get to enjoy the beauty of the small at floor level. Ferns, moss and lichens along with fallen trees form a beautiful cloak over Papātuānuku. Time stands still, all of your senses detecting this magical place that surrounds you.

With time ticking, we set back on our journey South. With a keen eye on the clock, we could see that there was just enough time left for a quick side trip up to Punamāhaka (Make Lake). We’ve written about this magical place many times before. Nestled in the mountains, accessed yet another breathtaking gravel road, this time its own micro climate offering us a very welcome respite from the rain.

It’s the perfect way to end an incredible afternoon exploring.

Our online booking system closes off 18 hours before you can book, this ensures that we see any bookings come through. If for whatever reason you’re looking for something truly last minute, emailus@authenticAs.org and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Our extensive DOC concessions allow us access to most places within the DOC estate in the Deep South, meaning we can craft your own AuthenticAs Adventure with ease.

If you’re looking way ahead of time, we can also take you on a multi day adventure, allowing you to experience the very best that Aotearoa has to offer. We’ll be your personal guide, driver and photographer. A complete all in one solution for the holiday of a lifetime.